Zufall Health Supporters Rally to Replace Aging Medical Van and Honor Retired CEO
On October 11, Brooklake Country Club came alive with compassion and generosity as supporters of Zufall Health gathered for the Be Well Benefit. Against the backdrop of live piano music and scenic views, the event had a dual purpose: raising funds to replace Zufall’s aging medical van and honoring former President and Chief Executive Officer Eva Turbiner.
The medical van, a 38-foot biodiesel bus, is in dire need of replacement after 14 years of service. Effectively a doctor’s office on wheels, the van delivers comprehensive primary care to vulnerable people who cannot access a Zufall office.
Zufall Health Founder and cheerful guest Robert Zufall, MD (second from left), enjoys the cocktail reception with his daughter, Peg Roberts, Board of Directors Secretary Donald Costanzo, and Eva Turbiner. Credit: Hal Brown
And while the van is nearing retirement, Eva Turbiner has already entered that well-deserved phase. To honor her 16 years of transformative leadership, current President and Chief Executive Officer Frances L. Palm, MPA, presented Turbiner with the prestigious Founders Award. This award is given to one individual or organization who has demonstrated a significant and continuing commitment to Zufall Health while embodying the values of its founders, Robert Zufall, MD, and Kathryn Zufall.
“[Thanks to Turbiner], Zufall Health is one of the largest health centers in New Jersey and ranks within the top 10 percent nationwide in clinical outcomes. That was not an accident. That took vision, drive, creativity, tenacity, and leadership,” said Palm.
In her acceptance remarks, Turbiner emphasized the importance of responding to underserved communities’ needs through innovative programs, such as the medical van that was established under her watch: “[When I came to Zufall], it was my intention to build a comprehensive system of care that would identify and respond to community needs wherever we found them…It was always our philosophy that we had to bring services to needy communities and not expect that our patients would come to one big building in Dover,” Turbiner said.
A touching video highlighted the van’s impact, featuring patients like Juan, a Sussex County farmworker who regularly receives care on the van. Juan shared how a Zufall provider detected a life-threatening heart condition and referred him to a hospital for emergency surgery, ultimately saving his life.
The program further acknowledged several elected officials who voiced their support for the medical van and offered warm congratulations to Turbiner. Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, unable to attend in person, shared her endorsement through a heartfelt video message. Senator Anthony Bucco presented a congratulatory resolution from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, sponsored by himself, Assemblyman Brian Bergen, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.
The Be Well Benefit was made possible by the generous support of BD, Daiichi Sankyo, Whiting-Turner, Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Sanofi, Benco Dental, Delta Dental, Fingerpaint, LabCorp, Luma Health, Henry O. Baker Insurance Group, Provident Bank, Riker Danzig, Valley National Bank, and many other partners who share Zufall’s vision of access to high-quality health care for everyone.
The response to the Be Well Benefit has brought us closer to a new medical van and, on behalf of Zufall Health’s vulnerable patients, we are truly grateful. But more support is still needed! You can make a contribution today to help keep our patients on the road for good health.
Top photo: Zufall president and CEO Frances L. Palm, MPA, presents her predecessor Eva Turbiner with the Founders Award for her 16 years of transformative leadership at Zufall Health. Credit: Hal Brown