WAG magazine - Sept. 2021 by Westfair Business Journal

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2021

10 14 18 22 26 30 34 36 38 40 43 64 66 68 70 71 84 86 88 90 92 94 96

Americares really does care For women, a high-flying opportunity Flying high while remaining grounded Illuminating health care on the front lines New innovations in brain and heart surgery and Westchester Medical Center The latest jewel in White Plains Hospital’s crown Where health care is job one Seeing his patients through Healing mind, body and spirit The Sacred Heart-military connection – physical therapy 2021 Doctors of Distinction A modern delight in Greenwich Giving everyone some Yoga Love Hip, happening hotels in the Hudson Valley Putting your best foot forward Private & Boarding Schools Home as a health haven The adventure of Domaine Bousquet The Real Wheel The convivial, versatile cocktail ‘Fall’ing for a nutty treat Upcoming events of note Off to see Wizard

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A division of Westfair Communications Inc., 701 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY 10604 Telephone: 914-694-3600 | Facsimile: 914-694-3699 Website: wagmag.com | Email: ggouveia@westfairinc.com All news, comments, opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations in WAG are those of the authors and do not constitute opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations of the publication, its publisher and its editorial staff. No portion of WAG may be reproduced without permission.WAG is distributed at select locations, mailed directly and is available at $24 a year for home or office delivery. To subscribe, call 914-694-3600, ext. 3020. All advertising inquiries should be directed to Anne Jordan at 914-694-3600, ext. 3032 or email anne@westfairinc.com. Advertisements are subject to review by the publisher and acceptance for WAG does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service. WAG (Issn: 1931-6364) is published monthly and is owned and published by Westfair Communications Inc. Dee DelBello, CEO, dee@westfairinc.com

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WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

WAGGERS T H E TA L E N T B E H I N D O U R PA G E S

JENA A. BUTTERFIELD

PHIL HALL

LAURA JOSEPH MOGIL

DEBBI K. KICKHAM

WILLIAM D. KICKHAM

RAJNI MENON

FATIME MURIQI

DOUG PAULDING

JOHN RIZZO

GIOVANNI ROSELLI

BOB ROZYCKI

BARBARA BARTON SLOANE

JEREMY WAYNE

CAMI WEINSTEIN

KATIE BANSER-WHITTLE

EDITOR’S LETTER BY GEORGET TE GOUVEIA

At first glance, health and aviation — our theme and subtheme for September — would not seem to have much in common, other than you should be healthy to fly. But as aviation was perfected, airplanes became involved in life-saving missions around the world with health care workers. Two of our features deal intimately with that vital relationship.

The editor catches a silhouette of herself in the shadow of the Yoga Love NY sign.

Stamford-based Americares — our cover subject, which we first explored in our December 2018 profile of its ambassador, actor Tony Goldwyn — flies more than $500 million in medical supplies and services to hotspots at home and abroad annually, including to earthquake-ravaged Haiti even as we write this. As Jeremy notes in his story, Americares has provided more than $19 billion in aid to 164 countries since its founding more than 40 years ago. Indeed, its fundraiser is famous for winging guests afterward to some of these places so that they can see for themselves how their dollars are being used. Phil meanwhile considers the connection between the physical therapy program at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and the United States Air Force, along with other branches of our military. “The curriculum is a three-year doctoral program that includes 38 weeks of full-time clinical experiences that occur at clinical facilities all over the country, which is how we work with the Air Force,” says Beverly Fein, associate professor and director of clinical education at the university. Our aviation section also takes a look at the role women have played and continue to play, with profiles of Greenwich resident and private pilot Michelle Judice — executive director of Westchester Aviation Association (WAA) and president of the new Westchester County chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI); and of Tarrytown’s Regina Berryman, who when she’s not gardening or riding horses at home is a first officer with United Airlines, flying its wide-body 787 Dreamliner on the airline’s intercontinental routes. For women, piloting may be something of a frontier. Nursing, on the other hand, is a profession with which they have long been associ-

ated. In this issue, we salute Mary McDermott, senior vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer at Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health in Sleepy Hollow, and her staffers, who have been honored by the Emergency Nurses Association with a 2021 Lantern Award and by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with a Magnet Designation, considered the gold standard for nursing excellence. Our health section continues to soar with articles on three Hudson Valley medical firsts. TransMedics’ “Heart-in-a-Box” ultimately allows for a greater pool of viable hearts for transplant patients. Gamma Tile is an implanted, time-release form of radiation that can mitigate the stress of postoperative therapy for those with brain cancer. In the Hudson Valley, both can be found only at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Our third first occurs in White Plains Hospital’s sleek new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS), home to, among other things, the PET/MRI scanner, a piece of technology unique not only in the Hudson Valley but in Fairfield County in the fight against cancer and certain neurological conditions. Kevin Zimmerman of our sister publication the Fairfield County Business Journal joins us for an exploration of St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, whose many kudos include being named one of Connecticut’s best for 2021-’22 by U.S. News & World Report, which cited its heart failure, stroke and kidney failure treatments. The backbone of these hospitals are doctors like Gary Rogg, M.D., an attending physician in the department of internal medicine at WMC and assistant professor of medicine at New York Medical College, both in Valhalla, whom Jena talked with. Meanwhile, Laura spoke with Tonya Cremin, M.D., who — after practicing in

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a variety of settings, from hospitals to community health centers — opened her own office (first in Trumbull and then in Monroe) 13 years ago, combining standard primary medical care with complementary, alternative methods of healing. Whether they’re on a hospital staff or in a private, holistic practice, these doctors remind us that they’re number one job is to care for their patients, instilling in them two qualities that have become critical in the age of Covid — serenity and hope. As always, our Waggers are on board with our theme in serious and playful ways. We warm up our muscles and tap into our inner tranquility at the new Yoga Love NY studio in Irvington, where the poses flow in a heated room overlooking the Hudson River. Gio plumbs the agony of the feet — and the ecstasy you can bring to them and the whole body with a little self-care. Cami tells us how to turn our homes into healthy havens. Doug’s and Katie’s columns reminds us that wine and spirits have had a long history of “medicinal purposes.” Debbi speaks with Harrison-Greenwich nutritionist Ilyse Schapiro for tips on healthy traveling. Staying with travel, we’d also like to call attention to Jeremy’s piece on hip, happening hotels in the Hudson Valley and beyond. It’s not a health story per se, but it does suggest that sometimes maybe the best, healthiest thing you can do for yourself — particularly as beloved, lamented summer burnishes into autumn — is relish a little leaf-peeping R & R. So go head and give yourself a mental health break. A 2020 YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester Visionary Award winner and a 2018 Folio Women in Media Award Winner, Georgette Gouveia is the author of “Burying the Dead,” “Daimon: A Novel of Alexander the Great” and "Seamless Sky" (JMS Books), as well as “The Penalty for Holding,” a 2018 Lambda Literary Award finalist (JMS Books), and “Water Music” (Greenleaf Book Group). They’re part of her series of novels, “The Games Men Play,” also the name of the sports/culture blog she writes. Her short story “The Glass Door,” recently published by JMS, was part of the “Together apART: Creating During COVID” exhibit at ArtsWestchester. Her new story, “After Hopper,” is available from JMS Books. For more, visit thegamesmenplay.com.

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AMERICARES REALLY DOES CARE BY JEREMY WAYNE

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Americares airlifted more than three tons of critical medicines and medical supplies to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Photograph by William Vazquez for Americares.

The name says it all: Americares really cares. A health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives, helps prevent disease and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster, Stamford-based Americares reaches some 90 or so countries every year with its life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies and emergency aid.

The numbers are staggering. A public nonprofit, the organization delivers more than $500 million in goods and services across the globe annually. Be it Hurricane Michael, the recent Indonesian tsunami or — the week we went to press with this story — the latest appalling earthquake in Haiti, Americares, which since its founding more than 40 years ago has provided more than $19 billion in aid to 164 countries. As a charity, Americares is also fiscally highly responsible and so especially effective, since its probity adds yet another layer of benefit to its already solid programs and relief work. For the sixth consecutive year, the organization has earned a (highest possible) four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. It follows that in an age where sadly so many charities and nonprofits have fallen short of their obligations in all manner of ways, donors can trust Americares.

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Guests attend the Americares Airlift Benefit on Oct. 13, 2018 at Westchester County Airport in White Plains. Photograph by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Americares.

Founded in 1979 by Bob Macauley — a New Canaan entrepreneur and businessman who had a lifelong passion to bring relief to the less fortunate — Americares has stayed true to his vision. “If you know the right thing to do, do it. That’s when miracles happen,” said Macauley, an avid newsreader who was always looking at devastating crises around the world and figuring out what he could do to help. He would spring into action-mobilizing resources and funds and combining a can-do spirit with a quick response to emergencies, both close to home and far away. In 1982, Macauley organized Americares' first-ever airlift of emergency relief supplies to Poland in response to a personal request from Pope John Paul II. The country was under martial law at the time and there was a great need to help ordinary people survive. Airlifts to El Salvador, Guatemala, Pakistan, Sudan and the Philippines quickly followed, with Americares always first in the door whenever natural — or man-made — disasters struck. In 1986, a cargo plane was dispatched to El Salvador filled with antibiotics, hospital and purification supplies, tents, blankets and water for the survivors of the earthquake there. Two years later, Americares responded to another devastating earthquake, this time in Armenia,

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with one of its airlifts arriving on Christmas Day, carrying tons of pediatric medicine, blankets and Christmas presents for children who had been orphaned by the quake. “It’s pretty amazing for me to look back at where we were then to where we are today,” says Christine Squires, president and CEO of Americares, who auspiciously stepped into the job on March 13, 2020, just as the extent of Covid-19 was becoming apparent and, as Squires says, “the day most of America went on lockdown and remote.” With more than 25 years’ experience in the health and humanitarian rights sector, and despite already having been with Americares for five years (as the organization’s executive vice president and chief development officer), Squires was about to find the pandemic to be one of Americares’ greatest hurdles. “It was like living in the middle of a hurricane while responding to it at the same time,” is how Squires, an Old Greenwich resident, describes it. “And the hurricane’s still going on,” she adds. To date, Americares has distributed more than 90 tons of PPE around the globe and provided handwashing stations to countries like Malawi, El Salvador and Columbia while working with frontline health workers to deal with trauma, stress and anxiety.

Meanwhile, the “everyday” work of Americares continues. In addition to disaster response, the organization supplies medicines to pharmaceutical partners free of charge and distributes them to some 4,000 health centers around the world. Those supplies are dispatched either by commercial airlines or by sea container. In emergencies, however, planes may well be chartered, as was the case at the time of Hurricane Maria, when urgent supplies were dropped into Puerto Rico. And the organization never stands still: In an exciting new development when it comes to air transportation, Americares also just entered into what Squires calls “a really cool partnership” with Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics, to deliver medicines and medical supplies to hard-to-reach facilities in Ghana — by drone. All of Americares programs and relief operations originate in its Stamford distribution center. “What’s still amazing and inspiring for me,” says Squires, “is to walk through the warehouse and see supplies ready for shipment and where they’re going, with labels showing every imaginable destination — Lebanon, Tanzania, even for the wildfires in California.” Its global reach notwithstanding, Americares is the embodiment of the old axion that charity begins at home. It works with more than 1,000 clinics across the United States — with four clinics in Connecticut alone, serving low-income and uninsured patients in Stamford, Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk. Most patients visit because they have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, like diabetes, hypertension or asthma — or simply for a checkup because they have gone years without seeing a doctor. Staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses and interpreters, these clinics have also helped patients cope with Covid, offering administrative help as well as vaccinations. Nationwide, Americares is the leading nonprofit provider of medical aid to the U.S.’ “health safety net,” a network of free and charitable clinics serving seven million uninsured Americans. And during the pandemic, it has also been partnering with the CDC to work on the thorny issue of vaccine hesitancy. Squires points out that Americares’ worldwide paid staff of 500 is not that big, considering the remit and the workload. (Some 100 staff members, she mentions, are deployed in Venezuela to work on the migration crisis alone.) She stresses that Americares is only as productive and successful as it is because of its partners and the large number of supporters and volunteers it marshals at every turn. Of course, all of this needs immense funding and in addition to its other enterprises, Americares has been running its annual

Americares relief workers prepare to board a flight for Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2018 to perform a needs assessment at health facilities affected by Hurricane Florence. Photograph by Liz Condo for Americares.

Airlift Benefit for more than 30 years. The benefit started as an initiative to get a small group of supporters together and take them on a 24-hour journey to see Americares’ work first-hand. But the event has grown into a massive annual fundraiser, with up to 900 guests enjoying a gala evening in the JPMorgan Chase private hangar at Westchester County Airport in White Plains — the space donated by the bank. Echoing the early days, 100 or so selected guests — like actor, director, producer Tony Goldwyn, an Americares ambassador and board member and December 2018 WAG’s cover subject — are whisked away in a chartered plane to places like El Salvador, Guatemala and Puerto Rico to see for themselves how

Americares goes about its remarkable work. “It’s an amazing experience for our supporters,” says Squires — and one which the pandemic has not halted. This year’s event, like last year’s, will be virtual, with Goldwyn (the evening’s host) and Jennifer Aniston as the two honorary co-chairs. Beginning at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 and open to the public online, the event is targeting a fundraising goal of $2 million. It may sound like an extraordinary online party, but most important the evening will raise critical funds so that Americares can keep on doing the work it does. And the work that millions of people the organization supports around the world need it to do. For more, visit americares.org.

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Greenwich resident and private pilot Michelle Judice – executive director of Westchester Aviation Association (WAA) and president of the new Westchester County chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI) – beams with pride on June 1, 2009 at Westchester County Airport after completing the FAA check ride. Photographs courtesy Michelle Judice.

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FOR WOMEN, A HIGH-FLYING OPPORTUNITY BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

For Michelle Judice, there’s just something about the air up there, as experienced from a cockpit. “Seeing something from the front window of an airplane is entirely different from experiencing it from the back of a commercial plane,” she says. Judice knows all about it. The Greenwich resident, a private pilot, is executive director of Westchester Aviation Association (WAA), a Purchase-based advocacy nonprofit designed to promote aviation education; the safe, environmentally friendly operation of aircrafts; and the enhancement of airport facilities. She’s an account executive at Aviation Marketing Consulting in Harrison. And she’s also president of the new, 40-plus-member Westchester County

chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI), which had its inaugural event July 15 at The Westchester in White Plains to encourage women’s love of a field for which they’ve long had an affinity. (See sidebar.) According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Judice says, 8.4% of pilots are women, with the figure for female professional pilots slightly higher. The percentage of women in other FAA-certified jobs, such as technicians, engineers and dispatchers, is 30.2. “Clearly, there’s room for opportunity for women,” she adds. “What we focus on is creating a love of aviation and empowering women to experience it.” She does this through both her vocation and avocations. The WAA offers scholarships and safety seminars, with a “GA Aircraft Ownership Symposium” slated for Sept. 18 at Mil-

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lion Air, a fixed-base operator at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, founded in 1984 in Dallas by Mary Kay Cosmetics. On Sept. 25, the Westchester chapter of WAI — a global nonprofit established in 1994 that has more than 12,000 members — is holding a “Girls in Aviation Day,” a kind of aviation career day for girls ages 8 through 17 that encourages them “to enjoy our industry.” WAI also offers scholarships and mentoring for girls and women interested in aviation and aerospace. Judice seems to have been destined for the skies. Her father was an airline executive who worked for Eastern Airlines; Continen-

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tal Airlines; the now-defunct New York Air, of which he was president and Northwest Airlines, from which he retired. Judice grew up in Florida; Orange County, California; Houston; and, finally, Greenwich. As a child, she flew a lot. But most of all, she says, “I saw my father pour himself into the business. He loved his job.” She learned that “aviation is a lifestyle. Even if you do not fly, it’s still a lifestyle.” (And if you’re afraid to fly, she recommends learning more about it. “The more you know, the less your fear.”) Still, Judice — who holds a B.S. from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the Univer-

sity of Connecticut in Stamford — went on to work in corporate finance, which she left to raise two kids. Slowly, however, she was drawn to aviation. Her older son’s science fair project on air pressure sucked her in — pun intended — as did a gift from her husband, a discovery flight experience at Westchester County Airport. She took flight lessons from the former Panorama Flight School at the airport in 2007 soon after her younger son went off to kindergarten. With “a lot more” than the minimum 40 hours flight time under her belt, she earned her private pilot’s license. She also has a certificate in aircraft dispatching.

Front and center in flight

Michelle Judice prepares to fly to Kobelt Airport in Wallkill, New York, for lunch with a pilot friend in 2013.

Ironically, Judice has less time to fly today, being busy promoting aviation on the ground. “Because I loved flying, I parlayed it into a second career,” she says. “I always thought about doing this, but it was so far in the back of my mind.” Judice is glad she brought it forward. “It filled a need I don’t think I was aware I had.” For more on the Westchester chapter of Women in Aviation International, visit facebook.com/group/wainewyork. And for more on Westchester Aviation Association, visit westchesteraviation.org.

