JOHN R. ERNST
President and CEO
DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center, and DEBORAH Hospital Foundation

John R. Ernst is the President and CEO of DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center and DEBORAH Hospital Foundation, a position he was elected to by DEBORAH’s Board of Directors in April 2005. As President and CEO, Ernst’s responsibilities include managing the overall operations and future direction of the 161-bed specialty teaching hospital, as well as overseeing the diverse fundraising activities of its supporting Foundation.

Mr. Ernst began his DEBORAH career in 1970 as a Comptroller, during which time he established the Accounting Department in compliance with American Hospital Association and Medicare requirements. In 1976, he was appointed Assistant Administrator and reported to the Vice President of Administration. In 1984, he moved on to the position of Associate Administrator, where he was responsible for all hospital operations in the absence of the Vice President of Administration. In 1988, Ernst was promoted to Executive Director of DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center, a position he successfully performed until his appointment as President and CEO in 2005.

Mr. Ernst received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1972 from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. He then went on to graduate studies in hospital law and hospital administration at Temple.

His professional memberships are extensive, including: New Jersey Hospital Association; American Hospital Association; Hospital Administrators Forum of New Jersey; Healthcare Financial Management Association; National Association of Accountants and the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “I have had an extensive and diverse career at DEBORAH, which has allowed me to gain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare industry, as well as the individual needs of DEBORAH’s patients, staff, donors and volunteers,” said Ernst. “There are tremendous challenges on the horizon for those who are devoted to the quality of, and access to, the healthcare that DEBORAH provides, and I have every intention of applying those experiences to help guide DEBORAH moving forward.”
CLAIRE K. MOLOTSKY
Chairman to the Board,
DEBORAH Hospital Foundation and DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center

A volunteer for DEBORAH Hospital Foundation’s Pennsylvania Region for over 25 years, Ms. Molotsky is a Life Member and Past President of the Delaware Valley (PA) and Pacesetters (PA) Chapters. She serves as Secretary to the Executive Board of DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center, as well as the Board of Directors of DEBORAH Hospital Foundation.

Ms. Molotsky was a Founder of the Lower Makefield Township Community Pool and served as its first Chairperson. She has been involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis and New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Societies, and served on the Makefield Glen and Cedar Hollow condominium boards.Ms. Molotsky is a self-employed Medical Insurance Counselor. She speaks to groups on medical insurance reimbursement and programs and has participated in health fairs, dispensing information relative to the medical insurance reimbursement field. Ms. Molotsky was first appointed to the Board in 1996.“DEBORAH faces numerous challenges in this country’s current healthcare climate, including efforts of local hospitals to establish cardiac surgery programs, and the rise in cost of providing care coupled with the decline in reimbursement from Medicare and other third-party payors,” stated Ms. Molotsky. “However, as a Board Member, I aim to use my knowledge and experience to help DEBORAH meet these challenges.”
GEORGE S. LOESCH
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Campbell Soup Company

George S. Loesch was appointed Vice President, Convenience Store/V8 Beverages for Campbell Soup Company, Camden, NJ, in August 1999. He directs and implements all of Campbell's corporate strategies, with responsibility for sales, financial management and earnings growth of Campbell's powerful soup, grocery, and V8 Beverage Brands in the Convenience class of Trade in the United States. Mr. Loesch began his career at Campbell Soup in 1984 in the Frozen Food Business Unit, progressing from Assistant Product Manager to Director of Marketing. In 1991, he became Business Development Director - Healthy Soups and, in 1993, was promoted to Director – Trade/Customer marketing for Red and White Soups.  Eventually, Mr. Loesch was named Director, Customer marketing, U.S. Soup and then Director, Customer Marketing, for all of Campbell’s U.S. Grocery products. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, and a Master's in Business Administration with distinction from Iona's Hagan School of Business Administration. He also attended Northwestern University's Strategic Planning Program and Cornell University's Food Industry Management Program. Loesch is an avid tennis player who serves on the New Jersey Board of the United States Tennis Association.  He was first appointed to Deborah's Board in 1994. "In this hectic world, Deborah helps me reflect - it brings me back to reality and reminds me of what is really important in life,” said Loesch. “One of my core values is giving back to the community and helping others. I personally feel an inward sense of accomplishment and privilege to be part of Deborah and it “life-giving” mission.”
VLADIR MARANHAO, MD
Vice President, Medical Affairs, Emeritus, Deborah Heart and Lung Center

