KiDS OF NYU LANGONE 2013 SPRINGFLING GALA
RAISES NEARLY $1 MILLION
More than 350 Guests Honor
Joseph G. McCarthy, MD,
Pioneer in Pediatric Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
New York, April 12, 2013—NYU
Langone Medical Center announced today that KiDS of NYU
Langone raised nearly $1 million at its annual gala—the
2013 Springfling—held Wednesday evening at The Plaza.
This year’s event honored Joseph G. McCarthy, MD, the Helen
L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery,
Department of Plastic Surgery, whose illustrious career at
NYU Langone has spanned nearly four decades.
As founding chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery and
director of the Institute for Reconstructive Plastic
Surgery, Dr. McCarthy has promoted the cause and treatment
of patients with facial deformities and revolutionized the
care of children with craniofacial anomalies around the
world. During the event, two people took the podium to share
their stories about how Dr. McCarthy and his team changed
their lives.
Jamie Verdi, 42 years old and a lifelong patient of Dr.
McCarthy, was born with hypertelorism and nasal dysplasia,
which means that the eyes are wide apart and the nose has
not formed properly with cartilage and bone structure. She
has had many surgeries throughout her life and said, “With
each and every surgery, Dr. McCarthy did more for me than
just improve my outward appearance. He helped me find the
strength to be more than just a bystander. Because of him I
found a voice.”
Russel Newman, father of nine year old Nathaniel Newman,
then shared the story of how his son, who was born with
Treacher-Collins Syndrome, is now a mainstreamed,
high-functioning third grader and leading a vibrant and
happy life because of the care Dr. McCarthy provided.
Alice Tisch, chair of KiDS, expressed the organization’s
appreciation to the friends and supporters who packed The
Plaza’s Grand Ballroom for the gala. “I want to thank
everyone who is here tonight for supporting children with
daunting medical needs. For the last 22 years, KiDS of NYU
Langone has helped to create better lives for children and
in being here tonight you are part of an important effort to
help NYU Langone care for its most vulnerable patients and
their families. I want to thank everyone for attending the
2013 KiDS of NYU Springfling gala and for your
ongoing support,” said Mrs. Tisch.
While addressing the guests, Catherine S. Manno, MD, chair
of the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical
Center said, “We are extremely proud to honor Dr. Joseph
McCarthy tonight, a giant in the field of plastic surgery.
His groundbreaking clinical advances and lifelong dedication
to children has inspired many. I thank everyone who is here
tonight as well, for supporting KiDS of NYU Langone, our
medical center and the medical and surgical care that we
provide to children.”
Additional co-chairs of the 2013 Springfling included
KiDS of NYU Vice Chair Trudy Elbaum Gottesman, and NYU
Langone Trustee William J. Constantine, managing director,
Legg Mason Investment Counsel. Additional special
guests in attendance included: Bob Gottesman, Felix and
Heather Baker, Nino Magliocco, Patty Newburger, Carla
Solomon and Susi Wunsch.
Thanks to the generous support of its donors, NYU Langone
continues to expand the full range of children’s services it
provides. Currently, plans are underway to build the
state-of-the-art Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, made
possible by an extraordinary gift from Sylvia Hassenfeld and
the Hassenfeld Family Foundation. Additionally, funding
provided by KiDS of NYU Langone will contribute to the
construction of a new Pediatric Emergency Care Center
expected to open in 2014, providing the safest care for
young patients and their families.
For more information please visit
Children’s Health Services
at NYU Langone.
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