Frank “Doc” Schupp, a resident of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, served for 15 years as an Army Medic, including one tour in Iraq, and placements with the 3rd Infantry Division, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the National Guard. After retiring from the service in 2013, Schupp continues to serve his community and advocate for veterans by facilitating therapy groups at New Bridge Medical Center and serving as Director of Veterans Outreach Services for the New Jersey Veterans Network. 

Known to his friends as “Doc” due to his role as a Combat Medic in the Army, Schupp graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While at Kean, Schupp served as President of the Military Veterans Club, completed an internship with the Kean University Division of Veteran Services, and was awarded the April Cohen Service Award for his work in the community. Schupp also has diplomas in Behavioral Management and Behavioral Support from the Boggs Center of Developmental Disabilities at Rutgers University. He was certified as a State Behavioral Support Instructor through the Handle with Care program.  

Schupp’s commitment to caring for our soldiers and veterans continues to show through his work and volunteerism in the community, like providing peer counseling and managing resource events for veterans. Schupp and his ever-present sidekick Shadow (a therapy dog-in-training) often visit veterans shelters and hospitals. Schupp began his volunteer work in 2014 by creating a yearly toy drive for children at St. Joseph’s Health during the winter holiday season.

In 2020, responding to increased needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Schupp created and managed the Helping Heroes Program, a mobile outreach initiative to provide food, clothing, and financial assistance resources directly to veterans and veteran families throughout New Jersey. Helping Heroes, under Schupp’s leadership, facilitated over 4,000 hot meals being distributed to over 60 different drop-off locations to include veteran’s shelters, hospitals, and frontline first responder heroes. Schupp concluded 2020 by managing a statewide food and toy drive involving several different organizations to provide Thanksgiving and holiday groceries, hot meals, and toys for over 70 veteran families and over 180 children. 

Schupp has been recognized by community leaders throughout the years and honored with awards including the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, North District Elks Veterans Award, Union County Military Commemorative Award, and the Kean University Department of Military Affairs Distinguished Servicemen Award. Schupp was also the Keynote speaker for East Orange VA Hospitals’ Veterans Day Ceremony. 

Thank you for your continued service!