Vladir Maranhao, MD is Vice President Emeritus of Medical Affairs for Deborah Heart and Lung Center.  He served Deborah for 40 years, first as a full-time Cardiologist, Chief of Deborah’s Adult Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, and then as Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases before becoming Vice President of Medical Affairs. Dr. Maranhao, affectionately known at Deborah as Dr. Mara, is well known in the field of Cardiology.  He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians, the Society for Cardiac Angiography, the Philadelphia College of Physicians, the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey and a Founding Physician of the Philadelphia Academy of Cardiology and the Heart House of Bethesda, MD.  Dr. Maranhao co-authored Clue to Diagnosis in Congenital Heart Disease, The International Textbook of Cardiology and From Cardiac Catheterization Data to Hemodynamic Parameter.  His scientific contributions include over 180 papers and national and international presentations. 

Though retired from practice at Deborah, Dr. Maranhao serves as a liaison between Deborah Heart and Lung Center Committees and the Center’s Executive Board.  He holds a seat on the Medical Executive Committee, the Internal Review Board, the Medical Library Committee and the Education Committee. Dr. Maranhao was first appointed to the Board in 1999.“With 45 years of experience in cardiac catheterization and clinical cardiology at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, I believe I can help the Executive Board reach some critical decisions for the future of the Center,” said Dr. Maranhao.  “My experience interacting with all members of the Center could be very profitable for achieving some of the Center’s fundamental goals, and for strengthening communication between the Executive Board and employees of Deborah Heart and Lung Center.”
LYNN B. McGRATH, MD
Vice President of Medical Affairs for DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center,
Chairman of DEBORAH’s Department of Surgery and Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program
Appointed Attending Surgeon at DEBORAH in 1985, Dr. McGrath was named Department Chair in 1989.  He performs an average of 500 open-heart surgeries annually, and has performed approximately 10,300 open-heart surgeries throughout his DEBORAH career. The Surgical Director of DEBORAH’s Children of the World Program, Dr. McGrath has operated on 1,400 children from 91 countries around the world. Through Children of the World, Dr. McGrath has performed open-heart surgery on children during medical missions to the former Soviet Republic of Georgia and Lithuania.

Dr. McGrath has introduced various minimally invasive techniques for heart surgery and vein harvesting at DEBORAH, including minimally invasive heart surgery using Port Access, which was performed for the first time in New Jersey by Dr. McGrath in 1997. He also has extensive experience in teaching and has conducted significant research in his specialty areas, having made more than 150 presentations nationally and internationally, and authoring over 100 scientific papers and chapters for medical textbooks.

A graduate of Memorial University Medical School, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, Dr. McGrath received post-graduate training in surgery at McGill University, Montreal. He continued his surgical studies in Boston at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Appointed Arthur Tracy Cabot Fellow in Surgery and Instructor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Dr. McGrath was named Chief Surgical Resident and Assistant to the Surgeon-in-Chief in 1981. He was also appointed to the staff of Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. McGrath pursued his training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where he completed ha subspecialty in pediatric cardiac surgery in 1984. He was also an Instructor in Surgery and Chief Resident in Cardiovascular Surgery and Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Alabama.

Dr. McGrath began his career at DEBORAH in 1985, as an Attending Surgeon and Director of Pediatric Surgery.  By 1989, he was Chair of the Department of Surgery. In 1999, he was also elected Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chair of the Medical Staff.

In 2006, Dr. McGrath surpassed his 10,000th open-heart surgery procedure – achieving a professional milestone that gives him entrée into an elite group of cardiothoracic surgeons worldwide. This milestone is an accomplishment that most heart institutions have only achieved through the collective efforts of a combined staff of heart surgeons.
Dr. McGrath’s practice includes success in healing all ages with a variety of heart conditions. About 50% of his surgeries performed since 1985, are coronary bypasses.  Another 20% are acquired and valve-related heart conditions and the remaining 30% are complex congenital repairs in either adults or children.

