NYU Langone Health held its annual “Sala-bration” event on November 3, honoring the work of the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care. The event took place at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and recognized Dr. Catherine S. Manno, who retired on November 1 after serving as chair of the Department of Pediatrics for 17 years.
Dr. Manno, a pediatric hematologist–oncologist, was instrumental in developing pediatric care at NYU Langone. She played a key role in opening Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in 2018 and was the founding physician of the Sala Institute. Her leadership promoted a child- and family-centered approach that has helped set national standards in children’s health.
The event gathered 150 guests, including supporters of Sala Institute, hospital leaders, staff, and clinicians. The program highlighted how Sala Institute’s initiatives ensure that children and families are central to every care decision at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.
Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine and CEO of NYU Langone Health, spoke about Dr. Manno’s influence: “Dr. Manno’s leadership has propelled NYU Langone to the forefront of pediatric medicine, expanding services across the region, advancing research, and fostering multidisciplinary teams that are both exceptional and deeply compassionate,” said Dr. Kimmelman. “Trudy and Bob’s vision and collaboration have been pivotal in shaping a culture of care that places families at the heart of every decision. Excellence in children’s health is inextricable from NYU Langone’s remarkable trajectory. We have an incredible foundation to build on, and I am deeply committed to continuing the partnership to make Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital the nation’s preeminent destination for pediatric care, discovery, and education.”
Sala Institute co-founders Trudy Elbaum Gottesman and Robert W. Gottesman also shared remarks about Dr. Manno’s contributions: “As children’s medicine continues to evolve, we, too, at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital are in a moment of change. Under Dr. Manno’s visionary leadership, children’s medical and surgical services expanded exponentially across NYU Langone, as did our focus on safety, quality, and the child and family experience—helping make Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital a national model for pediatric care,” said co-founder Trudy Elbaum Gottesman. “With Sala, these incredible medical advances reach their fullest potential when guided by communication, partnership, and trust with families and the therapeutic team. That is the science and soul of medicine, and it’s what makes the Sala model of care truly exceptional.”
This year’s “Sala-bration” raised more than $1.1 million to support Sala Institute programs at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. The institute is named after Trudy Elbaum Gottesman’s mother—a Holocaust survivor—and continues its mission inspired by her legacy: “inspired by my mother’s strength, resilience, and kindness and continues to honor every child, every family, and every act of compassion,” added Trudy.
Dr. Manno commented on her time with Sala Institute: “Championing Sala Institute and witnessing its impact on children and families has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together, we’ve built a foundation of care that combines scientific excellence and deep empathy, ensuring every child and family feels supported in their hardest moments,” said Dr. Manno. “It’s been an honor to work with such extraordinary colleagues and partners to shape the future of pediatrics at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and across the NYU Langone community.”