On the ground and in the air, women have been involved in aviation and aerospace from the beginning. Here are just five key figures and the roles they played: Élisabeth Thible — Has the distinction of being the first of her sex to take to the skies — in an untethered hot-air balloon over Lyon, France in 1784. Katherine Wright — While Wilbur and Orville Wright are credited with the first machine-powered airplane flight — in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903 — their sister, Katherine, was a full partner in the venture, supporting the brothers financially and emotionally and later managing their careers and serving as the face of their business. (She first flew in 1909.) Though her role took a backseat to the brothers’, the French were impressed enough to award her the Legion d’Honneur along with them, making her one of the few American women to be so honored. Amelia Earhart — The aviator, author, feminist and onetime Rye resident was the first female pilot to fly nonstop across the Atlantic (in 1932) and the first pilot, male or female, to fly solo across the Pacific three years later. Attempting to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, presumably lost their lives in the South Pacific. Her unsolved disappearance has fueled not only her legend but the many depictions of her in world culture. Katherine Johnson — One of the first African American women to work as a NASA scientist and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, Johnson calculated flight plans for Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and John Glenn, the first in orbit. (Indeed, Glenn wouldn’t have gone into orbit without the mathematician’s computations.) She also worked on the rendezvous paths for the Apollo lunar module and command module; the beginnings of the space shuttle program; and plans for a mission to Mars. Hers was one of the stories of Black women mathematicians told in the book and movie “Hidden Figures.” Lt. Col. Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell — As the first female African American fighter pilot in the United States Air Force’s history, Kimbrell flew the F-16 Fighter Falcon in Operation Northern Watch over Iraq in 1997. Retiring in spring 2020, Kimbrell now teaches physical education at the Air Force Academy and serves as director of culture, climate and diversity in the academy’s athletic department. — Georgette Gouveia

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FLYING HIGH WHILE REMAINING GROUNDED BY JEREMY WAYNE

Every child yearns to fly, but for young Regina Berryman taking to the sky had nothing to do with superheroes or other childhood fantasies. “Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to fly,” says the Tarrytown resident, but Berryman was no wannabe Wonder Woman. Indeed, she wanted to be a fighter pilot but her eyes weren’t good enough. “It was strange because neither of my parents was in aviation or the military for that matter, so I don’t know where it came from. I was like the black sheep of the family.” On a recent call, she remembers how her father took her to Westchester County Airport when she was a kid. “They had an observation area and I had a receiver, which my dad had bought me — I believe in Radio Shack. I could hear the communication between pilots and air traffic control and I learned to understand all the lingo.” She flew model airplanes and had them hanging over her bed. “Yes, I was a little weird,” she laughs, “a complete geek.” By the age of 16 she was already working at Danbury Airport “behind the desk.” Then, as soon as she was old enough, she started to take flying lessons at the airport flight school, gaining all her certificates and eventually reaching the commercial level, meaning she was qualified to fly paying passengers. Now a first officer with United Airlines, she flies its wide-body 787 Dreamliner airplanes on the airline’s intercontinental routes. Berryman’s been with United for 20 years and flying for about 30. Along the way, she has flown both charter aircraft and corporate

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aircraft — basically the civilian side of aviation, as opposed to military. Flying out of Teterboro Airport, she has flown heads of state and politicians, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among them. At the time of 9/11, Berryman was working at Continental Airlines and was furloughed as a result, but she landed a job at Teterboro Airport for Million Air, flying a Citation (a Cessna business jet) and then later a Gulfstream IV corporate jet. “I saw every celebrity, athlete and political figure. Harvey Weinstein, she confides, was “not the easiest client in the world,” but — she pauses — “I had no issues with him.” She has, she says, enjoyed every aspect of her career but admits that corporate flying did begin to take its toll. “You’re basically on call all the time. Then again, I have to say I would never have gone to parts of the world which I went to.” She casually name-checks South Africa and the Cook Islands. “You know, basically any place a Gulfstream goes, I went.” Neither jaded nor tired after three decades at the yoke (airline-speak for the control wheel or column) Berryman still looks forward to going to work every day. “I mean, I think it’s awesome that I add fuel to these engines and this huge airplane goes up in the air and stays there for 16 hours and gets people to their destination half-way across the world.” The child’s sense of wonder has remained with her.

First Officer Regina Berryman on the flight deck. Courtesy Regina Berryman.

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Of all the many roles and functions she has fulfilled and enjoyed in her career to date, she says her present position with United Airlines is the best. “I love United — not that I’m propping them up,” she says, “but there’s no other airline where I could be flying this type of equipment and going to the places I’m going to right now.” (The 787 is a beautiful machine indeed, with its raked wingtip, designed to give the aircraft more fuel efficiency.) “It’s more regulated,” she elaborates, “and my quality of life is better. I have a fixed schedule and (the job) is seniority-based. I also choose pretty much where I want to go.” That choice invariably involves Europe. “I love it,” she says. “I was on the Boeing 767 before the 787 and Europe was all I did. When you go to a city, you have a routine. You know the restaurants, you’re with great colleagues — for the most part — you’re in a nice hotel.” She especially likes Germany and was travelling so frequently to German-speaking cities — Frankfurt, Berlin and Zurich — at one time that five years ago she started learning German. “You get that… that immersion.” Other favorite European cities include Rome and Amsterdam, while outside of Europe she loves Tokyo. South Africa holds a special place in her heart, too, although that country is currently off limits, owing to Covid. Having visited so many countries, Berryman nevertheless still has a bucket list, countries or places she wants to visit for pleasure. “Oh absolutely, this world is so big and so vast.” While she has already visited Oslo and Stockholm, high on that list “for pleasure” is northern Scandinavia in the summertime. “I think that would be amazing,” she says, while lamenting that time is always the enemy. And yet, Berryman is someone who does have time or rather makes it. Down on the ground, gardening is a passion of hers. It started with houseplants, she explains, in her “young person’s” apartment. Her grandmother was Sicilian and was a big influence. “Any little plot of land she had, she’d put something in it.” She says she just loves growing things. “The fact that you can grow something from a little seed, that you can provide so much nutrition and satisfaction, a meal just from planting… that is a miracle.” She seems to marvel at the wonder of it the same way she continues to marvel at the wonder of flight. She has a ranch house, around 90 feet deep,

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Regina Berryman on Dracula. Photograph by Sara Vanacek.

along which her garden extends, and her design has been to divide it up into “rooms,” reflecting the interior of a house. One part of the garden is formal, with lawn, hydrangeas, trimmed boxwood and the like. Then, you go through a rose archway and get to a more informal garden where she mixes vegetables with perennials. Yet another area is less cultivated, wilder, “American plants, native grasses. That sort of thing.” In addition to the flying and the gardening there is Berryman’s love of horses. Dracula, her 13-year old Lusitano gelding, stabled in Ossining, came to her from a lady in Florida. “Sad story,” she says. “I had to find a home for him.” Dracula, whom she gets to see whenever she is home, is “a really good guy.” Berryman does dressage and occasionally competes and she totally loves the sport, pointing out that dressage is a refined “art form” but one with a lot of athleticism involved and one she feels is particularly suited to her, a kind of flip-side to her world of flight. “When I’m at work, I tell the airplane what to do and it does it. In dressage, you tell the horse what to do and he may do it or he may not do it, so you have to figure out

ways to convince him to do it. That’s a dichotomy and a challenge for me.” While dressage and for that matter gardening may have been seen as pursuits a woman could also pursue, flying is likely the odd one out and I wondered if Berryman had ever come across any resistance in her chosen career. “There’s no resistance, just the opposite,” she informs me in a written reply, a few days after we speak. “The industry has gone to extensive lengths to recruit and hire women. In terms of my own personal experience, I’ve worked with the most professional group of men, who’ve not only become dear friends but wonderful mentors in my aviation career. I’ve been treated with the utmost respect and dignity in and out of the flight deck.” While attesting to Berryman’s personal professionalism, it also reflects well on the industry itself, which is encouraging in today’s climate. Then again, if you will forgive the pun, Berryman seems exceptionally well-grounded. “My career focus was always to be a good pilot, not a woman pilot,” she says.

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ILLUMINATING HEALTH CARE ON THE FRONT LINES BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

Character reveals itself in adversity. If Covid-19 underscored many of the problems in our society, it also spotlighted many of its strengths, including the dedication of health care workers.

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“It highlighted the value that nursing brings to health care,” says Mary McDermott, senior vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer at Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health in Sleepy Hollow. “I think it was a situation never experienced before, and I’ve been a nurse since 1979. This pandemic was different. We didn’t know the cause of the illness. There was the fear of the unknown.” Through it all, she says, her nurses were “resilient, adaptable and front and center.” Small wonder then that Phelps Hospital — whose 33bed emergency department sees more than 24,000 patients annually — has been recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association with a 2021 Lantern Award for “exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research.” The award, bestowed on only 33 emergency departments nationwide, follows on the heels of the hospital receiving a Magnet Designation, considered the gold standard for nursing excellence, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

That the Magnet Designation should come last October amid the pandemic is telling. At its height, McDermott says, “we only saw patients with Covid,” 160 of them. Many were critically ill. Some would die — “we saw a couple die together” — often without the comfort of loved ones. “It was heartbreaking for the patients,” she says. “It was heartbreaking for the staff.” McDermott made the rounds every day, not only to ensure everything was being done for the patients but to see what could be done for the nurses. She remembers: “One of the staff nurses asked, ‘Could you set up a tranquility room?’” The hospital’s board room was quickly converted into such a space, with what McDermott describes as “comfortable chairs, coloring books, aromatherapy, low lights and scenic pictures.” There were sessions with members of Phelps’ “very big psychiatric staff” and group sessions with social workers who are part of Northwell’s Team Lavender, an interdisciplinary, rapid-response team.

Nurse Milagros Lopez checks a blood pressure reading. Photographs courtesy Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health.

From left: Nurses Satydra Jackson, Loanni Martinez-Francisco and Kathryn Scherf.

At press time, there was only one patient with Covid at Phelps, but the hospital remains vigilant, encouraging staff vaccinations. Employees who are unvaccinated must answer 11 Covid-related screening questions via a downloaded app before arriving at work and undergo temperature scanning at the hospital. All unvaccinated staff must wear a mask and face shield in patient-care areas. Visitors are also temperature-scanned, with one visitor per patient at any one time between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Laboring mothers are allowed to have their partners and coaches.) After the Magnet Designation came through — and virus cases ebbed while vaccinations ramped up — McDermott says, “it was the perfect time to apply for the Lantern Award,” announced in July. “Finally, we were able to tell our story.” That story includes educational support such as the Nurse Promise Program, an eightyear-old endowed scholarship initiative that offers financial assistance in the form of a forgivable loan to those employees who want to become registered nurses, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or those RNs on staff who have completed their associate degree and are returning to school for their BSN.

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“It really is a wonderful program,” McDermott says. “We just had two graduates. Once they graduate, we guarantee them jobs as they have to work for the hospital for two years.” McDermott’s own story begins in Queens, where she grew up before moving to Westchester County. She attended St. Vincent Ferrer High School, a private, Roman Catholic, girls’ school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan associated with a Byzantine-style church designed by Thomas Lamb. (McDermott would seem destined for Lamb. She lives in Bronxville and attends the Church of St. Joseph, also Lamb-designed.) McDermott received her nursing diploma from Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Flushing, Queens, where she worked while studying for her BSN at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. She also holds a master’s degree in nursing from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, a post-master’s certificate in nursing administration from Villanova University and a Wharton Nursing Leaders Program certificate from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Phelps in 2013 as vice president for nursing, McDermott was assistant vice president of nursing at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan for six years, where she

Mary McDermott, senior vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer at Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health in Sleepy Hollow.

developed and implemented strategic plans for nursing, including building, equipment, technology, performance improvement and patient care programs. From 2003 to ’07, she was administrative director of nursing and director of nursing, professional practice programs, at HSS. While the population is still in the virus’ crosshairs, McDermott says it has left the Phelps staff tested and tempered. “Every specialty has its challenges and rewards,” she says. “But we have emerged from this prepared for anything.” For more, visit phelps.northwell.edu.

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NEW INNOVATIONS IN BRAIN AND HEART SURGERY AT WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

They are two of the most challenging types of procedures — heart transplant and brain surgery. But two recent developments are making the processes smoother for doctors and patients alike. TransMedics’ “Heart-in-a-Box” ultimately allows for a greater pool of viable hearts. Gamma Tile is an implanted, time-release form of radiation that can mitigate the stress of postoperative therapy for those with brain cancer. In the Hudson Valley, both can be found only at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. (westchestermedicalcenter.org). Recently, WAG spoke with Simon Hanft, M.D., the center’s chief of neurosurgical oncology, and Masashi Kai, M.D., its surgical director of heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, about these exciting innovations in their respective fields:

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COMMUNICATING THE BRAIN The National Brain Tumor Association estimates that more than 84,000 people in the United States will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis this year. “It’s not the most common form of cancer, but it is among the deadliest,” says Simon Hanft, M.D., chief of neurosurgical oncology at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. As with other forms of cancer, radiation can play a key though challenging role. But how best to deliver that radiation to maximize effectiveness while minimizing patient wearand-tear? That’s where Gamma Tile, a kind of time-release radiation therapy that only recently became available in the Hudson Valley via Westchester Medical Center, comes into play. But first, a little background on brain cancer from Hanft, who’s terrific at breaking down the terrifying and the complex as you would expect from a neurosurgeon who holds a master’s degree in English from England’s University of Cambridge. “I would divide brain cancer into two types of cancer. The first includes tumors rising from the brain.” Under this umbrella, you have glioma, a type of tumor that occurs in the brain and spinal cord, and glioblastoma, the most aggressive of cancers that begin in the brain. There are around 15,000 new cases of glioblastoma a year, he says. The late senators Edward M. Kennedy and John McCain died of glioblastoma, as did President Joe Biden’s older son, Beau. The second type of brain cancer is metastatic, in which the disease travels from another place, like the breast or the lung, to the brain. The controversial cycling star Lance Armstrong developed brain cancer after suffering from testicular cancer, which Hanft calls a “very uncommon” progression. When you remove a brain tumor, Hanft says, you radiate the area. Even so, cancerous cells may linger and lurk in the cavity. “What the Gamma Tile does is take care of the radiation in one fell swoop.” Gamma Tile is a trademarked, FDA-approved radionuclide brachytherapy, which involves the implantation of radioactive seeds. Using Gamma Tile, Hanft embeds several postage-size implants into the patient’s brain after removing the tumor. “These implants contain radioactive seeds that will slowly emit radiation to the surrounding area.” More than 90 percent will be emitted over

Simon Hanft, M.D., chief of neurosurgical oncology at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Photograph by Lauren Asselmeyer/WMCHealth.

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the course of a month, with the rest following. The implants are then absorbed by the body, thereby forgoing any need for removal. “The reason it has gained traction is that you don’t have to bring the patient back and forth for radiation,” Hanft says. “It’s a nice alternative to repeat radiation that often has fewer side effects.” Though often used for metastatic and recurring brain cancers, Gamma Tile is also being used and studied for its effectiveness in fighting glioblastomas. “The early data is promising,” Hanft says. And that’s good news, because the postoperative radiation treatment for glioblastomas is, he adds, “onerous” — six weeks, five days a week, 30 sessions. While Gamma Tile is “specifically designed for the brain,” Hanft says he can see its potential for other cancers. It is one of several advances in neuroscience being used at Westchester Medical Center. Others include: • a new software platform that provides detailed views of the brain; • artificial intelligence for advanced stroke detection; • three-dimensional, high-definition operating microscopes; • flow diverter stents used in the care of cerebral aneurysms; • surgical robots for complex surgical interventions; • responsive neurostimulation therapy; • the Hudson Valley’s only hybrid-operating room, where surgeons and interventionists can perform procedures using advanced imaging equipment. Among the more fascinating innovations is a liquid compound that makes brain tumors glow for easier identification. A few hours before surgery, Hanft says, the patient drinks the compound, called 5-ALA or Gleolan, which is absorbed by the tumor and turns up bright pink on the filtered operating-room microscopes. He also uses Omniscient Neurotechnology software “to detail the critical networks in the brain and their anatomical relationship to the tumor” during an awake craniotomy, which in the Hudson Valley is done only at Westchester Medical Center. Hanft will map the brain’s surface and remove the tumor, while a speech pathologist checks on the conscious patient’s language functions. (In most people, these functions reside primarily in the brain’s left hemisphere.) During the awake portion of the surgery, the patient feels nothing as the brain lacks pain receptors. Language is important to Hanft. Growing up on Long Island, he was interested in science but went on to major in English at Yale University, then garner a master’s in English at Cambridge. But Hanft was also premed. There was

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never any doubt as to which interest would win out as he earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine. While there, he became attracted to neurosurgery, which he saw as a challenging, versatile field that would never become rote or boring. It’s practically a cliché that surgeons have good hands or good hand-eye coordination. Yet more important, Hanft says, are critical thinking skills — judgment and decision-making. “You have to put yourself in the position of the patient,” he adds, “and very few surgeons do that.” Still, it’s something Hanft tries to impart to other doctors, as “teaching is a big part of what we do at the hospital,” as well as to his patients. “You’re like a coach,” he says. “The best thing you can do is give people calm and hope.”

AN EASIER WAY TO ACCESS HEARTS FOR TRANSPLANTS A “Heart-in-a-Box:” Sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, no? It is a gift, all right, but one of a different, life-saving kind that can ease the process and increase the number of successful heart transplants. And Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla — one of seven heart transplant centers in New York state — is the first to make use of it. Pioneered by South African surgeon Christian Bernard in 1967, using techniques developed by American surgeons Norman Shumway and Richard Lower, heart transplantation is “still very specialized” in the United States, says Masashi Kai, M.D. surgical director of heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, Kai leads its use of the “Heart-in-a-Box” in a state that has one of the lowest organ donation rates. Indeed, according to Syracuse. com, only about 22 percent of residents are registered as donors, compared with a national average of 45 percent. Meanwhile, there are some 3,535 people on the waiting list for a heart transplant in the United States — 325 of whom are listed at transplant hospitals in New York state, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), a Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit that serves as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. Last year, 3,658 heart transplants were performed, with 250 of those done at transplant hospitals in New York. But 239 people died on the waiting

list for a heart that didn’t come in time, while another 270 were removed, because they were too sick to transplant. That’s what makes the TransMedics Organ Care System so crucial, Kai says. Traditionally, he says, “When the heart is retrieved, you put it in ice in a cooler. The heart is not beating until transplantation….That has to be done within four hours. If it’s past four hours, the heart function will be decreased.” That limits the number of hearts and the locations from which they can be obtained, Kai adds, with the organs having come to the medical center from no farther south than North Carolina and no farther west than Ohio. “The second limitation,” he says, “is the actual heart function. You don’t know until you transplant it…if it’s not perfect.” With TransMedics’ “Heart-in-a-Box,” the heart is placed in a warm container with circulating blood from the donor and oxygen — simulating the conditions of the body. Doctors know right away if this beating heart is functioning normally. And because the heart is functioning all the while, it can be transported from farther distances, enlarging the area a hospital can draw from. Westchester Medical Center has done three heart transplants this year using the “Heart-ina-Box,” with the first taking place in April and involving a 73-year-old Albany man. All of these patients are home and doing well, Kai says. The first year is critical, he adds. After that, the survival rate increases, although heart transplant recipients have to take antirejection medications for the rest of their lives. Patients can, he adds, be vaccinated against Covid-19. “This is not going to completely replace the traditional method,” he says of the “Heart-in-aBox.” “But in the future, we can use it to increase the donor pool.” Born and raised in Japan, Kai became interested in physiology as a teenager. He received his M.D. from Tokyo Jikei University in Japan and did his residency training in cardiovascular surgery at Kyoto University. Moving to the United States in 2007, Kai completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at New York University Medical Center (now NYU Langone Health) and an advanced fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where he had special training in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support device (LVAD, ECMO) implantation. He joined cardiothoracic surgery at Westchester Medical Center in 2011. Kai is also a researcher, investigating innovative surgical treatments for heart failure in multiple clinical trials. His work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. “I always wanted to do dynamic stuff,” he says. “The heart is very dynamic.”

Masashi Kai, M.D., surgical director of heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Westchester Medical Center, who leads its use of the “Heart-in-a-Box.” Courtesy Westchester Medical Center. SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

White Plains Hospital's Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS). Photographs courtesy Perkins Eastman.

