The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center honored the contributions of six individuals for their commitment to New York City’s young people at its 16th Annual Breakfast of Legends benefit at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Thursday, November 14.

The Center provides free, comprehensive, confidential health and wellness services to more than 12,000 young people annually and is renowned as a national leader in adolescent health research and training.

James Tisch, Co-Chair, Boards of Trustees, Mount Sinai Health System, warmly welcomed guests. “Today in its 51st year, the Center remains true to its original vision and mission—the care of New York City’s adolescents and young adults.”

Dennis Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, added his welcome and emphasized the importance of innovation in teen health, sharing that the Center “always strives to be ahead of the next crisis by remaining nimble, flexible, ready to innovate.”

Angela Diaz, MD, PhD, MPH, Jean C. and James W. Crystal Professor in Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Director of the Center, recognized the volunteers, benefactors, leaders, and staff who made the event—and the Center’s work—possible: “Thank you for helping us give young people a place of healing, and a place of hope.”

Three patients—Moza, Richard and Anisa—shared how the Center has transformed their lives. Richard explained that, “Therapy gave me so many tools to live my life with a more positive and thoughtful outlook.” Moza shared, “It is not just a health center, but a chance for a fulfilled life.” Anisa emphasized that at the Center, she “had the space and support I needed.”

The annual Dr. Joan E. Morgenthau Lifetime Advocate for Youth Award was presented to Raja M. Flores, MD, Steven and Ann Ames Professor and Chairman, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The award, created to honor the Center’s founder Dr. Joan Morgenthau, was presented by her daughters Ellie Hirschhorn and Joan Bright.

The honorees were:

Jerry Bruno, Strategic Project Manager, City of New York Department of Homeless Services

Rachel L. Colon, LCSW, Primary Care Social Work Coordinator, Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center

Raja M. Flores, MD, Steven and Ann Ames Professor, and Chairman, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received the Dr. Joan E. Morgenthau Lifetime Advocate for Youth Award.

Yasmeen Mock, Head of Client Relations & COO, Kimelman & Baird, LLC

Lisa M. Satlin, MD, Herbert H. Lehman Professor, and System Chair, Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Patricia Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer, Healthfirst

View the digital journal from the event here.

See photos from the event here.

See video of the event here.