New Visionary Award Bestowed on Rita Mabli, President/CEO
United Hebrew of New Rochelle’s 100th Anniversary Gala not only raised awareness of the challenges of caring for aging parents, it also raised a record-breaking $500,000 to support care for senior residents on their New Rochelle campus.
More than 300 friends, donors, and healthcare partners attended the Centennial event, held November 6 at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. Keynote speaker Joan Lunden shared her story of caring for her aging mother and gave advice on how families can better prepare themselves for the future. The event also honored individuals and organizations that have helped the organization emerge as a leading and respected provider of senior care.
Taryn Tanzer, President, Patient Care Associates, received the Corporate Medal of Honor; The Murphy Family, Country Bank, received the Community Service Award; and Malcolm H. Lazarus and Michael R. Rozen were recognized for their decades-long dedication and service to the United Hebrew Board of Directors with special Centennial awards.
The big surprise of the evening was a brand-new award, announced by United Hebrew Board Chairman, Jim Staudt. He presented the inaugural “Rita C. Mabli Visionary Award” to Rita Mabli, United Hebrew’s president and CEO, the longest-serving head of that organization. The award was endowed by long-time supporters, Malcolm and Pat Lazarus.
“Excellence in care starts at the top,” said Staudt. “There is a culture of kindness here, cultivated by Rita Mabli, that is responsible for what United Hebrew has grown to be over the past 100 years.”
In accepting the award, Mabli shared the honor with the board of directors and staff at United Hebrew.
“I have no doubt that this award also belongs to our visionary board of directors and to each of our employees with whom I am privileged to serve every day,” she said. “I am extraordinarily grateful to Pat and Mal for choosing me as the first recipient of this award, and I rejoice while thinking about future recipients who will have the vision to keep innovating on our campus and improving services for those entrusted to our care.”
Mabli also unveiled a copy of United Hebrew’s commemorative book, “A Century to Celebrate: 1919 – 2019,” gifted to each gala guest. “We dedicate this special book to the men and women who came before us and to all those who have followed in their footsteps. Our story is really made up of the personal stories— of patients and families, of long-time residents and newcomers, of the young and the old— who shaped the unique history of United Hebrew. I hope you will enjoy reading about our humble roots and together we look forward to our future as we begin a new century in health care.”
