Road to Recovery: The Jayne Family’s Journey of Gratitude and Generosity
Read more on pg 3
Proton Therapy: Changing the Landscape of Cancer Care Read more on pg 10
Expansion of Maternal-Fetal Care at Morristown Medical Center Fueled by Donor Support
Read more on pg 12
Dear Friend of Morristown Medical Center,
We are thrilled to introduce you to the 2025 issue of the Foundation Journal. This publication is a celebration of the incredible impact our donors have on the medical center, its patients and its team members. It is through your generosity that we are able to turn powerful visions into reality and bring hope to those who need it most.
Each story within these pages is a testament to the everyday transformations you make possible. Whether providing essential health care resources for expectant parents, bringing the latest advances in cancer care to our communities or supporting an area of greatest need for the medical center through a gift of gratitude, your contributions are the catalyst for positive change.
In this journal, you will read about extraordinary donors like you who have touched countless lives, helping the medical center pursue its mission. You will meet individuals like Dale Jayne who have overcome significant challenges thanks to the support systems you have helped put in place. Their journeys are a powerful reminder of the profound difference your generosity makes.
But our work is far from over. The needs in our communities are ever-evolving, and your continued support is crucial in addressing them. With your help, we can expand our reach and amplify our efforts, ensuring that more individuals and families receive the care they need to thrive.
We are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to our mission and thank you for being a cornerstone of our success.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN President, Morristown Medical Center Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Atlantic Health System
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
Honoring Robert B. Tafaro
As his highly impactful five-year tenure as chair of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees draws to a close, we reflect on the remarkable contributions of Robert B. Tafaro.
Throughout his time as chair, Bob Tafaro exhibited unwavering dedication, strategic philanthropy and a passion for the advancement of extraordinary health care for our communities.
His own experience as a grateful patient sparked a profound appreciation for Morristown Medical Center which has been a driving force behind his involvement. Bob’s steadfast belief in the hospital’s mission seamlessly aligned with the larger vision of its leadership. His work as chair has left an indelible mark that will continue to positively impact patients, physicians and the broader community for years to come. The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bob Tafaro for his leadership and unwavering support.
In 2025, longtime Foundation Donor and Trustee Carl J. Goldberg assumes the role of chair for the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees. Please join us in welcoming Carl to this new role and in thanking Bob for his exemplary service.
Left to right: Paul Cain, Community Volunteer, Morristown Medical Center; Kathleen E. Christie, Special Committee Member, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center; Harvey Gerhard, MD, President, Medical/Dental Staff, Morristown Medical Center; Eugene Huang, Esq., Attorney, Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes; Peter McRae, Managing Partner, McRae Capital Management; Matthew Mulcahy, Chair, Community Advisory Board, Morristown Medical Center; Thomas Murphy, MD, Associate Director of Neonatology and Director of Neonatal Quality and Safety, MidAtlantic Neonatology Associates; Christopher Riccobono, Founder, Untuckit and Greatness Wins; Barbara Todd, Retired, Founder, CEO, Renaissance Asset Management and Philanthropist; Teresa Vega, Retired Senior VP, Motorola, Lucent Technologies; Christopher Zipp, DO, Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Morristown Medical Center
To view our full board of trustees, visit f4mmc.org/trustees
to right: Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, President, Morristown Medical Center, Les Quick, Honorary Trustee, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, Patti Aresty, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center Philanthropy Council Member and Bob Tafaro, chair, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees
Left
Right: Bob Tafaro and his wife Cathy
Road to Recovery
The Jayne Family’s Journey of Gratitude and Generosity
They were able to rebuild me. The nurses, aides and other team members were all outstanding and the surgeons; they are why I can get up now every day and the reason my life continues.”
DALE JAYNE
The Jayne Family Foundation honors SICU care team with a Healing Hands Award
Road to Recovery
The Jayne Family’s Journey of Gratitude and Generosity
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in early October 2023, and Dale Jayne – a life-long motorcycle enthusiast – was on his Harley Davidson heading home, winding through the backroads near Oldwick, New Jersey. The next thing he remembers was lying in gravel hearing the whirl of helicopter blades nearby.
