Westchester County leaders, health-care executives and policymakers gathered at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) annual “Toasting to a Healthy Westchester: An Evening to Celebrate WCA’s Legacy of Health-Care Advocacy and Initiatives.” This year’s event featured a fireside chat with Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and honored former WCA President William M. Mooney Jr. for his decades of leadership in advancing health care and economic vitality across the region.
In opening remarks, Susan Fox, WCA Board chair and president and CEO of White Plains Hospital, reflected on WCA’s impact. “Health care has long been central to WCA’s mission,” said Fox. “We’re proud to celebrate a legacy of advocacy and collaboration that continues to strengthen care and access across our region.”
During the fireside chat between Secretary Clinton and WCA President and CEO Michael N. Romita, Clinton reflected on her work to expand access to affordable, quality health care and protect funding for research.
“Unless we do more to expand access to health care, make it affordable and control costs, we are not going to be able to afford to provide the kind of health care that Americans deserve to have,” said Clinton. “Poor health is more costly. We were beginning to turn the corner on chronic diseases because we paid for preventive testing and early care. I do not understand why we would want to go backwards on health care.”
Clinton praised the WCA’s impact, noting, “Much of the work they do for lobbying and advocacy fits with our challenges and opportunities. They’re constantly bringing together amazing combinations of people to do great work.”
Romita noted that her message “reminds us how deeply health care access is tied to our economic strength and the vitality of every community. Westchester’s hospitals, schools, scientific research centers and other health-care institutions are not only delivering world-class care — they’re driving our regional economy.”
The WCA Healthcare Champion Award was presented to William M. Mooney Jr., who served as president and CEO of the Westchester County Association for more than 15 years, leading the organization through a period of transformational growth. Mooney was recognized for creating the WCA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on health-care reform, which led to historic health-care legislative changes.
Michael Dowling, CEO Emeritus of Northwell Health, presented the honor and praised Mooney’s enduring influence: “Bill is more than a visionary leader — he’s an extraordinary humanist who embodies values of decency, respect, truth, integrity and kindness. He makes everyone around him better and his work has helped define what health-care leadership looks like in this region.”
Accepting the award, Mooney said, “We learned that hospitals are complex organizations, vital to our economy and our well-being. Health care is the most noble profession because every day, these professionals get up to take care of others. We owe them our deepest gratitude.”
Amy Allen, WCA vice president and longtime head of the association’s health-care initiatives, also addressed the audience and was recognized for her leadership and upcoming retirement. “Health care is one of Westchester’s greatest economic engines, and at the WCA,we’ve built a coalition that ensures our system remains strong, accessible and innovative,” said Allen.
Assemblymember Amy Paulin, chair of the New York State Assembly Health Committee, commended the WCA’s leadership and partnership with state policymakers. “Without the WCA and Amy Allen’s leadership, we wouldn’t be here today,” said Paulin. “Her incredible commitment to health care and her organizational skills really brought us together.”
The evening also featured remarks from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, County Executive Ken Jenkins, and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, each recognizing WCA’s enduring role in strengthening the region’s healthcare ecosystem.
Leader Stewart-Cousins recognized WCA’s vital partnership, noting, “I want to congratulate the WCA for continuing the wonderful tradition of advocacy. We so enjoy the partnership that we have with WCA and all of you… To all of the wonderful health-care providers that make us really proud to be in Westchester — we are grateful.”
As Westchester faces complex health-care challenges, the WCA continues to lead by convening leaders, advocating for stability, and advancing initiatives that strengthen access, innovation, and the regional workforce.
“For 75 years, WCA has stood at the intersection of business, policy and community impact,” said Romita. “Together, we’ll continue strengthening the systems that keep Westchester healthy and prosperous.”
The Westchester County Association is the most influential professional membership organization in Westchester and the surrounding region. The WCA unites professional leaders to advance issues and lead initiatives that strengthen our regional economy. The organization’s mission is to drive Westchester’s economic vitality, stimulate new business development and job creation, and provide members with the resources and talent they need to grow.
