Valerie Moldow, Elizabeth Stirling and patient Piper
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In September, Hannah Rand Realty hosted a fundraiser for the children’s hospital at Patriot Hills Golf Club, featuring live music, raffle prizes, axe throwing, simulated golf, and more. The event was attended by healthcare providers, the Child Life & Creative Arts Therapy team, patients and their families.
Through its Children’s Free Care Fund, Hanna Rand Realty has set an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital this year. Their continued support throughout the years has made a meaningful difference in the lives of so many children and families.
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated to advanced care pediatrics and where all other area hospitals transfer their most seriously ill and injured children for care. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is also home to the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Level I pediatric trauma and burn care programs and Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
On Saturday, September 28th, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park buzzed with energy as a sold-out crowd gathered for a spectacular evening in support of MidHudson Regional Hospital. Attendees raised their paddles high and gave generously, donating to the expansion of The Herb and Sue Ann Redl Pediatric Emergency Department at MidHudson Regional Hospital. The event honored Dr. Joseph J. Fulton, Chief of Vascular Surgery; Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati; and the incredible Critical Care and Emergency Department nurses, who act as a lifeline for so many in the community and celebrate WMCHealth’s 10th anniversary of transformative care at MidHudson Regional Hospital. It was truly a night to remember!
After a year of hospital treatment, 21-month-old Hadley Frusciante is finally home. On Friday, September 20, Hadley, her mother Lindsay, and grateful family members returned to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital to thank the team that turned Hadley’s life around.
Hadley was born with a congenital disorder that prevented her kidneys from developing properly. Hadley’s kidneys eventually failed and were removed in December of 2023. This led to Hadley enduring months of dialysis treatments at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital as the family awaited a donor match.
Finding a match for Hadley was challenging due to her size. Wishing to help her niece get the kidney she so desperately needed, Hadley’s aunt Kayla Mercado donated her own kidney into the National Kidney Registry. The hospital is an active member of the registry and on August 9th, Hadley received her long-awaited kidney transplant via a living donor match.
On her return to the hospital, Hadley’s mom said, ”I never lost hope but there were days when I thought we were never going to see the end of the road. The staff here have been nothing short of amazing. They have advocated with us, for us, and loved us like family. They have become our family and they have helped her grow into the little person that she is.’’
The Metropolitan Professional Golfers’ Association of America (MET PGA) hosted their third annual Birdie Bash Tournament on Monday, August 12th at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk, CT. There were 6 miracle children ambassadors present for the festivities at Silvermine and the children, their families, and the PGA pros had a great time. More than $250,000 was raised through the event. The funds raised are supporting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Cohen Children’s Medical Center on Long Island.
Thanks to the team at Costco and to their customers for supporting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. Five Costco locations in our area raised a total of $183,756 to support life changing, life saving care at the Hudson Valley’s pediatric care facility. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated to advanced care pediatrics and where all other area hospitals transfer their most seriously ill and injured children for care. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is also home to the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Level I pediatric trauma and burn care programs and Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Federal, State, and County Officials Share their Support for Westchester Medical Center’s Vital Project
New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, DASNY President and CEO Robert Rodriguez, New York State Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin, and Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Join Other Key Community Stakeholders at Landmark Event
VALHALLA, N.Y. (July 24, 2024)–Today, New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, along with state and local elected officials, key community influencers, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) leadership, gathered to commemorate the start of construction for the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center.
The Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center, a $220 million project, will span 162,000 square feet and rise five stories when complete. Adjacent to Westchester Medical Center’s main tower, the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center will house 128 private, state-of-the-art patient rooms—all equipped with the latest and most advanced medical technologies for intensive care.
Importantly, the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center will facilitate the conversion of Westchester Medical Center’s entire inpatient service to all-private rooms, enhancing patient privacy and comfort.
Aptly named the “Tower to Heal,” the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center is a significant milestone in the advancement of critical care services.
“Advanced care is Westchester Medical Center’s bedrock service and as we break ground on the Critical Care Tower, we reaffirm Westchester Medical Center’s enduring legacy as the region’s unquestioned leader in advanced care,” said Michael D. Israel, President and Chief Executive Officer, WMCHealth. “This project is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community. The Critical Care Tower will stand as a testament to our continued leadership, providing ultramodern facilities for critical care that will impact lives for years to come.”
