Growing Love, Spreading Joy in Josephine’s Garden

Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation was honored to celebrate Heidi Rispoli, a longtime friend and supporter of Hackensack University Medical Center and Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, as we reopened Josephine’s Garden. This beautiful space serves as an oasis for patients and their families, and even our team members, to find solace and peace. 

Heidi transformed the fifth-floor rooftop at the Children’s Hospital in memory of her daughter, Josephine, who passed away from a brain tumor at age 7 in 2011. For a dozen years, Josephine’s Garden has been a place of comfort, reflection and hope. 

Heidi led the fundraising and design of the space and later founded Josephine’s Garden, an organization to support families and fund pediatric brain tumor research, including the work of Derek Hanson, M.D., chief of pediatric neurooncology at the Children’s Cancer Institute, and Claire Carter, Ph.D., assistant member, at the Center for Discovery and Innovation. Recently, Heidi pledged an additional $250,000 to support their tireless research in new treatment protocols that are safe and effective at fighting childhood brain tumors. 

To freshen up the space, Heidi painted beautiful murals throughout the garden, symbolizing strength and hope. With the recent enhancement of an awning, to protect patients undergoing chemotherapy from weather elements, Josephine’s Garden is now an even more inviting sanctuary — one where families can find peace in challenging times and embrace the love and legacy that inspired it. 

"We are so grateful to Heidi and Josephine's Garden for the comfort and healing it brings to our patients, their families and even our team members," says Alfred Gillio, M.D., director, Children's Cancer Institute. "So often, our patients long for some respite and a breath of fresh air, and the addition of the awning makes it even easier for them to enjoy the outdoors. It provides them a safe, welcoming space where they can find joy and peace while being protected from whatever nature has in store that day. We are so thankful."

We thank Heidi for her continued devotion and generosity. Josephine’s Garden is forever woven into the heart of our Children’s Hospital, and will remain a bright and uplifting tribute to Josephine’s memory, symbolizing strength, love and hope. 

To learn more how you can support Children’s Health at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, contact Natalie Tessoun, executive director, Children’s Health, at natalie.tessoun@hmhn.org.