A LOOK BACK AT 2016:
When looking back over 2016, I see the Women’s Association continuing to “contribute with passion!” Just before our Annual Meeting in April, it was announced that Trish O’Keefe – a long standing member of WAMMC – had become the President of Morristown Medical Center! In honor of Trish’s accomplishment, the WAMMC Board voted to donate $10,000 to our Scholarship Fund in order to be able to help more nurses at MMC achieve their ongoing educational goals. Since Trish started her career at MMC as a bedside nurse, this donation seemed particularly appropriate.
Our first ever Garden State of Mind Weekend was a wonderful success in June. We could not have been more fortunate with the weather or our intrepid Co-Chairs of the Farm to Table Dinner – Harding Twig members, Linda Kearns, Wendy Barisonek and Nancy Gallagher (pictured above left) and the Secret Garden Tour – Katie Nolle and Lisa Naturman. Through their incredible efforts these five wonderful women were able to raise the funds needed to help us meet our pledge of $125,000 for the Women’s Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center. As stated by Dr. Daniel Tobias, Director of Gynecologic Oncology, “This generous pledge will benefit four key areas at our Cancer Center as we continue to focus our efforts on superior cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.”
Lest you think the Women’s Association rests on its laurels over the summer, the Board also voted to give $100,000 to the Atlantic Home Care and Hospice Program to support their Transitional Care/Continuum of Care Program in the communities served by MMC for the frail and elderly with multiple chronic diseases and medications, limited social support and a high risk for re-hospitalization. We also gave $456,000 to the Pediatric IMPACT Program. Our donation will enable this program to embed a Behavioral Health Care Manager in a pediatric practice located in Morristown. This expert will conduct age-appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health screenings for pre-identified patients during regular office visits in order to demonstrate that treating physical health and mental health are not mutually exclusive.
The Twigs also had a very productive and profitable year. Year to date they have donated over $60,000 as well as many in kind gifts of blankets, toys, food and toiletries. Pictured below are members of our newly formed Somerset Hills Twig who hosted a very successful first fundraiser "Burgers and Bourbon in a Barn" this past March. Funds raised benefited Goryeb Children's Hospital.
The Bargain Box said "farewell" to long-time manager, Joe Nassaney who retired after more than 10 years. Maggie Moffitt, who has worked side by side with Joe through the years has stepped in to fill the role as manager. We are looking forward to watching the success of the Bargain Box under Maggie's management! Best of Luck!
Which brings us to Mansion in May 2017 at Alnwick Hall ~ The Abbey located in Morris Township at 355 Madison Avenue. This will be our 18th mansion since 1974 when we first started our signature fundraiser at Upton Pyne in Somerset County. Our Co-Chairs, Katie Nolle and Megan Schubiger, have been hard at work since July forming the overall committee. Our cause for this mansion is to raise $1.5 million towards the establishment of the Center for Nursing Innovation and Research. The center will enable nurses to meet, exchange ideas, and design solutions to existing or emerging health concerns. The focus will be on creating scalable concepts that improve the patient experience and outcomes, streamline workflow, enhance practice methods, and reduce costs. Research will also play a central role in the new center. This is a very worthy cause for us as 2017 is the 125th anniversary of Morristown Medical Center and, in my view, nursing is the backbone of the institution. Please visit www.mansioninmay.org to learn more about the mansion and the many volunteer opportunities that will be available.
So, as 2016 draws to a close, I would like to wish everyone a warm and wonderful holiday season with their families and I look forward to more exciting opportunities for WAMMC to “contribute with passion” in 2017!