Phelps Hospital Raises $625,000 At 35th Annual Champagne Ball

For the first time since the pandemic began, 325 devoted friends, guests, and supporters of Phelps Hospital, part of Northwell Health, gathered on Friday, October 21 at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club for the 35th annual Phelps Champagne Ball fundraiser. The black-tie affair, the largest fundraiser for the hospital, raised more than $620,000 in support of the hospital’s mission to care for the community. The evening’s Fund-a-Cause, which supports the hospital’s Comfort Care program, set a new fundraising record raising nearly $375,000 of the night’s total.

Champagne Ball honoree Kenneth Taber, Phelps executive director Eileen Egan, Champagne Ball honoree Michelle Espinoza, MD, and Phelps Community Board chair Kevin J. Plunkett.
Photo Credit: *Northwell Health*

Daily Voice

11/02/2022 12:28 p.m.

The evening event honored three treasured patrons and supporters of the hospital: Michelle Espinoza, MD, and the palliative care team at Phelps Hospital; Mary L. Melvin, community leader and philanthropist; and Kenneth W. Taber, former board chair of Phelps Hospital and partner of the international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

Dr. Michelle Espinoza leads Phelps’ Palliative Care team and was the driving force that inspired Phelps’ comfort care rooms that are used for end of life and other relaxation and relief care. She has also been a reassuring presence for the staff team throughout the COVID pandemic, helping others cope with the unprecedented surge of death and sadness.

Mary L. Melvin is a longtime member of our community and staunch advocate for Phelps. She’s championed and been a generous supporter of many hospital programs including, Nursing Promise, the Comfort Care Rooms and earlier this year was a major contributor to the new PET/CT imaging suite, which improves care for patients with cancer, memory disorders and heart disease. All her children were born at Phelps, and she is pleased to call Phelps her hospital.

Kenneth W. Taber chaired the Phelps Community Board for five years until May of this year; he now serves as its vice chair. Mr. Taber was instrumental in helping to improve services at the hospital, shepherding Phelps’ strategic plan as Phelps transitioned to join the Northwell Health family. He also serves on the Northwell Health corporate Board of Trustees, on both its Legal Affairs Committee and Committee on Quality. Mr. Taber is a senior litigation partner in the New York City office of the international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

A highlight of the evening was the Fund-a-Cause, which supported Comfort Care programs at Phelps. The fund-a-cause broke a new fundraising record. It was generously matched 2:1 for every dollar raised up to $100,000, meaning every dollar contributed turned into $3.

This funding will allow Phelps to:

Build more Comfort Care Rooms at Phelps Hospital. These private rooms are outfitted for special care including end-of-life care, palliative care offered at all stages of life, and for those suffering from chronic conditions. Comfort Rooms also feature a peaceful, serene environment, comfort amenities for patients and their loved ones and Hudson River views.
Provide Comfort Care for Staff caring for Patients. It is called Team Lavender. Team Lavender functions like a "rapid response" to provide just-in-time support and resources for team members when they need it the most.

Phelps executive director, Eileen Egan said, “the Comfort Care program helps to support our patients, their family, and our staff. Our goal is to alleviate pain, relieve stress and facilitate communication that helps to support the patient and family. Not only was this program supported by our friends attending tonight, but we are also so grateful to everyone at the Champagne Ball for supporting our hospital and the community.”

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