Peter W. May and Angela Diaz, MD, MPH
The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center (MSAHC) recently honored six individuals, as well as staff from its School-Based Health Centers program, for their commitment to the young people of New York City at the twelfth annual “Breakfast of Legends” benefit at The Plaza. The MSAHC is one of the largest high-quality, comprehensive, free, health and wellness centers for young people in the United States. Annually, it serves more than 10,000 youth and young adults, 10 to 24 years of age. It is also one of the nation’s leading centers for adolescent training and research.
Peter W. May, Chairman, Boards of Trustees, Mount Sinai Health System, told the more than 300 guests: “We continue to battle the economic and social barriers that young people experience every single day. When we get it right, we form long-term, impactful partnerships with our teens, and teach them how to make positive life choices, a skill they need now and can carry with them as they transition to adulthood.”
Honorees included, from left: Martin R. Feinman, Esq.; Amy Cooney, PhD; Liliana Klass; Leslie R. Jaffe, MD; Caryn A. Schwab; and Arlene J. Adler
Angela Diaz, MD, MPH, Jean C. and James W. Crystal Professor in Adolescent Health and Director of the MSAHC, thanked all of the Center’s supporters. “Together, all of us are helping young people do as well as they possibly can. I always say the life of every young person who comes to us gets a little bit better, but the lives of many get transformed.”
Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, said, “We know that the health and resilience of young people isn’t a luxury for a strong society—it’s essential. That’s why the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is one of the jewels of Mount Sinai. They instill hope and provide a roadmap for the adolescent to become successful.”
The honorees included:
- Arlene J. Adler, Senior Vice President at Neuberger Berman LLC; Martin R. Feinman, Esq., and Amy Cooney, PhD. Mr. Feinman is Attorney-in-Charge of the Brooklyn Office for The Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice. Dr. Cooney is a psychoanalyst in New York City;
- Caryn A. Schwab, Executive Director, Mount Sinai Queens; and Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center School-Based Health Centers staff.
The annual Dr. Joan E. Morgenthau Lifetime Advocate for Youth Award was presented to Leslie R. Jaffe, MD, and Liliana Klass—a couple who share a passion for improving children’s lives. Ms. Klass is a former teacher, and Dr. Jaffe is Director of Health Services at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Dr. Jaffe served as Director of MSAHC from 1982 to 1989, after training under Dr. Morgenthau. He helped expand the services offered by the MSAHC and create the model of comprehensive care for which it is known today.
The award was presented by Dr. Morgenthau’s daughters, Ellie Hirschhorn, Joan Hirschhorn Bright, and Elizabeth Hirschhorn Wilson. Dr. Jaffe recalled: “It was a joy to work with others who were on a mission to help these young people, to make a difference in their lives. Work at the Center was more a passion than a job.”