White Plains Hospital Honors Mariano and Clara Rivera

Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara were the ones who received the inaugural Community Heroes Award from White Plains Hospital on Saturday, but to the Rivera family, the hospital is the true community hero.

The couple was so touched by the kindness and consideration shown to them by hospital staff during a personal experience with an ill family member that they have been big hospital fans every since.

Mr. Rivera emphasizes that he and his wife did not get special treatment because of his baseball fame; he says the staff treated family members of other patients with the same respect and compassion.

The award was presented by White Plains Hospital President and CEO Susan Fox at the Friends of White Plains Hospital annual fall Nov. 7th at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York. More than 450 people attended the celebration, which raised nearly $500,000 for hospital programs and services.

The award recognized Mr. and Mrs. Rivera’s extensive efforts to improve the health and lives of the underserved in Westchester County. Mrs. Rivera is the founder of the Refuge of Hope congregation in New Rochelle, New York.

IN THE PHOTO: White Plains Hospital Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Smith, Friends of White Plains Hospital Co-Presidents Brenda Oestreich and Suzanne Waxenberg, all of Scarsdale; Hospital President and C.E.O. Susan Fox, of Larchmont; Clara and Mariano Rivera, of Rye Brook