When asked how he can benefit DEBORAH as a Board member, Dr. McGrath responded, “I bring a clinician’s sensibilities to the table, reflecting the realties of practicing medicine today. I am entrusted with translating the value of quality care to the Board decision-making. Along with both personal and professional commitments to DEBORAH, as Vice President of Medical Affairs, I am a significant stakeholder in implementing the shared vision for DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center, much of which originates at the Board level.”  Dr. McGrath continued, “I am bullish on DEBORAH, as DEBORAH has been the context of my working professional life.  DEBORAH has afforded me the opportunity for ongoing professional growth in both practice and responsibility.  I am deeply appreciative of the honor to be part of its past, present and future.”
STANLEY H. FRYCZYNSKI, JR.
President Emeritus, DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center
President (Retired), Fryczynski Funeral Home

Stanley H. Fryczynski, Jr. served as President of DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center and DEBORAH Hospital Foundation from 1980-1983 and again from 1986-1994. He is a Life Member and past President of DEBORAH Hospital Foundation’s Bayonne (NJ) Chapter. Mr. Fryczynski was first appointed to the DEBORAH Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors in 1975.

Among his major projects during his tenure as DEBORAH’s President was the promotion and growth of DEBORAH’s Children of the World® Program to international status. His tireless efforts in this and other areas led to success in projecting DEBORAH’s mission and image to the community.

Mr. Fryczynski has been honored many times for his commitment to humanitarian causes. In 1989, John Cardinal O’Connor invested him into the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He also received the New Jersey Catholic War Veterans Home Award, the Policy University Club of New Jersey Man of the Year (1994) Award and the Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion from the Chapel of Four Chaplains. Mr. Fryczynski is a recipient of the Commander Order of Merit which is the highest distinction given by the Polish government to a non-Polish citizen. He was recognized as an Outstanding Citizen of Bayonne by the Boy Scouts of America and Distinguished Man of the Year by the NFL Players’ Association.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Peter’s College of Jersey City, an honorary doctor of medicine from the Tbilisi Medical School of the Republic of Georgia and an honorary doctor of medicine from the Selesian Medical School of Katowice, Poland.

Mr. Fryczynski became the first US recipient of the Order of Smile given on behalf of the children of Poland for work done on their behalf and the first Crystal Heart Award, presented by Poland’s Cardiac Surgery Foundation for enhancing medicine and healthcare in Poland. He was also named Citizen of the Year by Polish American World Newspaper, and in 1983, Mr. Fryczynski was given a private audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican because of his involvement with the Polish children through DEBORAH’s Children of the World® Program. Mr. Fryczynski is the founder of Polish Children Heartline, Inc. He was recognized by the Democratic Republic of Georgia (former Soviet Republic) for his efforts to improve the health of children. Mr. Fryczynski was awarded the 75th Anniversary Independence Award presented by the Lithuanian American Community for providing care to the children of Lithuania. He also received the Grenada Distinguished Service Award on behalf of the children of Grenada. 

A lifetime resident of Bayonne, NJ, Mr. Fryczynski followed in his father’s footsteps and took over the Fryczynski Funeral Home in 1959. He is a member of the Hudson County, New Jersey State, and the National Association of Funeral Directors. His wife, Patricia O’Leski Fryczynski, has served as a Regional Chair of DEBORAH Hospital Foundation and is a Life Member and past President of the Bayonne Chapter. They have three sons, Stanley, Kevin, and Kerry and one daughter, Kelly. They have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“Over the years, DEBORAH’s mission has expanded, along with its facilities,” said Mr. Fryczynski. “Today, DEBORAH is a world-renowned, state-of-the-art center for cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine. DEBORAH’s growth has always been, and will always be, driven by the demand for excellent care. DEBORAH is very much a family unit with mutually supporting members, and as a family, we will continue to keep the spirit of philanthropic healthcare alive.”
EMANUEL LAURIA, JR.
Senior Partner (Retired), Ernst & Young, LLP

Emanuel Lauria, Jr. was appointed Senior Partner of Ernst & Young, LLP, Philadelphia, PA, in 1991, and retired from the position in 2000. As senior partner, Mr. Lauria was responsible for the firm’s healthcare practice, serving as a coordinating partner for nonprofit hospitals, multi-hospital systems, managed care organizations, nursing homes, physician practices, home health agencies and other healthcare organizations. His expertise includes audit, feasibility studies, acquisition, due diligence, reimbursement, tax-exempt bond financing and operation analysis, all for healthcare organizations. Mr. Lauria began his accounting career in 1963 with the international CPA firm Pannell Kerr Forster as a staff accountant in the firm’s New York office, quickly advancing to the position of senior manager and then to Philadelphia office managing partner and Eastern Region managing partner. 

