The 2024 Founder’s Dinner was a night to remember at the scenic Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle, New York, on September 26. The annual fundraising event brought together more than 450 academic, health care, business and community stakeholders to celebrate New York Medical College’s (NYMC) outstanding leaders and their impressive achievements. The proceeds of the evening will directly benefit NYMC students through scholarships and important initiatives, and further NYMC’s mission to educate the next generation of physicians and health care providers, and support life-saving biomedical research.
“At our annual Founder’s Dinner, the NYMC community comes together to honor the College’s accomplishments over the past year and acknowledge leaders who have had a positive influence on our students and the medical community,” said Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A.,chancellor and chief executive officer of NYMC. “The immense support from all the gala’s attendees is highly valued and appreciated. Together we are nourishing trailblazing biomedical research as well as sustaining the next generation of graduates through the scholarship funds raised.”
The evening’s honorees included Robert W. Amler, M.D., M.M.S., M.B.A., FAAP, FACPM,vice president for government affairs, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice, and professor of public health, pediatrics, and of environmental health sciences; and Sherlita Amler, M.D., M.S., Ed.S., RN, FAAP, CEM, commissioner of health for Westchester County, clinical associate professor of pediatrics, adjunct professor of public health, and senior fellow in the Center for Disaster Medicine, who received the William Cullen Bryant Award, the most prestigious honor awarded by the College. The award was established to recognize those remarkable individuals who, in the tradition of the College’s founder, William Cullen Bryant, demonstrate seminal leadership in health care, science, education, business or the arts. Edward Chew, M.D. ’03, FACEP, chief executive officer for Physician Affiliate Group of New York, chief of emergency medicine and deputy chief medical officer of Harlem Hospital, assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, a member of NYMC Board of Advisors and honorary surgeon for the New York Police Department, received the Jackson E. Spears Community Service Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving their communities. He is the first NYMC alumnus to be awarded this prestigious honor.
The event was emceed by Vilma E. Bordonaro, M.B.A., chief of staff, and Michael J. Crupain, M.D. ’06, M.P.H., FACPM, board certified preventative medicine physician and best-selling author.
“As always, it was a pleasure to credit and commemorate our distinguished award recipients,” said Bess J. Chazhur, M.S., chief development officer and executive director of alumni relations. “This year’s event raised more than $400,000 toward the endowment and other important student initiatives at NYMC. We recognize and thank our more than generous donors for their contributions.”
Videos from Founder’s Dinner and other NYMC events are available on the NYMC YouTube Channel.
