CentraState - Healthy Directions

Looking Back While Moving Forward T his year marks two milestone celebrations in the history of CentraState Healthcare System—the 50-year anniversary of the first Charity Ball fundraiser and the 40-year anniversary of the Medical Center. It was in 1960 that local community members began making plans to build the area’s only hospital. Two years later, they organized the first annual ball to help raise the money needed to make their vision a reality. In 1971, a 120-bed hospital with 11 physicians on staff and 200 employees opened its doors to the community for the first time. At the time, 125,000 people populated the greater Freehold area. Since then, CentraState has been growing to meet the evolving health and wellness needs of central New Jersey. In celebration of the system’s milestone anniversaries, the CentraState Healthcare Foundation constructed a permanent timeline display that tracks the organization’s vibrant history and continuing progress. The exhibit was unveiled at a ceremony in May where attendees included original founding members and physicians of the hospital. “This timeline has been in the making since February 2009,” says Foundation Executive Assistant Lynn Cannon. “A committee made up of employees, previous hospital leaders, trustees, auxilians, and key members of the community helped develop this permanent display.” TIME AFTER TIME The new five-decade timeline is located in the walkway that connects CentraState Medical Center to the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. The multimedia exhibit features pictures and text depicting the growth of the health system, from the early days of fundraising before the hospital’s construction to the present. Each decade is individually highlighted with corresponding memorabilia and photos. Every element was carefully chosen to tell the story of CentraState’s history and Reviving a Royal Tradition During the preparation of the timeline exhibit, many rich stories were unearthed, including the tradition of crowning a young queen during CentraState’s annual fundraising Celebration Ball. “Between 1962 and 1978, the hospital always chose a queen during the Ball,” says Jamie Weiskopf, special events manager, CentraState Healthcare Foundation. “This year, we are proud to bring that tradition back for our Golden Anniversary Ball.” Contestants are between the ages of 16 and 23 and will raise funds for CentraState’s comprehensive Cancer Center from June until the Celebration Ball in October, when the queen will be crowned. Scholarships based on academics, community service experience, and an essay will also be available. Proceeds from the Ball will go to the Cancer Center. www.centrastate.com This year’s Celebration Ball will be held Saturday, October 22, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. For more information about the upcoming annual Celebration Ball or to purchase tickets, call (732) 294- 7099 or visit www.centrastatefoundation.org. Guests at the timeline unveiling ceremony in May view the exhibit, which spans the walkway between the medical center and the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. July/August 2011 7 The 84-foot historical timeline depicting CentraState’s growth and achievements includes permanent displays as well as hundreds of continuously changing photographs on electronic screens. how the community has contributed to CentraState’s success in fulfilling its vision of becoming the community’s healthcare system of choice for clinical excellence, Cannon explains. “Committee members spoke with many people who were here at the beginning, and they were thrilled to share their stories,” says Laboratory Manager Cynthia Kasten, MTS, a 38-year employee and member of the Committee. Today, CentraState continues to grow and add state-of-the-art facilities and services, such as the new critical care unit, the expanded radiation therapy center, and the Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis Center. This exhibit shows where CentraState has been and where it is headed. To stay up-to-date with the latest CentraState Healthcare Foundation news, visit www.centrastatefoundation.org or “Like” the Foundation on Facebook™ . HD

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