Good Samaritan Celebrates Honorees at 37th Annual Spring Ball

Suffern, NY (April 16, 2024) –
At its 37th Annual Spring Ball, Good Samaritan Hospital paid tribute to Richard Evans, MD, recipient of the Sister Joseph Rita Award for Medical Excellence, Tamer El-Rayess and Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, PhD, recipients of The Good Samaritan Hospital Medal of Honor, and Veolia, recipient of The Harold J. Peterson Community Service Award.

Rich Evans is Administrative Director of Robotic Surgery, Director of the Expert Surgical Second Opinion Center, Director of the Bloodless Medicine Surgery Program, Former Chief of Urology at Good Samaritan Hospital, and Clinical Assistant Professor at New York Medical College. He is well known for the innovations he spearheads for the hospital. Just two examples include his development of the Familyfirst App, a cell phone app that families and staff use to communicate, and his initiation of the new Expert Surgical Second Opinion Center which offers second opinions within 72 hours.

The Harold J. Peterson Community Service Award recipient, Veolia, is an ever-present friend to Good Samaritan and numerous other local nonprofit organizations. They generously supported the hospital during COVID and continue to make healthy community programs possible in our service area. Through their exceptional Corporate Responsibility Program, they are invaluable to the health and well-being of the region.

Tamer El-Rayess and Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, PhD are a couple committed to advancing local healthcare. As an accomplished investment banker and business owner, Tamer brings financial and business insight to the Westchester Medical Center Health Network Board of Directors. Amra brings expertise in finance and philanthropy and as a scholar, author and champion of human rights, to our Good Samaritan Foundation Board.

More than 300 guests attended the gala at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, New Jersey on April 14. The $300,000 raised through the ball will support a large-scale renovation of Good Samaritan Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab.

Good Samaritan Hospital’s philanthropic community has a strong record of fundraising for lifesaving and life-changing care so people across its region can stay closer to home for the highest quality of academic-level care. Charitable gifts from individuals and businesses help expand and update the hospital’s facilities, equipment and technology. They also support programs that promote good health.

This year’s proceeds will support a $7 million renovation of Good Samaritan’s cardiac catheterization lab. From enlarging the size of the existing lab to accommodate new equipment to adding features that enhance patient comfort, the new lab will increase local access to advanced care.

“We are sincerely grateful to our supporters for their generous contributions,” said Amanda Levin, Director, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. “This critical investment will raise the standard of care in our region while positioning us for wider interventional and vascular capabilities in the future.”

Kevin Kern, Chair of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation said, “Donor support is a change maker in healthcare. In the past year alone, more than $3 million from charitable gifts has supported Good Samaritan’s new operating room equipment and technology, updated Labor & Delivery suites, equipment and furniture for the Emergency Department and upgrades to the Bobbi Lewis Cancer Program. Donors also supported services for patients of the Center for Breast Health, and nursing staff development. These are just a few of the many things that happened because of philanthropic support.”

Good Samaritan Hospital is a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). The Spring Ball was hosted by The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, the hospital’s philanthropic arm. To support local healthcare, contact the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, at give.wmchealth.org/give/371619/#1!/donation/checkout or call 845.368.5151.