Westchester Community Health Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary Gala

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon institution, known for helping those it serves to live long and fulfilling lives, is celebrating a milestone birthday itself.

The Westchester Community Health Center, formerly known as the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, held its 50th Anniversary Gala on December 6 at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. This year’s gala honored Louie Lanza, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Dr. Bruce Roseman, and Dr. Nora H. Farkouh for their long-time support of the Westchester Community Health Center.

"I would like to thank everyone who joined us as we celebrated 50 years of Westchester Community Health Center providing high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable health care to the communities we serve," Judith Watson, CEO of the Westchester Community Health Center, said. "We look forward to what the next 50 years will bring as we continue our mission to ensure that residents in our communities receive access to the health care they are entitled to."

Over 500 attendees were treated to an evening that included a cocktail hour featuring live music from Da-Vine Tuch, gospel singing from the John H. Paxton Chorale of the Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church of Mount Vernon as they led the attendees upstairs for the program, an awards presentation highlighting this year’s honorees, delicious food, a silent auction, a 360 photo booth, and an after party featuring DJ Brother Arthur.

Several dignitaries were also on hand to pay tribute, including Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, NYS Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; Mount Vernon Councilwoman Lisa Copeland, Westchester County Legislator Ben Boykin, NYS Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky; Mount Vernon Councilman Derrick Thompson, Westchester County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, and former City of Mount Vernon Mayors Andre Wallace and Ernie Davis.

The 50th Anniversary Gala was sponsored by: Title Sponsor – Joe Duffy and Harry DiMarzo; Platinum Sponsor – Lanza Family Foundation, Montefiore Mount Vernon, Montefiore New Rochelle; Gold Sponsor – Dr. Chaudhry Hameed; New York Presbyterian Westchester; Silver Sponsor – Affinity by Molina Healthcare, BioReference, CohnReznick, Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church, Westchester Medical Center; Bronze Sponsor – ABC Realty, CureMD.com, MedStock, Simone Development Companies, Valuable Drugs/RL Mt. Vernon Pharmacy, Inc., Wartburg, Webster Bank, and XTreme Home Care.

The Westchester Community Health Center (formerly Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center) offers high-quality, preventative, and affordable health care and support services in an atmosphere of humane care, dignity, and respect, to improve the lives of adults, teens, and children in Westchester County and the Bronx. The Westchester Community Health Center is overseen by a group of dedicated, experienced professionals devoted to furthering the mission and ideals of quality affordable health care for all. To learn more about the Westchester Community Health Center, or to make a donation, visit their website.