VALHALLA, N.Y. (June 7, 2018) – Following its 100th anniversary celebration last year, the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) continued to make history at its annual Gala with multiple, million-dollar pledges to the Westchester Medical Center Foundation* and a 2018 event fundraising total exceeding $3.5 million.
The 39th Annual Gala, held this year at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts on June 2, benefited Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and the Behavioral Health Center, all members of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). The hospitals are located on WMCHealth's flagship campus in Valhalla and are the advanced care centers for the Hudson Valley, providing lifesaving and life-changing care to families from the region and beyond.
An evening highlight was WMCHealth's recognition of corporate sponsor ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc., which received the 2018 Community Partner Award from WMCHealth. Through point-of-sale fundraising campaigns in ShopRite stores located in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Orange counties, ShopRite has raised more than $1.3 million to support Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, plus in-kind donations of food and supplies in support of fundraising
ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. Vice President of Operations Tom Urtz (center left) and CEO Brett Wing (center right) are flanked by WMCHealth President and CEO Michael Israel (left) and Mitchell Hochberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Westchester County Healthcare Corporation.
events. In the years to come, ShopRite has pledged an on-going commitment to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, WMCHealth and the overall health and wellness of the region.
In recognition of its past generosity and future commitment, WMCHealth honored ShopRite with the naming of
Westchester Medical Center's Caregiver Center. The ShopRite Caregiver Center provides vital comfort and support to families while loved ones are patients at Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital or the Behavioral Health Center. Specially-trained staff at ShopRite Caregiver Center assist families as they cope with and adjust to their loved one's hospitalization by providing grief management, chaplaincy services, secular counseling and access to quiet spaces for thought and private conversations.
Commitments announced during the Gala included:
• An anonymous $1 million gift to endow the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery position within
WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute, which delivers the most advanced cardiovascular care in the Hudson Valley.
• A total of $1 million to support healing arts and other complementary services at WMCHealth's Valhalla hospitals. Gifts were made by:
o The family of Suzan and Mitchell Hochberg. Mitchell Hochberg is Chair of the
Board of Directors, Westchester County Health Care Corporation;
o The family of Annahaita Kotval and Zubeen Shroff. Shroff is First Vice Chair and Treasurer, Westchester County Health Care Corporation and a member of the Westchester Medical Center
Foundation Board of Directors.
o The family of Kimberly Flood, MD and David Asprinio, MD. Asprinio is Director and Section Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Westchester Medical Center.
o The family of Ben and Debra Lieberman
through the efforts of
Evan's Team, which raises funds for causes in memory of the Lieberman's son, Evan, who was a passenger in a tragic car accident in 2011. Evan was cared for in the Level I Trauma Intensive Care Unit of Westchester Medical Center.
An additional $500,000 was raised during the evening, through sponsorships and other efforts.
The families of Zubeen Shroff and Annahaita Kotval (left) and Suzan and Mitchell Hochberg (right) were among four families pledging $1 million, collectively, to the Westchester Medical Center Foundation
ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. Vice President of Operations Tom Urtz (center left) and CEO Brett Wing (center right) are flanked by WMCHealth President and CEO Michael Israel (left) and Mitchell Hochberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Westchester County Healthcare Corporation.