Business

Wendy Pearson Photo by Michael Anthony Wells

Stony Brook University has named Wendy Pearson as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, effective Nov. 1. Most recently, Pearson served as the Senior Advisor to the Provost at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

Pearson will report to Stony Brook President Maurie McInnis and work in close partnership with campus leaders and partners to identify and advance Stony Brook’s institutional priorities. Important goals include ensuring implementation and assessment of the recently completed strategic plan, taking the lead in developing an overall plan for our Southampton campus, and assisting in supporting SBU’s work as anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City.

“Wendy has a proven track record of both convening key stakeholders on and beyond campus while connecting them to accomplish the wider strategic vision that moves priorities forward,” said President McInnis. “We’re so pleased to have her leadership involvement with the New York Climate Exchange, and her extensive experience in higher education will help us focus and align our planning on the pillars that the university needs to best commit resources to benefit our community.”

Pearson’s previous roles at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa include academic affairs program officer in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, where she managed program review and the development and modification of academic programs, and special projects manager for the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies. She also served as program coordinator in the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies/Detroit Council for World Affairs at Wayne State University, coordinating curriculum development and Japan study tours for public school teachers.

“I am honored to join this dynamic community of scholars and innovators,” said Pearson. “Leaving Hawai‘i for New York represents an exciting new chapter, and I am eager to contribute to the remarkable progress and bold initiatives of Stony Brook University. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to turn shared vision into reality, to drive positive change, and to make a lasting impact.” 

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (PJCC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new offices for Edward Jones Financial Advisor Michael Sceiford on Sept. 26. The event was attended by members of the chamber, Port Jefferson Village Board, Port Jefferson Rotary Club, staff, family and friends.

Located at 640 Belle Terre Road, Building B, in Port Jefferson, the investment firm helps its customers prepare for retirement, save for education and be a tax-smart investor.

“We congratulate Michael on his new location and beautiful office suites and we wish him much success,” said PJCC’s Director of Operations Barbara Ransome. 

Pictured in photo, from left, chamber member Suzanne Velazquez; chamber president Stuart Vincent; Edward Jones Associate Financial Advisor Tracy Prush; Edward Jones Branch Office Administrator Pam Guido; Stephanie Sceiford with children Claire and Harvey; Michael Sceiford (with scissors); chamber members Nancy Bradley and Brett Davenport; Port Jefferson Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay; Bob Huttemeyer from the Port Jefferson Rotary; and chamber members Risa Kluger, Michelle Cruz, Saranto Calamas, Andrew Thomas (seated), Eric D. Cherches Esq. and Mary Joy Pipe.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 631-928-2034.

Bill Herrmann

Stony Brook University has announced the appointment of William Herrmann as Vice President for the Facilities & Services Division. Formerly serving as the Associate Vice President for Campus Planning, Design, and Construction (CPDC), he brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to this pivotal role. 

In his new capacity, Herrmann will be responsible for overseeing the Division and spearheading the development of an encompassing Campus Master Plan. This plan will serve as a blueprint for guiding future development projects within the university’s expansive and continuously growing network of facilities. This initiative aligns seamlessly with President Maurie McInnis’ Strategic Plan for the University. Herrmann will report directly to Jed Shivers, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.

“Bill brings his extensive experience and skills to the versatile leadership team and support staff at Facilities & Services, including CPDC and Campus Operations & Maintenance (COM). It’s been a pleasure working with him since I arrived at Stony Brook. I look forward to collaborating with Bill as he works to chart the Division’s course,” said Shivers.

Since joining the Stony Brook University team in 2020, Herrmann has played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and negotiating SBU’s successful bid for the New York Climate Exchange facility on Governors Island. Under his stewardship, state allocations for critical maintenance of academic buildings increased significantly, rising from an average of $37 million per year (FY17 — FY20) to $122 million per year (FY21 — FY23).

Cynthia Doerler

Cynthia Doerler has been named as the new Executive Director of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Doerler joined the SCBA in 2016 as the Executive Director of the Suffolk Academy of Law, the educational arm of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Prior to her position at the Academy, Doerler was Director of Philanthropy and Communications for the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. 

Doerler’s work as Academy Executive Director has helped strengthen the Academy’s relationships with Bar Association members, affinity Bar Associations, and the legal community as well as increased the scope of course offerings. Her knowledge of developing relationships with board and committee members has helped to build a strong foundation for future leaders and revenue growth.  In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing financial management and funding, board recruitment and administration, educational programs, finances and budgeting, and strategic planning. Other key duties include marketing, social media communication, developing new partnerships and community outreach. 

In 2019, with the help of Academy Officers, Doerler championed the Domestic Violence Awareness month educational initiative and launched annual programs for awareness, education, and resources.  The initiative supports Long Island agencies that help victims of domestic violence by collecting and donating needed items.  

