(201) 392 3100
On Wednesday evening, Hudson Regional Health (HRH) celebrated the 50th anniversary of Secaucus University Hospital, bringing together several hundred members of the HRH and local community to recognize five decades of service to Secaucus and Hudson County.
As part of the milestone celebration, HRH honored three individuals whose decades of service and leadership have helped shape the hospital: John Reilly, Dr. Morris Bellifemine, and Dr. Jihad Moukdad.
John Reilly was honored for a lifetime of service to Secaucus and decades of advocacy on behalf of the hospital. A 27-year member and former captain of the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department, Reilly also served as a Councilman and Deputy Mayor and has held numerous hospital leadership and advisory positions. Through multiple changes in hospital ownership, Reilly remained a trusted community advocate and leader for the hospital.
Dr. Morris Bellifemine was recognized for nearly four decades of service to the hospital, beginning in its emergency room in 1988. He has served as Chief of Pulmonary Medicine since 1996 and President of the Medical Staff since 2010. Through different names, owners, and challenging periods in the hospital’s history, Dr. Bellifemine has remained a constant presence, providing physician leadership and maintaining his commitment to the hospital, its patients, and the community.
Dr. Jihad Moukdad was honored for more than 30 years of service to the hospital and its patients, dating back to 1994. Since 2001, he has served as Director of Medicine and Internal Medicine and has held several key medical leadership positions within the hospital. Since 2004, Dr. Moukdad has also maintained his private practice in Secaucus, extending his decades of service to the community.
The anniversary celebration, led by HRH’s Chairman Yan Moshe and CEO and President Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, also recognized the doctors, nurses, medical professionals, employees, and community partners who have contributed to Secaucus University Hospital’s 50-year history.
Also providing remarks at the celebration included Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and members of the Town Council, who provided Town proclamations to the three honorees, County Executive Craig Guy, Senator Raj Mukherji, Senator Joe Lagana, Assemblyman Larry Wainstein, and Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla. Molly Cavalli, a registered nurse at Secaucus University Hospital for the past 31 years, also spoke about the contributions of her father, Dr. Paul Cavalli, the original president and founder of Riverside General Hospital, which was the original name of the facility.
Last week, in celebration of the 50th anniversary, Mayor Gonnelli and the Secaucus Town Council designated October 4, 2026 as “Secaucus University Hospital Day” in Secaucus, the day of HRH’s free community festival. All members of the community are invited to join the family-friendly event which will include a bouncy house, carnival games with prizes, face painting, balloon artists, food and beverage trucks, and music entertainment.
Dr. Morris Bellifemine honored at Secaucus University Hospital 50th anniversary celebration by HRH, Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and Secaucus Town Council
Dr. Jihad Moukdad honored at Secaucus University Hospital 50th anniversary celebration by HRH, Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and Secaucus Town Council
John Reilly honored at Secaucus University Hospital 50th anniversary celebration by HRH, Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and Secaucus Town Council
