Views from the Shore
By Brian Cahill
One of the many things I’m grateful for in my role as Marketing Director for Shore Medical Center is how much the members of the staff have influenced me in a positive way. Working closely with such compassionate people in an incredibly caring environment has certainly changed me for the better.
One of my co-workers, Shore’s Director of Volunteers, Lisa DiTroia, recently commented to me on how I’ve evolved since she first met me. “Brian,” she said with a friendly chuckle, “it took a little while, but your writing finally captures what Shore is all about, and you have come a long way.” We shared a laugh, and then I said to my camera-shy friend, “Lisa, I still have work to do. I need to convince you to let me use your photo in marketing.” (see photo accompanying this article….I finally achieved that!)
After our chat, I paused to reflect on the meaning of what she meant by “what Shore is all about.”
Shore’s mission is “to care for and respect our patients, their families and each other.” I think that this sentiment can also be narrowed to the very same mantra as the Rotary, whose mission is “Service Above Self.” Not surprising, the new President of the Somers Point Rotary is someone who always puts “Service Above Self,” and that person is none other than the aforementioned Lisa DiTroia.
Lisa’s passion for the volunteers at Shore, as well as for volunteering as a whole runs deep in her veins. So, the connection of Lisa-to-Shore-to-Rotary is a natural one. “The Somers Point Rotary has sponsored Shore’s annual volunteer recognition dinner for 50 years, which is just incredible,” said DiTroia. “When I learned of their long-time support of our volunteers, I had to be a part of it. I was drawn to the Rotary because they share the same passions as we do Shore.”
The Rotary is a global network of neighbors, leaders and friends who use their passion, energy, contacts, and intellect to take action on issues including peace, education, healthcare, the environment, and more. All members are volunteers, and all dollars raised are the result of their hard work, passion and belief in Service Above Self.
At the Rotary Club of Somers Point 2002 Installation Dinner, three scholarships were awarded, two in memory of Dennis King who served as a member of the Somers Point Rotary for more than 40 years. When Dennis passed away in 2021, his family’s wish was to have all donations be made to help local students with their education expenses. The recipients of the $2,500 Dennis King Memorial Scholarship were Mainland High school graduate Cristian Piereth, who will be studying Finance at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, and Tiffany Tran from EHT High School who will be studying Bioengineering at Brown University in Rhode Island. A third scholarship, named after long time Rotarian Conrad Rahme (who always boasted of his perfect attendance) was awarded to Sonia Patel of Mainland, HS. Sonia served as a Jr. Volunteer at Shore prior to covid, and she will be attending LaSalle University on a Pre-Med track.
The Somers Point Rotary is asking looking for volunteers who, like Lisa DiTroia, past President Matt Grant, Dennis King, and Conrad Rahme, believe in “Service Above Self.” If you are interested in learning more about the Somers Point Rotary Club, you can contact Lisa at lmditroia@gmail.com or you can attend their weekly lunch meeting at Dock’s Place in Somers Point every Wednesday at 12:15pm
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University, and is a founding member of Somers Point-Community First, a local volunteer organization
