Hometown Hero

Giving back to his community, both financially and with his time, has long been a priority for John C. Meditz, co-founder and senior portfolio manager at Horizon Kinetics LLC.

“I guess the reality of giving back to the community began 36 years ago when I became chair of the Weehawken Planning Board, a position I still hold today,” John says.

Over time, his commitments expanded to include treasurer of the local library; trustee of his grammar school; past chair of the Xavier High School Board; member of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Fairfield University; trustee of the John Cabot University in Rome; and any number of diverse committees. “I find it hard to say no,” he says, laughingly.

John, current chairman and a founding member of the Palisades Foundation Board, made a generous $10 million donation to Palisades Medical Center’s Emergency Department in September. His gift is the largest donation ever made to the medical center.

The donation will fund renovations to expand and enhance the department. “The administration at Palisades knows their priorities, and I support their judgment,” John says.

Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, notes, “We are deeply grateful for John’s motivational leadership and inspirational generosity. A valued member of our health care team of benefactors and trustees, John cares deeply about leading by example in order to elevate and advance the health and well-being of others.”

If there is a theme to John’s support, it is obviously education and health care. He feels these two are the most important to any community’s well-being and progress. “The enhancement of quality medical care may be the best gift I can offer to the people of North Hudson through the improvements to Palisades Emergency Department,” he says.

Now a member of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees and Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Board, John has expanded the reach of his community. His relationship with Palisades began in the mid-1990s, when he generously helped fund renovations to the Maternity Center. After that, John was invited to sit on the Palisades Hospital Board, which he chaired from 2010 to 2013. Subsequently, he was the founding chair of the hospital’s fundraising arm, to which he made a $1 million donation. In gratitude for his generosity and dedication, the Palisades’ lobby has been named after him.

“We have long benefited from John’s philanthropic giving and counsel, and his latest gift is transformational for our medical center,” says Anthony Passannante, M.D., president of Palisades.

“I do devote a lot of my time to board dates, more so than work days,” John chuckles. “I’m lucky to be able to work from any place on earth. It’s boards and committees that control my time and destiny.”

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