Newswise — Edison, NJ – September 18, 2025 – Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation announced today that its annual Gala, held Saturday, September 13, at the breathtaking Great Hall and Erlinger Gardens at Monmouth University, was a resounding success. The event raised $7 million in support of the organization’s Be The Difference campaign, which fuels patient care, groundbreaking research and discovery and health care access throughout Hackensack Meridian Health’s network, along with seeking to revolutionize medical education at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. The spectacular evening honored Mary Ellen Harris, president of the Golden Dome Foundation, and Lawrence Inserra, Jr., and the Inserra Family Foundation.
“This year’s gala was a tremendous success and a powerful testament to our community’s commitment to innovative and compassionate care,” said Robert C. Garrett, the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We could not have asked for a better turnout, location or honorees for such a special evening, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming generosity shown at this event.”
With the $7 million raised at the gala, the Be The Difference campaign has now reached $735 million of its $1 billion goal—the largest ever undertaken by a health care system in New Jersey. This progress is thanks in large part to philanthropists like honorees Mary Ellen Harris and Larry Inserra, whose giving throughout the years has enabled the organization to redefine care throughout the state.
“What a beautiful night to honor two truly remarkable individuals in Mary Ellen and the Golden Dome Foundation, and Larry and the Inserra Family Foundation,” said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. “They have had an immeasurable impact on health care in our communities and we are so thankful. I would also like to extend my gratitude to everyone who supported our gala, our Be The Difference campaign committee and especially our two campaign chairs, Peter Cancro and Eli Manning, who continue to be the difference for us in our efforts to raise $1 billion.”
Founded in 2015 by the late Dr. Robert H. Harris and Mary Ellen Harris – the organization’s president, the Golden Dome Foundation’s giving has benefitted numerous hospitals and communities in the network’s southern market and transformed health care delivery in several areas. Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation’s support of neuroscience made Hackensack Meridian Health the first in the world to pair the Zap-X® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery system with Synaptive’s brain-only, silent MRI, which offers a complete, non-invasive treatment for brain conditions.
Larry and the Inserra Family Foundation raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support a variety of organizations, and has given substantially to Hackensack Meridian Health, including the founding of the Inserra Family Diabetes Institute. Larry also serves as the chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation and Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic board of trustees, as well as serving as Trustee Emeritus on the board of Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation.
In addition to a thoughtful program celebrating the honorees, the evening’s celebration, generously supported by Presenting Sponsor, Inserra Supermarkets, featured a private performance by the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire.
While the gala has concluded, opportunities to support the Be The Difference campaign continue. To make a gift in support of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, please visit HMHBeTheDifference.org.
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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 access to care. To learn more about the campaign, visit HMHBeTheDifference.org.
To make a gift in support of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, visit GiveHMH.org/Donate.
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