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November
3, 2003
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MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION WELCOMES 2003 LEGACY SOCIETY INDUCTEES AT ELEVENTH ANNUAL RECEPTION The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation recently inducted the members of its Legacy Society for the year 2003. This special society established by the Foundation Board of Trustees in 1992, honors those individuals who have provided for the medical center in their estate plans by establishing a charitable gift annuity, a charitable trust, a bequest commitment, or by making an outright gift to the Foundation’s endowment. To date, friends of the medical center have committed more than $22 million in gifts and pledges toward building an endowment that will assist the medical center in providing the area’s finest and most up-to-date healthcare. This year’s inductees into the Legacy Society included: Carlos A. and Sylvia Consuegra of Emerson; Justice Marie L. Garibaldi of Weehawken; Frank L. Gehrig of Fair Lawn; Edward A. Jesser of Mahwah; and Natalie Lowenstein of Hackensack, bringing the total membership to 78. In addition to Mr. Gehrig, Elizabeth A. O’Keefe of Hackensack was inducted into the Chairman’s Circle of the Legacy Society, bringing its total membership to 15. Members of the Chairman’s Circle have given more than once to the endowment program. “I have been volunteering at the medical center since the early eighties – my entire family has always done medical-related volunteer work, trying to help mankind in small ways, “ said Mrs. O’Keefe. She seemed to capture the sentiments of all the inductees when she stated, “The growth at Hackensack has reached a point where they are now one of the greatest in the country, and I am proud to be a part of it.” In addition to donating her time, she has included the medical center in her estate plans, because “it is a very important part of my life.” This year’s Legacy Society Induction Ceremony was held in the Executive Board Room at Hackensack University Medical Center with a reception following in the Margery S. and Charles J. Rothschild, Jr. Recognition Gallery. “It is so important for us as an institution to recognize donors with this special evening. The Legacy Society is at $22.6 million today, and we owe it all to you – please know that in your heart you have created an endowment of healthcare of the future,” said George T. Croonquist of Hackensack, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation. “Your commitments helped to build a solid endowment program which, in turn, secures the future of the medical center.” “We thank our newest donors for contributing to the future of the medical center and for their commitment to our on-going evolution and their support of our vision,” said John P. Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of the medical center. “Thank you all for the generosity of heart and spirit that has gathered for this special evening, ” said Robert L. Torre of Hackensack, vice president and chief operating officer of the medical center’s Foundation, as he addressed all of the inductees and members. Mr. Gehrig, who was inducted into the Legacy Society and the Legacy Society Chairman’s Circle, has been a Bergen County resident for more than 50 years. He donated to the medical center through his estate plans and has expressed his wish that the funds be used where they are needed most. “I have been a patient and visitor at many hospitals in my lifetime, but Hackensack University Medical Center to me is tops,” said Mr. Gehrig. “All the doctors have always been courteous, caring and responsive.” A cancer survivor, he credits Ernest J. Scerbo, M.D. of Fair Lawn, a senior attending physician in the diabetes section of the Department of Internal Medicine with always properly recommending necessary treatments for maximum health benefits. “I am indebted to him and to this medical center and I am glad to be able to do my part to ensure the future well being of this fine institution.” If you would like information on how to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity, a Charitable Remainder Trust or to leave a bequest in your will, please contact the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Office at 201-996-3702. |
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