Community Support for Vital Project “Westchester Medical Center is a leader for medical research and top-quality healthcare in New York, and this Critical Care Tower project will help ensure that the healthcare needs of residents in Westchester and beyond can be met,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “This groundbreaking means that Westchester Medical Center is improving care for patients and utilizing the latest technology to ensure the best possible outcomes. I’m a proud supporter of this project and thank the tremendous team at WMC for their work making this healthcare system one of the crown jewels of the Hudson Valley.”
“The groundbreaking of the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center marks a pivotal moment in expanding advanced critical care services in the Hudson Valley,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “The Critical Care Tower will give Hudson Valley residents access to advanced specialty services, providing them with the finest medical care in the new state-of-the-art facility. Westchester Medical Center continues to lead in advanced care, and with today’s groundbreaking, it will continue to provide patients with critical care for years to come.”
“I’m honored to congratulate President Michael Israel and all the incredible staff at Westchester Medical Center on the groundbreaking of this new project that will greatly enhance WMC Health’s ability to meet the needs of Hudson Valley families,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler. “The Critical Care Tower will be home to the only Level I trauma center in the Hudson Valley region and will enable all patient rooms on the Westchester Medical Center campus to become 100% private – a substantial improvement from the current situation, in which 70% of patient rooms are semi-private. Moreover, it will meet a wide variety of needs, such as providing surge capacity and increasing pandemic readiness as well as improving maternal and infant care, providing quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay. The significance of this project cannot be understated, and it will go a long, long way to serve so many Hudson Valley families. I look forward to monitoring this undertaking and continuing to partner with Westchester Medical to meet the needs of our community.”
“Every New Yorker deserves access to high-quality medical care,” said New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. “Westchester Medical Center’s new critical care tower will help New Yorkers throughout the region access they care they need to lead healthy, successful lives.”
“As the sole Level I trauma center in the Hudson Valley, Westchester Medical Center provides critical care to millions of New Yorkers,” said New York StateLieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. “I was proud to join Westchester Medical Center at today’s groundbreaking, which is a significant step in expanding lifesaving care for Hudson Valley residents who are too often forced to travel far from home to receive treatment.”
“New York State congratulates Westchester Medical Center and its leadership on this important milestone for healthcare for the region,” said DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez. “This new critical care center will enable the Medical Center to continue to meet patients’ ever-evolving needs and to serve as a lifeline for millions of New Yorkers from throughout the Hudson Valley.”
“The new Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center will build on the advanced medical care that the Westchester Medical Center is known for, said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. It will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth in our region. It is important that Westchester Medical Center continues its mission of setting new standards in advanced, compassionate healthcare for all.”
“This project is such a big win for Westchester residents,” said New York State Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin. “There are a number of reasons why we need to move to the single room model. Chief among these are infection risk, patient satisfaction, and privacy. This is, after all, about so much more than convenience and personal preference. For patients, it’s about dignity and respect at a low point in their lives. It’s about families and their ability to be present in a comfortable setting. At this new tower, wounds will be healed, medical knowledge will be advanced, and lives will be rebuilt.”
“We are proud to stand with our colleagues at Westchester Medical Center to cut the ribbon on a project that ultimately, will save lives in Westchester,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “We all saw what happened in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and realized that having the ability to surge in capacity at a moment’s notice was critical. The County was able to assist in the financing of WMCHealth’s Critical Care Tower with tax-exempt bonds through our Industrial Development Agency, and it is our hope that this new facility will provide the highest quality critical care to the patients that need it.”
Maintaining a Leadership Position in Advanced Care Westchester Medical Center, a regional academic medical center, plays a crucial role for individuals facing acute illness or injury, as well as for other hospitals across New York State. These hospitals transfer their most complex cases to Westchester Medical Center for advanced care.
In fact, Westchester Medical Center handles over 1,000 critical care patient admissions each month. As the demand for Westchester Medical Center’s highly specialized services continues to grow, the need for the Critical Care Tower becomes clear.
The Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center will house several notable services, including advanced cardiac, neuroscience, oncology, and surgical specialty care. Additionally, Westchester Medical Center serves as the region’s Level I trauma center, and all trauma intensive care services will relocate to the Critical Care Tower.
Furthermore, the construction of the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center will allow other WMCHealth services to expand. For instance, pediatric emergency medicine at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Westchester Medical Center’s women’s health services will benefit from this development.
Anticipated to be completed in 2026, the Critical Care Tower is the second major structural and service addition to Westchester Medical Center in less than a decade. This follows the successful completion of the eight-story, $230 million Ambulatory Care Pavilion in 2019.
Construction Costs and Community Benefits
The Westchester County Local Development Corporation estimated that Westchester County will receive more than $3.5 million in total economic benefits from the creation of the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center, and the project is also estimated to create more than 770 construction jobs and 127 new full-time jobs.
“The Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center represents an investment in the future of Westchester Medical Center. More importantly, it signifies an investment in the health of our neighbors here in the Hudson Valley,” said Zubeen Shroff, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Westchester County Health Care Corporation. “As a leader in advanced care for decades, WMCHealth and Westchester Medical Center will continue to pave the way for sophisticated and compassionate healthcare in the Hudson Valley. This state-of-the-art facility will empower us to continue in our mission to provide the most complex and advanced treatments to all who seek our services, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Additional Comments
New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer: “I am pleased to join Westchester Medical Center for the groundbreaking of the WMCHealth Critical Care Tower, the construction of which will expand WMC’s ability to care for patients in significant ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw firsthand how important it is for healthcare facilities to have the space and the staff to care for a sudden influx of patients, and the Critical Care Tower will enhance Westchester Medical Center’s preparedness for this kind of need. We are so fortunate to have teams of incredible, dedicated medical professionals here in Westchester, and this new addition will continue to push WMC ahead in innovation while ensuring we have top-of-the-field healthcare providers with appropriate support. Thank you to WMCHealth for your continued commitment to our community.”
New York State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg:“This major expansion of the critical care capacities of the only Level I trauma center in the Hudson Valley is a welcome development on so many levels. Once complete, it will enable Westchester Medical Center to better serve the region’s communities in a variety of ways, from increasing intensive care capabilities to enlarging hospital capacity and enabling greater patient privacy. We are fortunate to have entities like the WMCHealth Foundation and the Westchester IDA working hard to make this project possible.”
New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky: “Westchester Medical Center’s Critical Care Tower will significantly expand the Hudson Valley’s capacity for pandemic readiness, equity in maternal and infant care, trauma care, organ transplants, and other high-level medical services. It will also bring over 700 construction and 127 permanent jobs – high paying, middle class jobs – to the heart of the 92nd Assembly District. Thank you, Westchester Medical Center, for bringing this project to our community.”
Westchester County Board of Legislators Chair Vedat Gashi: “Once again, Westchester Medical Center leads the charge in transformative healthcare with the introduction of the Critical Care Tower. This addition will help to deliver essential services to residents of Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.” We are proud to host a world-class medical center, that serves as a beacon of healthcare excellence, here in Westchester County.”
About Westchester Medical Center Health Network The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with nine hospitals on seven campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. The Network has Level I (adult and pediatric), Level II and Level III trauma centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Centers, skilled nursing facilities, home-care services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State. Today, WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org or follow WMCHealth on Facebook.com/WMCHealth or Instagram.com/WMCHealth.
Left to right: Michael D. Israel, WMCHealth CEO; Sean Coughlin, President, Chief Executive Officer at The Premier Collection; Sean Colligan, Subaru Distributor Corp.; Jeremy A. Abramson, Vice President at The Premier Collection and Michael Gewitz, MD, Physician-in-Chief of WMCHealth’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
Subaru White Plains has generously donated $73,270 to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital as part of Subaru America’s #SharetheLove event! This donation will help us provide life-changing treatments, world-class facilities, and innovative programs that make a real difference in the lives of our young patients.
Thank you to DeCicco & Sons for helping WMCHealth to raise $31,839 to support child maternal health and the network’s new Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center.
Between April 28 and May 12, shoppers at DeCicco’s donated the funds to help expand Women’s Health Services, including Maternity and Labor and Delivery, providing a healthy start for new moms and babies.