Dale was left with a host of serious injuries from the crash, ranging from an open wound on his right leg and lacerations on his neck to broken bones in his face and fractures in multiple areas. The helicopter was there to rush him to Morristown Medical Center, a Level 1 Regional Trauma Center. “I never envisioned myself being in a situation like this,” Dale said.
The urgent and efficient work of the Medevac paramedics and emergency medical technicians that day, alongside the expert medical intervention of Morristown Medical Center’s trauma team at the hospital, saved Dale’s life. What followed was 35 days of intensive care at Morristown Medical Center, as Dale underwent five surgeries and numerous procedures. During that time, he could not help but notice the level of expertise and
collaboration amongst the teams that cared for him. “Not one person made the difference,” Dale said. “There was incredible coordination among so many experts – a trauma team, a surgical team and an orthopedics team – they all worked together, reviewing many options. This is the reason they are so good. They are all very successful in their areas of expertise, but they know how to work as a team.”
This sense of teamwork was apparent to Dale from day one. Dale arrived at the hospital unconscious and hospital personnel had not yet been able to contact his family, leaving him unidentified to his caregivers.
To rectify this, a nurse in the Sameth Emergency Department went above and beyond, working with Dale to connect him with his loved ones. At one point, the nurse put a pen in Dale’s hand and asked
Healing Hands Award Recipients
Torin Rutner, MD
Louis DiFazio, MD
Gerard Begley, MD
Paul Stewart Saphier, MD
Anthony Spinnickie, MD
Lawrence Gorzelnik, MD
Melissa Lynch, PA
Kim Belton, MSN and the team responsible for Dale’s remarkable recovery
Not one person made the difference. There was incredible coordination among so many experts – a trauma team, a surgical team and an orthopedics team – they all worked together, reviewing many options.
Dale Jayne
Above: Dale with just some of the team responsible for his day-to-day care at Morristown Medical Center.
Right: Dale and Kim Belton, MSN, nurse manager, Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units, Morristown Medical Center.
him to write out his PIN, allowing the team to contact Dale’s family and update them about his whereabouts and condition.
“He took that extra step,” Dale said. “Everybody took extra steps, which made all the difference in my recovery, and it speaks volumes about their character and work ethic. That is why our family wanted to do something memorable for the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) team. Everyone is just so good at what they do, and they really care about each patient. They think they are just doing their jobs, but it is much more than that – it’s a labor of love for them, and that always takes it to the next level; that compassion for another person is what makes the most significant impact.”
Dale’s wife Pauline kept a diary of her days in the SICU, sitting bedside with Dale. “The most touching part when I look back on my notes was the clear and easy-tounderstand communication with everyone,” Pauline said. “Whoever entered the room always identified themselves first and then told us exactly what they were going to do. This may seem small, but it was so impressive to me.”
Give a Healing Hands Award
Dale, Pauline and the entire extended Jayne family did not know how to begin to show their immense gratitude but had to find a way to thank the medical staff who gave Dale his life back. “I feel that I was at the right place at the right time, surrounded by the right people,” Dale said.
The family chose to express their thanks by honoring Dale’s care team with a Healing Hands donation directed to support the SICU. The Jayne Family Foundation’s gift recognized Torin Rutner, MD; Louis DiFazio, MD; Gerard Begley, MD; Paul Stewart Saphier, MD; Anthony Spinnickie, MD; Lawrence Gorzelnik, MD; and Melissa Lynch, PA, alongside the team responsible for his remarkable recovery.
“A big nucleus of people put me back together,” Dale said. “They were able to rebuild me. The nurses, aides and other team members were all outstanding and the surgeons; they are why I can get up now every day and the reason my life continues.”
Gratitude from the Jayne family
“I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff. I could see everyone’s heartfelt care and compassion. I was there for the first five days, and it was tough to leave – I had to get back to my home in Florida, but I knew he had the kind of care that made me feel comfortable.”
