The Westchester Medical Center (WMC) Foundation is pleased to announce that David DeMilia will serve as the new Chairman of its Board of Trustees. A seasoned financial leader and dedicated community advocate, Mr. DeMilia succeeds Navy Djonovic in leading the philanthropic efforts for the Hudson Valley’s flagship healthcare institution.

Mr. DeMilia brings over two decades of executive experience and a deep-rooted commitment to the region. He currently serves as President of the Hudson Valley Market at Tompkins Community Bank, where he has spent the last 18 years. His leadership has been instrumental in driving corporate initiatives that have solidified Tompkins as a premier, full-service financial institution.

“David DeMilia’s professional expertise is matched only by his passion for the health and well-being of our community,” said Navy Djonovic, Immediate Past Chair, Westchester Medical Center Foundation. “As a lifelong resident of Westchester and a long-standing Trustee of the WMCHealth Board of Directors, David understands the vital role Westchester Medical Center plays as a provider of advanced, life-saving care. We are thrilled to have him at the helm of our Foundation Board.”

During his tenure with WMCHealth, Mr. DeMilia’s involvement with the Foundation Board has been extensive, previously serving on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Governance/Nominating Committee, as well as contributing to the Recruitment and Special Events Committees.

“I am honored to serve as Chairman during such a pivotal time for Westchester Medical Center as we are poised to open our new, state-of-the-art critical care tower that will redefine life-saving care for the Hudson Valley and beyond,” said David DeMilia. “I look forward to working with our generous donors and the Board to ensure the hospital has the philanthropic support necessary to continue providing world-class healthcare to our neighbors in the Hudson Valley.” A lifelong resident of Westchester County, Mr. DeMilia holds a JD/MBA from Pace University and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland. He resides in Yorktown Heights with his family.

Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s (WMCHealth) Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital has opened a new pediatric rehabilitation gym, a child-friendly therapy space designed to strengthen inpatient rehabilitation services for children affected by acute illness, injury, surgical procedures, and complex medical conditions.

Made possible through generous philanthropic support, the new gym provides a safe, engaging environment for specialized physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The space is designed to help children improve mobility, build strength, regain independence, and benefit from rehabilitation services without the need for transport to off-site facilities — supporting a smoother, more consistent healing process.

“This dedicated space allows us to deliver highly specialized rehabilitation therapies in a setting that feels warm, welcoming, and truly tailored to children,” said Vera Tsetlina, MD, Medical Director of Pediatric Physiatry at Westchester Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Pediatrics at New York Medical College. “We are deeply grateful for the philanthropic support that brought this vision to life and strengthened our ability to help children reach their functional goals.”

“Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is founded on the belief that children heal best when their physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met together,” said Erika Berman-Rosenzweig, MD, William Russell McCurdy Physician-in-Chief & Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at WMCHealth; Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at NYMC School of Medicine. “This new rehabilitation gym enhances our multidisciplinary approach and ensures families across the Hudson Valley have access to exceptional pediatric rehabilitation close to home, should their children become hospitalized.”

The gym is equipped with child-sized therapy tools, adaptive equipment, and activity-based features that encourage movement through play — an essential component of pediatric healing. The space also provides opportunities for families to learn exercises and techniques to continue at home, helping children maintain progress beyond their hospital stay. By expanding inpatient rehabilitation capabilities, the pediatric rehabilitation gym reinforces Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s role as the region’s leading provider of advanced pediatric care and enhances the overall patient and family experience.

Steven Lansman, M.D., Ph.D. to be recognized at popular event celebrating women’s heart health and supporting WMCHealth cardiac programs 

Steven Lansman M.D., Ph.D, who was instrumental in the growth of Westchester Medical Center’s renowned heart transplant program, will be honored when Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) holds its signature women’s heart health event on February 26.

With a new name and new energy, Heart Night Out (formerly Girls’ Night Out) will celebrate heart patients and their healthcare providers and share their inspiring stories in support of cardiac services at WMCHealth. 

CBS-TV News anchor Mary Calvi will emcee the event on Thursday, February 26 at 5:30 pm at DeCicco & Sons in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The event will feature a buffet, raffles, vendors and more. Calvi is an Emmy award-winning journalist who serves as anchor for CBS2 News This Morning, CBS2 News at Noon, and anchor for Inside Edition Weekend. 

Heart Night Out aims to raise awareness about the importance of heart health, particularly for women whose symptoms may differ from those experienced by men. February is Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women in the United States, causing 1 in 3 deaths or approximately one every minute, according to the American Heart Association. 

This year’s honoree Dr. Lansman is Director of the Department of Surgery at Westchester Medical Center (WMC). Dr. Lansman was instrumental in building Westchester Medical Center’s Cardiac Transplant Program and introduced the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at bedside among other advances in cardiac care at Westchester Medical Center. 

Dr. Lansman joined the faculty of New York Medical College as professor of surgery and the staff of WMC as chief of cardiothoracic surgery in 2005. As chief, he was instrumental in obtaining state and federal authorization to begin the cardiac transplant program at WMC and helped to establish the mechanical assist device program at WMC. He has been published in 150 peer-reviewed publications and mentors junior faculty, residents and students at New York Medical College.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute, which offers a wide range of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and vascular surgery services – including heart failure and heart transplantation, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and many more – to Hudson Valley residents. 

To learn more about sponsorships for the event or to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit wmchealthgiving.org. Tickets can be purchased here.