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THE LATEST JEWEL IN WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL’S CROWN BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

In June, White Plains Hospital’s sleek, new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) opened, bringing together outpatient services with many of the hospital’s top specialists. Recently, Frances Bordoni — the hospital’s senior vice president of ambulatory and physician services and business development — took time to answer some of our questions about the new space and how it fits into the scheme of the hospital’s development:

Patients are discovering that some of their doctors have moved to the new center and some have not. What was the thinking behind which disciplines would go into the building? “The new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) was designed to expand our outpatient services and top specialists under one roof. The center features ambulatory surgery with same-day procedures, endoscopy suites, wound care delivered through hyperbaric chambers and cutting-edge imaging, including the first and only PET (Positron Emission Tomography) MRI scan in Westchester. (See sidebar.) “It is also home to our specialty physician and surgical practices, including orthopedics; urology; pain management; ear, nose and throat; thyroid; colorectal; vascular; plastic; and bariatric care; as well as a comprehensive new heart and vascular program. At White Plains Hospital, our focus is on multidisciplinary care for the best possible patient outcomes. With many of our specialists in the same building, this fosters communication and collaboration when caring for our patients. For instance, our Wound Care Center is right across the hall from the offices of our surgical specialists, who can easily consult wound specialists and follow up on

one of their surgical patients who is there for treatment.” How much did the center cost and where did the money come from? “The new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery had been in the works for many years. Our patient population has grown substantially over the past decade and we spent years planning different iterations of this building to ensure that we had the space and resources to continue to grow and advance the services we provide to our community. Funding for this approximately $270 million building came from loans as well as commitments from generous hospital supporters.” The center is hotel-sleek. Who served as architect and interior designer? What was the design inspiration? “The project’s architect and lead designer was Perkins-Eastman. They worked closely with our internal team to create a space that is truly special for our patients. We wanted this building to have a look and feel that was similar to the rest of the hospital campus, but with a new energy to help evolve the aesthetic. Each floor was designed with our patients and clinicians in mind but has its own distinct look, with interesting color palates to

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Game-changer for cancer, neurological detection

A A CAMS interior.

evolve the design while keeping the feel of a warm and healing environment. We know a medical visit can be stressful for patients and want to provide a warm, welcoming and calming atmosphere. There is tremendous thought and focus that goes into each aspect of the design in this building, and we view it as an extension of our brand and want patients to walk in and feel that they are in the right place. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Speaking of stress, we may note here that parking in White Plains continues to be something of a challenge. The garage across from the center is often full and narrow to navigate. And valet parking at the hospital is $5. What can be done to ameliorate these? “As we continue to expand and transform our campus, parking is always a consideration, especially given the location of our facilities in the middle of a busy city. The Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery offers several convenient parking options. Patients can turn off Maple Avenue and drive underneath the building directly to the front entrance where they are met by a valet staff who will park their car for a small fee. We also offer self-parking in the Longview Parking Garage, which is a cityowned garage located across the street from the new center. We have constructed a walking bridge that connects the Longview Parking Garage to the second floor of the Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery to provide easy access to our new center.” The Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) is the latest phase in White Plains Hospital’s transformation.

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What were the previous phases and what’s up next? “At White Plains Hospital, our mission is to provide our community with exceptional care, close to home. As a member of the Montefiore Health System, we serve as the tertiary hub for advanced care in the Hudson Valley and have aggressively expanded over the past seven years to provide our patients with access to top physicians across a broad range of specialties and have invested in state-of-theart equipment and technology to enhance the patient experience and offer the latest treatments available. Since 2014, we have added or renovated nearly 900,000 square feet to our campus, including a new lobby and patient tower, an expanded Center for Cancer Care, renovated private patient rooms and waiting areas, a new Family Health Center, a redesigned emergency department, an off-campus ambulatory surgery center, and the new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery outpatient facility. “Later this year, we will begin offering cardiac surgery at White Plains Hospital, in partnership with Montefiore’s internationally renowned heart surgeons. Currently, almost 80% of patients who need heart surgery leave Westchester County and this program will allow them to get the life-saving care they need right here in White Plains. Additionally, we will soon be constructing an advanced pediatric center featuring an innovative model of care that co-locates a dedicated emergency department and inpatient rooms made especially for children. This pediatric center will be the only one of its kind in New York state and will feature enhanced amenities for patients and families when it opens next year.” For more, visit wphospital.org.

Among the items that patients at White Plains Hospital’s new Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) may discover is a piece of technology unique to the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County in the fight against cancer and certain neurological conditions. The PET/MRI scanner — one of only 115 worldwide — combines the anatomical accuracy of an MRI with the metabolic information of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to provide exceptional image quality, shorter test times and lower radiation exposure for patients. “PET/MRI screening is on its way of becoming the gold standard for detecting a range of diseases in their earliest stages,” said Andre Khoury, M.D., White Plains Hospital’s co-director of radiology. “It’s rare to see this level of technology at a community hospital, but it’s indicative of our commitment to expand access to advanced care close to home. Since acquiring this scanner, we have had requests from physicians throughout the region who understand the amazing capabilities of PET/MRI and want their patients to come in to be evaluated.” PET/MRI technology is used in pediatric oncology and for the detection of many adult cancers, including prostate cancer, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors and brain, breast and head and neck cancers. PET/MRI scans are also ideal for evaluating neurological disorders, such as dementia and epilepsy, and in ongoing research in stroke, traumatic brain injury and movement disorders. A recent study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that the PET/ MRI improved lesion detection in selected cancers by more than 15% and reduced ionizing radiation by nearly 80% when compared with PET/ CT (Computed Tomography).

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WHERE HEALTH CARE IS JOB ONE BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

Instead of bearing his name, the brass plate on William H. Jennings’ desk says, “How does this help the patient?” “Every morning when I turn on the light in my office, it reminds me of why I’m here,” says Jennings, who in July joined Hartford HealthCare (HHC) as president of its Fairfield Region, which includes St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. “And whenever I have a visitor, whether it’s from the medical staff, someone from the community or a politician, as soon as they walk into my office they know what my priority is.” That priority is shared throughout HHC and St. Vincent’s — and, if recent history is anything to go by, it shows. During the summer, the Bridgeport facility’s bariatrics department received the 2021 Women’s Choice award; its orthopedics department received the Joint Commission Gold Seal; and the hospital was named one of Connecticut’s best for 2021-’22 by U.S. News & World Report, which cited its heart failure, stroke and kidney failure treatments. Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare — which acquired St. Vincent’s in 2019 — says the accolades are reflective of the hospital’s and the system’s, focus on patient

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care and outcomes, with particular emphases on affordability, transparency and equity. “We’re building out an ecosystem within the region,” Flaks says, “with home care, urgent care and primary care, along with community-based surgery centers and imaging centers, all of which are fully integrated into a single system.” St. Vincent’s has been “such an historic hospital for so many years,” he adds — it opened in 1903 — “that we saw its potential and great opportunity” when it became available from previous operator Ascension. The facility operates with more than 3,500 associates and includes a 473-bed community teaching hospital, a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility in Westport, a large multispecialty provider group and St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services for adults and children. Under HHC, it continues to operate as a nonprofit Roman Catholic hospital. With St. Vincent’s, HHC now has more than 24,000 employees at its more than 350 locations across Connecticut. Flaks says that a number of physical improvements are underway at St. Vincent’s, including several floors being dedicated to single, private beds and the addition of “a significant amount” of robotics-based medical technology, as well as an ongoing quest to at-

tract talent in various specialties. Jennings says that improvements are also being made to departments not normally seen by the public, including its pharmacy and instruments cleaning services. “Culturally you’re never satisfied,” he adds. “You’re always looking to improve the quality of patient care, safety and outcomes.” Those priorities were, of course, put to the test as never before during Covid-19, especially during the initial outbreak last year. “Every day we were learning something new,” recalls Jurate Ivanaviciene, M.D., direc-

William H. Jennings, president of Hartford HealthCare's Fairfield Region (center), talks with Laura Flavell, regional director of both physician and guest relations and outpatient wound care, and Peter Cimino, M.D., president of St. Vincent's Medical Center medical staff. Courtesy Nuvance Health.

tor of infectious disease at the hospital. “But we have a huge team of very dedicated physicians and we all pulled together.” When it comes to the Delta variant, Ivanaviciene, like most of her peers, insisted that getting vaccinated was the best course. “If you’ve been vaccinated, you’re eight times less likely of getting the infection,” she says. “You’re 25 times less likely to end up hospitalized and, if you are hospitalized, it’s 25 times less likely that you will die.” With infection rates going up, particularly among young people, she says: “It’s just so

unnecessary. We still don’t know what the long-term effects of Covid-19 are. Not getting vaccinated could mean having to have a pacemaker or carrying an oxygen tank along in later years.” Jennings says that HHC has mandated that all of its staff be vaccinated by Sept. 30. Minus a medical or spiritual exception, those refusing to do so face termination. Meanwhile, St. Vincent’s is continuing to show its commitment to, and involvement with, the communities it serves. Its annual “Swim Across the Sound” event, canceled last

year due to the virus, drew 75 participants on Aug. 7. Held to support area cancer patients and their families, as well as offering education to the public, the event — which involves swimming from Port Jefferson, New York, to Bridgeport’s Captain’s Cove — typically raises about $300,000. This year’s edition actually went through the end of August, allowing “virtual” participation to those willing to run, swim, walk or bike ride for 15.5 miles, with another $50,000 expected through those efforts. HHC also signed up for naming rights to what is now The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, something Flaks says was done to support the community as well as to help the city “prosper and continue to define itself.” Jennings notes that HHC has hosted a pair of “Shot to Win” incentives programs at the amphitheater, where those getting vaccinated at the facility can enter a random drawing for four free concert tickets. “The accolades we receive are nice, but the only reason we’re here is because of the patients,” he reminds us. “Even with all the headwinds we, and the health care industry at large, are facing — an aging population, federal and state constraints — our mission is to improve access to quality health care.” For more, visit stvincents.org.

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SEEING HIS PATIENTS THROUGH BY JENA A. BUTTERFIELD

Gary Rogg, M.D., has the prescription for better patient care in the time of Covid — and really in any other time of medical distress when the answers aren’t immediately clear. “We try to inspire hope in people,” he says of himself and his team at Westchester Medical Center (WMC). For Rogg, it’s a career-defining sentiment, one he has applied to the flood of Covid sufferers who continue battling symptoms that can’t quite be defined. At the start of the pandemic, Rogg — an attending physician in the department of internal medicine at WMC and assistant professor of medicine at New York Medical College, both in Valhalla — was tasked with overseeing care as Covid section chief, a position that presented him with new problems to solve. “It quickly became obvious that people weren’t getting better,” he says. He was seeing what the medical community has termed long haulers, those patients with symptoms that persist long after they’ve weathered the initial onset of virus. “About 10 percent of people with Covid have lingering symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and muscle aches,” he says. They may feel fine for two or three days and then they have this wave of not feeling well again.” That nebulous waxing and waning defies common perception. “People were being told: ‘Oh you’re fine’,” he says, indignant at that callous dismissiveness. So, he cofounded WMC’s Post Covid Recovery Program, an integrative program that brings together a host of experts from cardiologists and pulmonologists to kidney and rehabilitation specialists. It’s the kind of

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personalized care patients need more than ever. “Covid made people more anxious, nervous,” he says. It is indeed scary when you begin to fear your symptoms could be everlasting. But Rogg cites comparative coronavirus examples that might give some foothold to worried sufferers. He points to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2002 as an example, “The sickest of the sick got better in two years,” he says. “The intensity and frequency (of symptoms) got less over time.” Rogg’s insistence on giving his patients confidence and assurance in the face of uncertainty has defined his life and career. A New Yorker through and through, Rogg grew up in the Bronx near the Pelham Parkway, a product of public school. He went on to The Bronx High School of Science then New York University in Manhattan for his undergraduate work and NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. “I wanted to be a doctor since I was in third grade,” he said, though he joked that baseball player and astronaut were other strong career contenders at that age. Both of those options were trumped when an uncle brought Rogg to work one day at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. “I thought it was just the most amazing, coolest thing to get people out of bed and on their feet again.” He trained in internal medicine, doing his residency at Jacobi Medical Center, back on Pelham Parkway in his old neighborhood. “I wanted to take care of people in the area I grew up in,” he says.

Rogg is driven by giving a personal experience to his loyal patients. In the early days of his career, he worked in an emergency room setting but missed forging a connection with people over time so phased back to internal medicine. He wanted to know how his patients were doing. He wanted to know if he had an effect on their health. He spent 23 years working on staff at Montefiore Medical Center: Einstein Campus in the Bronx but is now director of APS Practice Development at Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of WMC Health Network, which comprises 10 hospitals throughout the Hudson Valley. It was here he started a regional headache center for migraine sufferers, cofounding WMC Headache Specialists, a career move that probably best equipped him for dealing with patients long frustrated by ongoing symptoms with seemingly no cure. Rogg’s interest in chronic headaches stemmed from those early years working in the ER. “So many people came in with severe migraines,” he says. “We could break them in the emergency room, but what happens after that?” He witnessed many doctors offering medication after medication. But he had a better vision. The center’s unique approach includes an interdisciplinary team comprising a headache neurologist, a pain management specialist (who tries tactics other than medication, like trigger point injections and ultrasounds) as well as a plastic surgeon who can dissect the pain-causing nerve. The personal approach gives patients the antidote they’ve been searching for — hope. Both severe headache sufferers and Covid long haulers are ostensibly battling the same frustrating lack of it. And that’s unacceptable to Rogg. “There is always something you should be able to do,” he says, adding that the greatest message he’s gotten from patients over the years is, “Never take what anybody says for granted. If you let the person speak, they will always give you the answer. I tell med students and residents, ‘You’re really like a detective.” For more, visit westchestermedicalcenter. org.

Rogg on Covid

Being on the forefront of Covid in the area, we wanted Gary Rogg, M.D., to weigh in on the vaccination debate. He says he understands the caution people have, but his experience points him in one direction. “Not to minimize the flu,” he says, “because it can be very, very deadly. But (with the flu) everybody has identical symptoms. And after two weeks, it’s gone. The trouble with corona is that its unpredictable.” He fields his adult patient’s questions about the vaccines and, as always, takes them seriously. He says, sure, vaccines can have complications, but there are known ways to mitigate or treat those effects. With the virus, however, he says, “there’s people who should do well, but they die. And we don’t know why. That weights the argument (toward getting vaccinated) I think.” But with more and more people getting vaccinated, is he seeing a return to normalcy? He’s cautious. “Yes, it is returning to some extent. At first people were reluctant to come in.” Now, he says, if you walked into the waiting room, you’d never know we were in a pandemic. The reason for that may be contradictory. Over the last few weeks, he’s seen a lot of patients with upper respiratory issues. They want to know “Could this be corona? The answer is there’s no way to say it’s not. But when test results came back, they were all negative. And those patients were all vaccinated.” The reemergence of run-of-themill symptoms that can be confused with corona may be as simple as it’s always been. “Maybe because, now (that people have) been vaccinated, they’re not as diligent,” says Rogg. “During Covid, no one had a cold. I guess it’s a testament to washing your hands.”

HEALING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT BY LAURA JOSEPH MOGIL

Ever since she was 5 years old, Tonya Cremin, M.D., knew she wanted to become a doctor. Born in western New York, Cremin grew up in Avon, a rural town of 10,000 people that was full of dairy and horse farms. “My town had a set of family doctors who were deeply integrated into the fabric of our tight-knit community,” Cremin says. “We went to school with our family doctor’s children, sang with his family at church and saw them at neighborhood parties. The receptionist was my friend’s mom and the nurse was (the doctor's) wife,” she says. After graduating from Cornell University and taking additional post-baccalaureate classes at Columbia University, Cremin received her doctorate from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (now associated with the New York Institute of Technology as NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine) in 2003. She then became a resident physician and integrative medicine fellow at Middlesex Hospital in Connecticut while completing a fellowship in integrative medicine, alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems in 2007 from The University of Arizona. After practicing in a variety of settings, from hospitals to community health centers, Cremin opened her own office (first in Trum-

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bull and now in Monroe) 13 years ago. “Here, I’m able to create the relationships with my patients that I value so much and the kind that were so important in that little town where I grew up.” With her extensive background in integrative family medicine, Cremin’s medical services combine standard primary medical care with complementary and alternative methods of healing. “I’ve always been interested in different ways to manage health conditions and overall health,” she says. “I’ve come to realize that health doesn’t have to be about medicine and pills and it doesn’t have to be about surgery. There are a wide variety of other ways to treat patients.” Osteopathic physicians tend to look at how the structure of the body can affect its function. “For example, a person can be getting a headache, because they have neck tension. The osteopathic study takes that a lot further, perhaps exploring that there’s a problem in your pelvis,” she says. “When you’re seated, the pelvis is your foundation. I tell my patients that the leaning Tower of Pisa doesn’t start leaning at the top. Some problems that are above, can be rooted down below and might require the slightest bit of adjustment.” She weaves an integrative family medi-

cine approach into every office visit, which means she focuses on natural treatment and the least invasive, least expensive care with a holistic view. “Instead of costly prescriptions or specialty referrals, I can help you incorporate lifestyle or dietary changes, nutritional supplements or over-the-counter medications,” she says. “The goal is to help people optimize their health without medication as much as possible. Of course, when medication is necessary, I absolutely will write a prescription. “As a primary care family doctor, I love to figure out the tough problems,” Cremin adds. “Patients often come to me when they’re at the end of their rope and they have something that might have been misdiagnosed, maybe for years even, and I just listen and think about the best way to help them. “The people who are most thrilled with the way I operate in the office are often the people with the toughest problems to solve. It could be autoimmune disorders, maybe it’s anxiety and they don’t want medication, or it could be chronic pain. I love treating those people and thrive on helping them get better.” One of the things that makes Cremin’s model of practicing medicine stand out from the pack is her direct care membership program, charging monthly fees instead of taking insurance. “I chose this payment method because I want to be able to continue to be able to spend quality time with my patients. The fee-for-service model — or the insurance-based model — is not sustainable in private practice. I love being a family doctor and being there for my patients. I want to spend time getting to know them and really being able to help them succeed in whatever their health goals are.” In addition to primary care, one of the services Cremin offers in her membership program is osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which involves using the hands to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury.

