Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center has officially renamed its landmark outpatient facility the Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris HOPE Tower. The renaming ceremony celebrates the extraordinary philanthropy of Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation, whose total contributions to Hackensack Meridian Health have exceeded $50 million over the last seven years.
The $265 million, 10-story tower serves as a beacon of advanced medicine in Monmouth County. The new name honors both Mary Ellen’s ongoing commitment to the community and the scientific legacy of her late husband, Dr. Robert H. Harris, a renowned researcher who helped bring Advil to the over-the-counter market and developed the life-saving epilepsy drug Vimpat.
The Golden Dome Foundation’s support has been the catalyst for some of the most significant technological leaps in the region. Of their total giving, more than $30 million has been dedicated specifically to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
“The generosity of Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation is truly transformative,” Bob Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health said. “This renaming is a fitting tribute to a legacy that not only builds facilities but, more importantly, hope for our patients and their families.”
Transformative impact across the network:
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Neuroscience: Creation of the Dr. Robert H. Harris Neuroscience Treatment Center and the world-first ZAP-X Center for Noninvasive Neurosurgery.
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Emergency Care: Funding for the Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center at Bayshore Medical Center.
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Cardiac Health: The Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris Heart & Vascular Center at Ocean University Medical Center.
Since opening in 2018, the tower has revolutionized the outpatient experience by consolidating world-class subspecialties into one accessible location.
| Floor | Key Services & Centers |
| Floor 1 | John Theurer Cancer Center, Radiation Therapy (TrueBeam), Imaging & Lab Services |
| Floor 2 | Cancer Center, Infusion Services, and Cardio-Oncology |
| Floor 5 | Pediatric Subspecialties (Gastroenterology, Neurology, Hematology/Oncology) |
| Floor 6 | Christopher Center for Mental Health & Wellness |
| Floor 10 | Advanced Academic, Clinical Research, and Simulation Space |
During the ceremony, Joyce Hendricks, president of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, presented Mary Ellen Harris with a stethoscope. The instrument symbolizes Harris’s role as the “heartbeat” of the network, listening to and meeting the needs of the community.
In an emotional address, Mary Ellen Harris reflected on her husband’s empathy: “Dr. Bob had such empathy for people. Being able to give back to help others, and to honor his legacy, is everything to me. If you look at this building, this is where life is going to begin. Not end, begin.”
The Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris HOPE Tower continues to serve as a hub for the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute and the John Theurer Cancer Center, ensuring that Dr. Harris’s spirit of innovation and Mary Ellen’s spirit of compassion will guide patient care for generations.