Doerler is a Cum Laude graduate of LIU Post, with a B.S. in Marketing and M.P.A. in Public Administration. She taught Introduction to Non-Profit Management and Grant writing at Hofstra University and LIU Post Adult Education and was named one of Long Island Business News Top 50 Women in 2022.

Doerler is a past board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she held the position of Vice President of Membership, Chair of Philanthropy Day, and Chair of the Mentoring Committee. She is Past President of the Gerontology Professionals of New York. Currently she is a member of the Advisory Council for Nassau Suffolk Law Services and Committee Member of the Suffolk County Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts heading up the Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiative.

The Suffolk County Bar Association, a professional association comprised of more than 2,800 lawyers and judges, was founded in 1908 to serve the needs of the local legal community and the public.  The Association develops and offers continuing legal education programs through the Suffolk Academy of Law, as well as public services, such as a Lawyer Referral Service through which members of the public are referred to lawyers with expertise in a wide variety of areas of law.  For information about services, call (631) 234-5511. Visit our website www.scba.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Michael Sceiford

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Michael Sceiford of Port Jefferson has been named to the 2023 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State ranking by Forbes/SHOOK® Research. The list is comprised of more than 1,460 financial advisors nationwide, all under age 40.  Sceiford ranked No. 9 in New York State. 

This ranking is given to the top financial advisors under 40 in their respective states based on criteria that include compliance records, assets under care and more. 

“This is an incredible honor, one I could never have achieved without the tremendous support from my branch team. And I am forever indebted to my clients for the trust they have put in me and the relationships we’ve built as we work toward the financial goals that help give them the freedom to live life on their terms,” Sceiford said. 

“This work inspires me because I know that, for years to come, I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of my clients and colleagues, and in my community,” he said. 

Michael Sceiford and branch office administrator Pam Guido can be reached at 631-928-2034. You may also visit the branch website at edwardjones.com/michael-sceiford.

Dr. Saathi (center) was honored with a plaque outside an isolation room dedicated in his honor by Stanley and Dr. Marion Bergman (3rd and 4th from right). They posed with members of their caregiver team, including nurses and a member of the Food & Dining Services staff. Photo courtesy of Mather Hospital

Port Jefferson’s Mather Hospital recently dedicated the Isolation Room on its 3North Intermediate Care Unit in honor of neurosurgeon Sumeer Sathi, MD to memorialize a generous donation from the Bergman Family Foundation.

The donation was the result of Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc. and his wife Dr. Marion Bergman wanting to acknowledge and express their gratitude for the care they received from Dr. Sathi and Mather Hospital.

Dr. Sathi is a clinical assistant professor of neurosurgery at Weill-Cornell Medical College in New York and has served as chief of neurosurgery at Mather Hospital and St. Charles Hospital since 2002.

“We truly appreciate the excellent care we received at Mather Hospital by Dr. Sumeer Sathi and the Neurosurgical team, where we both elected to have our spinal surgery performed,” said Stanley and Dr. Marion Bergman. “In recognition of the exceptional team of professionals at Mather, we are pleased to make this contribution to the hospital in honor of Dr. Sathi.”

“It is so gratifying when an individual steps forth to show their gratitude to Mather Hospital through a thoughtful donation, which in turn allows us to grow and advance our ability to provide exceptional care,” said James Danowski, Chairman of the JTM Foundation, which generates philanthropic support for Mather Hospital. 

Currently the Foundation is raising $20 million for the various transformational program initiatives at Mather Hospital including a new 26,000-sq- ft Emergency Department expected to open in 2025.

New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS), one of the nation’s leading oncology practices, is proud to announce the addition of Jin Guo, MD. She will practice at 1500 Rt 112, Bldg 4, Port Jefferson Station.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Jin Guo to the NYCBS team,” said Jeff Vacirca, MD, CEO of NYCBS. “We are confident that Dr. Guo’s expertise and compassionate approach will greatly benefit our patients and further enhance our mission to provide exceptional cancer care.”

Dr. Guo’s love for oncology’s scientific and humanistic aspects led her to medicine. “It’s important to understand what makes cancer cells grow and what we can do to fight cancer but building a human connection is equally important,” Dr.Guo said. “I became an oncologist because it requires expertise in both. Oncology is an art and a science.”

After supporting her grandmother through her cancer journey, Dr. Guo pursued the field to deliver the highest quality cancer care to her patients while supporting their families and caregivers. “My philosophy is to not only treat the person behind the cancer but also to encourage and empower my patients to be active participants in their own care through communication, trust, and respect.” Dr. Guo said.

