$100M donation gives rise to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Gift to Saint Barnabas Medical Center largest-ever given to any NJ hospital

Gabrielle Saulsbery//September 30, 2021//

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Saint Barnabas Medical Center announced Sept. 30 it will be renamed Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in honor of a $100 million gift from the Cooperman Family Foundation.

This is the largest donation ever given to any hospital in New Jersey, and it’ll allow the medical center to continue its ongoing transformation into an institution that provides quality and advanced care to the New York metropolitan region.

“The Cooperman family has helped us to become the renowned institution that we are today,” said Barry Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer of RWJBarnabas Health, in a prepared statement. “Today’s generous gift from Leon and Toby Cooperman is transformational and ensures that our medical center will continue to develop as a state-of-the-art medical campus and a leader in protecting and supporting the health of the community.”

Leon and Toby Cooperman previously donated more than 100 times to the medical center, including a $25 million gift in 20144 that provided the catalyst for a vast expansion of the hospital.

Three-time Stanley Cup Champion and current New Jersey Devils' color analyst for MSG joins health care workers and restaurant staff outside Saint Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Ken Daneyko, center, helped to deliver 215 meals from Coco Bello Café in Livingston to frontline workers caring for COVID-19 patents. RWJBarnabas Health is the Official Healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils. — Three-time Stanley Cup Champion and current New Jersey Devils’ color analyst for MSG joins health care workers and restaurant staff outside The Cooperman Family Pavilion at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Ken Daneyko, center, helped to deliver 215 meals from Coco Bello Café in Livingston to frontline workers caring for COVID-19 patents. RWJBarnabas Health is the Official Healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils. – MASTRO COMMUNICATIONS

“Leon and his family recognize that there is absolutely nothing that is more important to a community than quality health care,” said CBMC board chair Bruce Schonbraun in a prepared statement. “We know this historic gift and the naming of the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center will be inspirational to others. This is a game-changer for us.”

The Coopermans took The Giving Pledge in 2010, a philanthropic initiative started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates to encourage the world’s wealthiest individuals to donate large amounts of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

“I am at the point in my life where I want my gifts to have real impact, and I could think of no better way to do that than to make this investment in health care in the community that has given so much to our family,” said Leon Cooperman in a prepared statement. “The pandemic has shown us that heroes are working in our hospitals every day, and I’m honored to help support their work.”

Cooperman was raised in the South Bronx by Jewish immigrants who fled from Poland to escape the Holocaust. He attended New York City public schools system and became the first in his family to attend college before going on to become a successful Wall Street financier.

“Hospitals like this one need and deserve the support of private citizens to ensure patients have access to excellent health care and the latest advancements in medical technology,” Leon Cooperman said. “I encourage others to follow my lead if they are able to do so.”