Kessler Foundation Center Renamed in Honor of West Orange Philanthropist

In recognition of a combined $1.25 million pledge from the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Foundation and Select Medical to support medical rehabilitation research, Kessler Foundation will hold celebration of the naming of the Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center at Kessler Foundation—the only research-dedicated imaging center in the nation within a free-standing rehabilitation facility.

The Center, located on Pleasant Valley Way, is being named in honor of The Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Foundation’s $1 million pledge.

“I have always been proud to support the work of Kessler Foundation, and I am both pleased and humbled by this honor,” said Ortenzio.

“All of us at Kessler Foundation are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Foundation,” said DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “Their philanthropy provides the catalyst to jumpstart innovation. The Ortenzio Center is accelerating the pace of discovery by providing objective evidence.”

Select Medical pledged a cash gift of $250,000 and also donated the space within Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for the imaging center for 15 years.

The event kicked off this morning at 9:45 a.m. Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor and 33rd Secretary of State, will discuss the Ortenzio Center’s impact. Rocco Ortenzio, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Select Medical, will speak regarding his support of Kessler Foundation. The Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Foundation improves communities through stronger health care and education opportunities.