CentraState - Healthy Directions

of Community Health & Wellness involved in the planning and fundraising for the hospital and served on its Board of Trustees. "It's amazing to see how far we've come and equally exciting to envision where we are headed." One thing hasn't changed over the years, though: CentraState remains a community hospital built by and for the people of the community. "The level of excellence CentraState now enjoys is a tribute to the community volunteers who governed it, the staff and physicians who provided the care, and the tens of thousands of residents who supported it," says John T. Gribbin, FACHE, CentraState president and chief executive officer since 2001. A SPIRIT OF SERVICE Arthur Kondrup, whose history of public service includes five terms as mayor of Freehold Township and 18 years on CentraState's Board of Trustees (including two as chair), became involved in the grassroots effort to build the hospital upon moving to the area in 1966. "The need for a hospital was obvious, but it took the vision and combined wisdom of the people to make it happen," he says. Valerie MacPhee and her mother, Paulina "Paula" Markowski, president and secretary of the CentraState Associated Auxiliaries, respectively, have been involved since 1964. "The Auxiliaries [an organization of community groups that serve CentraState through volunteering and fundraising] and the hospital have grown tremendously over the past 40 years to meet our community's needs, but I am happy to say the hospital has maintained a family spirit," MacPhee says. Cynthia Kasten volunteered at the hospital as a teenager when it first opened and now is manager of the Laboratory. Her late mother Dorothy was one of the hospital's first pediatric nurses. "CentraState staff are caring and professional individuals," Kasten says. "The hospital has succeeded by providing services based in clinical excellence and grounded in compassion." LOOKING AHEAD As CentraState reflects on the achievements of the last 40 years, administration and staff are also preparing for what lies ahead. "Anniversaries are special milestones in the life of an organization that commemorate the launch of new services and allow for celebrating success throughout the years," Gribbin says. "There are challenges ahead for us; the lagging economy and healthcare reform are impacting all hospitals. But because of the diligence of the people in this organization, we are well prepared to meet them while continuing to provide the best care for our community." HD 2003—First Impressions Maternity Pavillion opens; Medical office in Jackson opens 2004—$10 million Emergency Department expansion completed, doubling its size Medical Arts Building Dedication 2005—CentraState becomes university-affiliated teaching hospital with a Family Medicine Residency Program; Hospital achieves Magnet® status, the highest level of recognition for nursing care 2007—Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus opens 2008—Medical office in Monroe Township opens 2009—Medical office in Jackson opens; Critical Care Unit expansion completed 2010—Groundbreaking for ProCure Proton Therapy Center You're Invited! "Live Your Best Life" 40th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, September 25, 12–4 p.m. Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus • Activities for kids including tours of The Michelle and Jennifer Tobias Adventure to Health, puppet shows, Teddy Bear Clinic (bring your own teddy bear), and face painting • Community Health Fair • Featuring guest speakers Jay and Jen Jacobs from the last season of TV's "The Biggest Loser" • Healthy Cooking Demo with Jen Jacobs • Snacks and refreshments, entertainment, and door prizes For more information or to register, call (866) CENTRA7 (866-236-8727) or visit www.centrastate.com/healthprograms. Launch of Family Medicine Residency Program www.centrastate.com September/October 2011 5

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