The scope and quality of health care services and the people who provide them in Westchester and Fairfield were highlighted when Westfair Communications honored the 2024 Doctors of Distinction in a ceremony at the C. V. Rich Mansion in White Plains. In addition in recognizing the accomplishments of those who received Doctors of Distinction awards, the event provided an opportunity for medical professionals to network, exchange knowledge and consider collaborations.
Areas ranging from nursing to cutting edge technology were highlighted. For example, “Critical Care” honoree Bushra Mina, M.D., chair of medicine and chief of pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital, was cited for his work in sleep apnea, in which breathing is interrupted while an individual is asleep.
“Cutting Edge” honoree Mitchell S. Cairo, M.D., professor of pediatrics, cell biology and anatomy, and of pathology, microbiology and immunology and vice chair of pediatrics at New York Medical College is a pioneer in the use of stem cells and treatment of childhood lymphomas and leukemia.
Marc Kosak, executive vice president and COO of Greenwich Hospital and senior vice president of Yale New Haven Health was the evening’s sponsor speaker. He explained that Greenwich Hospital, like many others in the health care field, currently is enhancing its facilities and services.
“With our trauma program certification we can now better accommodate local trauma patients, substantially reducing transport times thanks to the addition of specialists, advanced staff training, and the reconfiguration of our emergency department,” Kosak said.
He noted that the hospital’s stroke treatment capabilities now include “critical and timely clot removal called mechanical thrombectomy, which can be life-changing for many stroke patients.”
Kosak said that Greenwich Hospital’s affiliation with Yale New Haven Health has brought many specialties into the community in areas such as neurology, cardiology, oncology and orthopedics.
“2024 has been a very exciting and a very positive year for Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Health,” Kosak said. “Initiatives like the Youth Access Program serve as a reminder as to why we all pursue a career in health care: to help people.”
The evening’s keynote speaker was Marina K. Holz, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at New York Medical College in Valhalla.
“In my lab at New York Medical College I study breast cancer and rare tumor disorders but I have the privilege of working with many talented clinicians who make a difference just like you do,” Holz said. “We’re gathered here tonight to celebrate an extraordinary group of health care professionals who represent the best of their respective specialties. In the unfortunate event that I wake up in the hospital I’ll be so relieved to see any of your friendly faces.”
Holz said that each of the honorees at the event represents the highest levels of their profession.
“They’ve demonstrated extraordinary commitment, innovation and compassion in their fields,” Holz said “They’ve pushed the boundaries, advanced medical science and most importantly improved countless lives. They remind us why they chose to be health care providers, because they believe in the fundamental dignity of human life. They believe in the power of science and the compassion to heal. They believe that every patient deserves our very best even if they’re Googling their symptoms while they’re talking to you.”
Holz thanked the honorees for the lives that they’ve touched and the communities that they’ve strengthened.
“Thank you for showing us that while medicine is a serious business it doesn’t hurt to laugh a little bit along the way,” Holz said.
Doctors of Distinction’s “All in the Family” award honored husband and wife practitioners Dr. Vivek Patel, a radiologist with Optum and Amy Amin Patel, M.D., a pediatrician with Optum.
The “Compassionate Concierge Doctor” was Dr. Seth Pearl of Optimal Health Chiropractic.
Terry S. Jackson, M.D., periodontist and assistant director of implant dentistry at Touro College of Dental Medicine, received the “Dentist” honor.
A “Doctor Without Boundaries” award went to Padmini Murthy, M.D., professor and global health director at New York Medical College. Also cited in the “Doctor Without Boundaries” category was Michael Dewar, M.D., a cardiac surgeon at Bridgeport Hospital.
Selected as “Female Innovator” was Sonia A. Velez, M.D., of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers. After gradating from Fordham and receiving medical training in the Caribbean, she went to Boston University and obtained her law degree. She then determined that medicine was her true passion and completed her residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s.
The “Lifetime Achievement” award was bestowed upon Robert Allen Wolfson, M.D., of Optum. Over a 14-year period he taught, practiced and was part of the Medical School Admissions Committee at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. For 30 years, he practiced in a group in Mount Kisco that is now part of Optum.
“The Lifetime Achievement in Nursing” award went to Leigh Ann McMahon, nurse and executive vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer at White Plains Hospital. She began her career with White Plains Hospital in 1984 as a staff nurse.
Selected for a “Power Couples” honor were Dr. Maritza Jerome and Dr. David Jerome. She is a physician with Prohealth Physicians Family Medical Associates. He is a physician and medical director at Saint Vincent’s Family Health Center.
Another “Power Couples” award was received by Dr. Fawaz Al-Mufti and Dr. Rolla Nuoman. He is associate dean for research and innovation and director of neurovascular surgery fellowship at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College. Dr. Nuoman is a child neurology and sleep medicine specialist at Maria Fareri Boston Children’s Health Physicians.
The “Promise for the Future” award was presented to David Zuckerman, a student at New York Medical College who has already received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Yale and a master’s in bioethics from Harvard Medical School.
There were two awards presented for “Teams.” Karen A. Santucci, M.D., chief medical officer at Greenwich Hospital, accepted the honor for the team she leads along with Stacey Green, system director, volunteer services at Greenwich Hospital and Dr. Felice Zwas, a physician at the hospital.
The second “Teams” award went to Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut, an affiliate of Montefiore Einstein. Honored were: Dr. Robert E. Michler; Dr. Stephen H. Borenstein; Dr. Diego R. Camacho; Dr. William A. Jaobleff, Jr.; Dr. Dominique H. Jan; Dr. Evan C. Lipsitz; Dr. Maureen P. McEvoy; Dr. W. Scott Melvin; Dr. Anibal O. Puente; and Dr. Oren M. Tepper.
Veterinarian Michael Dattner of Brookfield Animal Hospital in Connecticut was honored for his dedication to health care for the very special patients he sees.
Gary Sastow, a partner with the law firm Danziger & Markhoff LLP, who was a judge in selecting the winners, introduced the award recipients. The other Doctors of Distinction judge was Janine Miller, executive director of he Westchester County Medical Society and Westchester Academy of Medicine.
The presenting sponsor was Montefiore Einstein. Partnering sponsors were: Yale New Haven Health; White Plains Hospital; Northwell Health; New York Yankees; Boston Children’s Health Physicians; Optum; Saint Joseph’s Medical Center; CClean; Lucid; and the Westfair Business Journal.
