University Hospital Foundation raises $425,000 and honors Dan Morley at its annual Golf Classic

University Hospital Foundation held its annual Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey on September 29th to raise funds for a new operating room. The event, which included a round of golf, beginner’s clinic, silent auction, and evening cocktail reception, also honored Dan Morley for his enthusiasm, leadership, and support of the Foundation.

This year’s event raised a record-breaking $425,000 for a new, state-of-the-art hybrid operating room. Crucially, this integrated environment allows surgeons to perform imaging, diagnostics, and complex procedures without moving a patient, leading to increased surgical accuracy, reduced procedure times, and – most importantly – improved patient outcomes.

“The outpouring of support at this year’s Golf Classic demonstrates the profound commitment to healthcare excellence and health equity in our region,” said Jessica Backofen, University Hospital Foundation Chief Development Officer. “This incredible success brings us one step closer to our goal of building a new, state-of-the-art operating room, a crucial investment that will revolutionize surgical care at University Hospital and lead to enhanced patient care and recovery.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Golf Classic has raised funds for a plethora of University Hospital projects including new ambulances, patient assistance programs, a lobby renovation, and more.

“The University Hospital Foundation is a beacon of hope for the community. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in this year’s event,” said Calvin Ledford, Jr., Chair of the Board of Trustees for the University Hospital Foundation. “Speaking on behalf of the Board, we are immensely proud of the record-breaking success of this event. The funds raised are a powerful testament to our community’s commitment to improving healthcare, education, and wellness for patients and their families.”

Many organizations and individuals – including presenting sponsor O’Conco and top sponsors TRIMEDX, Phoenix Medical Construction, Pulse Medical Transportation, and PSE&G – contributed their time, effort, and funds to make this event a success.

About University Hospital Foundation

University Hospital (UH) is New Jersey’s only public academic medical center and the principal teaching hospital for all Newark-based medical education, including Rutgers New

Jersey Medical School. Founded in 1882, today UH serves as both an anchor institution and a safety-net hospital for the City of Newark and its surrounding communities. University Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Hospital, established for the sole purpose of accelerating UH’s mission of improving healthcare, education, and wellness for our communities. To learn more about the University Hospital Foundation or to make a gift, please visit uhnjfoundation.org.