Lakewood, NJ, June 25, 2025 - More than 200 women came together June 9th at Eagle Ridge Golf Club for the Women of Hope Luncheon presented by Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMCSC) and Dini Wigs to raise awareness of women’s health issues. The fund-raising event also spotlighted the high-quality, integrated services available to women close to home at MMCSC, and provided an opportunity for participants to share meaningful dialogue, connection, and empowerment.
Dr. Philip Passes, Chief Administrative Officer for MMCSC and Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), welcomed guests and thanked them for supporting MMCSC’s state-of-the-art technology for earlier cancer detection. “MMCSC holds top national rankings for safety, quality and efficiency,” he said. “And our partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides our patients convenient access to the most advanced treatment options and clinical trials.”
MMCSC Foundation Board members Ben Heinemann, owner of BP Print Group, and Menashe Miller, Deputy Mayor of Lakewood Township and Executive Director of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, discussed MMCSC’s essential role in the health of the Lakewood community. They shared hospital highlights, including all-private inpatient rooms, a dedicated Geriatric Emergency Medicine Unit, and an Emergency Department ranked #1 in the state for both patient satisfaction and wait time – with patients typically seen by a doctor in under eight minutes. Their remarks underscored MMCSC’s essential role in the health of the community.
The program featured an expert women’s health panel moderated by Suzanne Spernal, DNP, APN-BC, Senior Vice President of Women’s Health for RWJBarnabas Health and featuring RWJBarnabas Health physicians including Dr. Eric Lehnes, obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Allen Lempel, internist, and Dr. Michael Simon, radiologist.
“Women’s health and wellness is a priority at RWJBarnabas Health. We are able to provide clinical care, wrap-around supportive services and connect women with one of our health partners, women will not have to go anywhere else.” Spernal explained. “Hosting an event like this in the community brings awareness of the services available close to home, to keep women healthy with a seamless healthcare journey from adolescent through every stage so women can live their very best lives.”
During the women’s program, keynote speakers Gitty Metal, cancer survivor and advocate, and Dini Weinberg, owner of Dini Wigs, shared their powerful personal stories. Dini Wigs is a custom luxury wig designer, offering compassionate solutions for women facing hair loss due to medical conditions. Dini’s generous donation of a custom wig was raffled and raised vital funds. The event closed with an uplifting performance by internationally acclaimed singer Shaindy Plotzker.
Caitlin Olson, Regional Vice President of Development for MMC & MMCSC, praised Metal’s strength and encouraged guests to be proactive in their health, stressing that “knowledge is power.” She also gave special thanks to the event’s sponsors, including, the Pine Belt Family of Dealerships, the James and Sharon Maida Foundation, FountainView Care Center, Tallwoods Care Center, C&A Financial Group and Paramount Realty. Additional sponsors included BP Print Group, Merrill Lynch, Compliance Consulting Group, Leisure Chateau, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River, CHEMED, FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corp, Towne Nursing, and Dunkin’.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Women’s Health Services at MMCSC.
CONTACT: Laurie Zalepka
732-886-4590
Laurie.zalepka@rwjbh.org