More than 400 golfers, business leaders and community supporters gathered on May 11 for Mount Sinai South Nassau’s 42nd annual golf outing, raising more than $771,000 to support the expansion of advanced cardiac care services on the South Shore.
The fundraiser, described by organizers as the largest annual hospital golf outing on Long Island, took place across three courses — The Seawane Club, Rockaway Hunting Club and Rockville Links Club — before guests returned to Seawane for a barbecue dinner, awards presentation and fundraising program.
Proceeds from the outing will benefit the hospital’s “Bringing Heart Home” campaign, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding cardiac services at the Oceanside campus, including the addition of open-heart surgery later this year. Hospital officials said the effort allows South Shore residents to receive advanced cardiac care closer to home instead of traveling to Manhattan or other parts of Long Island.
“Our cardiology program, you’ll be able to get the same exact care that people get in Manhattan right here in Oceanside,” said Tony Cancellieri, co-chair of the hospital’s advisory board and co-chair of the event.
The hospital honored three community leaders during the outing. Justin Breslin, vice president of Breslin Realty Development Corporation, was recognized as the event’s honoree. Dr. Jay Itzkowitz received the Lifesaver Award, and Ralph Esposito was honored for community service.
Joe Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications and development, said the annual event has continued to grow alongside the hospital.
“It originally was one course, and then two courses, and then a few years ago, we went to three courses because of the amount of supporters,” Calderone said.
“As South Nassau has grown — and now we’re part of the Mount Sinai Health System — our support has grown, and our footprint in the community has grown,” he added.
Calderone called the outing both a fundraiser and a “friend raiser,” explaining that the event allows community members to connect directly with hospital leaders, physicians and staff members while learning about the expanding medical services.
“The money is important, and that’s why we come together, but it’s also an opportunity for our stakeholders and the community to learn a little bit about what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to just be able to be together and celebrate the hospital and celebrate all the good work that the nurses and physicians and support staff do every day.”
Dr. Adhi Sharma, the hospital’s president, thanked supporters during the evening program.
“We are lucky to have all of you, as supporters of the work that we do on the South Shore,” Sharma said. “And we’re lucky to have the amazing doctors and nurses at the hospital who work every day to take care of the patients in the community.”
Breslin is a third-generation real estate developer who has helped expand his family’s firm into multifamily housing developments throughout Long Island, including projects in Lynbrook and Baldwin. During his remarks, he reflected on the recent loss of his grandfather, longtime developer Wilbur Breslin.
“Thank you for taking a chance on a 31-year-old, entrusting me to help support such an important mission,” Breslin said. “While no one could ever fully follow in his footsteps, I do hope this honor represents the beginning of my own commitment to carrying that spirit forward, supporting Long Island, investing in its future and giving back however I can.”
Itzkowitz was recognized for leading the hospital’s emergency department, which sees about 70,000 patient visits annually. Under his leadership, the department completed a $50 million renovation and improved patient satisfaction measures, including reducing the rate of patients leaving without being seen from 7 percent in 2023 to below 2 percent in 2024. The department also earned the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association, a recognition given to emergency departments that demonstrate innovative and exceptional performance.
“In the ED, every shift is a team effort, all working together in what can only be described as organized chaos,” Itzkowitz said. “I want to sincerely thank the hospital board and hospital leadership for their support, recognition and investment in the people who show up every day to care for our community.”
Esposito, a U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Ticonderoga, was recognized for decades of advocacy on behalf of veterans through the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency. He highlighted the veterans pantry program he helped establish to support local veterans in need.
“Veterans are very proud,” Esposito said. “They don’t like to be known. I started a veterans pantry. We feed our veterans, thanks to all of you that donate food. Please, let’s never forget the people that served this country and made it possible for all of us to be here today.”
The outing’s success reflects the strong relationship between the nonprofit hospital and surrounding community.
“The only reason we exist is to serve the community,” Calderone said. “We’re very fortunate that we have so many people who support the hospital and see how it’s grown over the years and improved.”
