Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) has received a transformative $10 million donation from philanthropists and longtime supporters Lisa and Mark Schwartz. This landmark contribution — the largest single gift in the hospital’s history — will support NWH’s programmatic efforts to advance critical services for the Westchester community and beyond. This includes achieving a Level III-N trauma designation, which, in addition to standard trauma care, provides specialized treatment for patients with traumatic brain injuries; expanding neurology and epilepsy services; and enhancing neurovascular and stroke care.
The donation drives important progress in advanced emergency and neurological care in northern Westchester. Currently, access to these urgent services in the region is limited, often requiring patients experiencing severe trauma, strokes or seizures to seek care outside the area.
The funding will enhance NWH’s capabilities through infrastructure upgrades, specialized staffing and program development, ensuring critically ill and injured patients receive more timely, comprehensive care.
“At Northwell Health, our mission is to meet the evolving medical needs of the communities we serve,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “Thanks to Lisa and Mark Schwartz, Northern Westchester Hospital will further elevate its trauma and neurological services, transforming the region’s health-care landscape and ensuring patients receive exceptional, lifesaving care when and where they need it most.”
The Schwartzes have been dedicated supporters of NWH for over two decades. They have funded the advancement of key priorities, including a professional development endowment for nurses, enhancements to surgical services and, most recently, the establishment of a pediatric behavioral health program.
“For us, excellent health care is an essential pillar of a thriving community. We are privileged to be able to accelerate the hospital’s advancement in trauma care services, where immediate, timely responses are crucial to lifesaving outcomes,” said Lisa Schwartz. “This effort will require additional philanthropic support and we hope others will join us to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative initiative.”
Mark Schwartz added, “Northern Westchester Hospital has always provided world-class health care to every patient, outperforming most community hospitals in the country. We are thrilled to help the hospital take these next strategic steps in developing neurovascular care.”
NWH has received national recognition for its outstanding patient care and outcomes. It is the only hospital in Westchester County to be named among America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades and was ranked No.2 in critical care, No.5 in neurosciences and No.5 in stroke care in New York state. NWH also received Healthgrades’ America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award™, placing it among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for cardiac procedures. The hospital has been recognized as High Performing in neurology and neurosurgery by “U.S. News & World Report” and earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a distinction awarded to only 17% of hospitals nationwide.
“This remarkable gift will strengthen our ability to care for our patients during their most vulnerable moments,” said Derek Anderson, president of NWH. Lisa and Mark Schwartz’s generosity is not just an investment in our hospital and community — it’s an investment in saving lives.”
With this significant investment from the Schwartzes, NWH is poised to expand lifesaving care, ensuring that patients and families across the region have access to the highest level of expertise and treatment in their own community.
