Northwell Health opens Eye Institute in Harrison

Northwell Health has opened a new ophthalmology practice, Northwell Health Eye Institute, Wachenheim Center at Harrison. The $3.2 million facility is located in 6,200 square feet at 440 Mamaroneck Ave. Five physicians are practicing at the facility.

The facility was financed with the help of a $2.5 million gift from philanthropists and local residents Sue and Ed Wachenheim. There are 11 exam rooms, a diagnostic room, a visual field room for assessing peripheral vision, a procedure room for laser and minimally invasive treatments, a medication room and office space for doctors.

From left: Paul Guenther, Northwell Health board of trustee and serves as the leader of Northwell Health’s Western Region executive council; Vanessa Del Vecchio, vice president, department of ophthalmology at Northwell Health; Richard Braunstein, MD, senior vice president and executive director, ophthalmology services, Northwell Health; donors Sue and Ed Wachenheim; Celso Tello, MD, chairman emeritus, ophthalmology at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, and director of the Northwell Health Eye Institute, Wachenheim Center, Harrison; David Seligman, deputy market president, Northwell Health Western Market.

Northwell says that the Harrison office is an extension of its Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital (MEETH) in Manhattan. Northwell points out that in 2022 and 2023, the Wachenheims made donations to establish a wet lab and simulation training center at MEETH, providing ophthalmology students and practicing physicians with the opportunity to refine their surgical techniques before operating on patients.

Eye exam room at the new Northwell facility.

“Their support helps us bring advanced ophthalmology services to the community and elevate the standard of care for all patients,” said Kevin Beiner, president of Northwell Health’s Western Market.

The new location in Harrison follows recent expansion by Northwell in Westchester and Rockland. This has included opening an orthopedic practice in Tarrytown, establishing new clinical services in Yorktown Heights and Chappaqua Crossing, and introducing a primary care practice in Monroe as well as multi-specialty facilities in White Plains, Yonkers and Nanuet.