Bill Jayne, Dale’s brother
“The nurses were excellent at telling us about the surgeries and procedures that had been completed and the list of new surgeries and procedures coming up for that day. They were on top of everything. They took the time to explain it until I understood, which helped me with the overwhelming feelings I was having about what was happening.”
Taylor Jayne, Dale’s daughter
“My dad was getting overheated a lot, and the staff gave him his own handheld fan. That fan became his best friend! It was something he could control. If my dad pointed at it – he could not talk – the nurses and team members in the room made sure the batteries were charged or replaced and ready for him to use.”
Sarah Jayne, Dale’s daughter
“When the nurses would talk to my dad, they would always move into his eyeline because he couldn’t move his head. I know it made him feel more comfortable that they tried to look him in the eye. Seeing these small details of love and care gave me so much confidence. It was a testament to all of us that he would be taken care of in every way possible and made it easier – as a family – to take the breaks we needed.”
William Jayne, Dale’s son
To give a Healing Hands Award in honor of a caregiver or care team that has made an impact on you or a loved one, scan the QR code or contact Eva Madine, foundation officer, at 973-593-2427 or eva.madine@atlantichealth.org.
Dale and his family return to Morristown Medical Center for the first time since his discharge.
Exceptional Patient Care Leads to Impactful Legacy Gift
for Cancer Research
When the late Marilyn C. Shulman found something that fit her comfortably, she had little need to look elsewhere. She spent most of her career as an accounting supervisor, and found her dream home in Madison, New Jersey, where she and her late husband, Samuel, lived for many years.
The Shulmans quickly identified Morristown Medical Center as their hospital of choice to meet their health care needs. They were impressed by the expertise of the clinical team and the commitment to excellence that was evident in every interaction. The physicians, nurses and team members treated them like family, and these encounters became a source of comfort they could count on.
The couple’s gratitude for the care they received made a planned gift to the hospital a natural choice when they began thinking about how they would like their legacy to live on once they were gone.
A bequest earmarked for cancer research at Morristown Medical Center was a high priority for the Shulmans. “I encourage
Create a lasting legacy
Giving tip
Giving through a Donor Advised Fund
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is an account created by a donor through a community foundation or charitable arm of a financial institution. The donor contributes cash, stock or other assets to this fund and receives an immediate tax deduction. The donor then recommends that the DAF direct a portion of their fund to the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center or other charities. They can also make the Foundation a beneficiary of their DAF in their estate plans to become a member of the Brookfield Legacy Society. Visit giftplanning.f4mmc.org for more information on tax deductions, market growth opportunities and the process of using a DAF.
many of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s donors to consider allocating a bequest as part of their legacy giving because they are easy to set up, and it can make an indelible impact on the hospital, investing in the latest technology, attracting the brightest medical minds and improving patient outcomes for decades to come,” said Cynthia W. O’Donnell, JD, director of gift planning for the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center.
“It was my great pleasure to carry out Marilyn’s wishes by preparing her estate plan, and serving as the executor of her estate after her passing. I know she was deeply interested in medical research and innovation, and believed that a major gift to Morristown Medical Center would further that interest,” said Summit, New Jersey attorney Michael Katz, Esq., who was the Shulmans’ lawyer for many years.
Through their planned gift, the Shulmans’ generosity continues to impact the medical center’s patients each day.
I know [Marilyn] was deeply interested in medical research and innovation, and believed that a major gift to Morristown Medical Center would further that interest.”
Michael Katz, Esq., the Shulmans’ lawyer
If you would like to learn more about how to participate in Morristown Medical Center’s future by creating a bequest or to inquire about other methods of planned giving, please contact Cynthia W. O’Donnell, JD, director of gift planning, at 973-593-2418 or cynthia.odonnell@atlantichealth.org.
