The Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Foundation hosted a dynamic and well-attended Founders Awards Dinner at Edgewood Country Club, bringing together community leaders, partners, and supporters for an evening that celebrated vision, leadership, and the power of philanthropy to transform care.
Six founding members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees were honored for their extraordinary commitment and lasting impact:
- Laura Genovese Behrmann, Assistant Vice President, Fortitude P&C Solutions
- Robert S. Brown, President, Digital Voice Network and Chair, Bergen New Bridge Foundation
- John J. Cosgrove, President and Founder, Atlantic Handling Systems and Past Chair, Bergen New Bridge Foundation
- Thomas M. Eastwick, President and Founder, Eastwick College
- Nicholas Laganella, Managing Member, Laganella Property Management and Treasurer, Bergen New Bridge Foundation
- Louis J. Weiss, CEO, WFM Project and Construction, Inc., and Immediate Past Chair, Bergen New Bridge Foundation
Together, these leaders have helped shape the Foundation into a driving force behind the continued evolution of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center as a high-impact, mission-driven health system.
“Our Foundation is not just supporting our growth, it is accelerating it,” said Deborah Visconi, President and CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.
“I am deeply grateful to our honorees and our entire Board of Trustees, whose leadership and generosity continue to move this organization forward. Because of them, we are expanding access, advancing innovation, and delivering care in more meaningful and impactful ways. The transformation of our Emergency Department is a powerful example of what this support makes possible, ensuring more patients receive timely, compassionate, and specialized care when they need it most,” Visconi said.
Funds raised during the evening will directly support transformative investments across the Medical Center, including campus enhancements, advanced technology, and the expansion of critical service lines.
“This evening was a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when leadership and purpose come together,” said Robert S. Brown, Chair, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Foundation.
“I am deeply humbled to be recognized alongside my fellow honorees, whose commitment has helped build something truly meaningful. Because of their leadership and the generosity of our donors, we are not only supporting care, but we are also expanding it, strengthening it, and ensuring it reaches those who need it most,” Brown added.
A key focus of this transformation is the expansion of the Medical Center’s Emergency Department, which has more than doubled in capacity and now features modern, patient-centered spaces, including dedicated areas for individuals experiencing mental health crises. This investment is redefining how emergency care is delivered, improving access, reducing wait times, and ensuring patients receive the right care in the right setting.
Philanthropic support will also strengthen care across the continuum, including behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, elder care, and services for individuals living with chronic conditions.
The Founders Awards Dinner reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s mission and building a stronger, healthier future for the community.
About Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC), a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth largest, publicly owned hospital in the nation.
Bergen New Bridge, a not-for-profit safety-net facility, provides high-quality, comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, a 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, and radiologic services (including digital mammography).
The Medical Center also has satellite offices in Bergenfield, Englewood, and Paterson. Primary care and other health and wellness services are available at the hospital’s CareRite Now centers located in select Inserra Supermarkets in Bergen County.
Bergen New Bridge is in network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans, covering 99.91% of NJ residents, and is a Veterans Community Care Provider. It is also a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org.