Local Philanthropist Donates $3M to Monmouth Medical Center

Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), an RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) facility, has announced the donation of a $3 million gift, given by local philanthropist and longstanding supporter and trustee of the hospital and the health system, Anne Evans Estabrook. This gift will support Monmouth Medical Center’s (MMC) efforts in establishing the new medical campus in nearby Tinton Falls, extending the trusted, high-quality healthcare programs and services for which the hospital in Long Branch is known.

Estabrook has deep connections to Monmouth County and is a prominent member of New Jersey’s business and philanthropic community. She is the owner and chairman of Elberon Development Group, a third-generation family real estate company in northern New Jersey, which was founded by her father in 1920.

“I grew up in Elberon, and Monmouth Medical Center was always our family hospital. No matter where we were, if we needed excellent care, we would travel back to Long Branch,” said Estabrook. Her father spent a lot of time there after suffering from a heart condition and then cancer, which took his life, and it is also where, exactly 20 years later, her husband Kenneth was treated when a severe stroke took his life in four short days. “The warmth and compassionate care I felt and saw within the team at Monmouth was the same in 1983 as it was in 2003,” she said. “The staff not only treats their patients; they treat the whole family.”

On Estabrook’s third day of sitting by her husband’s side, a nurse kindly handed her a toothbrush and toothpaste. “It was such a simple gesture, but I felt so seen and so cared for. Moments like that inspired me to become more involved with the hospital and support its incredible work,” she said. “I am so happy to be able to support them in such a meaningful endeavor.”

For more than two decades, Estabrook has dedicated her time, talent, and business expertise to MMC. In recognition of the outstanding care provided to her husband in the ICU, she named the Kenneth L. Estabrook ICU Family Waiting Area in his memory and helped fund the purchase of new state-of-the-art equipment. In 2004, Mrs. Estabrook became a member of the MMC Board of Trustees and soon afterwards joined the RWJBH Corporate Board of Trustees. She played a key role in the successful merger of the Robert Wood Johnson and Barnabas Health systems and served as the inaugural chair of The Unterberg Children’s Hospital Committee, a role she held for 11 years.

“As a member of RWJBarnabas Health’s board of trustees, Anne is a longtime supporter of our health system and has been a champion of Monmouth Medical Center,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “With this gift, Anne is continuing her commitment to bettering the health and well-being of Monmouth County residents.”

The new, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls will incorporate future-focused and innovative elements that will greatly enhance both the practitioner and patient experience. The campus is being designed alongside MMC’s expert clinicians and will leverage the very latest advances in medical space planning and technology.

“Anne’s contributions to the RWJBarnabas Health system have helped us in our ongoing mission to be a standout resource in the community,” said Bill Arnold, president and CEO of RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick and president of the RWJBH Southern Region. “Especially this past year, people have looked to their local healthcare institutions for support and guidance, and this project demonstrates our continued commitment to the communities who rely on us.”

Estabrook strongly supports the hospital’s expansion. “This new campus will be built to best serve patients and families throughout Monmouth County in a safe, convenient and efficient manner,” she said.

“We are so thankful to Anne as our partner in making this a reality. Her gift is an incredible investment in our community,” said Eric Carney, president and chief executive officer of MMC and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood. “Anne’s contributions are crucial to achieving our ultimate goal of delivering an unparalleled patient experience.”

As for her own legacy, Estabrook’s philanthropy is rooted in her gratitude and her hopes for the future. “I believe that when we receive, we need to give back,” she said. “Education, health, and family are the values most important to me. Being a part of the Vogel Medical Campus, where the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders will be educated and trained, is an investment in the health and well-being of my community, including my own family.”

To learn more about how you can support Monmouth Medical Center, contact the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation at https://www.rwjbh.org/monmouth-medical-center/giving/.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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