It is a medication-free method for pain relief. With OMM, Cremin applies a gentle, calming approach to realign the bones, joints, muscles and connective tissues subtly to encourage the body’s innate healing response. Cremin also offers auricular acupuncture to help patients realize medication-free relief from a wide variety of conditions. This approach has been proven helpful in the treatment of fibromyalgia, headaches, osteoarthritis, joint pain, lower back pain and more. Like many doctors, Cremin’s practice was affected by Covid. “We were closed for a solid three months and then started tiptoeing back last June, making sure to follow all the guidelines and being super careful,” she says. “My practice shrunk as there were people who we didn’t hear from, because they were hit very hard financially. But I’ve had some old patients come back, which has been very exciting to me. We’re taking new members but keeping the practice small, because I want to be able to spend quality time with each of my patients as always.” While her medical practice is very time-consuming, Cremin practices what she preaches and leads a very healthy lifestyle. She’s devoted to her husband, two children, dog, cat, a flock of chickens and a huge garden. “I enjoy spending time in my garden. I grow flowers, fruits and vegetables, and I love creating new garden beds,” she says. “I’m a true outdoors person, and hiking and going out in my canoe are among my favorite things to do.” (left) Tonya Cremin, M.D. Photographs by Melissa Alves Garrity. (right) Hands-on healer: Tonya Cremin, M.D. working on a patient’s back.

For more, visit balancefamilymed.com.

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Sacred Heart University’s physical therapy students learning their profession. Photographs by Tracy Deer-Mirek 40

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THE SACRED HEARTMILITARY CONNECTION – PHYSICAL THERAPY BY PHIL HALL

United States Air Force Capt. Andrew Smietana recently received the Senior Company Grade Officer of the Year Award for the 60th Medical Group at David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. But Smietana’s journey to that point in his life began in another Fairfield – the Connecticut town where he received a doctor of physical therapy degree from Sacred Heart University.

“Learning physical therapy is not easy,” Smietana says. “Sacred Heart University’s program was challenging, but the professors definitely set us up to succeed when we entered the real world.” Smietana is among a skein of Sacred Heart graduates to pursue a physical therapy career in the U.S. armed forces. That's fitting, says Beverly Fein, associate professor and director of clinical education at the university, because the profession can trace its beginnings to the military. “The roots of our profession come from reconstruction aides in World War I,” she says. “There's a good-sized cohort of physical therapists in each of the branches of the U.S. military. We've always had students who are interested in knowing more about the military, and the quality of physical therapy practice in the military tends to be very high.” Fein adds that several alumni from the university’s program who pursued Air Force careers have kept in touch with her department and have addressed classes via Skype and Zoom on the career opportunities in that branch of the armed forces. Sacred Heart-educated physical therapists can also be found in the Army, Navy and Coast Guard.

Sacred Heart introduced its physical therapy program in 1996 and graduated its first class in 1999. The program averages 68 students per year who are required to graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy in order to pursue this line of work. “The curriculum is a three-year doctoral program that includes 38 weeks of full-time clinical experiences that occur at clinical facilities all over the country, which is how we work with the Air Force,” Fein says. Physical therapy has “been a very popular profession for a very long time,” she adds while acknowledging that many students who seek a place in Sacred Heart’s program never make the cut. “Unfortunately, there's only so many seats, which is one of our biggest limitations,” Fein says. “Students who would like to become physical therapists tend to need fairly high academic standing.” For the past year and a half, the physical therapy profession in general and Sacred Heart’s program in particular have aced an unprecedented existential threat. “Covid has been one of the biggest problems for all of us,” she says. “Patients chose not to go for physical therapy. It was not a

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priority in the pandemic. There were people in the outpatient environment who were furloughed, and there were folks in the skilled nursing facility and short-term rehab who found themselves in some of the worst of the pandemic with many residents passing away from Covid, as we saw in the nursing homes.” During the pandemic, Fein’s department hosted several virtual panel discussions with some of its alumni who were practicing in different settings, and these individuals shared how Covid affected their work. “Those who were already in the hospital acute care setting were particularly impacted,” she recalls. “Many people who were in hospital-based settings but were in the outpatient environment were pulled into the acute care to help out in the hospital, because the hospital outpatients initially really dropped off. As you

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would expect, elective surgeries disappeared.” Fein warns that patients recovering from Covid will be among those most in need of high-quality physical therapy. “Many of these folks who are going into the ICU and becoming intubated on ventilators and staying on ventilators for long periods of time develop what we call post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), where they need extensive rehab,” she says. “They have neurological issues, muscular-skeletal issues and tremendous loss of endurance and a range of things. And Covid exacerbated that, because they were on ventilators for such long periods of time, which is not typical. So physical therapy has been very, very involved, although you don't hear about us as much as you hear about the doctors and the nurses and the respiratory therapists.”

As for educating the next generation of physical therapists, Fein says that the university was not able to send students out for clinical training during the pandemic’s worst stretch, which resulted in delayed graduations for some students. She also acknowledges that the road ahead for these students is still unpredictable. “Even now, there are facilities that are not yet ready to open up to take students or are taking fewer students because of physical space and needing to physically distance, or because of emotional burnout that their staff is still experiencing,” she says. “And, of course, looking around the country, we see the Delta variant surge happening so much in other parts of the country. That hasn't shown up here yet, but I'm concerned.” For more, visit sacredheart.edu.

Fairfield and Westchester Counties

DOCTORS of DISTINCTION

Saluting those who go beyond the diagnosis

2021 VIRTUAL EVENT September 23 | 5:30 pm PRESENTED BY:

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HONOREES

CUTTING EDGE JAMES J. HARDING

Assistant Attending and Assistant Professor Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Harrison and New York, New York

Dr. Harding graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2007, completed his internal medicine residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College and hematology and oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He joined the Gastrointestinal Oncology and Early Drug Development Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2013, and now as a national expert in hepatobiliary malignancies Dr. Harding’s research aims to develop better treatments for these rare malignancies through the design of scientifically rational Phase I/II clinical trials. His research and training have been supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the National Institutes of Health, the American Association for Cancer Research and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

RICHARD C. FRANK

Chair of Cancer Research Nuvance Health Connecticut

Dr. Frank is the chair of cancer research for Nuvance Health and oversees cancer clinical trials, including original research in pancreatic cancer. He has more than 25 years of experience in medical oncology and hematology and specializes in pancreatic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers such as prostate, kidney and bladder cancer as well as lymphoma and multiple myeloma. In addition to caring for patients at Norwalk Hospital, where he helped launched its cancer research program 20 years ago, he is a consultant in medical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He received The Humanitarian Award from the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society and authored the book titled “Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope.”

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SEPTEMBER 23 | 5:30 P.M.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT ELAINE HEALY

Vice President of Medical Affairs United Hebrew of New Rochelle New Rochelle, New York

Dr. Healy FACP, CMD, is the vice president of medical affairs at United Hebrew of New Rochelle, a campus of comprehensive senior care, which offers supportive health care services, including skilled nursing and rehabilitation, assisted living and memory care. Dr. Healy is board certified in internal, geriatric and hospice and palliative medicine and is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at New York Medical College. She has been actively involved in medical education, physician leadership and patient advocacy throughout her career. At United Hebrew she has helped to lead the national conversation on Covid-19 in nursing homes. She oversaw the management of the coronavirus response and as acting president of the New York Medical Director’s Association in 2020, she gave the first national presentation on the management of outbreaks at the annual meeting of the American Medical Directors Association. Since then, she co-authored the first peerreviewed medical article and wrote about the impact of Covid-19 in nursing homes for the Hospice Association of America.

NABIL ATWEH

Surgeon in Chief and Chair, Department of Surgery Yale New Haven Health-Bridgeport Hospital

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Dr. Atweh, a graduate of the American University of Beirut, received surgery training from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, and fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. After serving as an assistant professor of surgery at the American University of Beirut, Atweh joined SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. In 1991, he joined Bridgeport Hospital as first chief of the newly developed section of trauma, burn and surgical critical care for which the hospital received verification as a level one trauma center and a verified burn center by the American College of Surgeons. In 2001, Atweh was appointed surgeon in chief and chair of the Department of Surgery at Bridgeport Hospital, and associate chair of surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery and urology at Yale New Haven Health. Atweh has more than 50 publications in medical journals and many teaching awards, but surgical education is his passion. Bridgeport Hospital is naming The Center for Simulation and Wellness in his name.

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HONOREES

CARING FOR ALL KAREN MURRAY

Senior Medical Director and Department Head for Women's Health Open Door Family Medical Center Westchester county

Dr. Karen Murray is a graduate of the 1999 Class at New York Medical College and the Metropolitan (MHC)/Westchester (WMC) ob/gyn residency program Class 2003. Originally from Jamaica, West Indies, she has been caring for immigrants during her entire practice. She spent 15-plus years working full time at MHC in Spanish Harlem and then moved on to Open Door Family Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center where for 10-plus years she continued to care for the immigrant population in Westchester. “As an immigrant myself, I have seen firsthand the need for care of immigrants,” she says.

LAUREN BADER

Pediatrician Darien Pediatric

Darien, Connecticut Dr. Lauren Bader spent the first seven years of her medical journey in Westchester, attending New York Medical College in Valhalla and completing her pediatric residency at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. She achieved her undergraduate studies in neuroscience, graduating magna cum laude from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. Today, she primarily works in private practice at Darien Pediatric Associates while also serving as a pediatric hospitalist at Norwalk Hospital, through the pediatric department of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. She teaches and precepts first- and second-year medical students from her alma mater. Board certified in pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Bader also has an interest in medical ethics and serves as a consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.

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Hilda Demirjian offers beauty and wellness through skincare Why Hilda Demirjian Skin Care? Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center offers men and women collagen treatment for younger-looking skin; treatment to improve the appearance of acne, scars and stretch marks; and treatment of hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on the face due to exposure to UVA and UVB rays. All of the laser treatments are performed via laser, which is FDA approved for all complexions, Demirjian says. In addition, Hilda Demirjian offers Collagen-Elastin Gel with Green Apple Stem Cells. an innovative formula derived from botanical sources that actively stimulates the growth of the protein collagen in the epidermis. Currently referred to as the “Fountain of Youth”, 0.1 percent of apple stem cell extract could stimulate 80 percent of human cells and tighten skin on the face, neck and body.

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COLLAGEN LASER SKIN TIGHTENING TREATMENT

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Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center, 34 S Broadway, Ste. 607, White Plains, NY. For more info, call 914.374.1756 or visit HildaDemirjianLaser.com.

2021 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

HONOREES

NO LAND TOO FAR DR. SUDHIR VAIDYA

Attending Physician Burke Rehabilitation Hospital White Plains, New York

Dr. Vaidya earned his medical degree in 1979 in India and subsequently obtained board certifications in family medicine, sports medicine, pain medicine and wound healing. He has practiced medicine for more than 40 years in such disparate locations as India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He joined Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in 1998 and has devoted much of his time and talents to teaching medical students, residents and fellows in the US and India earning awards for his teaching. He volunteers in his native India and New York for the benefit of disabled individuals.

DR. ALLISON OSTROFF

Director, Division of Geriatrics Stamford Health Medical Group

Stamford, Connecticut

Dr. Ostroff is a geriatrician who trained at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Yale and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She found her love of older adults through her close relationship with her grandmother and some unique patient interactions while in medical school. She has created three geriatric assessment centers in Greenwich, Stamford and Wilton as well as developed an inpatient geriatrics service at Stamford hospital. She has seven-year-old twin girls, a wonderful husband and loves to take nature walks, exercise and travel.

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HONOREES

FEMALE TRAILBLAZER AMY M. AHASIC

Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical Director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Nuvance Health Norwalk, Connecticut

Dr. Amy M. Ahasic, MPH, FCCP, ATSF, a board-certified pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist, is chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine and the medical director of pulmonary rehabilitation at Norwalk Hospital. She has had advanced training in occupational and environmental medicine and earned a master’s degree in public health. Dr. Ahasic is co-chair of the Joint American College of Chest Physicians/American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Committee. She received an Inspiration Award from the American Medical Association and is one of 18 female physician leaders in the United States selected to participate on the Women’s Wellness Through Equity and Leadership (WEL) Project, a collaborative effort among leading medical associations.

VIRNA LISI-DEMARTINO

Radiologist, Chair of theDepartment of Radiology Caremount Medical Group Mount Kisco, New York

Dr. Lisi-DeMartino, a specialist in women’s imaging and breast procedures, started at CareMount in 2007 directly after completing her training. She considers herself very lucky to have started her career at a place like CareMount where she is able to get to know and help women in her own community. She says focusing on breast cancer screening at CareMount has been an extremely rewarding career where she has been able to grow as a person and physician with a tremendous amount of support and resources. She was vice chair of the Department of Radiology before becoming the chair in 2019.

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HONOREES

TELEHEALTH NUVANCE HEALTH TELEHEALTH TEAM Nuvance Health

Hudson Valley, New York, and western Connecticut Nuvance Health is a family of award-winning nonprofit hospitals and health care professionals in the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut. It combines highly skilled physicians, advanced facilities and technology and compassionate caregivers dedicated to providing quality care across a variety of services, including the Cancer Institute, Heart and Vascular Institute, Neuroscience Institute, and orthopedics, primary care and surgery. Nuvance Health hospitals and outpatient locations include Danbury Hospital and its New Milford campus, Norwalk Hospital and Sharon Hospital in Connecticut; Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in New York; and many primary and specialty care practices, including The Heart Center and three urgent care offices. Nuvance Health affiliates offer nonacute care, including home care and the Thompson House for rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Some of the Nuvance innovators include: • Adam Greenberg, manager and architect, digital innovations • Andrew Pappas, manager, IT project delivery services • Geoffry Hook, chief information officer • Christopher Lehrach, president, Nuvance Health Medical Practice • Albert Villarin, M.D., vice president, chief medical information officer • Walter LeStrange, chief administrative officer

PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE MATHIAS E. PALMER Resident Physician The Mayo Clinic Minnesotta

Dr. Palmer grew up in Tacoma, Washington, where he attended Whitman College majoring in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology while volunteering at the SOS Clinic, a free clinic for the underserved. After earning his bachelor’s degree he attended New York Medical College (NYMC) where his passion for medicine flourished. While there he served as a volunteer on the liaison committee and helped develop and implement of the NYMC Covid -9 volunteer response program. Currently he feels blessed with “the incredible opportunity to train in the internal medicine program at the Mayo Clinic.”

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HONOREES

POWER COUPLE ANDREAS GOMOLL AND SABRINA STRICKLAND Sports Medicine Orthopedics Surgeons Hospital for Special Surgery New York and Connecticut

Drs. Gomoll and Strickland may be fairly common as physician couples, but the combination of two orthopedic surgeons performing a large number of revision knee surgeries is quite rare. They met at the International Patellofemoral Study Group six years ago and several years later Dr. Gomoll joined Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), which has locations in New York and Connecticut, and shortly thereafter they married. They have combined their clinical research using an online patient study platform, as well as test surgical techniques in the Bioskills Lab and study pathological conditions using 3D printing to discover new surgical innovations. Drs. Gomoll and Strickland enjoy hitting the slopes with their blended family and at home on Twin Lakes in Salisbury, Connecticut, they enjoy water sports and are known to take on rather large gardening and constructions projects like the 125 trees they planted this spring and in 2020 found themselves constructing a new outdoor kitchen when the pandemic limited their options for bringing in a carpenter.

ALL IN THE FAMILY WILLIAM HIGGINS

Vice President, Regional Executive

ELLEN HIGGINS

Medical Director New York Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester County and Hudson Valley

Dr. Bill Higgins and Ellen Higgins, FNP have lived in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area since 1990. Married in 1984, they have one son, Liam who lives with his wife, Victoria, in Westchester. Dr. Bill Higgins is a graduate of George Washington, University Class of 1986, completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in pulmonary medicine in 1991 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and in 2012, he received his MBA in management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Ellen Higgins received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from CUNY Lehman College in 1983 and went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing from Pace University in 2001 graduating as a family nurse practitioner. Dr. Higgins currently serves as the vice president and regional executive medical director of the NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group in Westchester and Hudson Valley. He joins his wife in her full-time medical practice with the NYP Medical Group in Cold Spring on Fridays. They have both been active in the geriatric community for many years. Ellen held the position of administrator and nurse practitioner-in-residence at the Seabury Assisted Living and Memory Support Facility in Yorktown from 2005 to 2010. Dr. Higgins was appointed by the Governor of the state of New York to the New York State Council of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in 2009. He continues to serve in that position. The Higgins’ are especially proud to be part of the NYP health care system particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has underscored NYP’s commitment to teamwork, diversity and excellence in care. 52

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SOMETIMES SOMETIMES LESS IS LESS IS MORE. MORE. Less radiation, less testing time - but more precise diagnostics for exceptional care. Introducing the Hudson Valley’s first and only PET MRI, located at the Less less testing time but more precise diagnostics Whiteradiation, Plains Hospital Center for-Advanced Medicine & Surgery.for exceptional care. Introducing the Hudson Valley’s first and only PET MRI, located at the White PlainsHospital Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery. combining the most detailed images of White Plains is now offering cutting-edgeMedicine PET/MRI&technology, the human anatomy produced from an MRI with the body’s metabolic activity found in a PET scan. The result is White Plains Hospital now offering cutting-edge PET/MRI technology, combining the most detailed images of an unmatched ability toisdiagnose and evaluate various cancers and neurologic conditions. the human anatomy produced from an MRI with the body’s metabolic activity found in a PET scan. The result is an unmatched ability to diagnose and evaluate various cancers and neurologic conditions.

Visit wphospital.org/petmri to learn more Visit wphospital.org/petmri to learn more

2021 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

HONOREES

OUTSTANDING NURSE SILVANA CARDONA Registered Nurse Stamford Hospital

Stamford, Connecticut Silvana Cardona, a registered nurse at Stamford Hospital in the medical surgical unit for a little over a year already loves her job with a passion. Recently she started a per diem job at Norwalk Hospital to expand her nursing skills and knowledge. She hopes to go back to school to eventually obtain her master’s degree so that she can become a clinical instructor.

MARY HARTNETT

Director, Medical Services Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, New York

Mary Hartnett, RN, BSN, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University. She has more than 40 years of nursing experience, the last 20 of which at Sarah Lawrence College where she has held the director position for eight years. She has been instrumental in promoting health initiatives that include health fairs, a smoke-free campus and mindbody health initiatives.

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2021 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

HONOREES

HEALTH EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR PATRICIA CALAYAG

Chief Medical Officer Westmed Medical Group

Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut Dr. Calayag, who joined Westmed in 2008, has been serving as chief medical officer of Westmed Medical Group since July 2021. In this position she is responsible for overseeing all clinical programs at Westmed and ensuring quality patient care for Westmed’s 350,000 patients in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Previously, she was appointed deputy medical director in 2018 and managed the implementation of Westmed’s patient-experience initiative. Over the last year, Dr. Calayag has spearheaded the cross departmental expansion of Westmed’s telehealth offering, which now includes virtual access to nearly all of Westmed’s medical specialties. Tasked with leading the clinical teams toward the future of high-quality health care delivery, Dr. Calayag has led the adoption of Westmed’s first Remote Patient Monitoring program — My Westmed Connect. This initiative is designed to help patients manage chronic health conditions outside of the exam room through digital innovation and a dedicated team of virtual health coaches. Dr. Calayag attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut for undergraduate studies and graduated with university honors. She earned her medical degree from SUNY- Stony Brook School of Medicine in New York, completed her residency training at Harvard University School of Medicine’s Beth Israel Hospital in Boston where she was also a clinical teaching fellow for Harvard medical school.

