麻豆传媒

News — Holmdel, NJ - March 10, 2025 - On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center, a not-for-profit hospital located in Holmdel, NJ, dedicated their 2 North inpatient unit in memory of Janice Mitchell-Vassar, a former Holmdel resident. Vassar, a former board member and long-time supporter of Bayshore Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health, passed away in 2019 and left $5.6 million through her estate to support the visually impaired.

“Mrs. Vassar’s generosity has long been felt throughout the halls of our hospital,” says Caitlin Miller, MBA, MS, BSN, RN-BC, president and chief hospital executive of Bayshore Medical Center. “We are so thankful for all that she did to help our community and patients during her lifetime, and we are inspired by the generosity that will carry on her legacy for many years to come. It was our honor to dedicate this space to Mrs. Vassar in recognition of her commitment to improving the lives of the visually impaired, and for all she has done for our patients and community.”

Vassar’s passion for supporting vision-related causes was a direct result of the impact that vision loss had on her family. Because of her personal experiences, she contributed to a variety of vision-related programs. A previous gift of $5 million to Bayshore Medical Center in 2013 established the Mitchell-Vassar Bright Future Legacy fund that made educational opportunities available for patients and caregivers, sponsored a Vision Awareness Day and expanded community outreach efforts, as well as supporting other hospital needs.

This latest gift will enable Bayshore Medical Center to improve care for visually impaired patients in a variety of ways. From supporting ophthalmology care, to providing visual aides or supporting accommodations across the facility, all funds will be committed to this cause.

“Estate gifts of any amount are a wonderful way to give back to the community and have the power to make a big impact on our mission to transform health care,” says Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. “We are particularly grateful for Mrs. Vassar, who championed this cause in life, and who will continue to make a difference for patients. It’s a beautiful legacy.”

Vassar’s estate attorney, Jan Miller, and executor, Alan Asher, shared the following in a statement about the importance of this last gift: “Ensuring that Mrs. Vassar’s final wishes were realized in an impactful way has been incredibly important throughout this process. She dedicated so much of her time and treasure to helping others, and it was our privilege to make this generous gift on her behalf.”

This donation brings Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, to which Bayshore Medical Center Foundation belongs, one step closer to its $1 billion fundraising goal as part of its , the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a health care network in New Jersey. All funds contributed specifically for Bayshore Medical Center will support needs at this not-for-profit hospital site.

Launched in September 2024, Be The Difference is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research and discovery, expanding equitable access to advanced care and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession. Through this ambitious initiative, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the diverse communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future. 

To learn more about supporting Bayshore Medical Center or leaving an estate gift, please visit or email Marisa Medina, executive director of Bayshore Medical Center Foundation, at [email protected]. Additional information about the Be The Difference campaign can be found by visiting. 

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is the philanthropic division of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The foundation oversees fundraising for the network’s three academic medical centers, two children’s hospitals and seven community-based medical center foundations, as well as key initiatives, programs and services offered by Hackensack Meridian Health, including nursing support, behavioral health, children’s health, Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery & Innovation and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.  

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has been designated as both a High Performer Overall and Healthcare System High Performer by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) within their 2023 Report on Giving. 

In September 2024, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation publicly launched its Be The Difference campaign, a one billion dollar fundraising initiative built upon four pillars, each designed to support Hackensack Meridian Health’s vision for New Jersey, including better delivery of patient care; revolutionizing medical education and supporting the nursing profession; accelerating research and discovery; and ensuring more equitable access to advanced care. To learn more about the campaign, visit HMHBeTheDifference.org. To make a gift in support of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, visit .