Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center Foundation has announced a $5 million donation from Joan and Robert Rechnitz, founders of the Two River Theater Company, to support the advancement of the robotic surgery program at the Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

The gift comes with a call to action to other members of the community, as the Rechnitzes designated the donation as a giving challenge, encouraging an additional $5 million to be raised in 2018.

“Both Joan and I are incredibly thankful for the care we receive at Riverview Medical Center and that makes our giving extremely meaningful to us,” said Robert Rechnitz, who is also a trustee of Riverview Medical Center Foundation. “We do hope the larger community responds to our wish to bring more philanthropic support to the hospital, continuing to ensure it’s a place we can all rely on for the highest quality health care.”

Robotic surgery was first introduced at Riverview Medical Center in 2013, again with thanks to Joan and Robert Rechnitz, who funded the original da Vinci^® Si Robotic Surgical System.

Since its implementation, nearly 1,000 patients have been treated using the state-of-the-art equipment. The advanced technology allows surgeons to make very small incisions, as with traditional laparoscopic surgery, but with improved visualization and range of motion.

With enhanced visual surgery, treatment of a wide variety of colorectal, general, gynecologic, and urologic conditions, which previously required open surgery, are now completed with the most minimally invasive of techniques, helping patients recover faster with reduced postoperative pain and minimal incisions and scarring. The Rechnitz’s most recent donation will bring a significantly upgraded robotic surgery model, the da Vinci Xi, to the medical center.

Joan and Robert Rechnitz have been long-time friends and donors of Riverview Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health, having supported the launch of Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine in 2015, as well as surgical services and other clinical needs in the past.

“The Rechnitzes are among the most profound supporters of Riverview Medical Center in the hospital’s history,” said Timothy J. Hogan, FACHE, president of Riverview Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center. “Their recent challenge to motivate others to elevate their giving in a way that benefits so many of our family members, friends and neighbors, is a testament to how generous they truly are. We could not be more grateful.”

Through the new $5 million challenge grant, there are several priorities for philanthropic support should a potential donor show interest, including; oncology, private patient rooms, behavioral health services, enhanced surgical technology, as well as integrative health and medicine.

To learn more about how you can participate in the Rechnitz’s giving challenge, contact Jennifer Smith, senior executive director of Riverview Medical Center Foundation at [email protected] or 732-751-5115.

— Edited press release from Riverview Medical Center