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2021 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

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TEAM

WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL White Plains, New York

White Plains Hospital’s (WPH) adult hospitalist team includes more than 45 physicians and nurse practitioners at various stages in their careers. As the leaders of the multidisciplinary team, hospitalists specialize in the care of acutely ill hospitalized patients and coordinate both care and communication among loved ones, surgeons, subspecialists and the patient’s primary care doctor. Providing 24/7, on-site coverage hospitalists are uniquely qualified to treat complicated issues. When WPH admitted its first Covid patient on March 9, 2020, the complex care for Covid victims became the sole focus of the hospitalist team. Many of the hospitalists volunteered to be part of the Covid team, stepping up to provide critical care for the most gravely ill patients right from the start, when confusion and fear over how the virus could spread was very high. The team includes: Sunitha Abraham, NP Archana Alankar, M.D. Nezar Al-Shaikhly M.D. Rodney Ashir, M.D., director Christine Baric, practice manager Daniela Bejinariu, M.D. Anna Belman, M.D. Naveed Chaudhry, MBBS Mona Chiniwala, M.D. Peter Chu, D.O. Jiyon Chung, M.D., associate director Gina Cook, M.D. Rashmi Dubey, M.D. Manuel Fajardo, M.D. Kimberly Farrell, M.D. Ellen Forster-Glazier, NP

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Deanna Frustaglio, office associate Ami Gadiraju, D.O. Jason Goldstein, M.D. Travis Howlette, M.D. Sharon Jokhadze, office associate Dennis Jow, D.O. Ibtesam Khan, D.O. Jenny Kim, DNP Kaushik Kommaraju, D.O. Anu Koshy, NP Kristina Krecko, M.D. Angela Liu, M.D. Benita Mathai, D.O. Cigi Mathew, DNP Loredana Militaru, M.D. Laura Miranda, NP

Farzaneh Mohammadi, M.D. Larry Nasiratu, M.D. Rhea Newton, NP Denise Nicholson, DNP Fotis Niforos, M.D. Mirjam Norris-Nommensen, DNP Lovin Pappy, M.D. Munir Rahbe, M.D. Neelkamal Randhawa, M.D. Elliot Rhee, M.D. Jennifer Schelker, M.D. Shon Sebastian, M.D. Gregory Sebastian, M.D. Albena Tasholova, M.D. Shyam Vadlapatla, M.D Brianna Walko, office coordinator Yue Yu, M.D.

SKIN IN THE BEAUTY GAME HILDA DEMIRJIAN, WHOSE THREE HILDA DEMIRJIAN LASER AND SKIN CARE CENTERS ARE IN WHITE PLAINS, GREENWICH AND MANHATTAN.

As a child, laser and skincare specialist Hilda Demirjian would go to the hammam (spa) with her grandmother, who would smash pomegranates, green apples and black cherries together under running water to create a facial and body mask. “I grew up with a passion for the skin,” says Demirjian whose three Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Centers are in White Plains, Greenwich and Manhattan. Beside collagen laser treatments for skin tightening, the centers offer laser treatments for acne, broken blood vessels, hair removal, hyperpigmentation, problem leg veins and stretch marks. Demirjian also uses and sells her own line of botanical, noncomedogenic, cruelty-free skincare products, including her new Super Firming Cream. What she wants most of all, however, is to educate the public about skincare. That’s been her mission since she arrived in the United States in 1983 after living for five years in London, where she studied international business at Acton College. “The first thing that struck me was how tan Americans were,” she remembers. “I thought they had a skin disease.” When she realized it was from sitting in the sun and tanning — which can lead to numerous problems, ranging from dryness to premature aging to skin cancer — Demirjian knew that she had to become an advocate for skincare. “Then there was no social media,” she says. “It was difficult to connect with people.” Demirjian received her training from the Candela Corp., a leader in the manufacture of medical lasers for aesthetic use, headquartered in Wayland, Massachusetts. She also did laser treatments at the Women’s Health and Wellness Center in Stamford. In 1999, she started the Hilda

Hilda Demirjian.

Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center in White Plains, buying her brother-in-law Migrdich Demirjian’s hair salon in 2003 and expanding it for her business while also doing a lot of advertising, particularly on cable. She added the Greenwich and Manhattan sites in 2015. Demirjian has traveled extensively and had a radio show on WGGH 1490 AM in Greenwich, talking about her treatments and offering testimonials. Her education of the public includes the proper way to use her skincare line, which she developed in 2008. That means beginning with the Collagen & Oxygen Restoring Cleanser, following with the Collagen & Oyxgen Mineral Toner for pH balance and finishing with her Super Firming Cream, which contains vitamin B5 and orange peel for firmer skin on the face, neck and décolletage Among the skincare mistakes we make, she says, are not realizing that the

décolletage and neck are part of the face and not using toner on the face and body to achieve the needed acid-base balance. Other products include a Blue Soothing Azulene Gel Treatment for redness; a tinted moisturizer, HA Physical Tint SPF 44; and a HydraGlow Tanning Foam for those who want to achieve a tanned look without sun damage. She also advises walkers not to walk outside between noon and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. “I want to educate people and I want to encourage them to come in for a free consultation,” says Demirjian, who says her centers have been busier than ever after closing for four months during the pandemic and reopening last October. That includes a 40% male clientele. “Yes, it used to be only females,” she says. But now men are realizing they have skin in the wellness game, too. For more, visit hildademirjianlaser.com or call 914-374-1756.

2021 DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION

HONOREES

TEAM

GREENWICH HOSPITAL

Greenwich, Connecticut The hospitalist program at Greenwich Hospital has grown over the past 10 years to a staff of 20 full-time physicians responsible for 70% of hospitalized patients. Over the past 18 months, the importance of a high-quality, stable hospitalist program to community health and hospital functioning has never been greater. During each of the Covid-19 surges, the Greenwich hospitalists responded by rapidly assimilating the latest knowledge on a novel disease, meeting several times a week to ensure a standard approach to management, putting in an average of 50% more time at work and caring for nearly 1,123 individual Covid-19 patients. Over that same time span, they continued to care for a growing population of severely ill patients while improving hospitalwide quality metrics such as reducing readmission rates and reducing the mortality index. Additionally, this year the group took on more responsibility as dedicated educators for the next generation of physicians at Greenwich Hospital. Herbert Archer, MD, PhD Sauda Bholat , MD Tracy Clarke – Leconte, MD Wendy Cleare, MD, PhD Ryan Dadasovich, MD Jing Du, MD Tao Du, MD, PhD Joseph Feuerstein, MD Taimur Habib, MD Catherine Joyce, MD Tro Kalayjian, DO Chineye Kalu, APRN Mary Kane – Brock , MD

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Quick Tips to Stay Healthy in the 2021 Baseball Season Dr. Brandon Erickson is a Sports Medicine Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics and serves as an assistant team physician for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has a special interest in shoulder, elbow and knee injuries to athletes and non-athletes alike and sees patients in Manhattan and Westchester County, NY.

The 2021 baseball season is fast approaching and many players are anxious to ramp back up as quickly as possible. However, most athletes saw a disruption to their normal routine in 2020 because of the pandemic. As such, most baseball players, specifically pitchers, did not go through their normal in season or off-season routines. This could make these athletes susceptible to injury in 2021. This post will give a few quick tips to help minimize the risk of injury in 2021.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY. Your workload is often defined by a combination of innings pitched, pitches thrown, batters faced, days of rest in between outings, etc. While workload can vary from year to year, most athletes stay relatively consistent with some increase or decrease in workload each year. As 2020 caused most players to have a decreased workload, athletes must be cognizant of this when entering 2021. All of your workload metrics decreased in 2020. While it would be nice to simply revert back to your 2019 workload, this may not be possible as your body may not be able to tolerate that workload yet. It is important to listen to your body as your workload begins to increase, and understand the difference between mild soreness after a game or pain. Soreness is to be expected and is no cause for concern. Pain that prevents you from doing your normal activities, that wakes you up at night, or that lingers more than a couple of days can be cause for concern. Oftentimes, you know your body better than anyone, and it will tell you if things are not going well. Just remember to pay attention.

STRETCH One of the easiest ways to decrease risk of shoulder and elbow injury is to properly stretch. This specifically applies to the throwing shoulder, trunk of the body, and hips. For the shoulder, external and internal rotation are extremely important, especially in pitchers. Similarly, internal rotation is paramount for the hips, especially

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in the landing leg for pitchers as it is necessary to rotate over this leg to generate a forceful pitch. Players who lose motion in any of these areas place themselves at risk of shoulder and elbow injury. Therefore, a daily stretching routine should be instituted for baseball players in an effort to decrease their risk of injury.

START A STRENGTHENING PROGRAM. While stretching is very important, it’s also important to strengthen the muscles of your shoulder, shoulder blade, and your core. The shoulder blade functions as the foundation of the shoulder in a throwing athlete. When the shoulder blade is in a good position because the muscles originating from the shoulder blade are strong and firing, it can decrease the risk of shoulder injuries in throwing athletes. Similarly, a strong core can help take stress off of the upper body during the throwing cycle and therefore can help decrease injury risk. A band routine for scapular stabilization and a core workout several times per week is a helpful way to keep the athlete healthy.

GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO ADAPT TO YOUR THROWING PROGRAM. One of the most common ways pitchers get injuries is because they try to rush back to pitching before their arm is ready. It takes several months for a pitcher’s arm to be ready to throw competitively. This is one of the reasons spring training in professional baseball is so long, and is why pitchers and catchers report first. It’s important to take the necessary amount of time to complete a throwing progression before trying to throw in a game. Whether this takes 6 weeks or 10 weeks, the important thing is that the shoulder and elbow are ready to see the stress placed on them during a game. Make sure to complete each stage of the throwing progression without skipping steps, or rushing through different checkpoints. For more information or to make an appointment, please visit RothmanNY.com or call 888-636-7840.

At Rothman Orthopaedics, we are exceptionally specialized. We not only specialize in orthopaedics, each of our physicians only focuses on one area of the body. Which means you can have the confidence that you can get past pain and be what you were.

RothmanNY.com | 866.478.0484 SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

This Richmond Hill Road Colonial is a totally renovated, exquisitely designed contemporary farmhouse set high on 4.35 bucolic acres. The sublime 8,720-square-foot interior is enhanced by custom millwork and built-ins, high-end designer lighting, European fixtures and beautiful, antique, chestnut plank floors throughout. An expansive gourmet eat-in kitchen opens to a light-filled family room with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace. A grand primary bedroom suite with a balcony, large dressing room and luxurious bath, five additional en-suite bedrooms and a homework/ family room complete the second floor. (There are nine bathrooms in all — seven full and two

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half-baths.) The third floor houses an office and sleepover room. The lower level includes a media room, gym and playroom. Outside, verdant lawns enhance the terrace and a stunning pool that has a spa and waterfall. A three-car garage and a generator are among the other amenities of this $4,495,000 home, which has been featured in Elle Décor and House Beautiful and on HGTV. For more, contact Krissy Blake at 203536-2743 or Gretchen Bylow at 917-743-4115. You can also reach them on their office number, 203-869-4343

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SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

GIVING EVERYONE SOME YOGA LOVE BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

With many people returning to office work this month, that means a lot of sitting and stiffness. One thing that can help with this is yoga, an ancient Indian practice whose asanas, or poses — often linked in a vinyasa flow — are designed to prepare the body to sit in meditation, which quiets the mind. (The word “yoga” means “union,” as in the union of mind and body.) Shannon McGee discussed this as she led an intermediate-advanced vinyasa flow class recently at Yoga Love NY, the studio she owns with Nancy Puleo, another instructor. (The team also includes instructor Jaimie Lawson.) After subletting other spaces for three years and going online during the height of the pandemic, Yoga Love NY has a new studio in the former Lord & Burnham factory in Irvington, which uses an antimicrobial ultraviolet-C light and a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to purify indoor air quality. Built in 1872 to manufacture greenhouses, the structure is perfect for housing a yoga studio, with exposed, original brick walls and a 14-foot-high ceiling of restored beams offering minimal distraction. Meanwhile, massive windows flood the space with light — casting the shadow of the “Yoga Love” signage onto the wood floor — and offer a glimpse of the sleekly majestic Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in the distance. Yoga Love has 75-minute beginning-intermediate and intermediate-advanced classes as well as a 75-minute flow class that concentrates on the body’s core and an introductory class. All classes take place in a room heated to 85 degrees. This is not the 105 degrees and 40-percent humidity of Bikram yoga, an extreme challenge. Still, it takes some getting used to. Along with a yoga mat and any blocks you may use to help improve your form, make sure you bring towels as the perspiration may make certain poses like downward dog — in which the body is in an inverted V as the practitioner places her hands and feet on the mat — slippery. (The studio makes mats, towels and

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From left: Shannon McGee and Nancy Puleo, co-owners of Yoga Love NY, now in Irvington. Courtesy Yoga Love NY.

props available for a nominal fee. Their use is free to members.) The advantage of doing yoga in a heated room is that it makes it easier for the body to move fluidly from one pose to the next, as if you were gliding through water. And as with swimming, you’ll definitely feel the effects of the workout afterward. But you’ll also feel a loosening of the body and a lightening of the spirit. “Set your intention for the class,” McGee asked attendees at the beginning. My intention was to get a story and move on with my Saturday. But as class wore on, I found my knees unstiffening, along with my will, and my intention shifting to reveling in the moment and going with the vinyasa flow. In their website bios, McGee and Puleo talk about the yin-yang mind-body benefits of yoga. Puleo, a Sleepy Hollow resident, came to it as a classical trained actress-dancer who had done Pilates for more than 15 years. She discovered that yoga’s emphasis on a kind of echoing, diaphragmatic breathing called ujjayi breathing gave her a strong body and clear mind. McGee, a Valhalla resident, also came to yoga for the exercise, more than 25 years ago and stayed for the mental awareness it unleashed. Growing up in Southern California, she told WAG before class, she was a competitive gymnast who was “always on my hands.” She went to San Diego State University and became a certified public accountant, working for Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). But her engagement and marriage to a TV newsman would take her to Arizona, where she was the comptroller for a home builder, and Kentucky. (McGee is the wife of Scott McGee, now news anchor and managing editor of News 12.) Practicing yoga privately as she raised their two boys, she soon discovered, “there was basically no yoga in Kentucky.” So McGee got her certification and started a yoga studio in a church basement. She’s been teaching yoga for about 13 years. Along the way, she began incorporating At One Essential Oils into her practice and teaching. (At the end of the class, she placed a welcomed lavender-infused, cool compress on the foreheads of those students who wished to have it during relaxation pose.) For McGee, yoga has become a necessary way to de-stress and reach that calm center. Or as she puts it, “I can tell when I don’t do it.” Yoga Love NY classes, 1 Bridge St. in Irvington, range from $27 for a single session to $220 for a package of 10. For more, call 516-709-2496, visit yogaloveny.com or email yogaloveny@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

HIP, HAPPENING HOTELS IN THE HUDSON VALLEY BY JEREMY WAYNE

The pandemic may be continuing to rage, holding us back from doing many of the things we would like to do, but the hotel scene in the Hudson Valley has not been standing still. Older establishments have been reinventing themselves and new hotels have been opening apace. But beware: These are not your tchotchke-filled “olde" inns and guesthouses of yore. They are one-off originals, hip and in some cases edgy, where that bowl of slightly moldering apples on the front desk has been replaced by flax and chia seeds, where schmaltzy repro pictures of Venice and Positano on the walls have given way to cool and funky modern art and where you’re as likely to find Myla sex toys in the minibar as a Diet Coke or Snickers bar. HOTEL DYLAN, WOODSTOCK

At Hotel Dylan, Courtney and Robert Novogratz have taken a run-down old motel and imbued it with a psychedelic, 1960s vibe — although there’s no need for psychotropic drugs if you stare at the rather beautiful but mesmeric wallpaper long enough. Every room is named for a rock legend and comes complete with a Crossley record player and, it goes without saying, a great selection of vinyl. Recently expanded, the hotel boasts a heated, saltwater pool and with a first-class gym (across the street, and accessible to hotel guests), couch potatoes have no excuse. The Dylan’s terrific, small Mexican restaurant, Santa Fe, punches well above its weight and lively Woodstock — bars and restaurants galore — is minutes away. The Dylan also makes a great base for exploring colorful nearby towns like Phoenicia and Saugerties.

HUTTON BRICKYARDS, KINGSTON

Across the scenic Ashokan Reservoir, 10 miles from Woodstock as the crow flies (the road will take you on a more circuitous route,) lies Hutton Brickyards, the newest addition

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to the Salt collection of hotels. Two talented hoteliers and designers, David Bowd and Kevin O’Shea — who have cut their teeth on two cool, mellow properties, the Salt House Inn and Eben House in Provincetown — have partnered with Brickyards owner, film writer Karl Slovin, to create a luxury retreat on the 73-acre former industrial site. (A huge gantry crane and dilapidated kiln are all that remain to remind guests of the building’s original purpose.) Reopened this year after a major renovation, Hutton Brickyards by any other name is basically a spoiling camp for adults, offering a variety of sleek, rather beautiful cabins, spa sheds for massages and facials, upscale pursuits like archery and croquet on the lawn and bucolic walks and rides on the grounds and beyond. Working away in the kitchen, meanwhile, is ex-Balthazar and Minetta Tavern chef Dan Silverman, who uses a wood-fired grill to cook superb fish, meat and vegetables.

THE ROUNDHOUSE, BEACON

Excellent food is a big part of the draw, too, at The Roundhouse in Beacon, where a

new restaurant seems to open in the time it takes to say, well, Beacon. Fully attuned to its Hudson Valley locale, the restaurant, which is currently open Thursdays through Mondays, takes palpable pride in using local ingredients — though its lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, while not ostensibly local, is nevertheless a showstopper. And thrilling views of the Fishkill Creek add an extra dimension to eating here. The charming, 23-room hotel, meanwhile — a former textile factory and later the H. N. Swift machine shop, where the first lawnmowers in America are said to have been manufactured — has been cleverly integrated into the building’s original curved walls, respecting its history. Reclaimed wood and original brick lend atmosphere, pillow-top mattresses and luxury linens assure comfort and the cooked breakfasts — included in the room rate — are said to be the best in Beacon. The Roundhouse’s owner is Long Island-to-Beacon transplantee, Bob McAlpine, of McAlpine Construction Co. fame.

