NYU Langone Medical Center raised over $5.2 million at its annual Violet Ball, held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue in New York City on the evening of May 11. Thomas S. Murphy, former chairman and CEO of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., was honored during the event for his nearly 50-year commitment to NYU Langone. Robert I. Grossman, MD, the Saul J. Farber Dean and CEO of NYU Langone, was also recognized for his upcoming 10-year anniversary in his role as Dean and CEO this July.

Proceeds raised at the Gala will be used to attract and retain brilliant young minds through scholarships, advance the Medical Center’s bold vision, and strengthen the Medical Center’s role as a resource for the diverse communities of New York and beyond.

Addressing an audience of nearly 550 guests, Dr. Grossman said, “Thomas Murphy has been a mainstay of our community for nearly half a century, and has made an indelible imprint on who we are, and who we strive to be. Tonight, it’s only fitting that we honor him and his unwavering commitment to the many causes he has served.”

“I am grateful for my years on the board, where I have worked with people I respect and admire,” said Mr. Murphy in his remarks, who has been a trustee of NYU Langone since 1972, was chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1997, and is a life trustee and honorary vice chair at NYU. “I consider it an honor to be involved with this great institution and in the important work it does saving lives. One special joy of serving on the board has been interacting with the staff and doctors, who are a magnificent group. I thank you for the honor you have bestowed on me tonight.”

Laurence D. Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, Inc. and co-chair of the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone, introduced part of the program, which included a video tribute to Mr. Murphy. “He’s taught me so much about life and how to live,” said Warren Buffet, business magnate and close friend to Mr. Murphy. “I’ve never known anybody that’s had a transaction with Tom Murphy—whether it is financial, business, personal, whatever it might be—who years later is not singing his praises. Now, that’s remarkable in business.” Other friends of Mr. Murphy, including Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, were also featured in the video tribute.

Guests included Marjorie and Walter Buckley; Susan Block Casdin; Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD; CNBC’s Jim Cramer; Lisa Detwiler; Adriana and Luiz Fraga; Lucyna and Arminio Fraga; Trudy Elbaum Gottesman and Robert Gottesman; Marjorie and Josh Harris; Ruth and Sidney Lapidus; Lori and Al Leiter; Kelly Kennedy Mack and Stephen Mack; Thomas Murphy, Jr.; Klara and Larry Silverstein; Brett and Dan Sundheim; Allen Thorpe; Alice Tisch; and Beatrice and Anthony Welters.

Kenneth G. Langone, chair of the Board of Trustees at NYU Langone, served as Gala Chair, and Dr. Grossman was the Physician Committee Chair.

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