Impact

Each and every day we focus on making the greatest impact we can. We work to keep pace with changes in healthcare delivery, to invest in technologies and education for improved patient care and safety, and work to improve the lives and wellness of our community as a whole.

Please take a moment to listen to Michelle's video on the impact that Hunterdon Health has made on her life.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

What began as a career choice quickly revealed itself to be a calling. When Dr. John Waters stepped into patient care, he knew he was where he belonged. As a young family practice resident at Hunterdon Health in the 80s, he felt a deep connection to both his patients and the community. The more he worked, the clearer it became that caring for people wasn’t just his job—it was his purpose. A purpose that defined his career and continues to shape how he lives. 

This profound commitment to care grew throughout his life, guiding his choices and deepening his relationships with patients and the community where his career began. Even during the few years after completing his residency when John relocated to practice in North Carolina, his connection to Hunterdon remained. So, when his mentor, Dr. Larry Russell, called and invited him to return and join the Phillips-Barber family practice training site, John didn’t hesitate. 

“I couldn’t wait to get back,” he recalls. “It felt like coming home.” 

And it really was. John settled in at Hunterdon Health, where he built a career spanning 35 years. By the early 90s, he was tasked with developing Hunterdon Health’s geriatrics program, an area of medicine he found deeply rewarding. His leadership continued to grow, and he was named medical director at Phillips-Barber. 

In these roles John experienced firsthand the diverse needs of patients from all walks of life. And it became one of the things he most appreciated about both Hunterdon Health and the local community.
 

"One of the best parts about working here was that we never turned anyone away," he recalls. "No matter what their financial situation, every patient knew they’d receive the best care."

He quickly came to understand that the level of care Hunterdon provided wasn’t just about medical skill—it was deeply connected to the generosity of the community. From the start, John made giving back part of how he cared, contributing not only his medical expertise but also his own resources to ensure that Hunterdon Health could continue to serve everyone and to provide the latest advancements in care. Now, in retirement, he has taken his commitment to a new level. 

As Phillips-Barber undergoes major renovations, John continues to support the practice through personal giving: 

“I’m honored to support this project. It’s an amazing opportunity to continue caring for the hospital and the community that have been such a huge part of my life,” he explains.

The renovation will modernize the facility, adding more patient exam rooms and a state-of-the-art teaching space for residents. These upgrades will not only enhance the learning experience for future doctors but also improve patient care by increasing access to specialty services.

For John, the act of giving is an extension of the joy he found in serving others throughout his career. 

“There’s a real reward in giving,” he says. “You get more from it than you could ever gain from collecting material things. If you have the ability to give, it’s one of the most fulfilling things you can do.”

John’s calling to care didn’t end when he hung up his stethoscope. He’s still serving others and investing in his community. And the impact of his generosity will be felt for generations to come.