“Championing Sala Institute and witnessing its impact on children and families has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” said Dr. Manno.
Credit: Sam Hollenshead
NYU Langone Health hosted “Sala-bration” on November 3, celebrating Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, programs and services embedded into every aspect of care at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. This year’s event honored , a trailblazing physician, leader, and mentor whose work has profoundly shaped pediatric care at NYU Langone.
A renowned pediatric hematologist–oncologist, Dr. Manno retired on November 1 after 17 years as chair of the . She played a pivotal role in the growth of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, including landmark achievements such as its opening in 2018. And as founding physician of Sala Institute, Dr. Manno championed a holistic, child- and family-centered approach that has transformed pediatric care and empowered NYU Langone to set national benchmarks in children’s health.
The celebration welcomed 150 guests, including Sala supporters, hospital leadership, staff, and clinicians, to spotlight the true impact of Sala Institute, ensuring that the voices and needs of children and families remain at the heart of every care decision, and to honor Dr. Manno as this year’s Sala Champion.
During his remarks, Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine and CEO of NYU Langone Health, reflected on the growth of children’s services.
“Dr. Manno’s leadership has propelled NYU Langone to the forefront of pediatric medicine, expanding services across the region, advancing research, and fostering multidisciplinary teams that are both exceptional and deeply compassionate,” said Dr. Kimmelman. “Trudy and Bob’s vision and collaboration have been pivotal in shaping a culture of care that places families at the heart of every decision. Excellence in children’s health is inextricable from NYU Langone’s remarkable trajectory. We have an incredible foundation to build on, and I am deeply committed to continuing the partnership to make Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital the nation’s preeminent destination for pediatric care, discovery, and education.”
The evening also featured heartfelt remarks from Sala Institute co-founders Trudy Elbaum Gottesman and Robert W. Gottesman, who celebrated Dr. Manno’s leadership while reaffirming Sala Institute’s promise to empower children and families:
“As children’s medicine continues to evolve, we, too, at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital are in a moment of change. Under Dr. Manno’s visionary leadership, children’s medical and surgical services expanded exponentially across NYU Langone, as did our focus on safety, quality, and the child and family experience—helping make Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital a national model for pediatric care,” said co-founder Trudy Elbaum Gottesman. “With Sala, these incredible medical advances reach their fullest potential when guided by communication, partnership, and trust with families and the therapeutic team. That is the science and soul of medicine, and it’s what makes the Sala model of care truly exceptional.”
This year’s event raised over $1.1 million to support and advance the mission of Sala Institute. Named in honor of Trudy’s mother, Sala Bierman Elbaum, a Holocaust survivor, Sala Institute is “inspired by my mother’s strength, resilience, and kindness and continues to honor every child, every family, and every act of compassion,” added Trudy.
Sala Institute leads a range of programs at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in close collaboration with clinical teams, patients, and families:
- Sala Child and Family Support Services and Resilience Programs: offering child life services, creative arts therapies, the KiDS of NYU Foundation Integrated Behavioral Health Program, nutrition, acute pain management, palliative care, social work, and spiritual support
- Family Partnership Programs: enhancing patient experience through Sala Family Advisory Council, Sala Youth Advisory Council, and Sala Patient and Family Faculty Program
- Pediatric Patient Safety and Quality programs
“Championing Sala Institute and witnessing its impact on children and families has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together, we’ve built a foundation of care that combines scientific excellence and deep empathy, ensuring every child and family feels supported in their hardest moments,” said Dr. Manno. “It’s been an honor to work with such extraordinary colleagues and partners to shape the future of pediatrics at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and across the NYU Langone community.”
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Katie Ullman
Phone: 646-483-3984
Kathryn.Ullman@NYULangone.org
