Senate Resolution No. 2282

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Isaac
and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit of Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at
Westchester Medical Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
institutions which have faithfully served the health needs of the
community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family
Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maria Fareri Children's
Hospital at Westchester Medical Center (WMC), to be celebrated at its
Wines of the World event on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at Westchester
Country Club; and

WHEREAS, Proceeds from this auspicious event will help care for the
region's sickest newborn children at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, a
member of the WMCHealth Network and located in Valhalla, New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional NICU
admits more than 700 critically ill newborns, many born far before
maturity and at dangerously low birth weights; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving a catchment area of approximately
23,000 annual births, all six Level II and three Level III NICU programs
in its region refer their patients to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital
when Level IV care is required; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Dr. Edmund F. La Gamma, the
NICU staff works with families around the clock to provide constant
monitoring and nurturing of these tiny babies, and teaching parents how
to care for their tender infants; and

WHEREAS, This vital unit currently operates at or above capacity
with an average daily census of 51 neonates, each staying for an average
of 30 days; and

WHEREAS, For 40 years, the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has remained true to its mission of
assisting families of hospitalized children with supportive services
tailored to meet individual families' needs; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is in direct correlation to the efforts of
its Director, Dr. Edmond F. La Gamma, as well as its dedicated doctors,
nurses, support staff and volunteers, whose involvement is, and always
has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Venerable and trustworthy institutions, tending to the
needs of the community and its citizenry, represent the threads from
which the fabric of society is woven; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to recognize the benevolent
good works of health care institutions, sharing the pride of its history
and accomplishments, and anticipating its future of continued growth in
quality and personalized care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family
Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Maria Fareri Children's
Hospital at Westchester Medical Center; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit of Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester
Medical Center.