In 1990, Mr. Lauria was named chairman of the firm, managing the body of 10 elected partners responsible for the financial and professional operations. Mr. Lauria earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from New York’s Pace University in 1963.  In 1966, he became a Certified Public Accountant.  Mr. Lauria is accepted as an expert witness on hospital accounting and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement by the Provider Reimbursement Review Board, and is a frequent speaker at Healthcare Financial Management Associations, Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and American Institute of CPAs. Mr. Lauria was appointed to Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s Boardof Directors in 2001. “I have been involved in the healthcare industry for 37 years, as an auditor, a financial advisor, and a consultant for over 300 hospitals, physician practices and HMOs,” said Mr. Lauria. “As an Executive Board Member, I can, and will, bring to my position the benefits of my experience and expertise in the healthcare industry, to ensure that Deborah continues its mission of providing quality patient care to all of those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.”
ROBERT C. MESSINA, JR, MD
President, Burlington County College

Dr. Robert C. Messina, Jr., has been President of Burlington County College since January 1987, and has faithfully served the citizens and students of Burlington County in this position. Dr. Messina has led Burlington County College to the cutting edge of instructional technology; BCC, under his leadership, is now recognized as a national leader of the use of technology in the classroom. Additionally, through his efforts, the College has grown substantially to meet the needs of its students, with multiple expansions on both its Mount Laurel and Pemberton campuses. Dr. Messina began his career at Nassau Community College as an instructor in the physical sciences and engineering science department, and achieved the rank of Full Professor at Nassau, and was chairman of the physical sciences department, special assistant to the president, and dean of instruction for mathematics and sciences during his tenure at the College.  He taught graduate courses at the State University of New York at Binghamton, and teaches graduate-level courses for Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Messina was born and educated in New York City.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the City College of New York, his Master of Arts degree in Chemistry from Hunter College and his Doctorate in Analytical Chemistry from Fordham University. He was awarded a National Science Foundation fellowship for research on the determination of toxic metals in the human body. In 1999, Dr. Messina was selected as a trustee of The College Board, a prestigious national educational organization.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital of Burlington County, Board of Directors of the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the Facilities Committee of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the Executive Board of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education’s Presidents’ Council, and more. He has also been honored with a number of prestigious awards, including the Association of Community College Trustees Regional Chief Executive of the Year, the Burlington County Council’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, and more. “In the future, Deborah Heart and Lung Center will be challenged to fund its goals, as all hospitals will,” stated Dr. Messina.  “But long-term, the reputation of the Center, the quality of care provided and the focus of its administration will help conquer this challenge. I’m proud to be part of an organization that offers hope to those who need its services, and I hope my support on its Executive Board can help the Center continue to succeed.”
THE HONORABLE RAYMOND La SCALA
Secretary, Deborah Heart and Lung Center
Senior Administrative Law Judge, City of New York, NY

The Honorable Raymond La Scala is a Senior Administrative Law Judge for the City of New York, NY.  He serves as Vice President of Deborah Hospital Foundation’s New York/New England Region, and is a member of the Region’s Fresh Meadows Chapter.  Judge La Scala resides in Flushing, NY. Judge La Scala was instrumental in initiating the Self-Insurance and Risk Management Program for Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Deborah Hospital Foundation, which, in the last 17 years, has saved Deborah double-digit millions for premiums that would have been expended for insurance coverage. Judge La Scala was first elected to the Foundation’s Board in 1986. “As a member of Deborah Hospital Foundation’s Executive Board, it is my obligation to ensure that decisions made will benefit not only the volunteers of the organization, but also Deborah itself, helping to ensure its growth and vitality well into the new millennium,” stated Judge La Scala.  “My experience as an Administrative Law Judge will aid and assist in evaluating problems and possible solutions for the entire Deborah family.  In Deborah’s future, I see continued vitality, assured by the number of people dedicated to Deborah’s mission of providing superior care and treatment to all of its patients.”
GERTRUDE BONATTI ZOTTA
Chair Emeritus, Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Deborah Hospital Foundation