Funding Priorities
Philanthropy plays an important role in driving Morristown Medical Center’s commitment to innovation. Through generous donor support, we can continue funding the latest research, enhancing clinical education and expanding and modernizing our facilities – all to the direct benefit of the communities we serve.
Funding Priorities
We hope you’ll consider joining us in our vital mission by investing in one of these areas.
NEUROLOGY & NEUROSURGERY
StealthStation™ Navigation System
Morristown Medical Center’s multidisciplinary team is committed to providing comprehensive and innovative treatments that advance neurological and epilepsy care. Philanthropy is needed to support the purchase of the StealthStation™ Navigation System. This highly advanced navigation system locates anatomical structures during neurosurgical procedures for enhanced precision and safety.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Collaborative Care in Primary Care Practices
Atlantic Behavioral Health at Morristown Medical Center offers a cutting-edge Collaborative Care program that provides mental health evaluation and support to children and adults during their doctor’s visit. In this model, patients are screened for anxiety and depression during a new patient or annual appointment with their doctor. If a patient screens positive, a behavioral health clinician assesses the patient for depression, anxiety, substance misuse or other concerns. Funding is needed to expand the program to four Atlantic Medical Group primary care practices.
Volunteer leaders for key funding needs
Volunteer leaders in philanthropy councils play a crucial role in supporting key funding needs at Morristown Medical Center by leveraging their expertise, networks and passion for the medical center’s mission. These leaders engage deeply, often with a specific service line or method of giving, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities. They mobilize resources by organizing fundraising events, cultivating donor relationships and advocating for the service line’s needs within the community. Their efforts ensure targeted financial support and innovative ways to further drive philanthropy.
Comprised of professionals in our community ranging in age from 25 to 39, the Associate Board of Ambassadors inspires and empowers the next generation to become compassionate community advocates, dedicated to enriching the lives of others and supporting the mission of Morristown Medical Center.
Co-chairs: Samantha Kane and Ben Zeidler
PEDIATRICS Pediatric HematologyOncology Pharmacy
Pediatric cancer can be complex to treat. Goryeb Children’s Hospital will create a pediatric hematology-oncology pharmacy service dedicated exclusively to young cancer patients to meet their highly specialized needs. Funds will support a board-certified pediatric oncology pharmacist specially trained to identify the proper therapy and optimal dosage for each patient, reduce side effects and minimize the late effects of treatment.
Mission-driven support from the Goryeb Philanthropy Council helps to advance educational needs and enhance programs at this specialized children’s hospital.
Co-chairs: Thomas Murphy, MD, Associate Director of Neonatology and Director of Neonatal Quality and Safety, MidAtlantic Neonatology Associates, and Rick Goryeb, past Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Trustee
To support one or more of the funding needs highlighted here or to learn more about other areas of need throughout the medical center, scan the QR code or call 973-593-2400
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hersh Fetal Center
Although one out of every 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect, highly advanced diagnostic technologies and treatments offer new hope for parents and significantly improved outcomes for their unborn child. The creation of a new, centralized location for the Hersh Fetal Center will equip specialists with cutting-edge diagnostic testing and medically advanced procedures while catering to women experiencing high-risk complications during pregnancy.
Relocation and Expansion of Services
Healthy communities lead to lower health care costs, robust community partnerships and enhanced quality of life. To address this, Morristown Medical Center operates a Specialty Clinic where uninsured, underserved patients have access to high-quality medical care through a Women’s Health Clinic, Surgical Services, Hematology-Oncology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Neurology, Internal Medicine, and a Dental Center. Philanthropy is needed to support the relocation and expansion of services.
ONCOLOGY
Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Clinical Trial
While biomarkers can help identify a type of early-onset pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals, some patients may test positive without showing signs on ultrasounds or other imaging techniques. Philanthropy is needed to support a three-year pilot research project that will address this issue. Carol G. Simon Cancer Center’s High-Risk Clinic will identify patients using biomarkers to determine the presence of cancer or evaluate risk in addition to CT scans, MRIs and advanced endoscopy. Donations will cover the costs of imaging as well as salaries for research team members.
