Virtua Health, the “Here for Good” health system of southern New Jersey, brought together its boards of trustees, leaders, and philanthropic supporters for its annual gala in Atlantic City. Attended by more than 700 guests, the event benefits Virtua’s Eat Well programs, which utilize a “food as medicine” approach to healthcare through various mobile and bricks-and-mortar initiatives.

Virtua President and CEO Dennis Pullin, FACHE, presented Champions of Humanity Awards to four remarkable honorees for their leadership and dedication to advancing health and community well-being. The honorees were James Dwyer, DO; Bridget Phifer; Pastor Clabon Bogan, Jr.; and Turner Construction Company.

“Healthcare is about caring for people and affirming that every life matters. At Virtua Health, our 16,000-person workforce feels a shared responsibility to look after each other with respect and empathy,” said Pullin. “Fortunately, we never act alone. Throughout our region, there are countless people and organizations that step up to support those in need. Our annual gala provided the opportunity to honor four such Champions of Humanity.”

About the Honorees:

James Dwyer, DO

James Dwyer, DO, vice chair of the Virtua Health Board of Trustees, has been a highly regarded physician and leader at Virtua Health since he first joined the medical staff at what is known today as Virtua Mount Holly Hospital in 1980. Prior, Dr. Dwyer served as a major in the United States Army and oversaw the emergency room at Walson Army Hospital, earning an Army Commendation Medal. He served in many leadership roles at Virtua over his career, eventually rising to executive vice president for physician services and chief medical officer. Dedicated to training the next generation of doctors, he established the Physician Leadership Program at Virtua, which has provided mentorship to more than 150 physicians to date. He was appointed to the National Committee for Quality Health Care, where he served as co-chair of a performance task force, providing quality guidance for health systems across the U.S. While practicing medicine, he embarked on medical missions abroad to bring care to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. In retirement, Dr. Dwyer and his wife, Suzy, dedicate their time to support the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Bridget Phifer, CEO, Parkside Business & Community in Partnership

Bridget Phifer has been at the helm of Parkside Business & Community in Partnership (PBCIP) in Camden for more than 20 years. PBCIP traces its roots to a group of residents who, in the 1970s, confronted the decline they saw in their Parkside neighborhood. Under Phifer’s leadership, the organization has grown significantly in scope and impact — integrating housing with quality-of-life initiatives to restore community vitality. Through her work, PBCIP has developed deep roots in Camden through impactful community initiatives. Most notably, they have constructed and renovated more than 400 houses and partnered with local families to help them achieve homeownership. Phifer has also been an advocate for Virtua’s Eat Well program, ensuring the services provided meet the nutrition and food access needs of families in Camden.

Pastor Clabon Bogan, Jr., Senior Interim Pastor, Christ Baptist Church

Clabon Bogan, Jr. has served in pastoral ministry in the South Jersey area for more than 40 years. He currently serves as senior interim pastor at the historic Christ Baptist Church in Burlington, which boasts an active congregation of 500 members and growing. Under Pastor Bogan’s leadership, Christ Baptist Church is known for its full calendar of outreach activities, community events, health fairs, food pantry, and youth programs. Pastor Bogan’s commitment to supporting the health of all people across Burlington County led the church to be the first host site for Virtua’s Mobile Health & Cancer Screening Unit when it launched in 2023. Since then, the church has partnered with Virtua to host regular cancer screening events, ensuring that people receive access to free, life-saving cancer screenings.

Turner Construction Company

Turner is a North American-based, international construction services company and a leading builder in diverse market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large and complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for its clients, employees, and community. Virtua’s partnership with Turner spans approximately four decades, with construction and renovation projects ranging in size and scale. Notable projects include Virtua Voorhees Hospital, Virtua Health & Wellness Center – Camden, and the upcoming campus transformation for Virtua Mount Holly Hospital. Through the years, Turner has given back to help improve the health of the larger South Jersey community. Examples include leading support for Virtua’s Eat Well initiative, helping launch the first Mobile Grocery Store, and volunteering expertise to renovate dedicated spaces for the Eat Well Food Farmacy (which treats patients and provides them with free food). Accepting the award on behalf of Turner was Jodi Rennie, senior vice president, and David Kaminski, vice president and general manager.

“We are deeply thankful to our kind-hearted philanthropic partners for supporting Virtua Health’s mission to build healthy communities,” said Sarah Fawcett-Lee, FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer for Virtua Health. “These generous benefactors choose to make a difference in the lives of others, and by doing so they inspire others through their spirit of generosity and demonstrate what it means to be a Champion of Humanity.”

Through proceeds from the annual gala and support from many generous partners throughout the year, Virtua’s Eat Well program has continued to expand since it first launched in 2017. Earlier this year, the health system unveiled the first of two new mobile units to increase the program’s reach, including a new Mobile Grocery Store and the program’s first Mobile Food Farmacy. The Eat Well program is a key component to Virtua’s community health platform — addressing critical food insecurity and chronic disease issues. In 2025, the health system’s foundation is set to raise more than $11 million for comprehensive programs and services that meet the diverse needs of local patients and community members.   

For more information about Virtua Health’s Eat Well programs, visit Virtua.org/EatWell. To learn more about the Virtua Health Gala and its generous supporters, visit GiveToVirtua.org/Gala.