February 20, 2020, Morristown, NJ – As individuals and organizations across the nation gather to raise awareness of heart disease during American Heart Month, Thomas P. and Sally Mac Mahon and Ken and Claudia Silverman have marked the occasion by giving $1.5 and $1 million, respectively, to further expand the largest cardiovascular program in the state — Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center. The donations, a part of the Growing Forward Campaign for Morristown Medical Center, bring the total raised for Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute to $19.6 million against the $20.5 million goal.
“As a nonprofit hospital, the development and expansion of important programs, equipment and capital projects such as this would not be possible without the generous support of our community. Families like the MacMahons and the Silvermans are incredible examples of those that are helping us in our mission to build healthier communities,” Trish O’Keefe, Ph.D., RN, president, Morristown Medical Center, vice president, Atlantic Health System, said.
Thomas P. Mac Mahon, a New Vernon resident who has spent his career leading health care organizations, didn’t think twice before making a gift.
“Most importantly, I live in the area,” Mac Mahon said. “I’ve spent my entire career in the health care industry. I’ve watched with great joy the growth of Morristown Medical Center. As you get older, you are always thinking about health care. The reality is we have a wonderful place right here in Morristown, and don’t have to travel to find experts. My wife, Sally, and I are very happy about that,” Mac Mahon said.
Mac Mahon, a new member of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center Board of Trustees, also gave $500,000 to the renovation of Goryeb Children’s Hospital, as his children and six of eight of his grandchildren were born there.
Bernardsville resident Ken Silverman, of the Kenneth and Claudia Silverman Family Foundation, frequently gives to health care, children’s organizations and higher education institutions, and echoes Mac Mahon’s sentiment about supporting the expert care provided by Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute.
“We believe in Morristown Medical Center,” Silverman said. “My wife and I feel it’s important to be active in the local hospital.”
The 55,400-square-foot, two-story vertical expansion of Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute –ranked No. 26 nationally among cardiology programs by U.S. News & World Report – adds 72 new, private patient rooms, increased clinical space and dedicated MRI technology for the exclusive use of cardiac patients.
About the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
Established in 1995, the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s mission is to inspire community philanthropy to advance exceptional health care for patients at Morristown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Over the past 10 years, donors have contributed more than $175 million to support both Morristown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Learn more or donate >
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System has a long-standing tradition of providing exceptional patient outcomes and experiences. Home to seven award-winning hospitals including Morristown Medical Center, the number one hospital in NJ according to U.S. News & World Report, Castle Connolly and Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals, the system has been ranked first in New Jersey in consumer preference by Monigle and first among health systems in New Jersey as a “best workplace” by both Modern Healthcare and Fortune Magazine.Many of the system’s programs have received national accolades and designations, including Morristown Medical Center’s Cardiology and Heart Surgery program ranked among the top 30 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report; Morristown Medical Center’s Orthopedics program ranked among the top 35 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and Atlantic Health System’s Cancer Care program, New Jersey’s first and only National Cancer Institute National Community Oncology Research Program. Additionally, Atlantic Health System Neuroscience at Overlook Medical Center, working with Atlantic Mobile Health, was the first in the nation to deploy and use portable Telestroke technology in ambulances for routine pre-hospital assessment of stroke patients.
Powered by a passionate 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 provides care for the full continuum of health needs across a wide array of settings, including Atlantic Medical Group, one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey with more than 1,000 physicians and providers, 12 urgent care centers, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, Atlantic Home Care and Hospice and Atlantic Anywhere’s Virtual Visits. Facilitating connections between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
With a clear sense of purpose and an unparalleled culture, Atlantic Health System attracts top leaders in the field of health care, from CEO Brian Gragnolati, who was Chairman of the American Hospital Association in 2019, to the numerous team members who serve as leaders across national clinical associations and research entities.