A Gift from the Heart to Train Cardiologists
April 01, 2025
Other doctors were dismissive when Marion Driscoll gained weight after breast cancer surgery nearly 35 years ago. But Robert Berkowitz, M.D., then a general practitioner, took her concerns seriously.
He identified that Marion was suffering from congestive heart failure. That diagnosis “saved my life,” says Marion, who is now 85.
Dr. Berkowitz went on to specialize in cardiology and, in 2000, founded the Advanced Heart Failure & Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Hackensack University Medical Center.
The program – one of the busiest in New Jersey - continues to thrive to this day, providing hands-on training for new fellows annually in all areas of cardiovascular medicine. Since 2019, Marion has generously supported the fellowship program financially. Between her planned giving and cash gifts, she has earmarked more than a million dollars to help train cardiologists.
“Generous donors like Marion help us deliver the best training for our doctors and best care for our patients,” says Lisa Tank, M.D., president and chief hospital executive at Hackensack. “Her ongoing support for the program has been invaluable, and helps us carry on Dr. Berkowitz’s legacy here at Hackensack University Medical Center.”
Despite his passing in 2011 at age 75, Marion also credits Dr. Berkowitz’s care with extending her husband Barrie’s life. The couple lived in Glen Rock for many years, where Marion was very involved in the community, serving on the volunteer ambulance corps and on a number of local boards.
Marion, who has two daughters and seven grandchildren, now lives in Hawthorne, where she is a longtime parishioner of St. Anthony’s R.C. Church. Thanks to good management of her investments, she is involved in a number of philanthropic initiatives, including providing scholarships for students attending Catholic high schools.
“I’m having a very good time giving it away,” says Marion. “I don’t need much, I’ve always lived a simple life. God was good enough to let me earn it and now I’m going to be good enough to give it back.”
Dr. Berkowitz recently retired, but his contributions have left an indelible mark on the cardiology program at Hackensack University Medical Center, and other donors agree. One such couple is Carol and Chuck Schaefer, who joined Marion in making a gift in his honor, naming the center where patients receive care, the Robert L. Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Advanced Heart Failure & Pulmonary Hypertension Center, which will be officially dedicated later this month.
The impact of donations such as these cannot be understated, and we thank Marion for her generosity over the years, which will enable us to continue to be the difference for the patients we serve. To support the Advanced Heart Failure & Pulmonary Hypertension Program, or to learn more about how you can support Hackensack, please contact Cortney DeLotto, director of development, at cortney.delotta@hmhn.org or visit GiveHMH.org/HUMC.