THE CHATWAL LODGE

Located in the Catskill Mountains and so not strictly speaking in the Hudson Valley, this exciting new property, slated to open as our September issue goes to press, is tipped to be so hot that we make no excuse for including it. A sister hotel to New York City’s highly-regarded Chatwal, a luxury, razzmatazz space close to Times Square, this is something of a townand-country mouse scenario. You want bright lights, big city, you head to The Chatwal. You seek quiet, solitude and astonishing natural beauty in a 2,500-acre preserved wilderness in the fresh air of the Catskills, you head to The Chatwal Lodge. The hotel is the brainchild of visionary hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, who has spared no expense in making his new property, located on Sullivan County’s Chapin Estate, the new template for Catskills luxury, while marrying it with the beauty of the great outdoors — which is a lot more difficult to achieve than it sounds. Architect and builder Steve Dubrovsky, who bought the entire Chapin Estate more than 20 years ago, has mandated a 19th century Adirondack aesthetic in the design, so you can expect shedloads of natural wood in the guest

rooms and suites, with vaulted ceilings and functional but rather beautiful handmade furniture. Bathrooms feature outdoor showers, and there are indoor, deep soaking tubs for the less adventurous. Suites come with kitchens and their own dining areas, making Chatwal Lodge entirely conducive to “natural” social distancing, restorative retreats and upscale, multigenerational vacations. And, as you would expect, when it comes to dining great emphasis is placed on the natural bounty of the Catskills, with local cheesemakers, farmers and growers all well represented. The jury must still be out until after opening, however, on Chatwal’s tantalizing prospect of “localism through a culinary lens.”

THE MAKER

All the way up in Hudson, the recently opened, 11-room Maker is certainly making its mark. It’s a gorgeous property, surely designed with sybarites in mind. Imagine a beautiful, flower-filled Georgian house — antique filled bedrooms with rich swags and custom-made beds. Consider an elegantly proportioned conservatory restaurant ( as well as very hip, very ‘Hudson’ juice bar, along with an Edwardian-style cocktail bar) and young staffers so obliging, so friendly, so utterly intuitive, they seem to know what you want before you know it yourself. Oh, and then there is the pool, small but perfectly formed, which could have been lifted directly from the Hollywood Hills (or maybe Umbria), which you should take advantage of before summer is entirely over. The Maker is all the more remarkable because two of its three founders, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, are not professional hoteliers. Indeed, they are not hoteliers at all. But they are the creators of cult brand Fresh Beauty — now owned by LMVH — so there’s nothing they don’t know about quality goods, pampering the customer and raising the aesthetic. Suddenly, the idea that they have established such a chic retreat makes perfect sense. Cocktail bar at The Marker. Photograph by Francine Zaslow.

For more, visit hoteldylan.com, salthotels.com, roundhousebeacon.com, thechatwallodge.com and themaker.com.

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD BY GIOVANNI ROSELLI

“Live life like a pair of walking feet. The foot that is forward has no pride. The foot that is behind has no shame – because they both know their situation will change.” — Unknown The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 24 muscles and 107 ligaments. With 206 bones in total in the human body, the feet make up approximately 25% of our entire bone structure. Ironically enough, roughly 75% of U.S. adults will have foot problems at some point in their lives. Foot function Our feet, then, are extremely complex parts of our body — quite possibly the most overlooked. They support our entire body weight as well as our mobility. So, what are we doing to keep our feet strong, happy and resilient? I’m not sure about you, but I still haven’t heard this conversation: Q: “Hey, what are you going to train in the gym today?” A: “Oh, I was thinking about doing some feet, legs and abs.” But should spending some extra time on your feet be that far-fetched to consider? We often hear a lot about “overpronation,” or when arches collapse inward, which can create a whole slew of issues up the chain, especially with the knee joint. We hear about flat feet, which some would say is another form of over-

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

pronation. We hear about weak feet, where the arches in the foot just do not have the intrinsic strength. We also hear about high arches, where the foot doesn’t pronate enough. Bunions, hammertoes, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis: We hear about all these issues, and some of us end up experiencing these issues, but what are we really doing to help these issues, either to prevent these from ever happening, or to return to activities after these occur? Get your feet fit The average fitness enthusiast will usually be involved in activities such as running, squats and lunges. If your feet aren’t prepared and ready for these stressors, things will eventually start to break down. Given how our bodies work synergically, other body parts such as the knees, hips and low back may be taking the brunt of foot trouble. Most people run to get fit when they should probably get fit to run. Think about suffocating your feet all day in footwear and then doing these activities. Let me put it another way: Imagine I put big bulky oven mitts on your hands for at least 16 hours a day, every day. And then I told you to take them off and use your hands freely. Would the movement and dexterity of your hands, fingers and wrists be altered? Additionally, as a society that enjoys wearing shoes with elevated heels and sits for up to 16 hours a day, we can look forward

to the body losing ankle and hip mobility, which compromises stability at the knee. Is barefoot the answer? Let’s not throw the baby out of the bath water and all of a sudden start going barefoot, because that itself can cause damage or injury since the foot is not ready for the demands placed upon it with zero support. One way to start communicating with your feet is to get a few pairs of good-fitting shoes for whatever your needs and then rotate your footwear. Every shoe has different stress points, so simply rotating through a few different pairs of shoes can help give your feet some different sensations. Exposing your feet to different textures and surfaces (grass, sand, rocks, etc.) will also help with proprioception. Ironically enough, your feet are among the most nerve-rich parts of your body. Guess what other body parts are loaded with proprioceptors? The hands. Maybe the key to getting the most out of your fitness routine starts with the two areas of the body that never get the attention they deserve but we use the most. (That means mani-pedis for all, as unhealthy nails and damaged cuticles can create hand and foot problems.) This is another topic that can run deep and, as always, I’m here to help. If anyone wants to learn or talk more about how to train and help their feet, feel free to send me a message at Gio@GiovanniRoselli.com.

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

ARCHBISHOP STEPINAC HIGH SCHOOL

THE CHAPEL SCHOOL

172 White Plains Road

950 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, New York 10605 914-946-4800 // stepinac.org Top administrator: Thomas Collins, president

BRUNSWICK SCHOOL

100 Maher Ave., Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203-625-5800 // brunswickschool.org Top administrator: Thomas Philip As we prepare our boys for life in a fast-changing world, Brunswick School is increasingly dedicated to building in all our students the habits-of-mind that will nourish and fortify them for the rest of their lives. For nearly 120 years, Brunswick has been defined and distinguished by its commitment “Courage, Honor, Truth.” Brunswick offers rigorous academics, including roughly 30 advanced-placement courses. The school also offers comprehensive athletics as well as arts, drama, music and a language program. With an average class size of 12, Brunswick enjoys a vast amount of space in Greenwich, Connecticut and at a permanent, off-campus wilderness education and applied-classroom learning program on 620 acres in Randolph, Vermont. Open house date: Sunday, Nov 7. Open house registration: bwick.org/openhouse

Bronxville, New York 10708 914-337-3202 // thechapelschool.org Top administrator: Michael Schultz The Chapel School (TCS) has been serving a wonderfully diverse community of families in Westchester and the Bronx since 1947, including students from Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe, White Plains and Yonkers. Our goal is to provide academic challenge and excellence, as well as character education and opportunities for social, emotional and spiritual growth in the safest and most nurturing environment. TCS students experience a state-ofthe-art curriculum complete with the integration of the latest technology, while TCS teachers maintain a balance between what is most current and tested proven teaching methods. TCS’s smaller class sizes allow for differentiation and individualized attention and, our close-knit, familiar feel enables students to easily and comfortably get involved in our many extracurricular programs.

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL 575 White Plains Road Trumbull, Connecticut 06611 203-261-6230 // kingsmen.org Top administrator: Brian Modarelli

CUSHING ACADEMY

39 School St. Ashburnham, Massachusetts 01430 978-827-7000 // cushing.org Top administrator: Randy R. Bertin

DARROW SCHOOL

110 Darrow Road, New Lebanon, New York 12125 518-794-6000 // darrowschool.org Top administrator: Simon Holzapfel

EAGLE HILL SCHOOL

45 Glenville Road Greenwich, Connecticut 06831 203-622-9240 // eaglehillschool.org Top administrator: Marjorie E. Castro

FAIRFIELD COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

1073 N. Benson Road Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 203-254-4200 // fairfieldprep.com Top administrator: Rev. Thomas M. Simisky

FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL

441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, New York 10458 718-367-7500 // fordhamprep.org Top administrator: Christopher Devron

BE INTELLECTUAL. BE COURAGEOUS. BE SPIRITUAL. BE COMPASSIONATE. BE CONFIDENT. be a gryphon! LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GRYPHON AND CALL THE ADMISSION OFFICE TODAY!

SCAN ME!

AN ALL-GIRLS, CATHOLIC, INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR GRADES 5-12 2225 WESTCHESTER AVENUE, RYE, NY 10580 | (914) 967-5622 | HOLYCHILDRYE.ORG

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Set Better Standards It’s our academics that set us apart. Courageous thinking guided by inquiry and exploration. It’s our community that sets us ahead. Open minds inspired by our different backgrounds and perspectives. It’s our graduates that set us above. Ready to own their future …and better prepared to better the world.

JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE OCT 3: GRADE 6-11 | NOV 7: PREK- GRADE 5 kingschoolct.org/open-house

King Set Better Stand OH Ad 775x475 072221.indd 1

7/22/21 9:11 AM

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

FORMAN SCHOOL

12 Norfold Road, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759 860-567-8712 // formanschool.org Top administrator: Adam K. Man

FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEW YORK Preschool and Elementary School 111 Larchmont Ave. Larchmont, New York 10538 914-250-0469 Middle and High School 145 New St., Mamaroneck, New York 10543 914-250-0451 fasny.org Top administrator: Francis Gianni

GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEW YORK 50 Partridge Road White Plains, New York 10605 914-948-6513 // gisny.org Top administrator: Ulrich Weghoff

GERMAN SCHOOL OF CONNECTICUT

Campus located at Rippowan Middle School 381 High Ridge Road Stamford, Connecticut 06905 203-548-0438 // germanschoolct.org Top administrator: Renate Ludanyi

GREEN MEADOW WALDORF SCHOOL

307 Hungry Hollow Road Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977 845-356-2514 // gmws.org Top administrator: Bill Pernice, pedagogical administrator

GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

35 Beachside Ave. Greens Farms, Connecticut 06838 203-256-0717 // gfacademy.org Top administrator: Janet Hartwell

GREENWICH ACADEMY

200 N. Maple Ave. Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203-625-8900 // greenwichacademy.org Top administrator: Molly H. King

GREENWICH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

41 North St., Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203-869-4000 // gcsct.org Top administrator: Patrice Kopas

THE GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 401 Old Church Road Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203-865-5600 // gcds.net Top administrator: Adam Rohdie

THE GREENWICH SPANISH SCHOOL

The O’Connor Center 6 Riverside Ave., Riverside, Connecticut 06878 203-698-1500 // greenwichspanish.org Top administrator: Rosario Brooks, director

THE GUNNERY

22 Kirby Road Washington, Connecticut 06793 860-868-7334 // gunnery.org Top administrator: Peter W. E. Becker

HACKLEY SCHOOL

293 Benedict Ave., Tarrytown, New York 10591 914-366-2600 // hackleyschool.org Top administrator: Michael C. Wirtz A Hackley education is about going all-in. We challenge and support our students to grow in character and scholarship, transcending individual achievement and redefining accomplishment. At Hackley, students experience joy in the classroom and make life-long connections with each other and with our dedicated faculty. Robust extracurricular programming on our 285-acre campus and our 5-day boarding program create unique opportunities for each student to learn and grow beyond the boundaries of the school day. Hackley graduates have the knowledge and confidence to pursue their passions and the drive to make a difference.

A Place to Be Understood Winston Preparatory School Connecticut is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD and nonverbal learning disorders (NVLD). We design highly individualized academic programs based on a deep understanding of each student’s unique needs. Connect with us to learn how we can help your child thrive!

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Average Class Size

99%

13:1

Student to Teacher Ratio

Graduates go to College

$37.5m

in College Scholorships

33+

AP Classes & 7 Dual Credit Courses

Sports & ExtraCurricular Activities

SCHOLARSHIP | SERVICE | SPIRIT

500 WEST HARTSDALE AVENUE, HARTSDALE, NY 10530 914-761-3300 WWW.MARIAREGINA.ORG

I S YO U R SO N I O NA PR E PAR E D? W E I N V I T E YO U R S O N TO J O I N I N O U R T R A D I T I O N INVEST

INSPIRE

IGNITE

in personal growth.

others through leadership opportunities.

a legacy of professional success.

OPEN HOUSES

Sun, Oct. 17, 12 – 3 pm Thu, Oct. 21, 6 – 8 pm

IONAPREP.ORG/OPENHOUSE SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

THE HARVEY SCHOOL

260 Jay St., Katonah, New York 10536 914-232-3161 // harveyschool.org Top administrator: Bill Knauer The Harvey School provides a college-preparatory program for students in grades 6 through 12 that fosters lifelong learning and inspires students to develop the qualities to succeed in a diverse, competitive and changing world. With our commitment to small class-size, our community cultivates the strengths of each student through academics, arts, athletics, community service and global understanding. Located in Katonah, New York, Harvey features an optional five-day residential program for students in grades 9 through 12, offering the benefits of a boarding school with the comfort of home on weekends. Harvey offers Honors and AP classes as well as an array of co-curricular options in the arts, athletics and community service. Open house date: Saturday, Oct. 16. 9 a.m. to noon

IONA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lower School, grades PK-4 to 8 173 Stratton Road New Rochelle, New York 10804 914-633-7744 Upper School, grades 9-12 255 Wilmot Road New Rochelle, New York 10804 914-632-0714 // ionaprep.org

Top administrator: Brother Thomas Leto There is no better investment you can make in your son’s future success than an Iona Preparatory education. Graduates have earned more than $130 million in academic, merit-based scholarships over the past five years — more than $24 million alone by the Class of 2021 to schools such as Boston College, Duke, Johns Hopkins, RPI, Virginia and Wake Forest. Home to a rigorous Science Research Program and Superior Talent Enrichment Program STEM and the humanities, Iona Prep is now the fifth Westchester school to offer the AP Capstone Diploma. It is education for higher expectations. Open house dates: Sunday, Oct. 17, noon to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.

JOHN F. KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 54 Route 138, Somers, New York 10589 914-232-5061 // kennedycatholic.org Top administrator: Father Mark G. Vaillancourt

KING SCHOOL

1450 Newfield Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06905 203-322-2496 // kingschoolct.org Top administrator: Carol Maoz Students in grades Pre-K through 12 engage in an expansive curriculum focused on student-driven inquiry and experiential learning. Our teaching methodology is guided by educational best practices and focuses on strong relationships with faculty

— creating a foundation for courageous thinking. We open minds and encourage lifelong curiosity. We value diversity and are inspired by our different backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences. Our students chart their own path and arrive at the nation’s top colleges confident, prepared and ready to make an impact. King graduates are better prepared to better the world. Open house dates:  Oct. 3, grades 6-11, Nov. 7, Pre-K to grade 5

MAPLEBROOK SCHOOL

5142 Route 22, Amenia, New York 12501 845-373-8191 // maplebrookschool.org Top administrator: Donna Konkolics

MARIA REGINA HIGH SCHOOL

500 W. Hartsdale Ave. Hartsdale, New York 10530 914-761-3300 // mariaregina.org Top administrator: Anna Parra Maria Regina High School is a Catholic, independent school dedicated to educating young women. Its key objective is to develop within each of them a true sense of Christian values using a holistic approach that fosters the integration of each person as an individual within a global community. Academic excellence is sought within a Catholic environment, which reinforces the dignity and respect of everyone, while fostering the call to discipleship of all. The entire school program, whether it be

THE URSULINE SCHOOL

Looking forward to welcoming students into our new learning spaces

ACADEMICS SERVICE COMMUNITY SPIRITUALITY CONFIDENCE POSSIBILITIES

OPEN HOUSES 76

Sat. Oct. 23, 11- 4 | Wed. Oct. 27, 6:30- 8pm | Virtual: Wed. Nov. 3, 6:30- 8pm

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

To register online visit www.ursulinenewrochelle.org

COURAGE & CONFIDENCE

HAPPY STUDENTS THRIVE

Debate ideas. Make lifelong friends. Score a goal. Discover why math matters. We don’t see limits here. We see joyful learning.

OPEN HOUSES

Upper School—10/21 at 6:30 p.m. All Schools—11/6 at 9:00 a.m.

ADMISSION TOUR DAYS

10/14, 11/11, 12/9, 1/13—9:00 a.m.

Find out what makes Harvey unique SHGREENWICH.ORG

www.harveyschool.org/visit Grades 6–12 with 5-day boarding for 9–12 in Katonah, NY

DISCOVER YOUR

PASSION The Masters School, a coed boarding and day school for grades 5-12, encourages students to pursue their passions in the classroom, on the stage, and on the athletic field. Students graduate prepared for college, career and life.

Open House: Oct. 23 Admission events throughout the fall

914-479-6420 mastersny.org/admission

49 Clinton Avenue | Dobbs Ferry, NY

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

curricular or extracurricular activities, challenges our students to develop their intellectual potential and their physical and social skills. It is only with an integrated effort on the part of the entire staff, as well as our students and their parents, that the philosophy of Maria Regina can be brought to fruition. Open house date: Saturday, Oct. 23. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

THE MASTERS SCHOOL

49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522 914-479-6400 // mastersny.org Top administrator: Laura Danforth The Masters School is a leading day and boarding school for students in grades 5-12 that empowers independent thinkers through an expansive curriculum based on active intellectual exploration and a student-centered approach. Located on 96 beautiful acres, the school is a diverse and vibrant convergence of ideas, cultures, arts and athletics. Masters also offers two boarding programs. A fiveday program pair combining the benefits of boarding during the week — full-time access to faculty and school resources and an inclusive community of fellow boarders — with the convenience of going home on the weekends. Students in our seven-day program have a fully immersive experience that includes a variety of weekend activities. Open house date: Oct. 23

MILLBROOK SCHOOL

131 Millbrook School Road Millbrook, New York 12545 845-677-8261 // millbrook.org Top administrator: Drew Casertano

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL 635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 203-972-0771 // countryschool.net Top administrator: Robert P. Macrae

NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

220 Jefferson St., Fairfield, Connecticut 06825 203-372-6521 // notredame.org Top administrator: Christopher Cipriano

OAKWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL

22 Spackenhill Road Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 845-242-2340 // oakwoodfriends.org Top administrator: Chad Cianfrani

RIDGEFIELD ACADEMY

223 W. Mountain Road Ridgefield, Connecticut 6877 203-894-1800 // ridgefieldacademy.org Top administrator: James P. Heus

RIPPOWAM CISQUA

Lower School 325 W. Patent Road Mount Kisco, New York 10549 914-244-1200 Upper School 439 Cantitoe St., Bedford, New York 10506 914-244-12500 // rcsny.org Top administrator: Colm MacMahon

RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

3 Cedar St., Rye, New York 10580 914-967-1417 // ryecountryday.org Top administrator: Scott A. Nelson Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-K through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. In a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative and social endeavors. We are actively committed to diversity. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding and service in an ever-changing world. Open house dates: Lower School (Pre-K – grade 4): Sunday, Oct 17, noon. Middle School (grades 5 – 8): Sunday, Oct 24, noon. Upper School (grades 9 – 12): Sunday, Oct 31, noon.

