Funds support the pediatric oral health program for vulnerable children in Passaic County
Oak Ridge, N.J. – November 29, 2022 – Lakeland Bank is pleased to announce it recently awarded a $20,000 Community Impact Grant to St. Joseph’s Health Foundation. This is the fourth grant issued since 2019 to support the expansion of pediatric dentistry services at the hospital to support underserved children living in Paterson, N.J. and the surrounding area.
“In 2019, Lakeland made a three-year commitment to support the pediatric dentistry residency program at St. Joseph’s, which is the only hospital-based program in the state,” said Timothy Matteson, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Lakeland Bank. “I am proud to serve on the Foundation Board of Directors and was grateful that Lakeland recognized the tremendous impact this program could have for providing access to professional oral care for some of the most vulnerable children and families in the Paterson community.”
Timothy Matteson, EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Lakeland Bank serves on the Foundation’s board of directors and was thrilled to continue to support the pediatric dentistry residency program at St. Joseph’s, which is the only hospital-based program in the state. “The impact this program has on the Paterson community is incredible. Providing access to professional oral care for these children and families is crucial, and we are proud to continue contributing to this Foundation.”
“All children should have access to oral health care and a dental home. As an organization that supports a community with limited resources, we are committed to promoting the importance of oral health and expanding access to care,” said Hillel Ephros, DMD, MD, Chairman of Dentistry. “We are so grateful for this generous donation from Lakeland Bank. It will help ensure that our children continue to receive necessary dental and oral health care regardless of their financial situation.”
“This generous donation from Lakeland will provide children with access to oral health care and positively impact so many families,” said Hillel Ephros, DMD, MD, Chairman of Dentistry. “Our commitment to those who have limited resources, is unwavering, and thanks to the support of organizations such as Lakeland, our efforts are compounded by the additional funds.”
In addition to the monetary grant, Lakeland is happy to provide over 500 brand-new toothbrushes to distribute at the hospital as part of routine check-ups offered through the program.
“Every bit counts,” said Matteson, “and we’re happy to continue build on the partnership we started four years ago.”
Photo courtesy: St. Joseph’s Health Foundation
Caption: Patient, Michael Barreto Rodriguez with his new Lakeland toothbrush after a teeth cleaning.
Caption: St. Joseph’s Staff and Patients with the Lakeland toothbrushes. Pictured from l to r: Hillel Ephros, DMD, MD - Chairman of Dental Services & Program Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Coralie Ciceron, DDS - Pediatric 1st Year Resident, Michael Barreto Rodriguez, Elizabeth Maas, DDS - Pediatric 1st Year Resident, Mara Teplitsky, DDS Pediatric Attending, Dionne Minkins - Manager of Dental Services, Lorena Rodriguez (parent - Michael), Edwin Lopez (patient), Gilma Gonzalez (parent - Edwin), Brian Lawson, DDS - Pediatric 1st Year Resident, Patrice Bhaggy - Dental Assistant, Yvelisse Almonte - Dental Assistant
About St. Joseph’s Pediatric Dentistry Division
The pediatric dentistry division of St. Joseph’s Department of Dentistry provides a dental home for children from Paterson and the surrounding communities. Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient pediatric oral health care is provided in a family-centered environment. Our goal is to provide children with a positive dental experience and to encourage healthy dental habits that last a lifetime. Services include: cleanings and examinations, sealants, fillings, tooth extractions, space maintainers, interceptive orthodontic appliances and patient/parent education including dietary counseling, Outpatient procedures are provided at the DePaul Ambulatory Health Center, a well-equipped facility conveniently located on the campus of St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, 703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ. Dental services provided within the main hospital facility include treatment of emergency patients, management of in-house patients, sedation cases in the outpatient oral surgery suites, and general anesthesia cases in the operating room.
About the Lakeland Grant Process
The purpose of the Bank’s Community Impact Grant Program is to make investments directly in eligible nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is to provide services that impact the environment, social, physical and/or mental well-being of the individuals, families, and communities within the Bank’s assessment areas. The program is non-competitive and with no public solicitations for applications. Prospective recipients and their programs are nominated for consideration for a grant based upon an internal nomination process designed specifically for this program.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has over $10 billion in total assets. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank has been offering business and retail banking products and services for over 50 years. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines, and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as New Jersey's #1 Best-In-State Bank by Forbes and Statista, named a Best Bank To Work For by American Banker and Best Companies Group, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.