Gift from the Lees family will support specialized staffing, technology and expanded care capacity for stroke and neurological emergencies

Stroke and other neurological emergencies require fast recognition and specialized care. Across South Jersey, AtlantiCare provides that care for a service area of more than one million residents in a region that also welcomes more than 27 million visitors each year.

The AtlantiCare Foundation today announced a $1 million gift from the Lees family of Margate and Longport, New Jersey, to support stroke and neuroscience emergency care at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) - City Campus. The gift will build on the advanced care already available at ARMC, the region’s only Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, and further support patients, their families and visitors across South Jersey.

“When a patient is having a stroke or another neurological emergency, care cannot wait until they arrive at our doors,” said Michael Charlton, President and CEO, AtlantiCare. “It begins with recognition in the field, fast communication and the right specialists ready to respond. The Lees family’s generosity allows us to build on the advanced stroke and emergency care already available at AtlantiCare and further invest in the people, technology and coordination that make a difference in those critical moments. This is an investment in faster response, specialized care and continued access for the people who live in and visit our region.”

Through this support, AtlantiCare will expand specialized neuroscience staffing and neuro hospitalist coverage and add patient care capacity, equipment and other clinical resources for patients who need urgent neurological assessment and treatment. The funding will also support Emergency Medical Services technology that helps teams recognize neurological emergencies earlier, share critical information with hospital teams and prepare for rapid evaluation before a patient arrives.

“The strength of our community depends on access to outstanding healthcare, and AtlantiCare continues to deliver on that promise, said James Lees, Jr.  Our family is honored to support AtlantiCare and the extraordinary work of its physicians, nurses and staff.  This gift is a reflection of our gratitude for the care that touches so many lives every day.”  

The gift reflects a deeply personal commitment to neuroscience care and is being made in honor of James Lees, Sr., whose life was affected by a neurological condition. It also continues more than two decades of support from the Lees family to the AtlantiCare Foundation. The family has deep roots in Atlantic County through Kisby Shore Mechanical Contractors, the Atlantic City-based family business now led by James Lees, Jr.

“The AtlantiCare Foundation works with donors, community partners and philanthropic leaders to support our programs, services and investments that improve health and well-being across the region,” said Matt Lang, Chief Development Officer for the AtlantiCare Foundation. “The Lees family’s generosity builds on AtlantiCare’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and access to advanced care for the communities it serves.”

About the AtlantiCare Foundation
Established in 1977, the AtlantiCare Foundation inspires and stewards philanthropy to advance AtlantiCare’s vision of building healthy communities across southeastern New Jersey. Donor support helps expand access to high-quality, compassionate care; strengthen healthcare teams; and fund programs, services, technologies and community health initiatives that improve lives across South Jersey.