Proceeds will also go to support the new Critical Care Tower — a modern, five-story facility that will have 128 private, ICU-capable rooms.
Physicians and nurses also received honors; Gala proceeds support new Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center
L to R: President and CEO of WMCHealth Michael D. Israel, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Chair of the Board of Directors of WMCHealth Zubeen Shroff
VALHALLA N.Y. (June, 2024) – Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s (WMCHealth) 2024 Gala saluted former Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Regeneron President George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, physicians Ivan Miller, MD and Augustine Moscatello, MD, and the dedicated medical/surgical nursing teams at Westchester Medical Center.
The event took place on Saturday, June 1st, at the Caramoor Center for Music and Arts in Katonah, NY. Proceeds from the gala are supporting the new Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center – a modern, five-story facility that will have 128 private, ICU-capable rooms.
Honorees at the event included:
John F. Heimerdinger Lifetime of Service Award
Former Congresswoman Nita Lowey was honored with the John F. Heimerdinger Lifetime of Service Award. During her three decades in Congress, Congresswoman Lowey was a staunch advocate for healthcare, championing increased federal investments in biomedical research on diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s at the National Institutes of Health.
Community Champion Award
George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, Board Co-Chair, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron, was recognized as a Community Champion. Dr. Yancopoulos has been instrumental in the development of Regeneron’s twelve FDA-approved and authorized medicines and numerous technologies that have saved and improved countless lives.
Physician Exemplar Awards
Ivan Miller, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine at Westchester Medical Center, received the Physician Exemplar Award. Dr. Miller was honored for his exceptional dedication to emergency medicine. He oversees all Emergency Departments within the WMCHealth system, tackling the most complex cases in the Hudson Valley and ensuring the provision of top-tier care.
Augustine Moscatello, MD, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Westchester Medical Center, was also awarded the Physician Exemplar Award. Dr. Moscatello has participated in over thirty medical missions worldwide, including in Ukraine, Cuba, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Ethiopia. In the past eighteen months, he has traveled to Ukraine three times, providing critical care to injured civilians and military personnel.
Care Champions Award
The Westchester Medical Center Medical and Surgical Nursing Teams were honored with the Care Champions Award. These dedicated professionals exemplify coordinated and comprehensive care for patients undergoing medical and surgical treatment, demonstrating outstanding expertise and compassion every day. For a complete list of event sponsors, please visit visit WMCHealth.org/Gala.
Left: Malory Saki, Rei Saki, Chris Saki, Gabe Saki; Center; Jameson Swankie, Valerie Swankie, Mike Swankie, Dakota Phillips; Right: Valerie Williams, Iyanna Williams; Far Right: Nicole Lucas, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
Four brave young children were appointed as ambassadors for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital during a heartwarming ceremony at Clovers Stadium in Pomona, just before a New York Boulders baseball game. As ambassadors the children, all of whom received successful treatment for serious illnesses at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, will represent the thousands of children cared for annually by the hospital.
During the ceremony, 8-year-old Gabe and his 4-year-old sister Rei, along with 4-year-old Jameson and 12-year-old Iyanna, were presented with official sashes and medals by Nicole Lucas, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.
This year’s ambassadors are:
Gabe and Rei Saki — Congenital Heart issues
Gabe was born with a congenital heart defect – a hole between the two top chambers of his heart called an atrial septal defect. Pediatric cardiology specialists at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital performed a minimally invasive heart technique five days before his third birthday and was released from the hospital after 36 hours. Today, Gabe is thriving. He loves karate lessons, playing Minecraft and Roblox and spending time with friends.
Rei was born with the same congenital heart defect as her brother but because of its smaller size, doctors are closely monitoring it to see if it will close on its own without surgery. So far Rei remains a happy healthy child who can often be found painting, coloring, and dancing.