Trinity-Pawling The next-generation school for boys

OPEN HOUSE

OCTOBER 9, 2021 Space is limited, register soon at www.trinitypawling.org/openhouse

or call 845-855-4825

We make learning happen everywhere. Everything we do is shaped to the needs of boys in the 21st century. We teach and learn from experience. Our programs are active and applied — packed with opportunities for hands-on learning. Trinity-Pawling reimagines what’s possible in boys’ education. The results are transformational. Discover what’s possible. www.trinitypawling.org 78

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Preparing boys for life in a changing world. An independent, college preparatory day school, providing character-based education for boys in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.

RSVP FOR OUR

N O V. 7 OPEN HOUSE

bwick.org/openhouse

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A HACKLEY EDUCATION IS ABOUT GOING ALL-IN. Our students are empowered to challenge and support one another, learn from varying perspectives, offer unreserved effort, grow in character and intellect, and explore beyond boundaries. LEARN MORE AT WWW.HACKLEYSCHOOL.ORG

On-campus tours and virtual events begin in September, visit our website to sign up! Scan the QR code, email admissions@hackleyschool.org, or visit us at www.hackleyschool.org/admissions.

Scan Code SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PRIVATE & BOARDING SCHOOLS

SACRED HEART GREENWICH

1177 King St., Greenwich, Connecticut 06831 203-531-6500 // shgreenwich.org Top administrator: Margaret Frazier For nearly 175 years, Sacred Heart Greenwich has served as the top Catholic independent school for girls and young women in Connecticut. Why do so many families choose Sacred Heart? Because the school believes in the strength, intellect, vitality, spirit, friendship and faith of women. Sacred Heart students join a vibrant Catholic tradition of spiritual and intellectual thought. The school inspires girls and young women in kindergarten through 12th grade to let their curiosity roam, acquire wisdom, live compassionately and build good and just societies. Plus, the co-ed early childhood program in the Barat Center inspires joy and creativity in our youngest learners. Open house dates: Admission tour days: Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13 Upper school: Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. K-12 open house: Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.

SAINT BARNABAS HIGH SCHOOL 425 E. 240 St., Bronx, New York 10470 718-325-8800 // stbarnabashigh.com Top administrator: Theresa Napoli

SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL

2320 Huntington Turnpike Trumbull, Connecticut 06611 203-378-9378 // sjcadets.org Top administrator: William Fitzgerald

SAINT LUKE’S SCHOOL

377 N. Wilton Road New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 203-966-5612 // stlukesct.org Top administrator: Mark Davis

SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL

148 E. Main St., New Rochelle, New York 10801 914-632-0248 // salesianhigh.org Top administrator: John Serio

SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD

2225 Westchester Ave., Rye, New York 10580 914-967-5622 // holychildrye.org Top administrator: Colleen Pettus Because of our longstanding history of challenging students to pursue academic excellence and find joy in learning, Holy Child is widely recognized as being the best at educating and mentoring students to become women of conscience and action. Holy Child students are spirited, confident, smart and kind. They are not afraid to take risks. They are investigating chemical reactions in science courses and interpreting complex texts in English classes. They are constructing logical arguments and identifying sound reasoning in rhetoric and religious studies. They are taking technology courses that are unparalleled elsewhere, with offerings that begin as early as fifth grade, including robotics, engineering and computer programming.

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER Upper School, 6-12 555 W. Hartsdale Ave. Hartsdale, New York 10530 914-948-8333 schechterwestchester.org Top administrator: Michael Kay

THE STANWICH SCHOOL

275 Stanwich Road Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203-542-0000 // stanwichschool.org Top administrator: Charles Sachs

THE STORM KING SCHOOL

314 Mountain Road Cornwall-On-Hudson, New York 12520 845-534-7893 // sks.org Top administrator: Jonathan W. R. Lamb

THE URSULINE SCHOOL 1354 North Ave.

New Rochelle, New York 10804 914-636-3950 // ursulinenewrochelle.org Top administrator: Colleen Melnyk The Ursuline School in New Rochelle is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). Its mission is to educate, inspire and empower a diverse population of 770 young women in grades 6 – 12 by providing them with a 21st century Catholic, college preparatory education. Ursuline transitioned seamlessly to distance learning when required. Their prior investment in technology and creative teachers allowed students to fully continue their education from home during the pandemic. Virtual showcases featured student musicians, artists, global scholars, and science researchers. The school motto, “I will serve,” focused recently on supplying food pantries. Open house dates: Sunday Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

THE WINDWARD SCHOOL

Middle School 40 W. Red Oak Lane White Plains, New York 10604 Top administrator: John J. Russell

THORNTON-DONOVAN SCHOOL

100 Overlook Circle New Rochelle, New York 10804 914-632-8836 // td.edu Top administrator: Douglas E. Fleming Jr.

TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 926 Newfield Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06905 203-322-3401 // trinitycatholic.org Top administrator: Dave Williams

TRINITY-PAWLING

700 Route 22, Pawling, New York 12564 845-855-3100 // trinitypawling.org Top administrator: William W. Taylor Director of admission: JP Burlington Trinity–Pawling is guided by two major principles: The ethos of effort and a commitment to help every boy discover his distinct gifts and develop new skills. In turn, the faculty provide engaging opportunities that spark a student’s curiosity and cultivate his mind, body and spirit. Young men graduate from Trinity-Pawling with greater confidence in their academic, athletic, artistic and leadership skills. Trinity-Pawling has long cultivated a broad and diverse community, attracting students from around the world. Alumni often attest that their ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds or beliefs was nurtured in their Pawling years. Fostering respect for other cultures is fundamental to the Trinity-Pawling experience and integral for today’s global citizens. Open house date: Oct. 9.

WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

57 W. Rocks Road Norwalk, Connecticut 06851 203-229-0465 // winstonprep.edu Top administrator: Beth Sugerman Winston Preparatory School is an innovative private day school for students through 12th grade with learning differences such as dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities and executive functioning difficulties (ADHD). Winston has seven campuses, including two in New York City, one in Whippany, New Jersey, one in Norwalk, Connecticut, one in Dix Hills, Long Island, one in Marin County, California, and a new, fully online campus, Winston Online, which launched Fall of 2020. One of the New York City campuses is Transitions, a highly individualized program for students ages 17 to 21 with learning differences. Our unique model of education for the individual provides intense skill remediation while encouraging students to build independence, resilience, responsibility, self-awareness and self-advocacy. We do this through a process that understands each student, individualizes a program to meet their needs and continually refines this program based on individual progress, while building a powerful sense of community.

WOOSTER SCHOOL

91 Miry Brook Road Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203-830-3916 // woosterschool.org Top administrator: Matt Byrnes

FROM WAG’S EDITOR COMES A TRUE STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN COMING OF AGE AND FINDING LOVE AND LOSS IN WARTIME NEW YORK. THEGAMESMENPLAY.COM SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

Nutritionist Ilyse Schapiro, co-author of “Should I Scoop Out My Bagel?”, reminds us to bring along smart snacks when we travel. Courtesy Ilyse Schapiro.

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

TAKE THE HEALTHY ROAD WHEN YOU TRAVEL BY DEBBI K. KICKHAM

Let’s face it: When you go on a trip, your diet-and-exercise routine usually takes its own vacation. But who wants to come home 10 pounds heavier? I sure don’t, and registered dietician Ilyse Schapiro agrees with me. From her office in Harrison (she also has one in Greenwich) Schapiro says, “Nutrition is my passion and it’s second-nature to me — and it can be second-nature for you, too.” Add Covid into the travel package, and there’s a lot to think about regarding your next trip. (See sidebar). If you’re simply taking a road trip this month, Schapiro suggests bringing smart snacks such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. “Bring a cooler filled with turkey sandwiches, salad, driedand-roasted edamame, string cheese and mini packages of almond butter and fruit,” she adds. Just stash it in your car and try it She is also a big fan of healthy nutrition bars, such as the 100-calorie chia bars made by Health Warrior. “I love their brand,” she says, also recommending that travelers always bring a protein bar instead of nibbling on junk food such as pretzels and gummy bears. At your destination, “Don’t look at your vacation as being a free-for-all,” she advises. “You can have muffins and pancakes for breakfast — but just not every single day. Be mindful of alcohol consumption and have a mental game plan. Otherwise, you’ll gain five to 10 pounds on vacation,” she says. So what about exercise? Schapiro recom-

mends several things. First, walk at your destination. Second, book your stays at hotels with gyms. Third, look for workout classes on the beach if you’re going to a sunny destination. Four, shop for fruit and yogurt at a local supermarket. “This way you’re not eating guacamole and chips in the late afternoon.” And let me add my own “Gorgeous Globetrotter” tips to this mix. I’m a huge fan of jumping rope, as it’s a great cardio exercise that requires no special equipment. Take it from me — jumping rope for about 30-40 minutes can burn about 300 calories, gives you extra stamina — and gives you killer legs as a result I’m up to about 40 minutes, taking only a few 10-second breaks along the way. Another great thing about jumping rope: You can usually do it right in the safety of your hotel room without having to wear a mask at the gym. But if there’s not enough space in your guest room, I recommend “going through the motions” without actually twisting a rope. It works. Yoga is another great in-room workout that requires nothing more than a clean towel placed on the carpeting. Or use other elements of the room for exercise, like a chair for balance as you do leg lifts or a wall for standing pushups. You can also stream an exercise program on TV or the computer. Are you trying to lose weight on vacation? Remember: You are on vacation. “Do everything in moderation,” Schapiro advises. “Don’t be too restrictive in your diet.” For more, visit ilyseschapiro.com. And visit Debbi on Instagram @DebbiKickham.

THE NEW SAFETY FOR THE ACTUAL ROAD

When you do take your road trip, follow these tips from the Mayo Clinic that bear repeating: Make as few stops as possible, but stop driving if you become drowsy or just need a break. Pack face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in an easily accessible spot so that you can use them during the trip as necessary. When you need to get gas, use a disinfectant wipe on handles or buttons before you touch them. After fueling, use hand sanitizer. And when you get to your destination, use soap and water to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Opt for restaurants that offer drive-through or curbside service.

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

HOME AS A HEALTH HAVEN

A bathroom improvement you can make now to ease you into your vintage years – a tub handrail that blends with the décor.

BY CAMI WEINSTEIN

Many people don’t want to think about what would happen if they suddenly couldn’t be in their homes for as long as they’d like to without modifications. Sometimes the decision is taken out of your hands and you could be grappling with how to adapt your home to a life-changing illness or accident. I am also finding that some of my older clients don’t want to leave the wonderful homes they have created. When they are building a new home or renovating they are asking for ways to age in place. The most common requests are primary bedrooms and bathrooms on the main floor. In outfitting primary baths, architects are designing doorways that are wider and bathrooms that are larger to be able to navigate with a wheelchair. Adding grab bars in the tub/shower area and installing a pop-up seat in the tub/shower is also helpful. We also have been installing hand-held shower sprayers to help with bathing. With these, modifications have to be made on the inside of the wall as well as on the outside. The proper blocking has to be put in place behind the wall to ensure it can hold the weight of a person using the grab bars or pull-up seat. If you have a separate room on your main floor, you can in an emergency make that room into a hospital room if need be. A hospital bed can be rented for the duration of your

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

confinement. A hospital bed will have grab bars to keep someone from falling out of the bed as well as a motion mechanism so that your head or feet can be raised. The hospital bed can be outfitted with various attachments like an IV stand and exercise bars. There are several hospital furniture rental companies in the area that can work with your doctor, hospital and insurance company to help facilitate your setup. Making the room comfortable is important, so ensure a TV and computer are easily accessible. If you like to read, make sure reading materials are close at hand. Keeping a basket nearby for toiletries also helps. A tray or bed tray is helpful for bringing meals back and forth and eating comfortably in bed. (In addition, trays often have side pockets for holding things.) If you are totally bed-bound, there are lifts that can safely shift you from a prone or seated position so that you can be moved from one part of the home to another. These lifts are designed to be easily used by caregivers. If you eventually need full-time care, you will need to accommodate a nurse and/or aide. Your nurse will need a separate guest room and bathroom to live in your home com-

fortably while caring for you. Caregivers need time off, too, even if they are a paid professional. Some care providers work in shifts to ease the pressure of taking care of someone full-time. If you are wheelchair-bound, access in and out of your home becomes important and so you may need to accommodate a ramp. These are rarely attractive, but as with the way you accent your “sick room,” you can make the most of the situation with a little thought. Discuss with your contractor and/or landscaper whether you need a removeable ramp for a couple of steps or a longer exit that can be accentuated with plants or other design elements. People are living longer and healthier lives, but that is not to say that you should not consider adding some of these suggestions to your home long before you may need them. With some good fortune you may never need to have a use for these modifications. But if you do need them, a conversion that can be made quickly helps ensure a safer, more comfortable outcome. We are now finding if we can stay in our homes as long possible, not only will we be happier but the stress on the health care system and its subsequent costs may be reduced over time. For more, call 914-447-6904 or email Cami@camidesigns.com.

See Africa as only an insider can Bring your camera and learn how to capture some amazing moments. 10-DAY KENYA SAFARI, NOVEMBER 2021 africaphototours.com SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

THE ADVENTURE OF DOMAINE BOUSQUET STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUG PAULDING

I have had the opportunity to dine several times with Anne Bousquet, owner of Domaine Bousquet winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Anne was born to a third-generation vintner in the city of Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of southern France. When her father, Jean, was in his early 50s, he felt it was time for a new adventure. They did some travelling to scout out vineyard locations and in 1997 settled on the extreme outskirts of Mendoza where the desert meets the Andes. Photographs from the region and era show nothing more than light brown earth framed by snow-covered mountains. In the desert, water is everything, so their first step was to dig a 500-foot well to bring life to their 270-acre plot. Their first harvest was in 2002. Today’s photos show row upon row of vineyards, narrow work roads into the vines, a pond and a modern winery and restaurant to craft their wines as well as educate and entertain.

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Wine tasting in the time of the coronavirus – Doug Paulding’s “office” at his South Salem home.

My most recent meal with Anne was in March 2020 right as Covid was gripping New Yorkers. We were supposed to dine in a restaurant in Mamaroneck, but there was an outbreak a mile or two from the restaurant. We got notice the event was cancelled and I reached out to PR maestra Jane Kettlewell and suggested we move the meal up closer to me in northern Westchester where it was still relatively quiet. She agreed and I contacted Bernard and Sarah Bouissou, owners of Bernard’s Inn at Ridgefield, and asked if we could have a quiet private space for a small media wine event with Anne. They heartily agreed and Anne said Bernard’s famous “Cassoulet was the very best I have had in the U.S. or in France.” Another meal with Anne was a couple of years prior to that in Manhattan. The reason I bring this up is many vineyards are like ancient bonsai trees where each owner contributes a concept, a direction that is ultimately but a small piece of where the tree or winery is now. But Domaine Bousquet went from desert to lush in the 23 years of ownership and but 19 years since its first harvest. So virtually everything Bousquet is from Anne; her dad, no longer involved and now living back in France; her husband, Labid al Ameri; and her brother, Guillaume. And in the three times I have tasted Bousquet wines with Anne there is clearly an evolution, a maturity of flavors and textures that presents itself with each sip. Domaine Bousquet has pursued and attained certifications in organic and sustainable vineyard management practices. Its stated mission is to be environmentally responsible and attentive, and the earth will reward its stewards with beautiful fruit to make into beautiful wine. Some areas of the world are not predisposed to organic gardening because of high rain fall, high humidity or predictable insect attacks. But in the Languedoc region and in Mendoza, the dry, hot days followed

by chilly nights allow for maximum hang time of the grapes — a necessary component for structured and enticing fruit. We began our latest, virtual visit with two whites. The first, a 2021 Sauvignon Blanc showed a bracing crispness with lively and fresh citrus flavors and a lingering mouthfeel. Domaine Bousquet’s 2019 Reserve Chardonnay offered a present, pleasant acidity with mandarin orange and zesty lemon. This wine is clearly oak-aged as shown by color and flavor. The Sauvignon Blanc retails for $13 and the Chardonnay for $18. Next we tasted the 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir. Showing blackberry and dark raspberry and distant cinnamon with good depth and texture, it was a case of what Anne calls “low vigor soils creating a wine of depth”. It’s that hang time thing again. Next was the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon with a great dark fruit expression that had a spicy blackberry, layered presence. This is a great winter wine that will keep the conversation lively well into a cold evening. The Pinots retail for $18 and the Cab for $13. Gaia 2018 Cabernet Franc was next and showed a dark, dense blackberry accented with cinnamon, cedar notes. Good persistent tannins gave it a lingering mouthfeel. And finally we tasted Bousquet’s 2018 Gran-Malbec with deep, dark fruit merging blueberry and blackberry flavors and a tickly spiciness. The Gran-Malbec retails for $25 and the Cab Franc for $20. All of these wines are affordable and easy to find in most any wine store. Domaine Bousquet exports to more than 50 countries and makes more than seven million bottles a year. These wines are all made with organic grapes with a certified sustainability and are vegan-friendly. Pick up a few bottles, share and discuss. I’m quite certain, as the vines and the winery matures, the wines will almost certainly improve with each vintage. Write me at doug@dougpaulding.com.

