What You Need To Know
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Bayshore Medical Center dedicated their 2 North inpatient unit in memory of Janice Mitchell-Vassar, a former Holmdel resident. Vassar, a former board member and long-time supporter of Bayshore Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health, passed away in 2019 and left $5.6 million through her estate to support the visually impaired.
Vassar’s passion for supporting vision-related causes was a direct result of the impact that vision loss had on her family. Because of her personal experiences, she contributed to a variety of vision-related programs. A previous gift of $5 million to Bayshore Medical Center in 2013 established the Mitchell-Vassar Bright Future Legacy fund that made educational opportunities available for patients and caregivers, sponsored a Vision Awareness Day and expanded community outreach efforts, as well as supporting other hospital needs.
This latest gift will enable Bayshore Medical Center to improve care for visually impaired patients in a variety of ways. From supporting ophthalmology care, to providing visual aides or supporting accommodations across the facility, all funds will be committed to this cause.
Vassar’s estate attorney, Jan Miller, and executor, Alan Asher, shared the following in a statement about the importance of this last gift: “Ensuring that Mrs. Vassar’s final wishes were realized in an impactful way has been incredibly important throughout this process. She dedicated so much of her time and treasure to helping others, and it was our privilege to make this generous gift on her behalf.”
This donation brings Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation one step closer to its $1 billion fundraising goal as part of its Be The Difference campaign, the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a health care network in New Jersey. All funds contributed specifically for Bayshore Medical Center will support needs at this not-for-profit hospital site.
Launched in September 2024, Be The Difference is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research and discovery, expanding equitable access to advanced care and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession. Through this ambitious initiative, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the diverse communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.