HackensackUMC Celebrates 125th Anniversary at its Annual Joint Meeting of the Boards with Hackensack University Health Network

HackensackUMC celebrates its 125th anniversary with a special cake from Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ (The Cake Boss).

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Hackensack University Medical Center celebrated its 125^th anniversary at its Annual Joint Meeting of the Boards, together with Hackensack University Health Network, Inc., on Wednesday, March 27. Hundreds of board members, executive leaders, elected officials, physicians and staff members joined at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, to celebrate the medical center’s extensive history, hear updates from the past year, and discuss the future of the health system.

This year marked a change in leadership for the three boards of both Hackensack University Health Network as well as HackensackUMC.  James R. Napolitano, chairman of Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees, passed his gavel to Joseph Simunovich, former chairman of the HackensackUMC Foundation Board of Trustees. His former role will now be assumed by Joseph M. Sanzari, who previously served as chairman of the HackensackUMC Board of Governors. Sanzari is succeeded by Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr.

 “For 125 years, we have been providing superior healthcare to our community – alwaysexpanding, changing and innovating to meet and exceed the needs of our patients,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network. “Since day one, we have been a hospital of the people and for the people. In fact, our entire history stems from a direct need for patient care during one of the worst blizzards to ever hit our area – the Great Blizzard of 1888.”

In support of the HackensackUMC’s anniversary, the medical center received a special congratulatory letter as well as a video message from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Garrett then highlighted some of HackensackUMC’s incredible history to present day, noting the similarities of caring for the community during the Great Blizzard of 1888 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012. HackensackUMC’s team was featured on numerous national news outlets for the work of its NJ-Mobile Satellite Emergency Department units, and reaffirmed the medical center’s commitment to being a resource during times of need.

He spoke of innovative partnerships that the Hackensack University Health Network became part of during 2012, including clinical and academic affiliations with: Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center’s Division of Pediatric Surgery, Palisades Medical Center, MinuteClinic, North Shore-LIJ Health System, United Surgical Partners International, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Garrett also announced the expected reactivation of HackensackUMC’s Kidney Transplant Program. “As our CEO, it’s not easy to tell you that our Kidney Transplant Program suffered some setbacks, and I voluntarily suspended the program to make changes and improvements. However, today I am proud to announce that we’re getting ready to reactivate our Kidney Transplant Program.” He then introduced James Lim, M.D., the program’s new chief, joining HackensackUMC from Lankenau Medical Center in Philadelphia.  

Garrett then spoke of future goals and objectives for both Hackensack University Health Network and HackensackUMC. Among these goals are: broadening the Network’s presence by focusing on a market-leading, clinically-integrated network; partnering with physicians to grow its regional physician network; setting the national standard for clinical outcomes, patient experience and technology integration and innovation; continuing aggressive research initiatives; and becoming one of the best places to work in the New York metro area.

He added, “We have always understood the need to change and adapt to the times. That’s why I am confident that Hackensack University Health Network is on the right path for the future.”

Earlier in the meeting, Napolitano paid tribute to the three board members who passed away during 2012: J. Fletcher Creamer, Sr., Alvin J. Curkin and Jack Schecter. He also acknowledged 18 members of the HackensackUMC team who passed during the past year.

“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I will be passing the gavel of chairman over to Joe Simunovich,” said Napolitano. “It has been a pleasure serving for the past three years, and I would like to thank the 11 members of the Hackensack University Health Network board who have worked beside me.”

After giving the 2012 report of the HackensackUMC Foundation Board of Trustees, Simunovich added, “Today, as the outgoing chairman of the Foundation, I am pleased to say that in the last six years as chairman we have raised more than $160 million.”

“It’s been a great pleasure and an honor serving as the Board of Governor’s chairman, and I look forward to assuming my new position as chairman of the HackensackUMC Foundation Board of Trustees,” said Sanzari.

Also announced during the meeting was the new chairman of the HackensackUMC Advisory Board of Directors, Richard B. DeSimone.  Ann Marie Saccaro, president of HackensackUMC Auxiliary presented its report. Patrick J. Toth, M.D., outgoing chairman of the HackensackUMC Medical Executive Committee gave his report, highlighting the growth in physician partnerships through partnerships such as the Hackensack Alliance ACO. He spoke of HackensackUMC’s 1,600 physicians, and the award-winning year they enjoyed.

Frank DeCongelio, chairman of the HackensackUMC Finance and Investment Committees, delivered the Treasurer’s report – highlighting HackensackUMC’s most successful year. The year 2012 produced a total net income of $58 million, including the payment of employee incentive of $34 million and investment gains of $24 million.  HackensackUMC ended 2012 with more than $465 million in cash and investments and a net equity of $474 million, which is considered quite an achievement especially in this economic climate.

“We are in the midst of some very exciting things at HackensackUMC, and I look forward to being a part of them and helping to maintain our reputation as one of the finest hospitals in the country!” said Inserra.

Meeting attendees were then invited to a reception in the Commissioner’s Club of MetLife Stadium. There, they were treated to a famous “Cake Boss” cake, which was a replica of the HackensackUMC campus, and joined by Mauro Castano from Carlo’s Bakery.

PHOTO:

HackensackUMC celebrates its 125^th anniversary with a special cake from Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ (The Cake Boss).

Pictured from left to right:

Anthony Scardino, Jr., member, HackensackUMC Foundation Board of Trustees; Joseph Simunovich, chairman, Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees; Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer, Hackensack University Health Network; Mauro Castano from The Cake Boss show and Carlo’s Bakery; J.Fletcher Creamer, Jr., member, Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees and HackensackUMC Board of Governors; Joseph M. Sanzari, chairman, HackensackUMC Foundation Board of Trustees.

About Hackensack University Medical Center
HackensackUMC, a nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, New Jersey, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. This 775-bed facility has created an entire campus of care, including: the Heart & Vascular Hospital, the John Theurer Cancer Center, the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, and the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital. HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report, and has received nine national rankingsin: Cancer; Cardiology & Heart Surgery; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; Urology; and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Children’s Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the 2012-13 Best Children’s Hospitals list. HackensackUMC is among Healthgrades® America’s Best 100 Hospitals in 10 different areas – more than any other hospital in the nation, and received the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ 11 years in a row. The medical center has also been named one of the Truven Health Analytics 100 Top Hospitals®, a Leapfrog Top Hospital, and one of America's 50 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades® for seven years in a row. HackensackUMC received 19 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence. HackensackUMC is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls, and remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more about one of the nation’s 50 best hospitals, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.   

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