Iyanna Williams — Kidney Transplant
When Iyanna was 10-year-old she contracted COVID-19 and at that time it was discovered that her kidneys were failing and she needed a transplant. In September of 2023, after a year on the transplant list, a kidney became available and Iyanna underwent a transplant at Westchester Medical Center. After the four-hour surgery, Iyanna recuperated at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and was released within a week. Her family is thankful for her recovery and report that she is a sassy 12-year-old who is excited to be back at school with her friends
Jameson Swankie
When Jameson was born in April of 2020, his parents received the devastating news that he had a large hole in his heart. He was immediately transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, where he spent six days in the Neonatal ICU. He underwent heart surgery in July of 2020 for multiple congenital abnormalities and underwent a second surgery in September of 2020 for an obstruction of his left kidney. His parents describe the doctors and nurses at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital as ‘angels on earth.’ Today, Jameson is an energetic 4-year-old who loves dinosaurs, Hot Wheels cars, and watching Bluey and Paw Patrol.
David E. Asprinio, MD
Dr. David Asprinio is Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Westchester Medical Center and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at New York Medical College. He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of the Holy Cross and medical school at the University of Vermont. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University. He then completed fellowships in orthopaedic trauma at the Hospital for Special Surgery and orthopaedic spine surgery at the University of Maryland. He is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and a member of numerous sub-specialty organizations.
Dr. Asprinio joined the medical staff of Westchester Medical Center in 1995 and has been recognized as one of the “Top Doctors” in Westchester County and the New York metropolitan area in each of the last eight years. In 2012, he was named one of the top 29 orthopaedic trauma surgeons in the United States. He is Program Director for the Westchester Medical Center-based New York Medical College Orthopaedic Residency Program. He is involved in clinical and basic science research activities and has lectured nationally and internationally. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals including The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, The American Journal of Sports Medicine and The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Asprinio lives in Greenwich with his wife and three children.
Jeremy Abramson is Vice President of The Premier Collection, a family-owned and -operated group of Volvo, Subaru, Lincoln, Mazda and Volkswagen dealerships in the region. Mr. Abramson started his career at 16 washing cars and worked his way up through the ranks to running the day-to-day operations of the entire dealership. After graduating from Towson University in Maryland, he moved to New York where he met his wife, Amy.
Mr. Abramson is deeply committed to community involvement, sitting on several professional and charitable boards including the UJA Business & Professional Division, Westchester Medical Center Foundation (Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital), Jewish National Fund and Young Israel of White Plains, where he and his family have been members since 2011. Mr. Abramson also serves on the board of Blankets for Cancer, an organization founded in memory of his nephew, Jordan, that supports patients and families battling pediatric cancer.
Mr. Abramson and his wife, Amy, reside in White Plains with their three children, Sydney, Alexander and Emma.
Foundation Board activities: Governance/Nominating Committee; Recruitment Committee; Events Committee
Kara Bennorth has nearly 40 years of experience in public affairs, marketing, communications and development in both healthcare and the public sector. A member of WMCHealth since 1995, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer where she was responsible for overseeing in-network activities, driving organizational development and culture and inter-network and interdepartmental collaboration and coordination. With direct responsibility for the overall brand and image of the organization, Ms. Bennorth was in charge of communications, marketing and philanthropy/grants development for WMCHealth’s nine hospitals, six 501(c)(3) foundations, numerous ambulatory and community-based programs and several hospital-based practice locations.
During her tenure, the organization consistently ranked tops among hospitals in the region for image and quality and earned a national patient satisfaction award from Press Ganey, one of only two hospitals in the northeast to achieve this status. She also was part of the team that led the hospital’s first capital campaign to raise more than $25 million to build the region’s only children’s hospital. Ms. Bennorth holds a bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and an MBA from Franklin Pierce University. Kara has two grown children, Melissa and Ian, and resides in Putnam County with her husband, Michael Hubertus.
Foundation Board activities: Chair, Campaign Committee; Chair, Special Events Committee; Recruitment Committee; Critical Care Tower Campaign Cabinet
Dr. Robin Altman is a board-certified pediatrician. She got her B.S. in Psychobiology from Yale University and her M.D. from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and joined the faculty at New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center in 1991. In 1995, Dr. Altman became the Chief of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Hospital Medicine, a position that she maintains today. In 2012, she became the Medical Director of Quality and Safety for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, and in 2021 she was appointed Vice Chair, Quality and Safety for the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Altman continues to practice pediatrics in Hawthorne, NY, but her passion is quality improvement, patient safety and enhancing the healthcare experience for patients and their families.
