MOUNT KISCO- Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), part of Northwell Health, celebrated its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care by raising $1.75 million at its annual gala, held at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The event surpassed its fundraising goal and was the second highest grossing gala in the hospital’s history. The evening, which brought together a dedicated group of 600 hospital supporters, honored long-time advocates, Susan and John Freund, as well as esteemed physicians Peggy Collins, MD, FAAP and Rick Stafford, MD, FAAP.
This year’s gala was an artistic spectacle, featuring mesmerizing acrobatic dancers bedecked in Cirque du Soleil-inspired costumes and the enchanting music of the Purchase College Jazz Choir.
NWH paid tribute to Susan and John Freund of Pound Ridge, New York, who have generously supported Northern Westchester Hospital for more than 45 years. Their recent transformative gift led to the establishment of the Northwell Health Neurosurgery Westchester program, bringing highly specialized neurological and neurosurgical care to the region. The program significantly broadens access to cutting-edge technologies available at NWH. The couple recognized the need to spearhead this innovative initiative because Susan’s father suffered a stroke, which left him without speech for more than a decade.
“We were thrilled to furnish the NWH neurosciences department with the tools needed to perform lifesaving procedures,” said Mr. and Mrs. Freund. “We have seen how new equipment and research significantly impact our community by enhancing and saving lives.”
The gala also celebrated Dr. Peggy Collins, a recently retired beloved pediatrician known for her passionate dedication to the health and well-being of the children in the community, as well as for her decades-long philanthropic support of NWH, which included a 10-year membership on the NWH Foundation Board. Dr. Rick Stafford, chief of neonatology at NWH, was honored for his leadership, clinical excellence and passion for nurturing the youngest, most vulnerable patients and providing vital support to their families through his oversight of NWH’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team.
“We are extraordinarily grateful to all our supporters for their generosity and patronage,” said Derek Anderson, executive director of NWH. “We honor Susan and John Freund for their exceptional long-term generosity, and Dr. Peggy Collins and Dr. Rick Stafford for their dedication to improving the health of our community. Their vision and steadfast commitment have played an instrumental role in transforming Northern Westchester Hospital into a beacon of medical and surgical excellence for the Hudson Valley.”