The mission of the Women’s Health Philanthropy Council is to improve community understanding of women’s health offerings at Morristown Medical Center and Atlantic Health System and to fundraise for physicianidentified areas of medicine as well as areas directly affecting women’s medical care and concerns.
Chair: Shari Geller
The Brookfield Legacy Society Advisory Council helps to advance planned giving in support of Morristown Medical Center. Its members lead by example and serve as ambassadors to the community while building lasting relationships.
Chair: William D. Bruen Jr., Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Trustee
The Carol G. Simon Cancer Center Philanthropy Council enables Carol G. Simon Cancer Center to expand research, add new programs, improve existing programs and broaden educational offerings.
Co-chairs: Eric D. Whitman, MD, FACS, System Medical Director, Atlantic Health System Cancer Care, and Lydia Nadeau, RN, MBA, FACHE, Executive Director, Atlantic Health System Cancer Care
SPECIALTY CLINICS
Proton Therapy
Changing the Landscape of Cancer Care
Thanks to $12.5 million in donor support, Atlantic Health System will open a Proton Therapy Center featuring the MEVION S250FIT Proton Therapy System™. This highly advanced, highly anticipated technology will be unveiled at Morristown Medical Center in early 2026, making it the exclusive MEVION S250-FIT provider on the East Coast.
What makes the MEVION S250-FIT so game-changing is that it is the first proton technology to combine a compact footprint with a fixed proton beam for more precise targeting and a semi-upright positioning system. Instead of revolving around the patient, the unit moves the patient up and down a fixed beam, significantly enhancing patient comfort and treatment outcomes.
Proton therapy has numerous proven clinical benefits, most notably that it precisely targets a tumor while leaving healthy tissue intact. It is particularly beneficial for patients with head and neck cancer, brain tumors, liver and lung cancer and tumors in children, as it reduces collateral damage to surrounding structures.
*The MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System is not yet available for clinical use.
Proton therapy is a transformative step in advancing stateof-the-art cancer services for our patients.”
Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN President, Morristown Medical Center
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Atlantic Health System
To support the Proton Therapy Center at Morristown Medical Center, scan the QR code or contact Lisa Duff, foundation officer, at 973-593-2405 or lisa.duff@atlantichealth.org
Making a difference. Together.
It’s often said that giving is not just about making a donation; it’s about making a difference. This is a core belief shared by some of Morristown Medical Center’s most notable donors who have generously made lead gifts to support the new Proton Therapy Center.
Thanks to their generosity and additional support from our community, more than $12.5 million was donated in just a few short months to reach the project’s goal.
Left to right: The late Margaret A. Darrin, Lois and Neil Gagnon, Carl J. Goldberg, the late Douglas M. Noble, MD, and Robert and Catherine Tafaro
Thank you to our leadership donors for helping us meet our $12.5 million goal:
Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust
The Ferreira Family
Gagnon Family Foundation
The Carl J. Goldberg Family Charitable Fund
The Hampshire Foundation
Douglas M. Noble Family Foundation
Robert and Catherine Tafaro
Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center
Leadership giving includes contributions from the Gagnon Family Foundation, the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust, the Ferreira family, the Chair of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees Carl J. Goldberg and past Chair Robert Tafaro and his wife Catherine. Additional generous support comes from The Hampshire Foundation and the Douglas M.Noble Family Foundation. This combined philanthropy is a testament to the power of giving, helping transform cancer care and survivorship for countless patients in our communities and pave the way for a new era of cutting-edge radiation oncology services.
2025 Mansion in May: Wildfair
The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center has named the Proton Therapy Center the beneficiary of its 2025 Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens. Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2024, this signature event takes place every other year and provides a significant source of support for philanthropic initiatives at Morristown Medical Center.
