WHID Holds Gala May 2

(May 2019) --- The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) held its 2nd annual gala, An Evening of Inspiration, Thursday, May 2nd at the Scarsdale Golf Club. The event, which was attended by 230 people, honored three individuals who have made significant contributions to WIHD’s mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities. The honorees were: Dr. Ansley Bacon, Past President & CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development, who led the organization for 30 years. During her tenure, WIHD became one of the leading University Centers for Excellence in Disabilities in the county; Dr. Patricia Seagriff-Curtin, who as Director of Dental Services for WIHD devoted two decades to serving individuals with disabilities and Mr. David M.C. Stern, founder and president of Stern Consulting LLC and Chair of the WIHD Board of Directors.

“It was a very uplifting evening that celebrated the commitment of everyone in attendance from our dedicated staff to our amazing supporters, volunteers and the honorees,” said Dr. Susan Fox, President & CEO of WIHD. “We were so pleased to be able to recognize our honorees who have made a huge impact in helping to advance the work we do for individuals with developmental disabilities and vulnerable children.”

All proceeds from the Gala go directly to WIHD’s programs.

More About the Honorees:

Dr. Ansley Bacon, Ph.D., Past President & CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development, retired in 2015 after 30 years at the helm. In 2005, Dr. Bacon led the effort to transition WIHD from a department of the Westchester Medical Center to an independent non-profit, which resulted in significant growth in the programs and services of the institute. Dr. Bacon received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Western Michigan University and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from West Virginia University. She served as the director of the University Center on Disability in Mississippi before coming to WIHD. She was a member of the faculty of New York Medical College (NYMC), in the School of Health Sciences and Practice and in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences since 1985, and is currently Professor Emeritus in the NYMC School of Health Sciences and Practice. Additionally, she served on numerous NYMC search committees, task forces and academic committees. Dr. Bacon resides in Pleasantville.

Dr. Patricia Seagriff-Curtin led WIHD’s dental program until her retirement in 2018. Seagriff-Curtin joined WIHD in 1993 and served as the Director of Dental Services since 1999. In addition to her work with patients, Dr. Seagriff-Curtin is a member of the prestigious NYS OPWDD Task Force on Special Dentistry. Seagriff-Curtin played an integral role in the development of WIHD’s Mobile Dental Van Program, which provides comprehensive dental services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Seagriff-Curtin is a member of the American Dental Association, Ninth District Dental Society, Special Care Dentistry Organization, and American College of Dentists. Dr. Seagriff-Curtin resides in Yorktown Heights.

Mr. David M.C. Stern is founder and president of Stern Consulting LLC, a boutique provider of strategic business advisory services to healthcare organizations and investors. Mr. Stern earned an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in economics from Yale College. Stern is a supporter of many non-profit organizations and is the chairman of WIHD’s board of directors. He is a member of MusiCorps/Renovation in Music Education Board and the President of Edgemont Youth Lacrosse. Among his other community activities, Mr. Stern has chaired the Edgemont School District Board of Education, has coached over 20 seasons of youth sports (lacrosse, soccer, basketball and tee ball), and has taught Great Books in local schools. Mr. Stern resides in Edgemont.

This year’s WIHD Mission Family is The Levitz Family. This family best represents the mission of WIHD – to help children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their full potential. Mitchell Levitz, who has Down Syndrome, began attending early intervention at WIHD at six months old. Now, years later, Mitchell is a staff member at WIHD, offering an amazing perspective and contributions to both staff members and families and individuals served by WIHD. The Levitz Family resides in Cortlandt Manor.