Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The evening was a celebration of leadership, legacy and the spirit of giving - wrapped in neon lights and 1980s nostalgia. Northwell Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) hosted its 143rd annual Charity Ball, welcoming nearly 450 guests to Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, Saturday night. The “Back to the ’80s” themed gala transformed the ballroom into a retro wonderland complete with big hair, bold colors, and plenty of synth beats, all in support of the Florina Cancer Center. For more than a century, the Charity Ball has been one of Staten Island’s longest-standing philanthropic traditions, raising critical funds to advance care and innovation at SIUH. This year’s event honored Dr. Brahim Ardolic, whose two-decade leadership has helped shape SIUH into a world-class health institution. Dr. Ardolic, who recently assumed his new role as President of Northwell Health’s Metro Market, was celebrated for his vision, compassion, and steadfast dedication to the Staten Island community. Dr. Ardolic joined SIUH in 2004 and has since held numerous leadership roles, from emergency medicine director to hospital president. Under his guidance, SIUH expanded emergency services, women’s health, and cancer care, and launched several new centers of excellence that bring advanced treatment closer to home. In her remarks, Meagan Sills, SIUH’s newly appointed Senior Vice President and President of SIUH, paid tribute to her predecessor, calling him “a steady hand in crisis, a mentor to clinicians, and a source of compassion for patients and families.” “Dr. Ardolic’s greatest legacy lives in people - the staff he’s inspired, the physicians he’s trained, and the countless patients whose lives have been touched by his dedication,” Sills said. The evening featured a heartfelt video tribute chronicling Dr. Ardolic’s 20-year journey at SIUH, followed by emotional remarks from the honoree himself, who reflected on his time with the hospital and the community he calls home. “I’m one of the luckiest people alive,” Dr. Ardolic said to a rousing round of applause. “Most people never get one dream job — I’ve had three. Every step of my journey has been shaped by the people who believed in me and this community." Accepting the honor, Dr. Ardolic turned the spotlight back on his colleagues. “I don’t believe in individual honors. I accept this recognition in the name of the thousands of people who, every single day, made me look good by taking care of the people of Staten Island,” he said. AN ’80s PARTY FOR A CAUSE Co-chairs Dr. Efrat LaMandre and Dr. Carolyn Raia, who also serve on the SIUH Foundation Board, welcomed guests decked out in vintage glam attire to the lively, neon-themed affair. “Tonight, as we step back into the 80s, we step forward into a celebration of leadership, community, and the future of healthcare on Staten Island,” said Dr. LaMandre. Funds raised during the gala will directly benefit the Florina Cancer Center, helping ensure Staten Islanders facing cancer can access the highest level of care without leaving the borough. This year’s event raised more than $325,000 to support life-saving programs and services at the center. Dr. Raia noted, “This room is filled with the heart and soul of our borough - supporters, families, patients, and champions who believe that excellence belongs here in our backyard.” COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATION Among those in attendance were Borough President Vito Fossella, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, Surrogate Matthew Titone and Judge Catherine DiDomenico, along with Northwell leaders. Fossella took the podium to present Dr. Ardolic with an official Borough Proclamation – declaring Oct. 18, 2025, Dr. Brahim Ardolic Day, recognizing his enduring contributions to healthcare on Staten Island. He also announced a $1.3 million investment toward cutting-edge technology upgrades at the hospital; including advancements in cardiac surgery, sleep medicine and patient monitoring - ensuring Staten Islanders continue to receive top-tier care close to home. “We are all here to leave this place slightly better than we found it,” Dr. Ardolic said. “Thirty years from now, I want the people of Staten Island to have an even better hospital than the one we built together.” As the formal program concluded, guests turned up the volume - dancing the night away to classic 1980s hits beneath a cascade of lights. The event coordinated by a dedicated team captured the perfect blend of nostalgia and purpose – a reminder that even in an ’80s flashback, the heart of Staten Island University Hospital beats for the future. MORE ABOUT DR. BRAHIM ARDOLIC Dr. Ardolic serves as President of Northwell Health’s newly established Metro Market, overseeing strategy and operations across Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Western Queens. In that role, he leads a diverse portfolio of hospitals, ambulatory services and service lines, advancing access, quality, and experience for the communities Northwell serves. He is also spearheading Northwell’s strategic expansion into new markets through targeted growth initiatives and partnerships. Prior to this new role, Dr. Ardolic served as the Senior Vice President and Deputy Regional Executive Director for Northwell Health’s Western Region. In this role, he expanded his scope beyond SIUH to help shape the future of the market. As president of SIUH, Dr. Ardolic spearheaded the successful implementation of strategic plans designed to provide comprehensive advanced medical care to Staten Island’s half-million residents. This mission addresses a long-standing need for local access to specialized services and included the development of major clinical expansions such as the Florina Cancer Center, the Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center and the Lois & Richard Nicotra Heart Institute. At SIUH, Dr. Ardolic served in various leadership positions. As chair of emergency medicine, he helped transform the hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine into a modern facility equipped with a regionally and nationally recognized academic department. Dr. Ardolic also designed SIUH’s 74-bed emergency department, developed IT systems and initiated numerous process efficiencies, and he worked to support SIUH’s training programs and expanded its grant-funded portfolio as vice president of research. Among his proudest achievements were establishing the hospital’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program, which has improved quality by building a pipeline of talented emergency medicine physicians, and assisting local residents during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. Dr. Ardolic started his career in medicine as an attending physician at King’s County Hospital Center and he has published numerous articles on emergency medicine. He is the immediate past president of the New York Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), where he has served on the Board of Directors for ten years, and medical director of the Wagner College Physician Assistant Program, teaching radiology and laboratory interpretation. Dr. Ardolic holds a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he completed his residency in emergency medicine.
