Student representatives from 18 area high schools recently concluded their tenure as Junior Board members of the Overlook Foundation, raising more than $130,000 for the Stacy Goldstein Breast Center at Overlook Medical Center.
Junior Board members serve a nine-month term and meet monthly to hear from foundation trustees, hospital personnel, and business professionals to gain an understanding of the role philanthropy plays in supporting a nonprofit hospital. This year’s group toured the breast center, as well as the John E. Reeves Same Day Surgery Suite and Hersh Children’s Center, and even tried their hand at simulated laparoscopic surgery under the direction of Dr. Muhammad Feteiha, chair of surgery at Overlook.
“Through this program, I was able to meet a wide array of individuals who impact Overlook’s operations. From physicians and nurses to philanthropists . . . hearing their stories and understanding their love for their work was very inspiring,” said student representative Jonah Ladetsky. “This experience allowed me to further my passion for medicine and give back to those in my community.”
Each year, the Junior Board is tasked with designing a grant to be awarded to a specific department of its choosing. The 2023-24 group brought in more than $30,000 through a variety of fundraisers including a color run, bake sales, tag days, ShopRite bagging, and a cycle bar event, in addition to an online JustGiving campaign. And for the second consecutive year, a longtime foundation supporter and former trustee contributed another $100,000 in acknowledgement of their efforts.
“Collaborating with other students dedicated to making a difference was so fulfilling,” enthused student representative Caroline Hand. “I gained an appreciation for the business and philanthropic aspects of running a top-tier hospital. Knowing the impact our efforts will have on the Stacy Goldstein Breast Center and the women in our community is incredibly rewarding.”
While one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, 65% of cases are diagnosed at the localized stage, leading to a 5-year survival rate of 99%. Timely access to breast exams and intervention is critical to the ever-growing number of patients seeking screening and diagnostic procedures. To meet the rising demand, the center is installing new state-of-the-art mammography and ultrasound units, and hiring additional full-time technologists that will enable Overlook to offer nearly 9,000 more appointments annually.
The foundation public relations team – Director Marianne Devlin and Manager Kelly Lallis – were joined by Chair Lindsey Midrano, a Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School senior, in leading the 2023-24 Junior Board. Lindsey will be majoring in biology at Emory University this fall, with plans to pursue a pre-med track.