Gertrude Bonatti-Zotta was the first woman to be elected to serve as Chairman of the Board for both the Executive Board of Deborah Heart and Lung Center and the Board of Directors of Deborah Hospital Foundation in 1994, a position she held with pride until her retirement in 2004. Ms. Bonatti-Zotta has served Deborah Hospital Foundation since 1954, both as a volunteer and a staff member. As a volunteer, she was instrumental in the organization of 13 Deborah chapters. She is the Founder, President Emeritus and Life Member of the Bordentown (NJ) Chapter and the Pacesetters Chapter in Pennsylvania, and a Life Member of the Collingswood (NJ) Area Chapter. Ms. Bonatti-Zotta joined Deborah’s professional fundraising staff in 1969 as Director of the Pennsylvania Region, and was appointed Director of Chapter Services in 1984. In 1988, she returned to the Pennsylvania Region to again serve as Director until her retirement in 1990. Under her leadership, the Region reached its $1 million goal in 1983 and raised $2.5 million in 1989.

Ms. Bonatti-Zotta has been active in numerous community organizations, chairing community drives for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the United Way. She has received many awards and honors, including the Lady of Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards from Deborah Hospital Foundation; a testimonial for her fundraising activities for the American Heart Association; a listing in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA and WHO’S WHO IN THE WORLD; the President’s Award, Peter Muschell PTA and the President’s Award from the Pre-School Mother’s Club. Ms. Bonatti-Zotta was also the first woman elected to the governing body of the Township of Bordentown, NJ.  She served as the Director of Planning, Zoning, Municipal Court and Welfare.

“My involvement with Deborah Hospital Foundation, both volunteer and professional, began more than 50 years ago. In that time, I have been blessed to witness thousands of lives saved at Deborah, and to see many of Deborah’s youngest patients grow up, graduate high school and college, marry and have children of their own,” said Ms. Bonatti-Zotta.  “Deborah faces the continuous challenge of maintaining its status as a World Class Center of Excellence, so that we may, into the future, continue to serve generations of patients in need of superior heart, lung and vascular care.”
MICHAEL J. KLINE
General Counsel to the Boards of Deborah Hospital Foundation and Deborah Heart and Lung Center
Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

Michael J. Kline has served as General Counsel for Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Deborah Hospital Foundation since 1979.  He is also a Partner in Fox Rothschild LLP, Princeton, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, where he is Chairman of the firm’s Corporate Department, a member of its Executive Committee and a member of the Healthcare Group.  Mr. Kline also serves as counsel for hospitals, nonprofit foundations and retirement homes and is experienced in assisting clients in handling the overlapping business, financial and legal issues confronting businesses and nonprofit entities. Mr. Kline’s community activities are varied.  He is past president and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Geriatric Home in Cherry Hill, NJ.  Mr. Kline has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Congregation Beth El of Cherry Hill, NJ.  He serves as a public member of the Advisory Graduate Medical Education Council of New Jersey. Mr. Kline and his wife, Tammy, both of who are Life Members of Deborah Hospital Foundation, reside in Cherry Hill, NJ. Mr. Kline served on the Board from 1972 through 1980, after which he was named General Counsel to the Boards. “I have been privileged to be associated with Deborah for 30 years.  I served on the Boards of the Center and the Foundation, and was an original incorporator when the Foundation was officially established in 1974.  My years of experience and sense of Deborah history and mission gives me what I believe is a unique perspective to serve the Center in the many challenges ahead,” stated Mr. Kline.  “Deborah must stay at the cutting edge of technology and retain highly skilled professionals, while at the same time maintaining financial viability and continuing its historic mission of rendering specialized care of the highest quality without regard to the ability of patients to pay for its services.”