NYC Dinner Cruise Commemorates Health Center’s 35th Anniversary

More than 100 supporters joined Zufall Health on Thursday evening, September 18^th, for their annual fundraiser, the Be Well Benefit. This year’s event, which marked Zufall’s milestone 35th anniversary, was a beautiful dinner cruise around lower Manhattan. The event was more than just a celebration, however, as it highlighted unprecedented barriers to health care for low-income and underserved New Jersey residents.

The private dinner cruise offered views of iconic NYC landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Battery Park City, Chelsea Piers, and more.

Zufall was founded as a one-room medical practice in Dover and has since become a leading provider of health care for people in need.  “Thanks to our supporters and partners, we’ve come a long way from Dr. Bob and Kay Zufall’s tiny clinic, but significant challenges remain for Zufall and our patients,” said Fran Palm, President and CEO of Zufall Health. “Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans are navigating food insecurity, housing instability or homelessness, and difficulty affording basic needs, often putting health care on hold. With policy changes likely to impact Medicaid eligibility on the horizon, access to quality, comprehensive and affordable health care has never been more urgent.”

Zufall’s evolution and enduring dedication in the face of challenges have earned recognition from New Jersey Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblyman Christian Barranco, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. While the legislators were unable to attend, they sent a joint resolution commending the health center for its “sterling reputation for remaining steadfast in its praiseworthy mission to administer inclusive health care for all.”

Zufall’s ability to meet these challenges is due, in large part, to the support of partners and community leaders. The Be Well Benefit honored two of those champions: Diana Blankman Roberts, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Sanofi US and President of Sanofi Cares North America, and Peter Wolfson, Esq., a partner at Day Pitney and Board President of the Zufall Health Foundation.

Blankman Roberts, who deeply appreciates the value of the community health center model, was key in securing a major donation from Sanofi to Zufall’s Morristown office earlier this year. Wolfson, who says it is his “personal belief that a country as great and prosperous as ours should provide good health care to everyone who needs it,” has been instrumental in growing the Foundation’s reach and advancing our mission.

The program concluded with a video featuring Lillie, a 57-year-old Morris County resident whose experiences demonstrate how integrated care can restore hope to patients in crisis. After losing her health insurance and job, Lillie, who lives with diabetes, was forced to move into in her car with no safe way to store her life saving insulin. Zufall provided coordinated primary care, medications, diabetes education, mental health counseling, case management, and insurance enrollment assistance.

“There was a lot that I needed, and I couldn’t afford it…If I didn’t come [to Zufall] and meet the people who work here, I would have died in my car. Everything that I needed Zufall gave to me,” said Lillie, who is now housed, insured, employed, and keeping her diabetes under control.

Lillie and Zufall Health President and CEO Fran Palm

All proceeds from the Be Well Benefit will support the newly created Zufall Cares Fund, a flexible financial resource ensuring access to care for patients in need. This is especially important considering rising economic costs and potential Medicaid policy changes. To support this fund, please visit zufallhealth.org/benefit and choose “Make a Donation.”

Zufall gratefully acknowledges the event sponsors who have already contributed significantly to this fund: Sanofi, Henry Schein, Atlantic Health System, Day Pitney, LabCorp, Aetna, Brio Benefit Consulting, Fulton Bank, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, ProDirect Dental Laboratory, Riker Danzig, Valley Bank, Delta Dental, Fingerpaint, Luma Health, Penn Medicine, and Woodmont, together with many very generous individual supporters.

Above: Diana Blankman Roberts, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Sanofi US and President of Sanofi Cares North America (second from left), and Peter Wolfson, Esq., a partner at Day Pitney and Board President of the Zufall Health Foundation (second from right), were honored for their outstanding contributions to Zufall Health. The honorees were introduced by Bill Shuler, Board Chair of Zufall Health and Board Treasurer of the Zufall Health Foundation (left) and Fran Palm, President and CEO of Zufall Health.