University Hospital Foundation Recognized the Incredible Impact of University Hospital’s Liver Transplant Team at Toast to Our Heroes In March, Raising More Than $165,000

Newark, NJ –University Hospital Foundation’s recent Toast to Our Heroes celebration honored University Hospital’s Liver Transplant team and raised than $165,000. The funds will be used to invest in programs that foster equitable health outcomes for patients including free healthcare education, health screenings, emergency clothing, food, and other critical resources

The annual celebration held on March 30th, 2023 at the Highlawn Pavilion brought out a crowd of friends of the University Hospital Foundation, health and corporate partners and Congressman Donald C. Payne, Jr., a longtime advocate of the Affordable Care Act.

Newly appointed CEO, Ed Jimenez, recognized the healthcare “heroes” making a difference to improve the quality of health for patients in the Greater Newark area.  Drs. James V. Guarrera and Nikolaos T. Pyrsopoulos, who both head up the world class Liver Transplant team, said they were thrilled by the turnout at his year’s Toast to Our Heroes fundraiser.

Marking National Doctor’s Day, the annual fundraiser was not only a night of inspiration, but also raised awareness about University Hospital Foundation’s support of other critical programs serving underinsured patients and trauma victims. Proceeds will be used to assist in the renovations of the Trauma Unit in addition to expanding the foundation’s mission to improve healthcare equity for uninsured patients.

“We are ecstatic about the donations raised this year,” said Jess Backofen, Executive Director of the University Hospital Foundation.  “We’re greatly appreciative to all supporting our work to save and transform lives.”

Among this year’s top sponsors were PSEG, Prudential, CDW Healthcare, Brookhaven Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, HPAE, Epstein, Becker and Green, Sinai Post-Acute, Nursing & Rehab Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Pediatrics and Complete Care Management.

Established in 1989, University Hospital’s Liver Transplant Team has performed more than 1,600 liver and 50 kidney transplants. It is the first of its kind in New Jersey and University Hospital’s transplant survival rates are ranked amongst the top in the country, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.

For more information visit https://uhnjfoundation.org