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.