Northwell virtual gala raises $200K for epilepsy effort

The Northwell Initiative to Cure Epilepsy held its annual gala virtually last month, raising $200,000 to support advancements in epilepsy care, research, education and patient advocacy.

The online event, emceed by WPIX-11 TV reporter Kirstin Cole, attracted more than 190 registered guests, who were also treated to a special musical performance by jazz pianist Pete Malinverni and his trio.

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has accredited five Northwell Health hospitals in recognition of their specialized expertise and services, including South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and Staten Island University Hospital.

“While we missed coming together in person this year, we are delighted that we were able to gather virtually with a fun-filled festive evening of networking, entertainment, auction and raffle,” Dr. Ruben Kuzniecky, Northwell’s vice chairman of academic affairs, said in a company statement. “As one of the largest epilepsy programs in the Northeast, we have become a top regional destination for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.”