Major Health Care Systems to be Honored for Service in COVID-19 Pandemic at BCW’s Annual Event November 9

Virtual Event Also Spotlights Corporate, Small Businesses And Not-For-Profits for Their Role in the Pandemic Response

RYE BROOK, NY (November 2020) – The region’s most prominent health care systems will be honored as the Business Council of Westchester celebrates healthcare heroes at its annual dinner on Monday.

The theme of this year’s virtual event, Resilience and Reflection, will honor four of the major health care systems in the New York Metropolitan area with a significant presence in Westchester, along with special recognition of two community hospitals in Yonkers. The honorees will share stories of their greatest challenges, moments of pride and lessons learned for the future.

The four health care systems to be honored are:  Montefiore Health Systems; NewYork Presbyterian; Northwell Health and Westchester Medical Center Health Network.  They will be presented with the BCW’s Global Citizenship Award.

Accepting on behalf of their organizations will be: Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Montefiore Health Systems; Steven J. Corwin, MD, President and CEO of NewYork Presbyterian; Michael J. Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health; and Michael D. Israel, President and CEO of Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

Special recognition will be given to St. John’s Riverside Hospital and its President and CEO Ronald Corti, and Saint Joseph’s Medical Center and its President and CEO Michael J. Spicer.

“It’s been a challenging year for our health care professionals fighting COVID-19, but they have risen to the moment with the spirit that we have all come to expect of New Yorkers,” said Marsha Gordon, Business Council President and CEO. “These fearless, dedicated and highly skilled health care professionals fought on the front lines against this deadly virus, risking their personal safety to ensure the continued health of our communities. We applaud their hard work and salute their courage and commitment.”

The dinner will also spotlight the economic vibrancy of Westchester’s corporate, small business and not-for-profit communities through their stories of resilience and unity during the Pandemic. Video story segments will include messages from the following:

• Heineken USA and its President and CEO, Maggie Timoney
• Mastercard and its President, U.S. Issuers, Linda Kirkpatrick.
• Child Care Council of Westchester and its Executive Director, Kathy Halas
• Girls Inc. Westchester and its Executive Director, Michelle A. Nicholas
• United Way of Westchester and Putnam and its President and CEO, Tom Gabriel
• Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc. (WestCOP) and its CEO and Executive Director, Donnovan Beckford.
• Madison Approach Staffing Inc., and its President, Allison Madison
• RM Friedland, and its President, Sarah Jones Maturo
• Soulful Synergy, and its Co-Founders, Dwayne Norris and Alex Alvarez
• Veekast, and its President & CEO, Donvill Collins

“Recognizing the severity and sweeping impact of The Pandemic on Westchester’s business and not-for-profit community, the BCW pivoted quickly to become a vital resource to our membership,” said BCW Chairman, Heidi Davidson. “We were recognized as a model for other business membership organizations throughout the state in providing guidance and tools to help our members cope during this unprecedented crisis. We are committed to our continuing role in helping not only our members but the greater Westchester community.”

Last year more than 900 people attended the BCW’s Annual Dinner which has a long tradition of recognizing a broad spectrum of nationally recognized leaders including: MGM Resorts International, Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman of PepsiCo.; Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cardinal Timothy Dolan.