Formal Investiture of Dante Implicito, M.D., as Inaugural Dr. Michael A. Kelly Endowed Chair in Orthopedics at Hackensack University Medical Center Takes Place, Thanks to Generous Gift

The Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees are proud to continue the tradition of hosting the annual fireworks display on the Navesink River on Thursday, July 3. This beloved event, benefiting Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center, will once again be held at the DiPiero residence, with festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks lighting up the sky between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. Spectators can enjoy the show from various locations along the river, or by boat near the Oceanic Bridge, making it a spectacular evening in support of the exceptional health care provided at Riverview.

“We are delighted to continue this cherished tradition, made possible by the incredible generosity of the DiPiero family, who graciously host this special event each year,” said Timothy J. Hogan, FACHE, executive vice president, Network Service Lines, and president and chief hospital executive of Riverview Medical Center. “This celebration is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, not only to enjoy a fantastic fireworks display, but to raise vital funds for our hospital so we can continue to improve the world-class health care we provide daily. We look forward to a memorable evening and are deeply grateful to our community of partners, supporters and friends for their unwavering commitment to our mission.”

This year, funds raised will benefit the reimagination of a state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center and expanded oncology care at Riverview Medical Center. Slated for completion by the end of 2026, the project will completely redesign the Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center and expand its footprint with a new design that maximizes patient and team member safety, accommodates new technologies and addresses a growing demand for behavioral health services. The new space will have 41 patient rooms and treatment bays, allow for more efficient operations and provide spaces designed for specific medical needs. Other key features include the addition of a secured crisis care unit complete with six beds, a dedicated Diagnostic Imaging Center within the department, 20 private patient rooms, seven specialty treatment rooms, an open concept floor plan to improve access sightlines to patients and eight fast track adult and pediatric-ready patient bays.

In addition, Riverview is expanding its oncology services to ease the stress and challenges of care coordination. The medical center’s successful affiliation with Memorial Sloan Kettering has resulted in significant inpatient growth, which now exceeds current oncology bed capacity. This critical expansion project, scheduled for completion in December 2025, will enhance the patient experience and continuity of care with the addition of 20 private patient rooms (bringing the total number of beds to 41), complement existing services offered at The Larkin Stillwell-Hansen Infusion Center and Booker 3 inpatient oncology unit and provide better access to specialized care by ensuring oncology patients are all located in the same wing of the hospital.

“It is always a wonderful time to see our team members, donors and supporters come together to celebrate Riverview Medical Center and raise funds to support critical projects that truly make a difference for our communities,” said Kenneth Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, president, Southern Region, Hackensack Meridian Health. “This year, we are especially pleased to fundraise for the reimagined Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center, which will provide an ultra modern comfortable healing environment for our patients and their families, and our expanded oncology services, which are bringing life-saving care close to home for so many. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with purpose and compassion. We thank the DiPiero family for their hospitality and look forward to another great event.”

The family-friendly event will include a variety of food options, including food trucks, and guests will enjoy front row seats to the fireworks show.

“We look forward to this event every summer because it’s a fantastic way to celebrate the Fourth of July, while bringing the community together to raise funds for our community hospital,” said Jonathan Schultz, chair of the Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude to the DiPiero family for their generosity and to all of those who continue to support Riverview Medical Center’s vital work. It’s always a special night and I can’t wait to see everyone!”

Sponsors of this year’s event include Title Sponsors: Eberg Capital, NJ Health Foundation, Fred Voccola and the Cooper Voccola Family Foundation Inc.

Funds will also benefit Hackensack Meridian Heath’s Be The Difference campaign, launched in September 2024. The Be The Difference campaign 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 campaign, 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.

Tickets to the annual Family Fireworks on the Navesink are required and can be purchased at GiveHMH.org/RMCFireworks. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email Hilary Cohen, executive director of Strategic Events, at hilary.cohen@hmhn.org.