Northern Westchester Hospital Looking Better Than Ever at 100
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) celebrated a century of serving the community with a special ceremony late Thursday afternoon and the unveiling of an electronic interactive timeline that traces the history of the hospital from its roots until today.
Originally called Mount Kisco Hospital when it opened on Aug. 20, 1916 on Stewart Place, about a mile from the current site, a group of community leaders at the time wanted local residents to have access to quality health care near home rather than traveling to New York City.
After 10 years of fundraising, they raised $12,500 to launch the original 15-bed facility, said Joel Seligman, NWH’s president and CEO.
“That is the genesis of the Northern Westchester Hospital story and I’m proud to say that 100 years later that mission remains true today: to provide the highest quality, patient-centered care close to home for all members of our community – regardless of their ability to pay,” Seligman said to the roughly a couple hundred staff members and community leaders that gathered for the reception.
In addition to activating the large flat screen interactive timeline with touch activation, items from the hospital’s early years were displayed, including early 20th century crutches, a doctor’s medication bag and a book containing the names of visitors in 1917.
There was also artwork provided in the hallways by Katonah Museum Artists Association. The Westchester Photographic Society provided the photographs on display in the hospital’s Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, which opened in 2004.
Nancy Karch, a Bedford resident who is the current chair of NWH’s Board of Trustees, said the hospital is one of the community’s most important assets, both as a large employer and the difference it makes in people’s lives.
“We provide each and every individual with high quality, patient-centered care that helps them on their journey to wellness,” Karch said. “Who could have imagined that in 1916?”
On hand for the nearly hour-long ceremonies were longtime community members, including former Mount Kisco mayor Patricia Reilly, her sister, Joan Stewart, and current Mayor Michael Cindrich.
Others attending were Henry Schriever, NWH’s first pastoral care chaplain; Sue Moga, whose grandfather, Roberts Richie, was a founding physician of Mount Kisco Hospital in 1916; retired physician Hal Federman, who began the Palliative Care program; Dr. Herb Kaufman, who performed the first flexible endoscopy at NWH; Dr. Scott Hayworth, president & CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group; and Dr. Peter Mercurio, president & CEO of Westchester Health.
George Oros, County Executive Rob Astorino’s chief of staff, said he has a personal connection to NWH; his son, now 25 years old, was born at the hospital.
He said the area is not only able to have a hospital in the area, but one that can rival many of the finest facilities in the metropolitan area.
“The people can get specialized treatment now without going to New York City,” Oros said. “That not only important for the patient, it’s very important for the local area because (families) don’t have to traipse all the way into New York City.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/