To learn more or purchase tickets, visit mansioninmay.org
MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System™
Photo Credit: Heather Swartz
Expansion of MaternalFetal Care at Morristown Medical Center Fueled by Donor Support
A $2.5 million grant from the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation will facilitate the creation of the Hersh Fetal Center. The new center, scheduled to open in early 2025, will offer highly advanced diagnostic technologies for women and their unborn children in high-risk pregnancies, enabling the hospital to elevate its stateof-the-art treatments in maternal-fetal medicine exponentially over the next decade.
The late Dorothy B. Hersh never married or had children of her own but was always interested in helping the underserved, particularly those with disabilities and special needs youth in her community. In her will, Dorothy made provisions that a foundation be established to provide a milk fund for orphans in Elizabeth, New Jersey, near where she spent most of her life. Upon her passing in 1979, the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation was founded. As there were no longer orphanages or milk funds in New Jersey, the newly formed Foundation shifted its focus to children with special needs and those who are financially vulnerable.
$2.5 million grant from the
Top Left Rendering: Reception area in the new Hersh Fetal Center. Bottom Right Rendering: New family counsel space.
Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation named the Hersh Fetal Center at Morristown Medical Center
Dorothy B. Hersh
“I know Dorothy would be stunned and so pleased that today – more than four decades after the foundation was established – hundreds of thousands of children across the entire state of New Jersey and also children in New York and Pennsylvania have the chance to be happy and healthy with happy and healthy parents,” said Harriet L. Donnelly, foundation administrator of the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation. “It is so much more than Dorothy ever imagined.”
For years, Morristown Medical Center has been recognized as a leader in high-risk maternal-fetal medicine with multidisciplinary teams including boardcertified perinatologists and subspecialists providing comprehensive and compassionate care for the full range of fetal anomalies. At the Hersh Fetal Center, the medically advanced procedures catering to women experiencing highrisk complications during pregnancy will offer new hope and significantly improve outcomes for mothers and their unborn children.
“The Hersh Foundation’s support of the Hersh Fetal Center at Morristown Medical Center is unique because we are taking a step back and helping children from the very beginning of their lives while they are still in the womb,” Harriet said. “The impact of this contribution, I am sure, will make a difference in so many lives across the state.”
Over the last few years, patient demand for maternal-fetal medicine has increased. The Hersh Fetal Center will widen patient access to treatments in more complicated situations, including access to advanced diagnostic ultrasound and fetal echocardiography to assess the developing fetus, screening and counseling for genetic defects, multiple pregnancies and congenital anomalies in the first trimester and beyond; screening and management to predict and prevent preeclampsia, preterm birth and stillbirth;
Rendering: Hersh Fetal Center interior and nourishment area.
and fetal growth monitoring.
Creating a new patient-centered facility that will centralize services, increase staff and expand pediatric fetal cardiology diagnostic capabilities will streamline vital access to experts whose sole focus is keeping mother and baby healthy before, during and after birth, all possible thanks to the Hersh Foundation’s incredibly transformative generosity.
The one-stop destination where the full spectrum of expert care will take place during one appointment will co-locate specialty services in a spa-like atmosphere, setting the tone to relieve undue stress for expectant parents.
“Morristown Medical Center would not be a medically advanced destination for maternal-fetal medicine without the astounding donor support of the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation and many others who came before and built our services from the ground up over the last decade,” said Jennifer L. Smith, chief philanthropy officer for the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center. “The collective generosity of our incredible donors has earned the trust and admiration of the mothers we serve who are no doubt optimistic about the future of their babies, thanks to the power of philanthropy.”
Contribute through a nonprofit foundation or corporation
I know Dorothy would be stunned and so pleased that today –more than four decades after the foundation was established – hundreds of thousands of children across the entire state of New Jersey and also children in New York and Pennsylvania have the chance to be happy and healthy, with happy and healthy parents. It is so much more than Dorothy ever imagined.”
