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Atlantic Health System Honorees Celebrated at the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards

May 20, 2019

Dr. Mary Ann LoFrumento Named Tops in “Ambassador” Category

Morristown, NJ – Four Atlantic Health System team members were honored for their extraordinary volunteer efforts on Sunday at the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious recognition program for volunteer and public service.

MaryAnn LoFrumento, MD, a hospitalist specializing in newborns at Morristown Medical Center, was named winner of the Ambassador category for her work with “Hands Up for Haiti,” a medical humanitarian organization committed to making a positive impact on the health of the people of northern Haiti. The Ambassador category recognizes individuals whose exemplary volunteer service beyond the borders of New Jersey have made the world a better place for some while reflecting favorably on the people of the Garden State.

Mary Ann LoFrumento accepts NJ Jefferson award

“Atlantic Health System is dedicated to building healthier communities. For many of our medical staff and team members, this commitment extends beyond the walls of our hospitals to exceptional volunteerism across the United States and abroad,” said Brian Gragnolati, president and chief executive officer, Atlantic Health System. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. LoFrumento and all Atlantic Health System family members who devote their personal time to helping others and live a life of extraordinary caring.”

In addition to Dr. LoFrumento, the following Atlantic Health System honorees were recognized:

  • Clifford Sales, MD, chief of vascular surgery at Overlook Medical Center, was selected as an honoree for Education for creating the Overlook Summer Internship Program. Each year, 17 pre-med college students spend the month of June in an in-depth program designed to expose undergraduates to the field of healthcare, through real-time observation of Overlook clinicians in diverse specialties. Among others, the Education category recognizes volunteers who provide classroom and after-school programs, enrichment opportunities or other academic support that enhance students’ ability to succeed.
  • Gwen Rippey, Community Health manager for Morristown Medical Center, was selected as an honoree for the Good Neighbor category, recognizing individuals who consistently perform acts of kindness towards neighbors in need and have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Gwen works tirelessly to ensure access to health resources and has been instrumental in developing a safe discharge program for the homeless. 
  • Ray Burkhardt, a volunteer at Morristown Medical Center, was selected as an honoree for the Lifetime Service category, recognizing individuals whose lifelong commitment to volunteerism has made a measurable impact on the community. Ray has volunteered over 20,000 hours since he began in 1992.

In addition to the honorees, Atlantic Health System served as the Corporate Sponsor for the Emergency Services Award, which recognizes volunteer EMTs, police, firefighters and other emergency service volunteers who ensure public safety and well-being by responding in emergency situations, engaging in community awareness and education, and providing for safer communities. Atlantic Health System’s own Nikki Sumpter, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, presented the award.

About the Jefferson Awards

The Jefferson Awards are the nation’s oldest and most prestigious recognition program for volunteer/public service, and are the official recognition program of the United States Senate. The NJ Governor’s Council on Volunteerism partners with the Jefferson Awards to recognize the state’s extraordinary volunteers through the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards.

About Atlantic Health System

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of 17,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 11 counties and 4.9 million people. The system offers 400 sites of care, including six hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ and Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ.

In addition to the employed workforce, Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network represents more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ. This network includes 1,000 physicians and providers comprising one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey - Atlantic Medical Group, as well as members of the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners, which work to enhance patient care delivery.

Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health needs, including 12 urgent care centers, Atlantic Rehabilitation and Atlantic Home Care and Hospice. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of seven regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability, and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system expanding access to groundbreaking research across seven health systems in New Jersey.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.