Senator Martins Congratulates Mineola American Legion's First Female Member

Jack M. Martins

August 9, 2012

The Mineola American Legion Post #349 was honored to welcome its first ever female member during its last meeting at Mineola Village Hall. Commander Carl Marchese and Manny Grilo, who is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Private Adolph Block Post #1305, as well as Senator Jack M. Martins congratulated Mineola resident Yuri Karasz on her membership to the post.

“Yuri Karasz is an outstanding member of the community who accomplished so much. She served our country and now is helping others pursue their dreams of becoming medical professionals. The Mineola American Legion is an outstanding veterans organization and has only been further enriched by having her as a member,” said Senator Martins.

Ms. Karasz has quite a resume. She is graduate of West Point, and served as a U.S. Army Captain. As a strong proponent of education, Ms. Karasz worked as the continuing medical education coordinator for New York College of Osteopathic Medicine at New York Institute of Technology, where she founded the Careers in Medicine Resource Center.

Currently manager of trainee services for NYCOMEC, Ms. Karasz recruits residents to nearly 30 hospitals in New York and New Jersey, coordinates major events such as National Hospital Day, communicates with residents to improve and enhance postdoctoral education, and leads the trainee committee with representatives from over 85 programs.  

She was an assistant professor of chemistry at West Point and taught military science to cadets at RPI, Siena College and SUNY Albany.  She also found time at West Point to be the team’s fencing captain.

Ms. Karasz enjoys long-distance running in her spare time.