Young Professionals Group of RWJ Hamilton Announces New Members (3/21/2008)

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY - The Young Professionals Group of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is pleased to announce that several new members have joined its ranks:

• Christopher Birkenstamm (Yardley, PA),
• Jeffrey M. Clancey (of Haddonfield, NJ),
• Jonathan M. Crook (of Falls Township, PA),
• James M. Graziano (of Mount Laurel, NJ),
• Michael Guarnieri (of Mount Laurel, NJ), and
• Jill Ann Murphy (of Robbinsville, NJ).

The RWJ Hamilton Foundation Young Professionals Group (YPG) provides opportunities for young leaders in the community to participate in the governing structure of the hospital and to serve as a resource to the hospital's leadership through involvement on various committees. The group includes a team of dynamic local professionals who represent businesses, government and non-profit organizations throughout the greater Mercer County area. They are committed to raising funds that help support the hospital's mission and helping to expand its programs and services. Proceeds from their events, All in Good Taste, a fine wine and beer social, and A Toast to the Season, an annual networking social, will benefit the Maternal Child Health Program at RWJ Hamilton.

Last year, over $20,000 was raised to benefit the Hearts Apart program. Hearts Apart brings together a voluntary group of highly committed healthcare professionals who provide round-the-clock support to families delivering on the maternity unit at RWJ Hamilton who suffer a miscarriage, still-birth or the sudden death of an infant. Funds raised by the YPG provided bereavement training to nurses as well as bereavement materials and keepsake items for the families.

They join a diverse group of civic-minded leaders including Chairman William Rue Jr., Daniel R. Benson, Jeannine Cimino, John A. Cimino, Tom Halm Jr., Matthew O'Grady, Roland Pott, Michael Pratico Jr., John Ratico, Joe Scharibone, Nicole Scharibone, Jay Taylor, John Vlasac and Zack Warringer.

Extending congratulations to the new members, RWJ Hamilton Foundation Vice President Karla Stein says, "I applaud the extraordinary dedicated efforts and the enthusiasm of the Young Professionals Group to raise funds that will benefit the patients and community we serve."

For additional information about the RWJ Hamilton Foundation or the Young Professionals Group, visit rwjuhhfoundation.org/yp or call 609.584.6581.

More About RWJ Hamilton Foundation
Founded in 1984, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Foundation is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that raises funds to support patient care services and special projects for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton. RWJ Hamilton relies on contributions and monies raised by the Foundation to continually grow and support the community's healthcare needs. Led by a Board of Directors, the Foundation depends on the generous support of private donors, corporations, family foundations and charitable trusts. An active Auxiliary and the Young Professionals Group organizes and host events that encourage community support. In addition to offering a variety of major gift and planned giving opportunities, the Foundation's signature fundraising events include a Golf Classic, Autumn Affair gala, a 2K walk/5K run, and a wine/beer networking social called "All in Good Taste".

Recent projects that have benefited from the generous support of the Foundation include: the Ambulatory Surgery Waiting Room renovation, the four-story Lakefront Patient Tower addition, the four contemplative "Grounds For Healing®" gardens, an interfaith chapel, cardiac rehabilitation treadmills, blanket & robe warmers, nursing and physician education, stroke program, community education and outreach programs.