GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND

At left: Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer of CMC; John Sarris, MD; Steve Green; and Peter Van Dyke, Chair, CMC Foundation, GOING ABOVE at the Winter Ball. Note: This photo was taken before mask and social distancing recommendations were in place. Above: CMC staff members and the manager of The Office Restaurant & Lounge greet customers at the final Thank You Thursdays event in July. AND BEYOND community members were encouraged to donate the cost of their ticket to the THE COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION HAS RAISED CRITICAL FUNDS Foundation and order take-out meals from local restaurants to support a new fundraiser THROUGH THE WINTER BALL AND A PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS. called “Thank You Thursdays.” Partner restaurants agreed to donate

On January 25, the Community mission to spend time with patients. When a portion of the proceeds to the Cancer Medical Center (CMC) asked what he enjoys most about being Center on six Thursdays between May 28 Foundation presented the a physician, he says, “I like knowing I’ve and July 2. Participants were Artisan’s in Physician of Distinction and Emerging helped someone in a time of need.” Toms River, Klee’s Bar & Grill in Seaside Leader awards at the Mardi Gras-themed The Emerging Leader Award was given Heights, Capone’s Gourmet Pizza & Pasta in Winter Ball. The awards recognize to Steve Green, president of Green Label Toms River, Ohana Grill in Lavallette, Stone individuals who have demonstrated Title, a title insurance and settlement Fire Grille in Beachwood and The Office extraordinary dedication to the hospital. company in Manasquan. Green has been Restaurant & Lounge in Toms River. In The Physician of Distinction Award, created involved with CMC since 2015 as a member June, the Garden State Distillery Company in 2011, celebrates a physician leader with of the hospital’s Foundation Board and Vice offered “to-go” cocktails, with $1 from every more than 25 years of service to the hospital. Chair of the Council of Emerging Leaders, purchase donated to the Cancer Center. At The Emerging Leader Award, given for the a group of young professionals who raise press time, the promotion had raised nearly first time last year, recognizes an active funds for the hospital. Steve is also involved $35,000 for cancer services. “We’ve had an member of the community and supporter of in many local organizations—Vice Chair incredible outpouring of support from the the hospital. of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Second community,” says Jennifer Shufran, Vice “The success of events like the Winter Vice Chair of the Toms River Chamber President of the CMC Foundation. Ball, which raised over $75,000 for the of Commerce. “I like giving back to the The fundraiser resulted in unexpected hospital, is only possible with the support community to make a difference,” he says. contributions. The owner of Freehold Ford, of the medical staff, the employees, the More than 250 people attended the a friend of a restaurant owner, donated community and generous donors,” says Peter black-tie event at Caesars Palace in Atlantic $2,000 to the Foundation in June. “It’s Van Dyke, Chair, CMC Foundation. City. Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive important to support CMC now to meet

This year’s Physician of Distinction Officer of CMC, says, “We’re fortunate that both existing and emergent health needs of recipient is John Sarris, MD, who joined individuals like John and Steve are willing our community,” says Shufran. “Donations CMC in 1993 as a neurosurgeon. In 2010, to commit their time and talent to CMC to support critical services like cancer care, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s make the community a better place.” emergency medicine and community health disease—a nervous system disorder that screenings and education.” causes tremors, particularly in the hands— THANK YOU THURSDAYS he began practicing neurocritical care. He Due to COVID-19, the Foundation was treats patients who have suffered stroke, unable to hold the traditional “Red, White To support Community Medical head injuries and, of course, Parkinson’s and Brew” wine tasting supporting highCenter, visit www.cmcgiving.org disease. “I never want my patients to feel quality care and services at the J. Phillip or call 732.557.8131 . rushed,” says Dr. Sarris, who’s made it his Citta Regional Cancer Center. Instead,