Harriet L. Donnelly, foundation administrator of the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation
To contribute to Morristown Medical Center through a nonprofit foundation or corporation, please contact Bonnie Gannon, director of corporate and foundation relations, at 973-593-2419 or bonnie.gannon@atlantichealth.org
Conquering Cancer
Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit Made Possible by $1 Million Grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
To honor J. Peter Simon’s loyal decadelong service as an Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation trustee, the California-based foundation recently gave a generous $1 million grant to launch the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit at Morristown Medical Center.
Uniquely designed to treat patients with blood cancers undergoing intensive chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments, the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit advances the mission of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation by investing in leading-edge research and fostering innovation to provide the highest level of cancer care for complex patient populations.
Garnering national attention, the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit is one of the latest advancements for Atlantic Health’s Cellular Therapy Program at Carol G.Simon Cancer Center, which currently
sees more than 200 hematological cancer admissions annually. These patients often require multiple hospitalizations as part of their treatment plan and are particularly vulnerable to treatment-related side effects, requiring heightened monitoring. Focused on the specialized needs of these patients, the unit is equipped with state-of-the-art hemodynamic monitoring technology and staffed with highly trained nurses to deliver the safest possible treatment options.
“Atlantic Health System is proud to be at the leading edge of the latest, advanced science in the care of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, but caring for these patients requires a special combination of resources and expertise,” said Eric D. Whitman, MD, system medical director of Atlantic Health System’s Oncology Service Line, principal investigator for the Atlantic
$1 million grant
from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to launch the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit at Morristown Medical Center
200+ patients
admitted annually for hematological cancer at Atlantic Health’s Cellular Therapy Program at Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Health NCORP Program and director of the Atlantic Melanoma Center. “Through the creation of the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit at Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Morristown Medical Center joins an elite level of hospitals providing this specialized, lifesaving care.”
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, established in 1977 to honor the late Arnold’s love of science and insatiable spirit of invention, supports cancer patients through leading-edge research and advanced medical care. At nine years old, Arnold found a chemistry book in the family attic and became fixated on the field of study as his lifelong career. Arnold went on to found Beckman Instruments, pursuing his desire to develop and manufacture technology that would advance scientific innovation.
The late Mabel and Arnold Beckman
After becoming a worldwide leader in the biotech revolution by creating devices that revolutionized the study and understanding of chemistry and human biology, Arnold often said, “There is no substitute for excellence.”
This philosophy was the roadmap of his life and helped shape his company and highly decorated career.
In his lifetime, the acclaimed scientist and businessman was lucky to see his greatest wishes fulfilled by supporting innovative projects, equipment and treatments in the medical and scientific communities.
The Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit at Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Trustees and current board member. “I was so glad they chose to fund a project of this caliber. It’s an incredible tribute to have Carol G. Simon Cancer Center as the beneficiary, and I’m happy it all came together so well.”
Anne Hultgren, PhD, executive director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, readily agreed with Peter’s enthusiasm to contribute to advanced
In early 2023, Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center announced the groundbreaking treatment of the first patient in the nation in a study to examine the effectiveness of using CAR-T cells in the treatment of the autoimmune disease lupus. This Phase 1 study taking place in the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit focuses on individuals with severe, Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Scan the QR code to read more.
exemplifies Arnold’s pioneering efforts in new therapies and advanced treatments by featuring Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR-T) immunotherapy and other state-of-the-art treatments at the forefront of cancer research today.
“I’m a real believer in CAR-T therapy, which I became knowledgeable about along with many other innovative therapies during my service on the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Board,” said Peter Simon, former chair of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of
cancer care at Morristown Medical Center. “We are pleased to contribute to the Beckman Advanced Cellular Therapy Unit to recognize Peter’s exemplary service as our board member. Advancing research that can lead to cures and therapies for cancer is core to our mission, and we hope that new research studies and improvements in patient care will be possible because of the new unit that will bring us closer to the goal of curing cancer for everyone.”
Advancing research that can lead to cures and therapies for cancer is core to our mission, and we hope that new research studies and improvements in patient care will be possible because of the new unit that will bring us closer to the goal of curing cancer for everyone.”
