This fund has been established to honor Benjamin H. Josephson, MD - pediatrician, family practitioner, teacher, mentor and friend. In combining the highest professional standards of health care with his advocacy for the poor, the young and the disenfranchised, Dr. Josephson stood as an example and inspiration to others. As an ongoing commitment to the continuation of his humanitarian work, this fund provides healthcare professionals with the financial resources necessary to deliver medical services to those in need throughout the world.
About Us
Dr. Benjamin H. Josephson was one of the founding directors and mentors of the Overlook Family Practice Residency Program, a community-based teaching hospital located in Summit, New Jersey, and a member of Atlantic Health System. Dr. Josephson, a pediatrician in private solo practice for 18 years prior to joining the residency faculty, was a dedicated humanitarian who volunteered his time and expertise throughout his career. His love of travel, coupled with his unbridled passion for protecting human rights, took him to assist the sick and wounded children in the war-torn countries of Bosnia, Rwanda, Zaire, and Iraq and to impoverished areas of Honduras, Russia, Appalachia and Native American Reservations. Additionally, he devoted his time to the Morristown Soup Kitchen, the VA Hospital, a local public health clinic, and a shelter for battered women.
The Benjamin H. Josephson, MD Fund was founded following Ben's death in 1998 with a grant from the New York Community Trust---the Donald R. Gant Fund. The Fund is designed to encourage residents, attendings, and other medical professionals to volunteer their time to deliver medical services to underserved populations throughout the world. Although the Fund's first priority is to support healthcare professionals from the Atlantic Health System professional community, program administrators also consider applications from residents, attendings, and nurses from outside the system.
Genefer Duran, MD: NY Presbyterian- Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Pediatrics – PGY2
Dominican Republic: January, 2026
With my family coming from the Dominican Republic, it was especially humbling and special for me to go back as a pediatric resident to work alongside my community. Although my time was short, I was able to delve deeper into the pathophysiology of diseases and was reminded of the importance of completing a thorough physical exam.
Read more →Shivani Shah, MD: University of North Carolina Children's Hospital, Pediatrics – PGY2
Cambodia: January, 2026
I am deeply grateful to the Benjamin H. Josephson Fund for supporting my trip to Kratie, Cambodia. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work and learn alongside local physicians and nurses in both the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Chenla Children’s Hospital.
Read more →Andrea Quintero Reis, MD: Goryeb Children's Hospital, Pediatrics – PGY2
Peru: January, 2026
I recently completed a medical mission trip in Peru with the organization Máximo Nivel, working at the Posta de Salud Miraflores, a free community clinic serving a predominantly low-resource population. The clinic cared for both adult and pediatric patients and functioned with extremely limited resources.
Read more →Tanner Carlock, MD: Wright State University, OBGYN, PGY-2
Honduras: October, 2025
When I returned from Honduras last year, I expected the experience to settle into memory like most meaningful chapters do. Instead, it stayed vividly with me. I found myself thinking often about Guachipilincito-the patients we met, the challenges they faced, and the small but profound moments of connection that shaped our time there.
Read more →Kimberly Jayne, MD: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Family and Community Medicine Residency- PGY3
Peru: September, 2025
For a month during August to September 2025, I had the opportunity to complete a medical elective in Trujillo, Peru.
Read more →Kendal Schaetzle, DO: Christiana Care, Family Medicine- PGY2
Mexico: June, 2025
I want to express my gratitude for being a recipient of the Benjamin H. Josephson Fund. It was an immersive and profound opportunity to work with Refugee Health Alliance in Tijuana, Mexico.
Read more →