NYU Langone Health honored Kenneth G. Langone, the chair of its Board of Trustees, and Robert I. Grossman, MD, the institution’s dean and CEO, at their final Violet Ball in their current roles on June 3. The event took place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur and marked over $5.5 billion raised during their 18-year tenures.
Langone supported Dr. Grossman’s leadership since he took charge of NYU Medical Center in 2007 when it was a struggling hospital. Their efforts transformed it into a top-ranked health system with seven inpatient locations and more than 320 outpatient sites in New York and Florida.
Langone stated, “The evolution of NYU Langone from a struggling safety-net hospital to one of the world’s leading health systems is a phenomenal story.” He added that working alongside Dr. Grossman has been a privilege.
Dr. Grossman expressed gratitude for his partnership with Langone: “Ken Langone is a remarkable person and the greatest board chair, champion, and friend anyone can ask for.” He noted that they have achieved numerous firsts together.
Fiona Druckenmiller will become the new board chair on September 1, while Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, will assume the role of dean and CEO. Druckenmiller said she is “honored to step into this role,” while Dr. Kimmelman remarked on the opportunity to build upon Langone and Grossman’s legacy.
The Violet Ball also celebrated eight new transformative gifts totaling nearly $160 million from philanthropists who have supported NYU Langone’s advancements in healthcare over two decades.
Larry and Lori Fink, Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, and The Home Depot organization co-chaired the event attended by over 400 guests including notable figures such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Julia Koch. Proceeds from the event will support campus transformation at NYU Langone.