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Celebrating its 100^th year, the Auxiliary of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center has presented a total of $100,000 in "Art of Caring" awards to individuals, departments and programs throughout the medical center that exemplify the Auxiliary's mission of supporting the Hospital's ability to promote the health and welfare of the community.

The primary recipient was the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia's Center for Women's Health, which received $50,000 to fund two Auxiliary Junior Scholars whose work addresses risk for heart disease and stroke among medically underserved women: Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala (assistant professor of socio-medical science in neurology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and a neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia) and Dr. Stella M. Yala (visiting fellow in cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia).

In addition, individual "Art of Caring" awards were presented to Dawn Block (a nurse in Hospital's Ambulatory Recovery Room) and Patricia Hagemeyer (an administrative assistant in orthopedics) for their compassion and exceptional understanding of patients' needs.

Also receiving awards were the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nursing, Neurology and Social Work. Additionally, the Auxiliary has donated funds for maintenance of the campus gardens and holiday decorations, as well as to the James Lenox Society, a Hospital fundraising group named for one of the founders of The Presbyterian Hospital.

The Auxiliary was founded 1908 and its first president was Mrs. Walter B. James. Among its numerous contributions over the years, the organization has provided assistance to disadvantaged patients and founded a nursery school and library at the Hospital. Today the 39-member NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Auxiliary supports the Hospital through programs including volunteering as therapeutic companions for cancer patients, and by purchasing medical equipment for the Hospital.

Individuals interesting in joining the Auxiliary may contact the Volunteer Services Office at 212-305-2542.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, located in New York City, is one of the leading academic medical centers in the world, comprising the teaching hospital NewYork-Presbyterian and its academic partner, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine, and is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian is among U.S.News & World Report's top 10 hospitals nationally and also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and its academic affiliate, Weill Medical College of Cornell University.