September 22, 2021 – Edison, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, is pleased to announce that retired New York Giants Quarterback, two-time Super Bowl Champion & Super Bowl MVP and 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Eli Manning, has become a member of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees.

“Eli Manning is a world-class athlete and philanthropist whose impact on and off the field continues to amaze us. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Eli’s leadership with Tackle Kids Cancer has resulted in raising millions for pediatric cancer patients across our network. We are confident that as a member of our Board, Eli will raise our game to keep getting better for our team members, patients and the communities we serve.”

“I am excited to join the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees and continue our important work supporting pediatric cancer patients,” said Eli Manning. “The Hackensack Meridian Health team members are best-in-class, and I look forward to supporting their efforts to provide outstanding care to patients and families in New Jersey and beyond.”

Eli Manning has worked closely with Hackensack Meridian Health for over six years, first partnering with Hackensack University Medical Center and the New York Giants to launch Tackle Kids Cancer in 2015. Tackle Kids Cancer is a philanthropic initiative of Hackensack Meridian Health dedicated to raising funds in search of a cure for pediatric cancer. Donations benefit the Children’s Cancer Institute’s research and innovative patient services at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at the Jersey Medical Center.

Over the years, Mr. Manning has helped raise more than $12 million for Tackle Kids Cancer. His fundraising efforts include appearances, commercials and a fundraising campaign called Eli’s Challenge. Mr. Manning’s support of the program inspired many local grassroots organizations to take Eli’s Challenge and support Tackle Kids Cancer. Mr. Manning pledged to match and inspire those efforts. Mr. Manning regularly visits the children battling cancer at the Children’s Cancer Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. The Tackle Kids Cancer footprint has significantly expanded since its launch, and today National Tackle Kids Cancer Day is observed on September 15 every year to draw attention to the crucial need for fundraising for pediatric cancer.

“Eli Manning is a tremendous addition to the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees. His devotion to our patients and the Tackle Kids Cancer initiative continues to be nothing short of remarkable, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration to transform health care in New Jersey and beyond for today’s patients and future generations,” said Frank L. Fekete, CPA, chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees.

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ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children’s hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals – Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital – Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals – JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness center, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 36,000 team members, and 7,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network’s notable distinctions include having more top-ranked hospitals than anyone in New Jersey, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, 2021-22. Hackensack University Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey with the #1 adult and children’s hospital rankings.

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey’s best cancer center, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, 2021-22.  This premier cancer center is also the largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. John Theurer Cancer Center is part of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI designated comprehensive cancer center.

Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to ensure that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its campus in Nutley and Clifton. The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), housed in a fully renovated state-of-the-art facility, seeks to translate current innovations in science to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and other life-threatening and disabling conditions.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.