A local attorney's dedication was honored at the Red, White and Brew wine tasting event.
In 2004, Rosanne L. Citta, a local realtor and active community member, and her family made a $1 million gift to Community Medical Center (CMC)— the largest the hospital had ever received. In turn, the hospital’s cancer center was named after her brother, Phil (the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center). Sadly, Rosanne, who had served as chair of CMC’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board, passed away in 2016. To keep her legacy alive, the Foundation created the Rosanne L. Citta Community Impact Award. “We decided to recognize someone every year based on his or her active involvement in the community—a person who embodies Rosanne’s generous spirit,” says Richard J. Pallamary, Vice President for Development at CMC.
The first award was given to Foundation Board member Nicholas Pagano last year. This year, Rosanne’s family chose to honor Peter J. Van Dyke, a lifelong Toms River resident who is chair of the CMC Foundation Board of Trustees and a trustee on the hospital’s Board. “Peter has done so much for CMC and other local organizations,” says Pallamary.
Following in his father's footsteps
Peter, an attorney and partner at Kelaher, Van Dyke & Moriarty in Toms River, has been a CMC Foundation Board member since 2003 and serves as attorney for the Board of the Toms River Fire Commissioners. His father, who was minister of the Presbyterian Church of Toms River for 46 years, was very active in the community, and Peter is following in his footsteps.
He’s a past president of the Board of Trustees at the Presbyterian Church, and he serves on the Board of the Hope Center, a church outreach program that offers emergency housing and a food pantry. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Homes for All, Inc., a nonprofit organization that develops low- and moderate-income housing for local families.
“My father was instrumental in creating Homes for All and served on the Board of CMC,” says Peter. “I want to carry on his mission and legacy in town.” Peter is president of the Board of Trustees of the Toms River Student Loan Fund and is Chairman of the Board of The People’s Pantry. “You do things to be good, not to be noticed,” says Peter. “But I’m proud of what I’ve done for the community.”
The award was presented to Peter at the CMC Foundation’s 14th Annual Red, White & Brew Wine Tasting event. “Peter’s willingness to help improve the lives of others is truly a reflection of who he is,” says Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer at CMC. “We are grateful for his leadership, vision and friendship.”
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