New York, NY - October 1, 2014 - Long Island Residents Rocco F. Andriola, Esq. and Robert Pollichino took home top honors from the American Liver Foundation Greater New York Division for their incredible work and dedication in their efforts to fight liver disease in our area and nationwide. They received awards during the foundation’s 14th Honors Gala which took place at Gotham Hall in Manhattan on September 23rd.
Mr. Andriola, Managing Director of Millennium Partners in Manhattan received the “Spirit of New York Award.” He has been a strong advocate in the fight against liver disease from the time his father received a life-saving liver transplant more than 25 years ago. A fervent voice on the local, state, and national level, Mr. Andriola is the co-founder and Chairman of Save Lives Now New York Foundation.
Mr. Pollichino is the American Liver Foundation’s 2014 “Liver Champion Award” recipient. He truly is the definition of what the foundation considers a real “champion”. He’s spent countless hours devoted as a volunteer and Division Board Member with the Greater New York Division – which began on Long Island - ever since his wife’s Hepatitis C diagnosis in 1994. That makes 20 years of service devoted to improving the lives of others.
A third award recipient, Dr. Lewis Teperman, Director of the Mary Lea Johnson Richards Organ Transplantation Center at NYU Langone Medical Center was named “Physician of the Year.”
Gilead Sciences was presented with the foundation’s “Corporate Partner of the Year” award.
Salix Pharmaceutical was the presenting sponsor of the event, for the second year in a row. And John Elliott of WCBS-TV served as the Master of Ceremonies.
John Elliott of WCBS-TV, who last hosted in 2011, returned as the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Honors Gala. The American Liver Foundation was thrilled to once again have the beloved weathercaster on board as it celebrated the accomplishments of its honorees. His quick wit and playful humor kept a crowd of some of the nation’s best doctors and top medical brass wildly entertained.
Pictured Above: John Elliott with honorees and American Liver Foundation leadership from L to R: Thomas Nealon (National Board Chair, American Liver Foundation), Robert M. Pollichino (Liver Champion Award recipient), John Elliott (WCBS, Meteorologist), Lynn Seim (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Liver Foundation), Dr. Lewis Teperman of NYU Langone Medical Center (Physician of the Year Award recipient), Rocco F. Andriola, Esq. (Spirit of New York Award recipient)