Hoboken Philanthropist Duo Makes Valuable Hospital Donation

HOBOKEN, NJ — Thanks to a donation from a Hoboken husband and wife philanthropist duo, the families of patients with chronic and life-threatening illnesses will have a new resource at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Through a “significant gift,” Omar Baker, co-president, chief quality and safety officer and director of Performance Improvement at Riverside Medical Group, and his wife, Behnaz, established the “Omar and Behnaz Baker Patient Assistance Fund,” according to a hospital news release.

The fund will be used for items such as pharmacy and insurance co-pays, medical needs and equipment, transportation, education and meals, the hospital stated.

Social workers at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with the medical team, will identify families for this support service through a psychosocial assessment, the hospital stated.

“The Baker family has been involved with our medical center for decades,” said Ihor Sawczuk, president of Hackensack University Medical Center. “This gift is instinctive of their love of humanity and their human-centric orientation.”

Friends and family of the Bakers were on hand for the recent announcement of the fund, which was celebrated with a reception at the Boscamp Solarium at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.

“My wife serves as my main inspiration to give back,” Omar Baker said. “It's her guidance, compassion, love of all children and wanting to be philanthropic with her time, energy, intellect and resources that sets the example for everyone that knows her. She is my hero, my best friend and the best role model for our daughters.”

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Photos: Hackensack University Medical Center