Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) brought together healthcare professionals, first responders, patient survivors, community partners, donors, and supporters for Connected Through Care: Stronger Together, an inspiring evening celebrating the collaboration and compassion that define trauma care throughout the WMCHealth Network. Hosted on July 15, 2026, at Kanopi atop the Opus Hotel in White Plains, the event recognized the many individuals who play a vital role in a patient’s recovery journey — from EMS professionals and medical teams to families, caregivers, community partners, and the patients whose resilience inspires us all.

“Trauma care is about more than medicine,” said Dr. Kartik Prabhakaran, Chair, Department of Surgery, WMCHealth and Director, WMCHealth Trauma Consortium. “It is about bringing together everyone who plays a role in recovery. No one survives trauma alone, and every person involved helps make healing possible.”

Dr. David Lubarsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, WMCHealth, remarked, “Every day, individuals and families experience unexpected injuries that can forever change the course of their lives. At WMCHealth, we are committed to ensuring that patients throughout the Hudson Valley have access to exceptional, life-saving care when they need it most. Our patients remind us of the strength and determination that define the human spirit, and their stories continue to strengthen our commitment to our mission.”

As the only Level I Trauma Center for adults and children in the Hudson Valley, Westchester Medical Center provides advanced trauma services to nearly three million people across the region, working alongside first responders and healthcare partners to deliver care when every second matters.

During the event, Dr. David E. Asprinio, Director of Orthopedic Surgery, WMCHealth, was presented with the Physician Exemplar Award in recognition of his more than 25 years of leadership, innovation, and dedication to orthopedic trauma care. Dr. Asprinio has played a transformative role in expanding access to specialized orthopedic trauma care, strengthening services throughout the Hudson Valley, and mentoring the next generation of physicians. 

The evening’s most powerful moments came from the patients and families whose stories illustrated the life-changing impact of exceptional trauma care. Dr. Stephen Klass shared his wife Doreen Klass’ remarkable journey following a devastating pedestrian accident and the life-saving care she received from Dr. Asprinio and the Westchester Medical Center Trauma Team. Joel shared how surviving a catastrophic car accident inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Yarmine Jimenez shared her family’s journey of hope and healing after she fell off a train platform while 26 weeks pregnant, resulting in a ruptured uterus, emergency delivery, and specialized NICU care for her son, Logan.

WMCHealth is grateful to all event sponsors, corporate partners, donors, and supporters whose generosity made Stronger Together possible. Their commitment ensures that trauma teams across our network have the resources needed to provide exceptional, life-saving care to patients and families throughout the Hudson Valley. Together, patients, caregivers, first responders, and supporters demonstrated the powerful message at the heart of the evening: we are stronger together.

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Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital recently celebrated the official naming of The Premier Collection Pediatric Emergency Department during a special dedication ceremony recognizing the extraordinary generosity of The Coughlin Family, Subaru White Plains, and The Premier Collection.

Hospital leadership, Foundation trustees, donors, physicians, and community members gathered to commemorate the milestone, which reflects a shared commitment to ensuring children throughout the Hudson Valley continue to receive exceptional emergency care close to home.

“Every day, children arrive at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital facing medical emergencies, and within moments they are surrounded by a team of highly skilled pediatric specialists dedicated to providing lifesaving care,” said David Lubarsky, MD, MBA, President and CEO of WMCHealth. “Behind every visit is a child, a family, and a moment when nothing matters more than knowing expert pediatric care is available. We are deeply grateful to The Coughlin Family, Subaru White Plains, and The Premier Collection for their remarkable generosity and commitment to the children and families we serve.”

During the ceremony, Ivan Miller, MD, Chair of Emergency Medicine for WMCHealth, spoke about the vital role philanthropy plays in strengthening pediatric emergency care.

“When a child arrives in the Pediatric Emergency Department, families are often frightened and searching for answers,” said Dr. Miller. “Support like this strengthens our ability to provide expert, compassionate care for thousands of children each year. This is philanthropy at its very best—community leaders investing in healthier futures for children they may never meet, but whose lives will be better because they cared.”

Jeremy Abramson, Trustee of the Westchester Medical Center Foundation and a leader within The Premier Collection, highlighted the longstanding partnership between the organizations.

“This recognition is about far more than a name on a wall,” Abramson said. “It represents a shared commitment to our community and to the children and families who rely on Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital every day. We are honored that The Premier Collection and the Coughlin Family can help support the extraordinary physicians, nurses, and staff who provide hope, healing, and comfort during life’s most difficult moments.”

Sean Coughlin, President of The Premier Collection, joined members of the Coughlin Family and WMCHealth leadership for the official unveiling of the naming recognition. This meaningful investment reflects The Premier Collection’s longstanding commitment to the health and well-being of the community and will have a lasting impact on pediatric emergency care for generations to come. Their generosity helps ensure that Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital remains a place where children receive world-class care, close to home, during life’s most critical moments.

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