In a night dedicated to philanthropy, faith, and the future of medicine, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System celebrated its 2026 Healthcare Champions during its annual gala on April 25 at The Palace at Somerset.
The event recognized a prominent New Jersey family for their generational generosity and two physicians whose careers are defined by protecting the state’s most vulnerable populations: the elderly and maltreated children.
The prestigious Bishop’s Award was presented to siblings Diana DeMarco Battaglia, Anthony DeMarco, and Denise DeMarco Crutchley. The honor recognizes their leadership in funding the total transformation of the hospital’s Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Now named the Elizabeth and Joseph DeMarco Adult Intensive Care Unit in memory of their late parents, the 25,000-square-foot facility is being modernized into a state-of-the-art center. The project represents a major leap forward in critical care for the New Brunswick region, featuring expanded patient footprints and the latest medical technologies.
“Elizabeth and Joseph DeMarco were longstanding supporters of Saint Peter’s,” Les Hirsch, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said. “They would be bursting with pride to see their children carry forward the values they exemplified.”
The gala also spotlighted two faculty members whose work embodies the hospital’s Catholic mission of serving the underserved.
Dr. Aijaz Hussain, chief of the Division of Geriatrics, received the Physician Appreciation Award. For over 20 years, Hussain has been a cornerstone of internal medicine at Saint Peter’s. His career trajectory was profoundly altered by the loss of his father, an experience that shifted his focus toward providing a “different perspective” on compassionate end-of-life and geriatric care for the frailest members of the community.
Dr. Gladibel Medina, medical director of the Dorothy B. Hersh Child Protection Center, was also honored. A board-certified pediatrician and recognized specialist in child abuse, Dr. Medina is a first-generation health care worker who has dedicated her life to diagnosing and treating children who have faced extreme trauma. A fellow of the elite Ray Helfer Society, she is a frequent speaker at law enforcement and domestic violence symposia across the state.
“From the elderly to children who have faced unimaginable traumas, Drs. Hussain and Medina are known for delivering extraordinary medical care in combination with a huge dose of heartfelt compassion,” Hirsch added.
The gala serves as a primary fundraiser for Saint Peter’s University Hospital, with all proceeds directly supporting the non-profit’s mission to provide specialized care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
As Saint Peter’s continues to modernize its campus—highlighted by the massive ICU renovation—the 2026 honorees stand as a testament to the community-driven support that keeps the New Brunswick healthcare landscape thriving.
For more information on Saint Peter’s Healthcare System or to support the foundation, visit saintpetershcs.com/foundation.
