NYU Langone Health raised nearly $1.5 million at its annual Playing for Pediatrics Winter Game Night to benefit care and research at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, including programs through the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, to give each child the best chance for a bright and healthy future.

Held on February 6, 2020, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, the event was hosted by the Hassenfeld Committee and KiDS of NYU Langone. Susie Block Casdin, NYU Langone trustee and chair of the KiDS board, welcomed guests and thanked them for their support of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. Catherine S. Manno, MD, the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor of Pediatrics and chair of the Department of Pediatrics, introduced the night’s honorees—Frank Cecchin, MD, the Andrall E. Pearson Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, and Sujata B. Chakravarti, MD—and thanked them for their work and commitment to the creation of a new pediatric cardiology center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. For the seventh consecutive year, Citi served as the presenting sponsor of the children’s hospital’s event.

Gus Rosendale, a co-anchor of NBC 4 New York’s Weekend Today in New York, served as the event emcee, while more than 450 guests “played” for the cause—enjoying oversize children’s games, festive fare, and a silent auction. Key prizes included a table for two at the exclusive Rao’s restaurant and a VIP experience at Art Basel in Miami Beach.

A highlight of the evening was a video guest appearance from Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb, who said she is “a proud supporter” of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. Her message was followed by a video documenting the experiences of a young patient in the hospital’s Congenital Cardiovascular Care Unit.

Event Chairs, Co-Chairs, and Guests of Note

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital leadership who chaired the event included Dr. Manno, along with physician co-chairs Fiona H. Levy, MD, and Elizabeth A. Raetz, MD.

In addition to Susan Block Casdin, Playing for Pediatrics Winter Game Night co-chairs included Lisa Anderson, Erica and Scott Belsky, Adi Beltzman, Melanie Clark, Michael Corbat, Grace and Jack Dayan, Diana Dieckman, Kate Goodman, Kimberly Goodwin, Beth and Morgan Hertzan, Patti Kim, Kelly Kennedy Mack, Shyamli and Robert Milam, Robert Perretta, Harlan and Brian Saroken, Michal Shtender and Michael Auerbach, Edward Skyler, Valerie and Steven Stein, Alice Tisch, Lacey Tisch and Jonathan Schulman, and Michael Weaver.

In addition to the co-chairs in attendance, guests included Carol Alt, Heather Baker, Allison and David Blitzer, Ellen Block, Michael Block, Alexander Casdin, Katama Eastman, Trudy Elbaum Gottesman and Robert Gottesman, Marjorie Harris, Kimberly Kravis-Schulhof, Dylan Lauren, Caroline Schmidt-Barnett and Craig Barnett, Rebecca and Peter Shapiro, Allison Stillman, Sara and Josh Wechter, and Scott Willet.

About Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital—34th Street is NYU Langone’s pediatric inpatient care location, a 160,000-square-foot facility with 68 single-patient rooms in the newly built Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Pavilion. It is the first new children’s hospital to open in New York City in over 15 years, and the only pediatric inpatient facility in Manhattan with all single-patient rooms. Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital’s extensive physician network includes more than 400 doctors representing 35 specialties, with care locations throughout New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital’s mission is guided by unparalleled commitment to partnering with children and their families. Through the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, world-class health professionals are equipped to work closely with families in supporting their children’s care, treatment, and wellbeing. The entire family knows their children aren’t just cared for but cared about.

Media Inquiries

Kate Malenczak
Phone: 646-754-7367
kate.malenczak@nyulangone.org