Philanthropist Helena Theurer ensured her incredible impact on health care will go on for decades to come when it was announced Wednesday that she had made a record-breaking $10 million donation to the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation to fund scholarships to the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
The generous gift, the largest in the school’s history, establishes the Helena Theurer Endowed Student Scholarship, which will fully fund the education of countless aspiring physicians and empower them to pursue their passion for healing without the burden of debt.
The gift will create four annual $100,000 scholarships that will help to cover full tuition and living expenses. It underscores a commitment to alleviating the financial barriers associated with medical education.
By reducing student debt, the scholarships will empower students to pursue their passions and choose specialties based on their interests, including much-needed fields like primary care and general surgery. This investment aims to cultivate a talented student body dedicated to transforming health care.
Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Bob Garrett was overwhelmed by the generosity – knowing how great an impact it will make.
“The growing physician shortage is one of the most critical challenges facing health care today,” he said. “It is imperative that we continue to make it as easy and affordable as possible to attract everyone with the ambition and aptitude to become physicians.
“Generous philanthropic support is essential in our mission to educate the next generation of doctors and address this national crisis, and we are incredibly thankful for the visionary generosity of Helena Theurer and other donors who fund scholarships that directly address the significant debt that medical students often face, which can be a barrier to pursuing a career in medicine.”
Joyce Hendricks, president and chief development officer of the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation called it a remarkable gift that is an investment in the future of medicine.
“The Helena Theurer Endowed Student Scholarship will not only change the lives of our students but will also impact the health and well-being of countless patients in the tri-state area and beyond by supporting the education of the next generation of physician leaders,” she said.
The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine was founded on the principles of improving health care value, correcting health barriers and training critical thinkers and lifelong learners. The curriculum is designed to produce physicians who understand the social determinants of health and are equipped to provide compassionate, community-focused care.
Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, dean of the HMH School of Medicine, called the gift “transformational.”
“We are committed to attracting the best and brightest minds to our innovative medical school. Scholarships are essential in this endeavor, as they allow us to recruit deserving students regardless of their financial background,” he said. “We are deeply thankful to Mrs. Theurer for her partnership in our mission to change medicine for generations to come.”
The scholarships can be directed to support students based on academic achievement, merit and financial need. This flexibility ensures that the gift will have a meaningful and effective impact.
Helena Theurer is no stranger to supporting health care. A generous philanthropist for years, her impact has been felt across the Hackensack Meridian Health network, particularly through support of the John Theurer Cancer Center, named in honor of her beloved husband, and Hackensack University Medical Center, as evidenced by naming recognition on the Helena Theurer Pavilion, as only two examples. She has dedicated herself to numerous boards and committees within the network and plays an active role in helping the organization transform health care for its communities.
“It is a great joy for me to support the next generation of physicians,” she said. “I believe in the mission of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and am proud to help dedicated and caring students on their journey to becoming doctors. It is my hope that they will go on to provide outstanding and compassionate care to our communities for many years to come.”
This donation brings Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation one step closer to its $1 billion fundraising goal as part of its Be The Difference campaign, the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a health care network in New Jersey.
Launched in September 2024, Be The Difference is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking
research and discovery, expanding health care access for all and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession. Through this ambitious initiative, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.
