Northwell Health honors Sandra Bass for contributions
“To give is a very selfish act, because it makes the giver feel good. I never expected this kind of ovation, but it makes me very happy and I would like to do more,” said a humbled Sandra Bass at a ceremony in honor of her ongoing contributions to Northwell Health and its health care facilities. “I just want everyone to be healthy and happy, whether they are a person or an animal.”
Ineffable appreciation was evident by the dozens who were on hand to recognize the philanthropic work of Bass, whose lifetime donations to Northwell Health currently amount to more than $93 million.
The ceremony, held at the Manhasset campus of Northwell Health, located at 300 Community Dr., was in light of Bass’ ongoing dedication to the network of hospitals within the Northwell system, which most recently includes a gift of $25 million to be directed toward North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) to support the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, aptly named after the benefactor.
“I think what sparked her initial interest in contributing is what continues to spark her, which is her dedication to helping individual lives,” said Brian Lally, Northwell Health chief development officer. “She saw from the beginning, and I think she sees today, that her philanthropy can help one person at a time.”
Bass, her family and friends, and Northwell’s administrative and clinical leaders were also on hand to offer their congratulations and praise the accomplishments of the hospital, largely due to Bass’ donations, which Barry Kaplan, MD, co-director of the heart hospital, claims “will help [Northwell] propel the center into a nationwide leader.”
“Our vision for the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital is to create a destination where patients receive the highest levels of expertise, take part in the most innovative, technologically advanced therapies, and enjoy a patient experience that is unsurpassed regionally and nationally,” said Kaplan. “Ms. Bass has long been a pioneer of cardiac innovation in the health system and has continuously demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the patient experience.”
Deemed one of the largest centers for complex cardiac procedures in New York, the new Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital is among the state’s most significant cardiothoracic and interventional cardiology programs, treating the most complex heart-related situations.
It features a 22-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit staffed around the clock by critical care physicians, five operating rooms dedicated to cardiac patients and eight cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs.
It was recently announced that the application to develop a heart transplant surgery center at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital was approved by the New York State Department of Health.
Bass’ relationship with Northwell dates back more than two decades, with some of the earliest backing allocated to the Arrhythmia Pacemaker Center at NSUH. Bass then funded the Sandra Atlas Bass Cardiology Centers at both North Shore Manhasset and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park.
Recently, Bass contributed more than $12 million to continue her support of LIJ Medical Center’s Hearing and Speech Center, which will soon be otherwise known as the Sandra Atlas Bass Otolaryngology Center.
Last year, in recognition of a $3 million gift, Northwell opened the Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases on the NSUH Manhasset campus.
“Sandra Atlas Bass has been a tremendous partner of Northwell Health for more than two decades,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “Her continued commitment and compassion is helping us elevate the quality of care we deliver and improve the lives of countless people within the communities we serve.”