Anne Hultgren, PhD, executive director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Foundation Happenings
Paul Krieger, New Jersey Managing Partner, Deloitte, Marc Adee, CEO, Crum & Forster, Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, president, Morristown Medical Center, and Jennifer Smith, chief philanthropy officer, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center present to donors at Advancements in Health Care at Deloitte.
1
Michael and Margie Maneri of the Douglas M. Noble Family Foundation and James C. Wittig, MD, chair, Orthopedics, Morristown Medical Center and medical director, Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology and Sarcoma, Atlantic Health System, visit the Douglas M. Noble Family Foundation Waiting Area in the Atlantic Orthopedic Oncology and Sarcoma practice.
2
Beth C. Natt, MD, chair, Pediatrics, Goryeb Children’s Hospital and medical director, Pediatric Service Line, Atlantic Health System and Joanna Wright, MHA, executive director, Women’s and Children’s Service Line, Atlantic Health System, accept a Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Grant on behalf of Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Yankee Stadium.
3
Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute clinical experts John M. Brown, III, MD, Amy Ahnert, MD, Claire Boccia Liang, MD, Philippe Généreux, MD, and Benjamin S. van Boxtel, MD, with Dinner with the Docs: Cardiovascular host Bob Tafaro.
4
Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees gathers at the Morris Museum in Morristown for the 2024 Board Retreat.
5
Nikki Sumpter, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, Atlantic Health System, and Jennifer Smith, chief philanthropy officer, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center at Advancements in Health Care at Deloitte.
6
Guests attend annual Memorial Wall Celebration on Rooke Family Plaza at Morristown Medical Center.
7
Matthew A. Grossman, MD, chief, Gastroenterology, Morristown Medical Center, Keerti Sharma, MD, chief, Geriatrics, Morristown Medical Center, Mohamad Cherry, MD, medical director, HematologyOncology, Atlantic Health System Cancer Care and medical director, Atlantic Cellular Therapy Program and James C. Wittig, MD chair, Orthopedics, Morristown Medical Center and medical director, Orthopedics, Orthopedic Oncology and Sarcoma, Atlantic Health System present at the 31st Annual Brookfield Legacy Society Luncheon on ongoing medical education initiatives at the medical center.
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Grandkids of Goryeb Philanthropy Council member Bill Laufer put their fundraising skills to work selling lemonade in their Morristown neighborhood and donating all the proceeds to Goryeb Children’s Hospital.
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Beth C. Natt, MD, chair, Pediatrics, Goryeb Children’s Hospital and medical director, Pediatric Service Line, Atlantic Health System, Phyllis Rabinowitz, co-president/ secretary, R Baby Foundation, and Ashley Flannery, MD, director, Emergency Medicine, Morristown Medical Center, view plaque in honor of the late Rebecca Ava Rabinowitz.
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Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Basket Raffle Co-chairs, Kim Belton, MSN, and Jacqueline Tierney, MSN, with Brandee Fetherman, MSN, chief nursing officer, Morristown Medical Center, Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, president, Morristown Medical Center, and Jennifer Smith, chief philanthropy officer, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center pull raffle tickets at the annual fundraising event.
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Carl Goldberg, incoming chair, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees, and Stanley Fiel, MD, chief medical officer, Morristown Medical Center at the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center event Advancements in Health Care at Deloitte.
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Team members at the Valerie Fund Children’s Center welcome the Kinney Family to dedicate Johnny’s Closet, donated by the Johnny Kinney Memorial Foundation.
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Roxbury High School students present $54k raised to support the Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital during their annual Rox-THON fundraiser. 14
Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
310 South Street, 4th Floor Morristown, NJ 07960
Associate Board of Ambassadors
The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Welcomes its Newest Group of Volunteer Leaders
The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center recently welcomed its newest group of next-generation volunteer leaders, a dynamic and diverse team of passionate individuals committed to making a positive impact in their communities. The Associate Board of Ambassadors brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the medical center’s highest-priority needs with a strong focus on collaboration and making a difference.