Ocean Medical Center Celebrates 35 Years with Flag Raising Ceremony

Ocean Medical Center celebrates their 35th Anniversary with a special flag raising ceremony. Team members gather in a number ‘35’ formation to view the ceremony and wave to the drone for a special commemorative photo.

Pictured from left to right: Mickey Coles, Ginny Horner, Marcia Van Sant, Vincent Vivona, D.O., J.D., FACP, CHCQM, chief medical officer, Ocean Medical Center; Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP,  regional president, Hackensack Meridian Health southern market;  Jason Kreitner, chief hospital executive, Ocean Medical Center; Marie Foley-Danecker, DNP, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, interim chief nursing officer, Ocean Medical Center; Pam Egnatovich, MSN, RN, CEN, RN, interim director of patient care services, Ocean Medical Center; Councilman Paul Mummolo, James Riccio, chief of police, Brick Township; and Sue Coddington, trustee, Ocean Medical Center Association.

Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center celebrated its 35th anniversary with an official flag raising ceremony, attended by team members, leadership, volunteers and government officials, on the front lawn of the medical center July 12.The significant milestone was marked as a drone flew overhead to capture footage of the flag raising and photograph team members positioned in a number ‘35’ formation.

It was the same location that thousands of Brick residents gathered on July 4, 1984 to officially dedicate its new 120-bed hospital with ceremonies and celebratory fireworks that lit the sky over the hospital that evening. “As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, we are proud of what Ocean Medical Center has become to our community and the contributions it has made to transform the delivery of health care,” said Jason Kreitner, chief hospital executive of Ocean Medical Center. “Ocean Medical Center has grown to become an advanced care hospital that is a tremendous health resource to the communities we serve by offering the convenience and easy access of a community hospital, with the high technology advances and expertise of a major medical center.”

Highlights of the event featured past and present team members and special guests, Ocean Medical Center Association, who were instrumental in building the hospital in Brick 35 years ago for its residents. “The success of Ocean Medical Center including the major investments, facility upgrades and advances in patient care would not have happened if it weren’t for the hard work and persistence of this dedicated group residents who formed the fundraising arm of the hospital,” said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D. MBA, FACEP, regional president, southern market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are grateful to the Ocean Medical Association and Guild of Ocean Medical Center who were integral in the founding of Ocean Medical Center by raising several million dollars over the past 35 years.”

Located in the heart of one of the largest and fastest growing counties in the state, Ocean Medical Center has become a vital part of the community since its opening.