Dr. Guo received her Doctor of Medicine from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She completed her Hematology/Oncology Fellowship with a Master Clinician Track at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, renowned for its exceptional cancer care and groundbreaking research. Prior to her fellowship, Dr. Guo served as an Internal Medicine Resident at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine.

To make an appointment with Dr. Guo, please call 631-751-3000. For more information, visit nycancer.com.

Movieland Cinemas. Photo by Elyse Benavides

By Heidi Sutton

Movieland Cinemas, a longtime fixture in the community, has closed. The announcement was made on its Facebook page on Sept. 7. General Manager Nicole Rapp cited high rent and declining foot traffic as the reason for the closure.

Located in Coram at 1850 Route 112 in the Pine Plaza, the theater opened in 1995 and changed hands many times, most recently in 2022 after extensive renovations. 

“Over the years, our theater has been a place where the community has come together to enjoy films … and celebrate the magic of cinema. We have cherished every moment spent with you, our loyal patrons, and the support you have shown us,” read the post.

Many patrons reacted to the announcment with sadness and thanked the theater for the many years of memories. 

“We want to extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of you who has been a part of our theater’s journey. It’s been an incredible ride, and we couldn’t have done it without you. We are going to miss hosting your birthday parties, special events, gaming tournaments, sensory friendly screenings, Princess/ Superhero meet-and-greets, and so much more,” said Rapp.

The post went on to the thank “the dedicated movie theater staff … who tirelessly worked behind the scenes” and hinted at reopening the theater in the future with a potential buyer.

“While our doors may be closing for now, the memories we’ve created together will live on. Thank you for being a part of our theater’s story, and we hope that this is a temporary speed-bump and soon be able to make a comeback,” added Rapp.

Edward McCabe

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC has announced that Edward G. McCabe has joined the firm as Partner. He will work out of the Firm’s Suffolk County office in Hauppauge with Partners John Farrell and Elaine Colavito.

Mr. McCabe concentrates his practice on civil and commercial litigation and appeals, municipal law and legislative practice and real estate law and transactions. He has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts involving complex issues of law. He also has substantial experience litigating cases involving administrative and municipal proceedings and construction contract disputes, including mediation and arbitration proceedings. Mr. McCabe also has vast experience in real estate transactions and the complexity of contractual negotiations.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. McCabe managed his own general law practice, handling all aspects of client representation from litigation to real estate transactional work, such as contract and lease preparation.

In addition to managing his own Firm, Mr. McCabe serves as the Vice Chairman of the Town of Islip Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mr. McCabe is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department.  He is also a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association.

He received his Juris Doctor from the Maurice A Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Mr. McCabe resides in Bay Shore.

His father, Hon. Edward G. McCabe, was the Firm’s Special Counsel before he passed away on June 16, 2023. A former Chief Administrative Judge of the Nassau County Courts, Judge McCabe joined Sahn Ward in 2009 and worked at the Firm until his retirement in April 2022. In addition to advising clients, he also served as a mentor to the Firm’s attorneys.

“I am honored to join the Firm where my late father had a tremendous influence on the attorneys at the Firm,” Mr. McCabe said. “I look forward to helping the Firm continue to grow its litigation, real estate and land use practices, and work with the Firm’s attorneys, many of whom I have known from my own practice.”

“We are extremely pleased to have Edward join our Firm,” said Michael H. Sahn, the Firm’s Managing Member. “His experience will be an asset to the Firm and our clients, and help us expand our practice in Suffolk County and elsewhere.”

For more information, call (516) 228-1300 or visit www.sahnward.com.

 

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson recently received the Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) designation from the American College of Emergency Physicians. Photo from Mather Hospital

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson recently received the Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) designation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

PACED is a national accreditation program that seeks to improve pain management and substance use care for patients. Having a PACED designation means that patients in these hospitals will receive the highest level of treatment for pain and addiction, while minimizing the use of opioid medications.

“Receiving PACED accreditation confirms the work we’ve done across several disciplines — medicine, nursing, social work, pain management — to remove the stigmas associated with addiction and to provide the best evidence-based care,” said Adam Wos, MD., Medical Director of the Emergency Department. “This means that our clinicians are focused on approaches that prevent the harms of addiction, and our patients have more resources and fewer barriers to seeking out the care they need.” 

Mather is one of 18 Northwell hospitals to received PACED designation. Sandeep Kapoor, MD, assistant vice president of Emergency Medicine Addiction Services, said the designation recognizes Northwell’s determined efforts over the past decade to create a landscape of humanistic and evidence-based approaches in helping people living with substance use disorder (SUD) and pain issues.

“The fact that 18 of our hospitals have received national accreditation recognizes our efforts to humanize the approach to substance use and pain. We are very proud that our model of care is being regarded as an industry standard,” Dr. Kapoor said.