The Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services (WPPP) will host the Westchester County Impact Awards on Monday, October 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, NY. The event celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) as an Area Agency on Aging, and the tremendous impact DSPS has had on Senior Services during that time. The occasion will kick off a campaign of programs and events to recognize WPPP partners, and the great strides made together.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said: “We are excited for the Westchester County Impact Awards as we celebrate 50 years, and recognize this year’s professionals who have made a significant impact on the lives of seniors in Westchester County. I look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with everyone as we continue to advocate and support our senior population through education, services and social programs.”
The event will recognize the leadership of Carpenter, as well as the following honorees: Michael N. Romita, President & CEO of Westchester County Association with the Community Development Award; Rita Mabli, President & CEO of United Hebrew, with the Service Award; Dr. Michael Palumbo, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, White Plains Hospital with the Distinguished Leader in Elder Health and Wellness Award; and William T. Smith, President & CEO of Aging in America with the Advocacy Award. The Impact Awards will be emceed by Katerina Belales, Alert Center Anchor and Reporter at News 12 Westchester, with Westfair Business Journal as this year’s media sponsor.
The Older Americans Act (OAA), which set up the framework for what is today’s network of aging services professionals, was signed into law in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative. It had the goal of supporting older Americans with living at home, and in the community with dignity and independence for as long as possible. Westchester County DSPS was established under this Act, and has since grown into a formidable movement for services, advocacy, education, health and wellness programs for seniors and disabled in Westchester County. DSPS was designated as the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by Congress in the 1970’s, and this milestone is what we celebrate today.
Michael N. Romita is the President and CEO of Westchester County Association, a position he has held since March 2020. The Westchester County Association represents the County’s foremost companies as well as municipalities, nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education, supporting their objectives through direct advocacy and original programming. A dynamic business leader with extensive public policy expertise, Romita proactively develops and advances policies and initiatives to foster smart growth and economic vitality in the region. Romita has served on the boards of many charitable and civic organizations, including the Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board and MINT, a mental health foundation. In addition, he also recently co-chaired the County Executive’s Transition Committee on Economic Development.
Rita Mabli is the President and CEO of United Hebrew, where she has made United Hebrew a valuable community resource for information and services on eldercare and aging. During her tenure, Mabli has undertaken the challenge of transforming United Hebrew from its modest beginnings to a one-of-a-kind campus of senior services: United Hebrew Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Willow Towers Assisted Living, Soundview and Meadow Lane Senior Apartments, a Certified Home Health Agency, and Willow Gardens Memory Care, Westchester’s first assisted living residence dedicated to caring for those with memory impairment. Mabli was named a 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Award recipient, among a class of top industry veterans who have set new standards, driven change and inspired others in senior care, and was selected as a Healthcare Champion by the Westchester County Association, the region’s leading business advocacy organization. In addition, she was also named a Crain’s New York Notable Leader in Healthcare, a Westchester Magazine Healthcare Hero, and a Westchester County Business Journal C-Suite Executive Award winner.
Dr. Michael Palumbo is the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at White Plains Hospital. In this role, Palumbo oversees all medical services, clinical quality, safety and privacy at the Hospital. He joined the Hospital in 2005 as the Founding Medical Director of the Adult Hospitalist Program. In 2009, he was named Executive Vice President and Medical Director, and in 2018 was promoted to Chief Medical Officer. Prior to working at the Hospital, Palumbo was an internal medicine provider in Manhattan, where he was a founding partner of a large multispecialty private practice group. He received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at New York University School of Medicine, where he served as a chief resident. Palumbo is board certified in internal medicine. In addition to Hospice of Westchester, he is also a Board member of Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, where he serves as the Chairman of the Performance Improvement Committee.
William T. Smith, Ph.D. is President/Chief Executive Officer of Aging in America. Aging in America is a nonprofit organization that supports, advocates and provides funding for initiatives that help seniors thrive. Founded in 1852, the organization has been a leader in the field of nursing homes, home and community-based services and other long-term care services for seniors. Smith has been in the field of social work since 1971 with the last forty-eight years dedicated to the field of gerontology. He has been recognized locally and nationally as an expert on gerontological issues.
Sponsorship opportunities, tickets and congratulatory ads for the commemorative digital journal are available. For more information about the WPPP, details about this year’s event or to make a purchase, please visit westchesterpartnership.org.
