Atlantic Health Clinical Research and Innovation Institute receives inaugural endowment from Bruce I. Jacobs and Kenneth N. Levy to advance oncology research
PR contact: Joy Lee-Calio
732-294-7082 EmailMarks Record $5M Gift Made to Atlantic Health
MORRISTOWN, NJ, October 14, 2026 – Signifying the largest donation to support research that it has received to date, Atlantic Health today announced it has received a pledge of $5 million to establish a clinical research and innovation fund aimed at accelerating novel research and discovery in oncology. The transformative gift is being made by Bruce I. Jacobs and Kenneth N. Levy, co-founders of Florham Park-based Jacobs Levy Equity Management, in honor of the firm’s 40th Anniversary.
As the largest donation of its kind to support system-wide oncology research,
The Jacobs Levy Clinical Research and Innovation Endowment at Atlantic Health will generate annual income to provide a sustainable source of funding in perpetuity to Atlantic Health Clinical Research and Innovation Institute (AHCRII). AHCRII will use the funds derived from its first corporate donation for investigator-led studies, clinical trials and research across several Atlantic Health sites, focused on improving patient outcomes in cancer care.
“Our firm has long believed in the power of philanthropy to drive healthcare advances so it is immensely gratifying to know that this new endowment, as we commemorate four decades of pioneering investment research, will have a transformational impact on cancer care in New Jersey,” said Bruce Jacobs.
“We’re proud to build on the long-standing relationship between our firm and Atlantic Health and the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center to support the deeply devoted clinicians, researchers and change agents at Atlantic Health,” added Ken Levy.
Over the past 25 years, Jacobs Levy Equity Management has contributed more than $1.4 million in support of patient care, medical research, and other programs. Their philanthropic history has included a $1 million gift to establish the Jacobs Levy Genomic Medicine and Research Program, a $250,000 gift to Chambers Center for Well-Being, a $75,000 gift to Atlantic Health Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, a $50,000 gift to Atlantic Health Goryeb Children’s Hospital, a gift for pandemic relief, and ongoing annual support since 2007 of the Pediatric Child Life Program.
“Thanks to the tireless spirit of giving and foresight of Bruce Jacobs and Ken Levy, this major endowment will provide Atlantic Health clinicians with the resources to pursue novel approaches to medicine and advance cancer care for communities well into the future,” said Saad Ehtisham, President and CEO, Atlantic Health. “At Atlantic Health, we created AHCRII to help transform cutting-edge care into the standard of care through clinical research and innovation. This endowment strengthens that mission, accelerates the adoption of evidence-based discovery and improves care for patients.”
System-wide projects that receive funding from the endowment will be the highest impact oncology research proposals. The endowment will support efforts to translate scientific discoveries into innovative treatments and improvements in oncology patient care, including the development and evaluation of new therapies, technologies, and models of care; expansion of patient access to cutting-edge oncology clinical trials; and investigator-led studies, research, and innovation designed to improve outcomes and advance standards of care for patients with cancer. The endowment may also support early-stage oncology research and innovative initiatives with the potential to develop into larger programs supported through external grants, industry partnerships, and commercialization.
Atlantic Health has a long and enduring commitment to research as an extension of patient care, giving patients access to what’s next in medicine. Atlantic Health Clinical Research and Innovation Institute is the hub for cutting-edge, patient centered, translational and clinical research, with the potential to directly impact patient outcomes and shape the future of personalized care. AHCRII’s research portfolio includes industry and federally sponsored clinical research in a range of medical conditions, including cancer.
Atlantic Health is pioneering nearly 180 nationally and internationally recognized clinical trials, including Phase 1 early development trials. These trials are being conducted in a multitude of cancer types, including brain, breast, gastrointestinal, head and neck, melanoma, multiple myeloma, ovarian and pancreatic.
Learn more about Atlantic Health Clinical Research and Innovation Institute, or cancer care at Atlantic Health, visit our website.
About Bruce Jacobs and Ken Levy
Bruce Jacobs and Ken Levy were both raised in New Jersey. Bruce, Ken, and their families have lived in Morris County, New Jersey for over 30 years.
About Jacobs Levy Equity Management
Jacobs Levy Equity Management, an independent firm founded in 1986, focuses exclusively on managing public equity portfolios for institutional clients. Based in Florham Park, New Jersey, the firm manages assets for a prestigious global roster of corporate defined benefit and deferred contribution plans, public retirement systems, endowments/foundations, sovereign wealth funds, and sub-advised funds. Many of its clients are included in Pensions & Investments' "Top 200 Pension Funds/Sponsors." The firm has a staff of over 70, half of whom are professionals dedicated to research, quantitative systems, and implementation.
About Atlantic Health
Atlantic Health 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 25,000 team members and more than 5,667 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 14 counties and 7.5 million people.
The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including its eight hospitals: Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Atlantic Health Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ.
The system includes Atlantic Medical Group, part of a physician enterprise that makes up one of the largest multispecialty practices in New Jersey with almost 2,000 physicians and advance practice providers. Joined with Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 4,000 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.
Atlantic Health provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 26 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Health Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Founded by Atlantic Health, the Healthcare Transformation Consortium is a partnership of seven regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability. Atlantic Health has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University, is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.