DENVILLE, N.J. -- As Saint Clare’s $50 million Miracles capital campaign reaches out to solicit gifts from the community at large, a parallel campaign is already generating significant contributions from Saint Clare’s Medical Staff. Chaired by Edward J. McManus, M.D., president of the Saint Clare’s Medical Staff, and Michael Russoniello, M.D., the Medical Staff Campaign Committee has garnered in excess of $2.4 million toward a $3 million goal.

Joining Saint Clare’s President and Chief Executive Officer Gary J. Blan (center) at his office recently were (from left): Dr. Felipe Querimit of Pathology Associates of Northwest Jersey, LLC ; Dr. Maggie Ho of Morris Anesthesia Group; Dr. Rohan Somar of the Emergency Physicians of Saint Clare’s LLC; Dr. Richard Finkel of Associates in Pulmonary Medicine; Dr. Jill Young of Morris Anesthesia Group; and Dr. Jeff Wexler of Northwest Radiology Associates, PA. (Not present were Dr. Sandy Waran of Pediatric Neurology Associates, PA; Dr. Philip Rogers of Lakeland Cardiology Group and Dr. William Grella of Vital Medical Forces, Saint Clare’s hospitalists. Blan thanked the physicians and their groups and practices for pledging a combined total of some $2.4 million to Saint Clare’s Miracles capital campaign.

In addition to gifts from individual physicians, the Medical Staff Campaign has received pledges from a number of medical groups, including: $1 million from the Emergency Physicians of Saint Clares, LLC; $500,000 from Northwest Radiology Associates, PA; $250,000 from Morris Anesthesia Group; $150,000 from Vital Medical Forces (Saint Clare's Hospitalists); $125,000 from Lakeland Cardiology; $125,000 from Associates in Pulmonary Medicine; $100,000 from Pediatric Neurology Associates, PA; and $75,000 from Pathology Associates of Northwest Jersey, LLC.

“We are truly proud and grateful for the outstanding commitment of our physicians to this campaign,” said McManus.  “They are leading the way in helping us to create the new Saint Clare’s.”

More than 80 physicians and groups have already pledged their support to the campaign.

“This is an outstanding outpouring of support by our medical staff and we are extraordinarily grateful,” said Gary J. Blan, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Saint Clare’s Health System. “Our physicians are our partners in providing exceptional healthcare for our patients and the community at large. Their support represents an investment in our common future and the continued growth of our healthcare system.”

Saint Clare’s launched the public phase of its Miracles capital campaign on May 23, 2006. Scheduled to be conducted in two phases over the next five years, the campaign, the largest in Saint Clare’s history, plans to raise $50 million for the healthcare system. Phase One, which will conclude next summer, hopes to contribute $30 million toward that total. To date, some $25.7 million has been raised in pledges and gifts. The campaign will support several major projects including: The Katena Center for Mother and Child (the new maternity center) at the Denville campus; the new Roberta C. Ferguson Pediatrics Center at the Denville campus; a new Emergency Department at the Denville campus; a new Emergency Department at the Dover campus; a new Emergency Department at the Sussex campus; a new Cancer Care Center, with services in both Dover and Denville; and the expansion of Saint Clare’s behavioral health services for both children and adults.

Sister Mary Urban Harrer, Saint Clare’s former administrator and the founder of the Harvest Festival, serves as Special Honorary Chair. Former New York Giants’ star Bart Oates serves as Honorary Chair. JPMorgan Chase Bank executive Donald J. Gibson serves as Executive Chair. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Bott of Flanders, N.J. serve as campaign co-chairs along with Dr. and Mrs. Edward McManus of Chester, N.J.

More information on Saint Clare’s Miracles campaign can be found at the campaign website www.saintclaresmiracles.org and by calling Campaign Headquarters at Saint Clare’s Foundation in Denville, NJ, 973-983-5300.