Community Makes Transformation a Reality

Simply astonishing!  That’s how Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation members describe the fund-raising response for the hospital’s $300 million expansion project, Transforming Care.

When Jersey Shore broke ground in 2006 on its expansion project, a fund-raising goal of $8 million was considered by the Foundation – and very quickly met.

“Our closest supporters were very enthusiastic about the expansion,” said Nancy Barone, senior development officer for the Foundation.“We quickly raised the bar to $20 million.”

From million dollar gifts to single dollar endorsements, supporters throughout the region embraced the project.Foundation officials say they expect to exceed the $20 million goal.

Hospital officials are most proud of the team member fund-raising program, one of the largest employee campaigns ever at a New Jersey hospital, which is approaching a total of $800,000.“It was just an astonishing effort,” said Barone.“This says something special about our team members.”

Jersey Shore president Steven G. Littleson said the team member fundraising campaign “exceeded our wildest expectations.This effort demonstrates the depth of their commitment to what they do every day.”

In honor of the fund-raising campaign, the new team member cafeteria will be named “Phoebe’s Café” after the yellow butterfly, indigenous to Monmouth County, that became the symbol of the transformation project.

To honor all those who contributed, the Foundation is planning a reception to unveil a donor wall, which will include the names of every person who made a donation, no matter how small.

Barone said several donors contributed significant seven-figure gifts to help with the expansion.These included individuals such as Monmouth County attorney Richard A. Amdur, Dr. Sushil Mehandru, a Jersey Shore nephrologist, and noted builder Kevork Hovnanian and his wife, Emily.

In addition, significant donations were given by several charitable groups, including: the Kurr Foundation, the Mildred H. Rosa Charitable Trust and the Jane H. Booker Charitable Foundation.

The hospital will recognize some of these donors by naming major facilities in honor of their generosity, Barone noted.The tributes have included the Amdur Ambulatory Care Center, the Mehandru Pavilion, and the Mildred Rosa Diagnostic and Treatment Pavilion.The new lobby will be named the Kurr Atrium in memory of Sara Kurr Zock.

The current children’s hospital at Jersey Shore has been named the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.And the large lawn area in front of the new hospital entrance will be christened the Jane H. Booker Green and the new circle road around the Green named the Jane H. Booker Boulevard.When the existing emergency department moves to the newly expanded space, the former location will house outpatient services as the Jane H. Booker Outpatient Pavilion.

The Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees consists of volunteer leaders from the Monmouth County community.The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that provides philanthropic support for the medical center’s programs and services and for the patients and families it serves.

David L. Flood, president of the Foundation, praised the support of Foundation chair Mollie Giamanco, her Campaign Executive Committee and fellow Foundation Trustees during the expansion fundraising.“Their leadership has been invaluable to the success of this campaign, while positioning us favorable to begin a blueprint for a second phase campaign that will take this unmatched health care facility to an even greater level of sophistication,” said Flood.