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This year, Stanley Sherbell, M.D., executive vice president for medical affairs at New York Methodist Hospital, Reverend Russell D. Smith, a Hospital trustee, and Sal Panico, president of Construction Management & Engineering Consulting Services, will be recognized for their commitment to New York Methodist Hospital.

New York Methodist Hospital will honor three distinguished individuals for their commendable service to the Hospital and the Brooklyn community at the 2008 New York Methodist Hospital Board of Trustees "Candlelight Gala, to be held on Saturday, May 3, at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan.

Dr. Sherbell will receive the Lewis S. Pilcher, M.D., Award in recognition of his leadership and service to the Hospital. The award is named for the Hospital's first medical director.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dr. Sherbell graduated magna cum laude from Brooklyn College and received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn (later known as Interfaith Medical Center) and completed a research fellowship in pulmonary disease at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. In April 1985, he was appointed to the position of medical director at New York Methodist Hospital and now holds the position of executive vice president for medical affairs at NYM.

Since the Hospital's affiliation with the New York Hospital (now NewYork-Presbyterian) in 1993, Dr. Sherbell has continued his commitment to the Hospital by acting as a liaison between the two healthcare institutions and also aiding the development of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System programs.

Reverend Russell D. Smith will receive the James Monroe Buckley Award for Distinguished Trustee in recognition of his dedication as a member of the Hospital's board of trustees.

This award memorializes the Methodist minister who conceived the idea of founding the first Methodist Hospital, 126 years ago.

Reverend Smith has been a devoted member of the Hospital's board of trustees since 1990. He also currently serves on the board's visiting committee. In addition to his work at the Hospital, for 13 years Reverend Smith served as the senior pastor of the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church in Clifton Park, New York. During his 41 years of active ministry, Reverend Smith was on several District and Annual Conference Committees. He also served an appointment as the district superintendent.

The Keystone Award is given to an individual who has shown great support for the Hospital.

Sal Panico, president of Construction Management and Engineering Consulting Services, will receive the Keystone Award.

Mr. Panico has been a strong supporter of the Hospital through his donations and by participating in various fund-raisers. He has also acted as co-chair of the NYM Golf Tournament Committee since 1998.

Along with his involvement at the Hospital, Mr. Panico has served on the Board of Directors for The Thomas Group and on the Foundation Board for Suffolk Community College. The "Candlelight Gala" will begin with a cocktail hour at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and awards at 8 p.m. Guests will also be treated to a special performance by Wade Preston, star of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical Movin' Out.

All proceeds of the gala will benefit the Hospital's new Advanced Women's Imaging and Prenatal Testing Center. For tickets, or to place an advertisement in the commemorative journal, please call NYM's Department of Development at 718-780-5342.