Lakeland Bank encourages a workplace culture that values active support of the communities we serve. Many of our associates are stewards of community service and have introduced us to many of the nonprofit organizations that we support.
One of those partnerships is with St. Joseph’s Health Foundation. Our colleague, Timothy Matteson, EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, joined the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2017. He strongly believes in their mission to support the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve across northern New Jersey. Matteson actively supported St. Joe’s proposal for a Community Impact Grant to expand the pediatric dentistry services they provide to the underserved children living in Paterson and the surrounding communities.
“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 Matteson, on behalf of the Lakeland team. “I am proud to serve on the Foundation 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.”
The purpose of Lakeland 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 its assessment areas. Prospective recipients and their programs are nominated for consideration for a grant based upon an internal nomination process designed specifically for this program. Matteson nominated the pediatric dentistry program for consideration as a recipient and the Bank awarded the St. Joseph’s Health Foundation with three $15,000 annual grants to support the expanding program.
Caption: Lakeland Bank associates Tim Matteson, Roxanne Camejo, Perry Lighty and Debra Zimmerly met with Dr. Ephros, Chairman of Dentistry, Dr. DeSimone, Director of Pediatric Dental, and Mark Cantine, Director of Individual Giving, to present a $15,000 grant to support St. Joseph’s Pediatric Dentistry Division.
Lakeland Bank associates Roxanne Camejo, Perry Lighty, Debra Zimmerly and Tracy Conklin joined Matteson at St. Joseph’s University Hospital in September to present the 2021 grant. They were introduced to Dr. DeSimone, Director of Pediatric Dental, and Dr. Ephros, Chairman of Dentistry, who explained the significant impact that pediatric dentistry residency program plays in the community. The Lakeland team also learned that new equipment purchased with the Lakeland grant will greatly improve the efficiency of the program as well as enhance the patient experience.
“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.”
Caption: Dr. DeSimone (left) explains how the new equipment purchased with the Lakeland grant will benefit the pediatric dental division at the hospital.
The pediatric dentistry division of St. Joseph’s Department of Dentistry provides a dental home for children from Paterson and the surrounding communities. The division provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient pediatric oral health care in a family-centered environment. Their goal is to provide children with a positive dental experience and 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 at 703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ.
“I feel the Bank’s donation to St. Joe’s is more than monetary since it affords the kids and adults access to dental care which will be felt for years to come,” said Lighty, who is the Clifton Branch Manager. “It was amazing to see first-hand how busy the facility was and how many more people they are able to serve with the new equipment the Bank helped provide. I’m proud Lakeland Bank has gone above and beyond to help change lives within the community that St. Joe’s serves.”
Caption: The Lakeland Bank Team was given a tour of the busy dental facility.
There are many ways a company can be a good corporate citizen. At Lakeland, serving the community is the path we have taken time and again to demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling this obligation. Visit our Corporate Responsibility section to learn more about how Lakeland serves the community.