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THE REAL WHEEL STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEREMY WAYNE

Arriving late for a dinner reservation at The Wheel — the signature restaurant of The Village, the new premium waterfront development in Stamford, featured in last month’s WAG — I make my way from the host stand to where my party is already seated on the deck. En route, at least two groups of people try to attract my attention. One guy snaps his fingers a little alarmingly while another, if I’m not mistaken, asks me for a Bloody Mary. And only when I’m sitting down does the penny drop: It’s a case of mistaken identity. Dressed for a summer’s evening in my mid-blue navy Polo shirt, blue jeans and Converse sneakers, I’m wearing exactly the same “uniform” as the restaurant’s wait-staff. So far, so bizarre. But I sense that things will improve. Inside, the restaurant’s design is sophisticated urban chic, with tiled floors and walls, velour-covered booths and oriental birdcage lampshades. The space looks fresh and inviting. Out on the deck, with its gorgeous view across the Czecik Marina toward Stamford Harbor, I’m immediately transported to a kind of maritime Arcadia on this perfect summer’s evening. The odd barge or day boat glides lazily by and sunbeams dance off the water in a scene that, it’s not too fanciful to say, Claude Monet would have found hard to resist. Ah yes, I hear you say, that’s all very poetic, but what about the food, with ingredients and produce from more than 40 local farmers, fishermen and purveyors, which the restaurant has been trumpeting in its preopening publicity? Well, I will get to that. But first, cocktails. We

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

start off, or intend to start off, with Andalusian G&Ts (gin and tonics) and a Tommy’s margarita, an order that our very sweet server — a youngGoldie Hawn doppelgänger and nice as pie — promptly forgets to put through. (When they’re finally brought, two-thirds of the way into our appetizers and after a couple of reminders, they’re carefully mixed and refreshingly delicious, although for the life of me I can’t see what makes the G&T — with its English Tanqueray gin, English Fever Tree tonic and Sri Lankan kaffir lime — remotely “Andalusian.” But let’s move on swiftly to starters of Spring Rocks Farm Wagyu meatballs, deep-flavored beef from Vermont, served with creamy “Maine grains” polenta and aged Parmesan; and Blooming Mushrooms, a moreish dish of Seacoast (Connecticut) mushrooms and summer Hen of the Woods, a late summer variety as blousy as a full-blown peony. Local enough? It’s certainly looking that way. In a shared summer chopped salad, the tomatoes come from Hepworth Farms in Milton, New York, and the charred corn, I’m informed, hails from New Jersey. The radishes and cucumber — as local as vegetables get — are from The Village’s own rooftop kitchen garden. Yet more tomatoes, “Eli’s and Ali’s,” grown in Brooklyn, are luscious and full-on summery, all shades of red and yellow. They accompany a main course grill of Big Eye tuna paillard, served with home-grown basil and anointed with a drop of extra virgin olive oil. It’s a deceptively simple dish, this tuna, rich in umami. And The Wheelhouse burger, made from top-grade Joyce Farms grass-fed beef and served on a seeded brioche bun, ticks all the burger boxes for flavour and texture. Of course, there’s no point in jumping on the local, seasonal bandwagon unless your ingredients taste out of the ordinary. Here at The Wheel, they really do. In my book, tomatoes that actually taste of tomato are always worth going out of your way for, as is all produce, fish, meat and poultry, that has been grown or raised with real integrity and know-how. But The Wheel isn’t “fancy,” not by any means.

The Wheel interior.

Wedged between the main dishes and the grills are pizzas, though there are mercifully few toppings to choose from. Personally, I would look no further than a classic Margherita, made here with authentic San Marzano tomatoes and ambrosial Brooklyn-produced Lioni mozzarella, the food of the gods. Desserts, meanwhile, are the elegant work of pastry chef Alessandra Altieri Lopez, who has previously worked at Per Se and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery. She does a pistachio New York cheesecake that combines extraordinary substance with almost ethereal lightness, and her ice cream sundae with salted caramel ice cream and Manjari chocolate hot fudge — poured at the table from a little jug — is so delicious you feel there should be some local bylaw against it. Some idiosyncratic New World wines, along with some more predicable Old World labels, pepper the wine list, and a large selection of locally brewed craft beers are available on tap. And returning to The Wheel’s cocktail program, it is led by Kyle Tran, whose résumé includes time spent with The Aviary in Chicago and the Alinea Group in New York. (When, on an earlier visit to The Wheel, I had made a glib comment at the bar about Pusser’s rum and how it had been responsible for the near demise of the British Navy, it was the well-informed Tran who put me right, as he elaborated on the daily rum ration traditionally supplied to British sailors.) Of course, nobody gets it all right and service at The Wheel, while perfectly good-natured, can be a little squeaky. Plates and glasses were slammed down by one particular server with all the force, but little of the grace, of Leonard Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic in a Mahler symphony, and dishes were constantly “auctioned” — as in, “who’s having what?” — as they were brought to the table. But it’s a small price to pay for a dinner that is exactingly sourced, imaginatively prepared and served in thoroughly congenial surroundings. And as for the claims of “organic” and “farm-totable” fare, for once those words are more than just fashionable epithets. They are a true and fair description of the food at Stamford’s new and rather wonderful Wheel, a restaurant that, still in its early days, is worthy of your serious attention. For more, visit thevillagewheel.com.

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

A bottle of Old Ingledew Whiskey dated (by carbon-testing) from 1763 to 1803 (with 81.1% probability) sold for $137,500 recently at Skinner Inc., whose offices include one in White Plains. Serving a rare liquor, WAG’s auction columnist Katie Banser-Whittle notes, is one ingredient in making your home or business cocktail party a success. Courtesy Skinner Inc.

THE CONVIVIAL, VERSATILE COCKTAIL BY KATIE BANSER-WHITTLE

Since ancient times, alcohol has been used as an antiseptic, an anesthetic and an antidote to poison. And it is still not uncommon to hear those of a certain vintage talk about taking a drink for “medicinal purposes.” The modern age of wonder drugs and vaccines has, of course, far better uses for alcohol (in moderation). Whether it’s called happy hour, cocktail time, sundowner, le cocktail or a breathing spell, the late-afternoon ritual of a drink and a snack is for many people one of the most eagerly anticipated moments in the day. It’s a favorite type of hospitality for its laidback vibe and informal spontaneity.

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

The custom of sharing food and drink with friends and family and sometimes strangers who will become friends, is ancient as well. However, the particular form of drink that’s become known as the cocktail is a fairly recent development. The first golden age of the cocktail was the 1880s through the 1920s, but the print use of the word “cocktail” for a mixed alcoholic beverage dates from at least 1806. “The Balance and Columbian Repository,” published in Hudson, New York, referred to a cocktail as “stimulating liquor composed of any kind of sugar, water and bitters, vulgarly called a bittered sling.” That still leaves the question of where the word “cocktail,” which today covers all manner of alcoholic mixtures, came from in the first place. One explanation is that a New Orleans apothecary served a beverage of brandy and cream in eggcups — in French coquetiers. It’s a minor slip of the tongue to “cocktail,” especially after consuming a few of these delicious concoctions. Another origin tail, oops, tale is less appealing. In order to make a nag look lively and hold its tail up, some unscrupulous horse dealers would give the poor beast a suppository of ginger. The irritant made the animal prance and wave its tail, from dis-

comfort rather than high spirits. Whatever the derivation of the name, the cocktail as a symbol of hospitality and conviviality — at home or in a business marketing setting — has been with us for at least 200 years, despite ups and downs. Prohibition put a crimp in social drinking in America. The 1970s through the ’90s was a period when many younger folk thought that cocktails like the Old Fashioned were, well, old- fashioned. Happily, in recent years the emergence of the craft cocktail scene has given new vibrancy to a venerable tradition. A favorite ingredient, then and now, has been whiskey (American and Irish spelling) or whisky (Scottish and Canadian). With or without an “e,” whiskey, high in antioxidants, has been a versatile liquor used in cooking (think pecan pie with a dash, or two, of Bourbon whiskey); hospitality; and even a healthy diet as some studies have shown that low to moderate consumption can contribute to heart health. A vintage whiskey, gin or liqueur not only imparts superior taste to a cocktail; it shows the host’s/hostess’ splendid taste. And then there are the well-earned bragging rights that come with sharing a once-in-a-lifetime drink. Like other social rituals, cocktail time has its special equipment — glasses of every shape and size, squeezers and jiggers, strainers and ice containers. Most indispensable of all is the cocktail shaker. Whether it’s made of glass, stainless steel, silver or copper, the shaker is not only the most conspicuous item of barware; it’s the most distinctive and varied. One formerly popular shape for cocktail shakers was the milk pail. Another favorite vintage style was based on the lighthouse, perfect for mixology when the sun goes over the yardarm. These were often given by yacht clubs as trophies and presentation pieces. Norman Bel Geddes’ streamlined “Manhattan” shaker is an Art Deco icon that evokes New York City’s famed skyscrapers. A 1930s favorite, recently revived, was a shaker in the form of a penguin, a whimsical homage to the bird of the icy South Pole. Other ingenious cocktail shaker designs include golf bags, dumbbells, monkeys and bowling pins. Even zeppelins, those airborne marvels of the 1930s, briefly served as inspiration for barware. Tipple time calls for the best — in drinks, items to prepare and the people who come together to enjoy the hospitality. Salut, cin cin, prost, santé, na zdarovye. Or simply “Cheers!” For more, contact Katie at kwhittle@skinnerinc.com or 212-787-1114.

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SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

‘Fall’ing for a nutty treat BY RAJNI MENON Pecans are one of my favorites. They have a distinct flavor and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Here’s a sweet recipe for nut lovers, perfect for snacking on or for a picnic in a park.

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Mejdool dates, pitted 1 pinch black pepper 1 pinch salt 2 tablespoons ghee 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1 1⁄2 cups candied pecans, powdered 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 2 cups cereal (Honey Bunches of Oats With Almonds), powdered

WHAT’S COOKING?

FOOD & SPIRITS

SPICED PECAN TRUFFLES

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Spiced pecan truffles are perfection, writes What’s Cooking? columnist Rajni Menon. Photograph by Aditya Menon.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a food processor, turn the pecans into a powder. Add cereal, black pepper, salt and cinnamon, pulsing the mixture a few times. Transfer it to a bowl and set aside, reserving 1⁄4 cup in a separate bowl. 2. In the same processor, turn the dates and ghee into a paste. 3. Add the pecan cereal mixture and vanilla paste and pulse until wellcombined. 4. Make small balls out of this mixture and roll them in the reserved 1⁄4 cup pecan cereal. Give them another roll and they’re ready to enjoy. For more, particularly on Rajni’s new classes in South Indian cooking for beginners, visit creativerajni.com or call 914-255-2574.

SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

WAG

WHEN & WHERE THROUGH NOV. 15 The Glass House presents “Pliable Plane: Anni Albers,” named after Albers’ 1957 essay on the relationship between textiles and architecture and featuring a new bedspread and window panels installed in the transparent pavilion’s sleeping area that are based on original works by Albers. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Mondays. 199 Elm St. New Canaan; 203-594-9884, theglasshouse.org

THROUGH DEC. 24 The Neuberger Museum of Art presents “Rush,” a large-scale, site-responsive work by Lesley Dill, which premiered at the museum in 2007 and is now part of its permanent collection. In this sculptural installation, Dill gives visual form to a poetic text by Franz Kafka. Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase; neuberger.org

THROUGH JUNE 20, 2023 The Pelham Art Center is displaying a new public art installation in Wolfs Lane Park. “The Conversation Sculpture” by Brooklyn artist Musa Hixson is a large steel sculpture that mimics a blooming flower with three seats enclosed in its frame. The interactive piece intends to facilitate new connections and encourage people to think differently about public space. Pelhamartcenter.org

SEPT. 2 THROUGH 4 AND 9 THROUGH 12 Thrown Stone offers “The Suburbs,” three short, site-specific works by Tony Meneses, Phanésia Pharel and Catherine Yu performed in sequence at The Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and West Lane Inn as a single “roving production,” where the audience follows the action from location to location. The plays explore the theme of suburbia, with Ridgefield in the starring role. 7 to 8:45 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Begin at The Keeler Tavern, 132 Main St.; 203-442-1714, thrownstone.org.

Sept. 10: ArtsWestchester’s “Jazz Fest” presents the Emmet Cohen Trio. Photograph by Gabriela Gabrielaa.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 2 precedes three evenings of star-studded celebratory performances – on Friday, NBC’s “The Voice” winner Javier Colon and his band; on Saturday, Megan Hilty; and on Sunday, gospel recording artist Angela Clemmons with the SHU Gospel Choir. 7 p.m., 1424 Post Road, Fairfield; 203-371-7956, shucommunitytheatre.org.

SEPT. 4

Luangisa African Gallery presents its “Wakanda Celebration,” an annual outdoor festival that celebrates African culture through art, fashion, music and more. The event will include authentic cuisines, dance, traditional music and original handcrafted art and fashion. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 374 Hawthorne Terrace, Mount Vernon; wakandacelebration.org

SEPT. 3 THROUGH 5

SEPT. 9

The Sacred Heart University Community Theatre celebrates its grand opening Labor Day weekend.

The Clay Art Center holds an opening reception for “A Taste of Home,” a national exhibit that features

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WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

ceramic cups or drinking vessels that reflect the artists’ relationship with the meaning of home. 6 to 8 p.m., 40 Beech St., Port Chester; clayartcenter.org

SEPT. 9 THROUGH 12 ArtsWestchester, the city of White Plains and the White Plains BID present “JazzFest,” a signature White Plains event that features free, affordable jazz experiences for music enthusiasts from Westchester County and beyond. The concerts will be presented in-person and streamed live. Times and locations vary; artsw.org

SEPT. 10 The Mamaroneck Artists Guild has an opening reception for “ReNEW,” the first gallery show at its new location, 1987 Palmer Ave. in Larchmont. This show features artworks in celebration of the reopening and reemergence of venues from the uncertainty of these times. 2 to 5 p.m.; mamaroneckartistsguild.org

WAG

WHEN & WHERE

SEPT. 11 The Pelham Art Center hosts a public meditation to memorialize 9/11 and all those whose lives were lost or were affected. Outside in the courtyard, guests may share reflections and experiences. Noon to 2 p.m., 155 Fifth Ave.; pelhamartcenter.org

SEPT. 12 Curator and historic preservationist Daryn Reyman-Lock gives a talk on “The Mansion’s Secret Lives: Untold Stories From the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, 1865-1960.” The mansion’s history has been shaped by those responsible for its inception, construction and use. This lecture unveils stories, photographs and documents of the mansion, revealing the inhabitants and visionaries who may have remained unseen until now and placing them in the context of the popular history of this national historic landmark. 2 p.m. 295 West Ave., Norwalk; 203-838-9799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

SEPT. 12 THROUGH OCT. 24 The Center for Contemporary Printmaking (CCP) holds an opening reception for “COMFORT(DIS) COMFORT,” an exhibit of prints by artists from across the U.S. that, while not about the specifics of the pandemic, attempts to engage the viewer in a challenging or confrontational way, emulating our new experience of reconsidering our physicality over these months and the ways we relate to other people. Opening reception noon to 4 p.m. by appointment. RSVP online or call. Otherwise, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 299 West Ave., Norwalk; 203-899-7999, contemprints.org.

Latin Jazz Guitar Trio. 7 p.m. La Zingara Restaurant, 8 Barnum Square; 203-247-4273, eventbrite. com/e/148412918033

SEPT. 17 The Ossining Arts Council has an opening reception for “Hungers / Harvests,” an exhibit that raises awareness of the United Nations’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The show explores themes related to nutrition, farming, food systems and more. 7 to 9 p.m., Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining; 914 944-4278, bethanyarts.org

SEPT. 17 THROUGH 19 AND 24 THROUGH 26 The Music Theatre of Connecticut presents “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical.” Written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, this “juke-box musical” tells the story of Clooney’s journey from a simple Kentucky childhood to Hollywood stardom. With her signature songs woven in and out, we learn both the story of her successes on radio and in film and TV as well as the struggles in her personal life. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk; 203454-3883, musictheatreofct.com.

SEPT. 17 THROUGH 19, 24 THROUGH 26 AND 30 Curtain Call Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “1776,” a timely and timeless retelling of our nation’s founding with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford; 203329-8207, curtaincallinc.com.

SEPT. 15 Bethel Jazz presents Latin jazz guitarist and recording artist Nelson Riveros, part of an emerging force of a new generation of contemporary Latin-jazz artists, performing with his Nelson Riveros

SEPT. 18 MoCA Westport’s fall benefit, “The Art of Jazz,” feature silent and live auctions and live music by Grammy Award-winning jazz tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery. Post-auction entertainment is hosted by DJ Mo with a live auction hosted by Westporter Dave Briggs, former CNN, NBC Sports and Fox News anchor. Proceeds from the event will support MoCA Westport’s mission to build a deeper understanding of and passion for the arts. 7 p.m. to midnight. 19 Newtown Turnpike; 203-222-7070, mocawestport.org.

SEPT. 25 The Weston Historical Society invites you to a “Roaring ’20s Lawn Party,” featuring the Grammy Award-winning Vince Giordano Traditional Jazz Ensemble, outside at its historic Coley Homestead. 2 to 6 p.m. 104 Weston Road; 203226-1804, westonhistoricalsociety.org.

SEPT. 25 The Norwalk Symphony opens its 2021-22 season with an all-American program – George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”; Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite” and “Fanfare for the Common Man”; “A Suite of Dances” (1951) by Florence Price, the first African American woman to have her work performed by major symphony orchestras; and “A Time to Vote,” by local composer Gwyneth Walker, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. 7:30 p.m. Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave.; 203956-6771, norwalksymphony.org.

SEPT. 26 Westport’s Levitt Pavilion presents Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls, an instrumental and vocal quartet featuring Pete Muller, John Whooley, Missy Soltero and Martha McDonnell. 7 p.m. 40 Jesup Road; 203-602-4122, levittpavilion.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2021 WAGMAG.COM

PET OF THE MONTH

WAG THE TAIL 96

Off to see Wizard Meet Wizard, an adorable, scruffy Southern gentleman. It’s hard to believe he was never claimed by his former owner, as he is such a happy pup, but that just means the perfect family is still out there waiting for him. Wizard is between 1 and 2 years old and is only about 10 pounds. He loves kids and other dogs and is a vocal little guy, like most Terriers. Overall, he’s a fun, outgoing dog who is going to make someone very happy. For more, visit spcawestchester.org or email info@spcawestchester.org.

WAGMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2021

Wizard is just the kind of peppy pup who’s great with kids and other dogs. Photograph by Bob Rozycki.

71 Richmond Hill Road

otally renovated and exquisitely designed Modern Farm house set high on 4+ bucolic acres. The sublime interior is enhanced by custom millwork and built ins, high end designer lighting, European fixtures and beautiful antique chestnut plank floors throughout. Expansive gourmet eat-in kitchen opens to a light filled family room with vaulted ceiling & fireplace. Grand Master suite with balcony, large dressing room and luxurious bath, five additional en-suite bedrooms and homework/family room complete the second floor. Third floor office & sleepover room. LL includes a media room, gym & play room. Verdant lawns enhance the terrace and stunning pool with spa and waterfall. 3 car garage & Generator. Featured in Elle Decor, House Beautiful & HGTV.

Krissy Blake 203.536.243 krissy.blake@sothebys.realty

Gretchen Bylow 917.743.4115 Gretchen.bylow@sothebys.realty

Waterstone of Westchester

SENIOR LIVING

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

At Waterstone communities, we’re taking senior living to new levels of elegance, engagement and care. Explore our active rental communities where you won’t just live. You’ll thrive. You won’t just come home. You’ll arrive.

WaterstoneWAG.com

White Plains | 914.368.7003

Stamford | 475.441.6845

Independent Living I Supportive Care Services by VNS Westchester

Independent Living | Assisted Living Memory Care by Bridges®