Newswise — Edison, NJ - March 5, 2024 - Hackensack Meridian Health has been awarded 22 grants totaling nearly $915,202 from the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) for important research and community health projects.
The grants support work across the state’s largest and most comprehensive health network, spanning not only the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute and clinical and basic research, but also the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), and a multitude of sites across the Garden State.
Among the areas supported by the grants: cancer, infectious disease, community health, education, diabetes, and rheumatology, among other topics.
The amount for Hackensack Meridian Health and the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute increased from 16 grants totaling $486,876 last year.
“This support is so crucial to all our many promising research projects,” said Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, the president of Academics, Research and Innovation for Hackensack Meridian Health, and the founding chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute. “The New Jersey Health Foundation continues to be an incredible partner for us.”
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the New Jersey Health Foundation for their generous support, fueling critical research and community health initiatives across Hackensack Meridian Health," said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. "Through the kindness of like-minded organizations, we are empowered to reshape the landscape of health care in New Jersey and create a profound impact that will bring a healthier and brighter future to those we serve in our communities. We are so thankful."
“NJHF is proud to support the many exciting projects at Hackensack Meridian Health through our Annual Grant Program,” said George F. Heinrich, M.D., vice chair & CEO of New Jersey Health Foundation. “We are excited by the promise they bring - and we are eager to see the results and impact in the future.”
Based in Princeton, the New Jersey Health Foundation fosters a culture of innovation in New Jersey by supporting research to cure diseases and find solutions to health-related needs. It also supports donor-specified research and educational programs through the management of an endowment portfolio.
Twelve of the 22 grant recipients are also faculty members of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), which boasts experts from across the entire health network. Eight of the grant recipients are on faculty of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI).
“The New Jersey Health Foundation, with this exceptional support, is putting a down payment on our collective future,” said Jeffrey Boscamp, M.D., the dean of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
GrantsJohannes Zakrzewski, M.D.
$50,000CDI, John Theurer Cancer Center, HMSOM“Strategies enhancing NK cell-based immunotherapy of multiple myeloma informed by a comprehensive analysis of the immunosuppressive effects of non-hematopoietic components of the multiple-myeloma-associated tumor microenvironment”
Byungwoo Ryu, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“A Novel Strategy for Developing a New Class of Cancer Drugs Targeting MYC”
Aseel Al-Jadiri, M.D.
$16,472
Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)
"While You Wait" Workshops to Improve Parental Knowledge, Well-Being, and Preparedness for Developmental Adversities in Children”
Faiz Bhora, M.D.
$50,000
CDI, JFK University Medical Center (JFKUMC), HMSOM
“Fabrication of Tissue-Engineered, Personalized Tracheal Grafts”
Anna Broder, M.D.
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“Early Detection of Proteinuria in Lupus Related Kidney Disease”
Neeraj Chauhan, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Skin colonization mechanisms of Candida auris”
Huifang Cheng, APN
$35,000
JFKUMC
“Enhancing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Awareness in Underserved Communities”
Georgianna Dart, PsyD
$34,460
JFKUMC
“Transition to home program for caregivers of brain-injured patients in a post-traumatic confusional state”
Cheryl Fittizzi, RN, MBA
$34,619
HUMC
“Research Roadshow: Educating Students on Alternative Research Careers”
Srikanth Jaikumar
$35,000
JFKUMC
“Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities in the South Asian Population”
Milena Kordalewska, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Enhanced diagnostic assays for Candida auris bloodstream infections”
David Kountz, M.D., MBA, MACP
$35,000
Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), HMSOM
“Teaching the Teachers: Incorporating Social Determinants of Health in HS and College Curriculum”
Robert Lebovics, M.D., FACS
$50,000
CDI, JFKUMC
“All-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of tracheal stenosis”
Charitha Madiraju, Ph.D.
$50,000
HMSOM
“Immune regulatory markers in COVID-19 cases of sepsis”
Yeraz Markarian, Ph.D.
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“OB-WELL: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Innovative Intervention to Prevent and Treat Postpartum Depression Among High-Risk Mothers”
Maria Montealegre, DrOT
$34,900
JFKUMC
“Improving Emergency Preparedness through Comprehensive Awareness and Education on the Unique Needs of Individuals with Spinal Cord Dysfunction in the Community”
Dereje Negatu, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Repurposing of novel B-lactamase inhibitors to improve efficacy of cefoxitin and imipenem for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease”
Vidmantas Petraitis, M.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Discovery of a Novel Compound (Allosteric Inhibitor PK-188) Targeting a Common Enzyme (MDM-1) and Assessing Effectiveness as a Promising Therapeutic Against Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens”
Beryl Sowah, APN
$35,000
JFKUMC, HMSOM
“Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Diabetes Education in the Hispanic Population”
Michelle Titunick, Ph.D.
$50,000
HMSOM
“The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation Along the Fracture Healing Timeline in Diabetic Rats”
Tanchun Wang
$35,000
HMSOM
“Medication Use and Safety Educational (MUSE) Program: Improving Care for the Elderly in Underserved and Immigrant Community”
Jennifer Zepf, D.O.
$35,000
HMSOM
“Improving Diagnosis on Diverse Skin Tones: A Project to Expand a Skin of Color Medical Image Repository”
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ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.
The network’s notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HMHRI):
HMHRI leads and organizes a connected ecosystem bringing together clinicians, scientists, and educators to respond to the health problems of our time, in real-time. HMHRI is dedicated to accelerating discovery, innovation, and translation of scientific breakthroughs that address unmet clinical needs.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is the philanthropic division of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The foundation oversees fundraising for the network’s three academic medical centers, two children’s hospitals and seven community-based medical center foundations, as well as key initiatives, programs and services offered by Hackensack Meridian Health, including nursing support, behavioral health, children’s health, Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery & Innovation and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has been designated as both a High Performer Overall and Healthcare System High Performer by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) within their 2023 Report on Giving.
Visit GiveHMH.org/Donate for more information.
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