NYU Langone Health raised more than $1.3 million at its inaugural Playing for Pediatrics Winter Game Night to support child- and family-centered care at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. Held on March 8, 2018, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, the event was hosted by the Hassenfeld Committee and KiDS of NYU Langone, and honored Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Health. In addition to paying tribute to Dr. Wisoff, the event celebrated the future of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, slated to open in its new, dedicated home in June 2018.

Nearly 500 event attendees played life-size children’s games and participated in a silent auction to raise funds for the state-of-the-art children’s hospital and for NYU Langone’s Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, which promotes cutting-edge research and innovative programming for children. Together, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care promise to have a tremendously positive impact on the care of children and families in New York City and beyond, and funds from the event will ensure their success.

Emcee for the gala was Jeff Rossen, NBC national investigative correspondent and host of Rossen Reports on Today and NBC Nightly News. The evening’s program included a video featuring Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb, who notes that she is proud to be part of the cause “as a parent, and as a New Yorker.” The video also tells the story of 10-year-old Charleigh Collins, a patient of honoree Dr. Wisoff. Dr. Wisoff successfully removed a tumor from Charleigh’s brain several years ago; in the video, her mother speaks of her gratitude for Charleigh’s care. On stage, Rossen thanked attendees for supporting services such as those Charleigh and her mother received, and acknowledged KiDS of NYU Langone and the Hassenfeld Committee—which have for years raised important funds at events like Adults in Toyland Casino Night and Springfling—for their unwavering support. Rossen also thanked Citi, which has generously contributed to pediatrics fundraisers at NYU Langone for five years in a row, and was presenting sponsor of this event.

Guests enjoyed festive fare and music throughout the evening, as well as a silent auction of luxury items guests were invited to bid on, including two VIP tickets to a live taping of Saturday Night Live, a VIP NASCAR experience, and a vacation package to Miami to visit Art Basel Miami Beach 2018.

The new Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital will continue to offer children and families expert care and comprehensive support, in a setting—and with equipment, tools, and technology—to match the level of care for which NYU Langone Health is known. The Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital name will continue to encompass NYU Langone’s children's programs and services across all locations, including inpatient care, the KiDS Emergency Department, and all ambulatory services.

Co-chairs for the Playing for Pediatrics Winter Game Night were Lisa Anderson; Erica Roizen Belsky, PhD; Alexander Brodsky; Susan Block Casdin; Melanie Clark; Michael Corbat; Grace and Jack Dayan; Diana Dieckman; Amy France; Kate Goodman; Kimberly Goodwin; Trudy Elbaum Gottesman; Beth and Morgan Hertzan; Patti Kim; Kelly Kennedy Mack; Shyamli and Robert Milam; Robert Perretta; Harlan Fabrikant Saroken; Jill and Ron Sedley; 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 and Felix Baker; Lissy Bank; Caroline and Craig Barnett; Ellen Block; Alexander Casdin; Brian France; Robert Gottesman; Marjorie Harris; Bevin Kaplan; Kimberly Kravis; Maya and Edward Manley; Susan Lipton; Stephen Mack; Victoria and Jonathan Patricof; Stefanie and Evan Reed; Jamie Tisch; and Sara Wechter.

Media Inquiries

Allison Clair
Phone: 212-404-3753
allison.clair@nyumc.org