Annual Spirit Luncheon Benefits Cancer Research at Einstein and Montefiore
The Einstein Women’s Division hosted its 62nd annual Spirit of Achievement Luncheon on Tuesday, May 17, at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan. This year’s honorees were Clive Davis, legendary record producer and music industry executive; Dr. Sharmila Makhija, a leading expert in cancer prevention and gynecologic cancers, professor and university chair of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health at Einstein and Montefiore and the Chella and Moise Safra Chair; and Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, co-founders and CEOs of theSkimm.com, a popular news and information e-newsletter for young women professionals. Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a member of Einstein’s Board of Trustees, board chair emerita and professor emerita of pediatrics, received the Lizette H. Sarnoff Award for Volunteer Service, the Women’s Division’s highest honor.
The luncheon benefited cancer research at Einstein and Montefiore.
Jill Martin, NBC “Today” show correspondent and a past Spirit honoree, served as the afternoon’s emcee. Carol Roaman, president of the Women’s Division, spearheaded the event together with executive board members and luncheon co-chairs Mindy Feinberg, Jackie Harris and Andrea Stark.
Advancing the Einstein-Montefiore Mission
From left: Dean Allen M. Spiegel, M.D.; Spirit honoree Dr. Sharmila Makhija; Spirit honoree Danielle Weisberg; Spirit honoree Carly Zakin; Spirit honoree Dr. Ruth L. Gottesman; Spirit honoree Clive Davis; Carol Roaman, president, Einstein Women’s Division; Dr. Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO, MontefioreMs. Roaman, who lost her daughter to ovarian cancer, expressed her admiration for researchers at Einstein, noting that the Women’s Division has raised more than $2.5 million for Einstein cancer research since she became involved in 2012.
Ms. Stark commented, “All of our lives have been touched by cancer in one way or another. That’s why it is imperative to help Einstein scientists continue their cutting-edge cancer research and support Montefiore’s commitment to world-class medical care.” Echoing Montefiore’s new tagline, she noted, “Einstein and Montefiore really are doing more!”
Dr. Steven M. Safyer, president and chief executive officer of Montefiore Medicine, presented Dr. Makhija with her Spirit award. In her remarks, Dr. Makhija highlighted the importance of women’s health issues and of Montefiore’s outreach to women in underserved communities who are in need of quality healthcare. She showed a video spotlighting how Einstein’s new simulation training program is preparing the next generation of highly skilled and compassionate ob/gyn physicians.
Ms. Martin then presented Spirit awards to Ms. Zakin and Ms. Weisberg. The media entrepreneurs spoke about how technology is changing the way we receive news as well as the importance of philanthropy and ways in which the next generation of leaders is embracing it.
Spirited Tributes
In presenting the Sarnoff Award to Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Allen M. Spiegel, Einstein’s Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, described her as “a woman whose dedication and service to Einstein has set a new standard” and whose life’s work “has benefited countless individuals and Einstein students…” Dr. Gottesman, in turn, expressed her love for the medical school, with which she has been affiliated for nearly 50 years. She touched on her distinguished 33-year academic career at Einstein, including her work at Montefiore-Einstein’s Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) and as founding director of CERC’s Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of Learning Disabilities, and on some of the projects she initiated during her tenure as board chair.
The program ended with a moving tribute to Clive Davis. Dr. Safyer lauded Mr. Davis’ longtime support of AIDS/HIV research and how, in the epidemic’s early days, he galvanized the music establishment to raise awareness of the impact HIV was having, not only in the arts but in underserved communities worldwide. In accepting his award, Mr. Davis praised the Women’s Division for its dedication to the medical school’s mission to improve human health. He also stressed the importance of Einstein’s contributions toward the prevention and treatment of devastating medical conditions such as AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Since 1953, the Einstein Women’s Division has provided philanthropic leadership and vital support for medical research and education programs at the College of Medicine. The Spirit of Achievement Luncheon, the division’s flagship fundraiser, honors outstanding individuals in the arts, science, media, business, government and philanthropy. The dazzling list of past Spirit honorees spans generations of luminaries from Eleanor Roosevelt to Meryl Streep.
To view videos of the 2016 Spirit Luncheon speeches, please click on the thumbnails below.
Spirit Luncheon 2016 - 1 of 3
(Dr. Sharmila Makhija Introduction and Remarks)
Spirit Luncheon 2016 - 2 of 3
(Dr. Ruth L. Gottesman Introduction and Remarks)
Spirit Luncheon 2016 - 3 of 3
(Mr. Clive Davis Introduction and Remarks)
Photo Gallery
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Posted on: Thursday, June 30, 2016