More Than 350 Guests Honor Joseph G. McCarthy, MD, Pioneer in Pediatric Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Newswise — 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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About NYU Langone Medical Center: NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated, academic medical center, is one of the nation’s premier centers for excellence in clinical care, biomedical research and medical education. Located in the heart of Manhattan, NYU Langone is composed of four hospitals – Tisch Hospital, its flagship acute care facility; Rusk Rehabilitation; the Hospital for Joint Diseases, one of only five hospitals in the nation dedicated to orthopaedics and rheumatology; and Hassenfeld Pediatric Center, a comprehensive pediatric hospital supporting a full array of children’s health services across the Medical Center – plus the NYU School of Medicine, which since 1841 has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history. The medical center’s tri-fold mission to serve, teach and discover is achieved 365 days a year through the seamless integration of a culture devoted to excellence in patient care, education and research. For more information, go to www.NYULMC.org.
About KiDS:Founded in 1991, KiDS of NYU Langone is an organization of parents, physicians and friends who support children’s services at NYU Langone Medical Center through philanthropy, community service, and advocacy. Support of the Springfling will enhance clinical and supportive services, fund research into childhood illnesses, and help create a more nurturing environment for children and families. KiDS is helping to establish a strong foundation for the new Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, which will further enhance NYU Langone’s tradition of excellence in pediatric medical care, research, and education. For more information, visit www.KiDSofNYU.org.
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