HOPE Tower Renamed in Honor of Philanthropists at Jersey Shore University Medical Center

On Feb 5, 2026

Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center has renamed its state-of-the-art outpatient facility from “HOPE Tower” to the “Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris HOPE Tower.” The renaming celebrates a legacy of generosity from Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation, whose contributions to Hackensack Meridian Health have surpassed $50 million over the last seven years. The Golden Dome Foundation trustees include Mary Ellen Harris, Judith Lolli, Colonel Charles Grinnell, and Paul M. Petigrow, Esq.

The renaming of the HOPE Tower stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Dr. Robert H. Harris. Dr. Harris, a dedicated researcher, was instrumental in bringing the pain reliever Advil to market and developed Vimpat, a crucial drug for epilepsy treatment. Mary Ellen Harris continues to build on his legacy through the Golden Dome Foundation.

The $265 million, 10-story facility opened in 2018 and offers a wide range of outpatient services such as the John Theurer Cancer Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and infusion center, pediatric subspecialties,  imaging and lab work, and is home to the Christopher Center for Mental Health & Wellness, as well as advanced academic and research space.

In a heartfelt address, Mary Ellen Harris said, “My husband, Dr. Bob, as I called him, had such empathy for people. Being able to give back to help others, and to honor his legacy, is everything to me.  You have to remember – where there is life, there is hope. So if you look at this building, this is where life is going to begin. Not end, begin.”

The newly named tower was unveiled during a recent ceremony attended by Hackensack Meridian Health and community leaders, hospital executives and team members to honor Mary Ellen Harris’s commitment to advancing healthcare in the region. Her support, totaling more than $30 million to Jersey Shore University Medical Center alone, has been instrumental in acquiring game-changing cardio and neuroscience technology.

“The generosity of Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation is truly transformative,” said Robert C. Garrett, the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Their support has propelled our mission forward, giving our world-class team members the tools to provide the most advanced care possible. This renaming is a fitting tribute to a legacy that not only builds facilities but, more importantly, hope for our patients and their families every single day. We are honored by their incredible partnership.”

Mary Ellen’s philanthropic spirit has funded numerous advancements across the Hackensack Meridian Health network, including the Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris Heart & Vascular Center at Ocean University Medical Center and the Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center at Bayshore Medical Center. At Jersey Shore University Medical Center, her support has led to the creation of the Dr. Robert H. Harris Neuroscience Treatment Center, the Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris ZAP-X Center for Noninvasive Neurosurgery and the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, as well as updates to the Cardiology Waiting Area.

“You cannot walk too far in our academic medical center without seeing the names and profound impact of Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris,” said Vito Buccellato, president and chief hospital executive at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “Mary Ellen’s vision, along with that of her board of trustees at the Golden Dome Foundation,  will continue to provide our patients comfort, expert care and hope – not just at Jersey Shore, but Ocean University Medical Center and Bayshore Medical Center as well. That is priceless.”

During the ceremony, Joyce Hendricks, president and chief development officer of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, presented Mary Ellen Harris with a stethoscope, symbolizing her vital role in the health care network. “Your generosity has been transformative, and words truly feel inadequate to convey the depth of the impact you have made,” said Hendricks. “For us, this instrument is a powerful symbol of what you have given us. Its most basic function is to listen to the very heartbeat of a person. And in so many ways, your incredible generosity has become the very heartbeat of this health care network.”

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