Brooklyn, NY, Dec. 22, 2025 – At its 10th annual Community for Kids fundraiser, Maimonides Health welcomed nearly 500 supporters and raised approximately $200,000 to support the newly opened Children’s Emergency Department (ED) at Maimonides, the largest standalone children’s ED and only pediatric trauma center in Brooklyn.
The event marked a decade of collaboration, generosity, and impact in Maimonides’ mission to expand access to high-quality, comprehensive care for children and families across the borough. This year, the newly updated ED quadrupled the previous amount of pediatric emergency space and set a new standard for pediatric emergency and trauma care available in Brooklyn. The modernized space, brand-new equipment, and unique expertise of our board-certified physicians, surgeons, and nurses allow the Children’s Hospital to provide high-quality, compassionate care to more children than ever before.
This year, four honorees were recognized for their dedication to furthering children’s health care in Brooklyn, including:
- Guardian Angel Award: Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Annunciation Parish and FDNY Chaplain
- Comeback Player of the Year Award: Declan Doyle, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Maimonides Health
- Community Builders Award: Ben Bay Kiwanis Foundation
- Kids Who Care Award: Kids for Kids Foundation
- Man in the Arena Award: Frank Naccarato, Member, Board of Directors, Maimonides Health
Five individuals from Maimonides’ staff and the community were presented with Community for Kids Service Medals, in recognition of exceptional service and dedication to Maimonides’ mission, including:
- Kevin Cottingham, Vice President of Operations, Maimonides Health
- Dawn Volpe, Assistant Vice President, Administrative Services, Maimonides Health
- Tamar Motov, MSN, Vice President, Nursing, Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Health
- Enrico “Rick” Martino, Brooklyn Resident
- Mariann Tedepino, Brooklyn Resident
“This year’s Community for Kids is especially noteworthy as we celebrate a decade of coming together for the benefit of Brooklyn’s children when they need us most,” said Ken Gibbs, President and CEO, Maimonides Health. “We are also celebrating our increased capacity for emergency and trauma care, which has been provided to our community by our medical staff, support staff, and team leaders who have worked so hard over several years to make our new Children’s ED a reality. We thank all our supporters and community partners who continue to help us ensure every child in Brooklyn has access to the high-quality care they deserve.”
For more information on the event, visit com4kids.org. View photos here and download using PIN 1529.
About Maimonides Children’s Hospital
Maimonides Children’s Hospital is the only Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn, caring for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our staff comprises an outstanding team of board-certified pediatric physicians, surgeons, nurses, and nurse practitioners who dedicate their lives to the health and well-being of children. Our team of board-certified pediatric specialists collaborate with the team to ensure each child receives the expertise and best care possible in an environment created and designed for their comfort. Learn more about Maimonides Children’s Hospital.
About Maimonides Health
Maimonides Health is Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, providing more than 1 million patient visits each year through the system’s three hospitals, 1,800+ physicians, and more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers. Our system is anchored by Maimonides Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest independent teaching hospitals and home to centers of excellence in numerous specialties; Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (formerly New York Community Hospital), a 130-bed adult medical–surgical hospital; and Maimonides Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn’s only children’s hospital and only pediatric trauma center.
Maimonides’ clinical programs rank among the best in the country for patient outcomes, including our Heart and Vascular Institute, Neurosciences Institute, Bone and Joint Center, and Cancer Center. For additional information, please visit www.maimo.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.