Dr. Mary Ann LoFrumento

Mary Ann LoFrumento, MD, a nationally renowned pediatrician at Morristown Medical Center (Goryeb Children's Hospital), is passionate about meeting the medical needs of local children. With over two decades of expertise, Dr. LoFrumento has written newborn and child-rearing books, has produced child development videos, and has appeared as a guest on radio and television programs. She has also been selected as one of the "Best Doctors in America" and "Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area." However, the testimony of service and philanthropy that follows gives the most lucid picture of Dr. Mary Ann LoFrumento.

Not long after completing her residency in 1984 at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian (then affiliated with Morristown Medical), Dr. LoFrumento became chief resident of pediatrics at Morristown Medical. She was asked to take this assignment for only one year, but in the end she decided to stay because of a wonderful practice opportunity in the community and a commitment to help the pediatric department grow. At that time, the children's unit occupied only one small floor of the hospital.

"We did amazing work there," she says, "but it still wasn't enough. The area was growing, our admissions were increasing, and the children had more complicated diseases. We needed a children's hospital."

And that is exactly what Dr. LoFrumento and others worked so hard to achieve. As co-chair of the Pediatric Philanthropy Council, she helped to raise funds for the creation of the Goryeb Children's Hospital and led the group as the hospital became a reality and the specialty staff expanded. Thanks to the generosity of many donors led by the Goryeb family, the Goryeb Children's Hospital celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

It is unlikely this celebration would have been possible if it were not for the commitment of so many like Dr. LoFrumento and her husband, John J. Hallacy. Their generosity has been recognized in the Joan and Edward Foley Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, in Sam's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and in Child Life. Recently, Dr. LoFrumento honored her parents and the quality care they received from Morristown Medical Center by establishing the Maria and Anthony LoFrumento Fund, which contributes to the hospital's child life program. In addition, Dr. LoFrumento made a legacy gift to the hospital through a bequest provision in her will.

Still passionate about her work, Dr. LoFrumento currently serves as a hospitalist in the newborn nursery and as associate program director of pediatric residency, where she teaches pediatric residents and medical students. She recently started the Goryeb Children's Hospital Pediatric Global Health Program, which provides medical care in developing countries.

"I have the best job in the world," she says. "I start my day welcoming babies into the world and making sure they're healthy. I help train the next generation of pediatricians in a wonderful children's hospital, and I share my expertise in the developing world. And it's all because of what the Goryeb Children's Hospital has become over the past 10 years. There's something special here. That's why my husband and I continue to support it."