A Night of Magic and Medicine: Highlights from the 23rd Annual MS Center Gala

On March 6, more than 200 members of the Mount Sinai community and guests gathered for the 23rd Annual MS Center Celebration, an event that brought magic, generosity, and inspiration to the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. This highly anticipated evening once again raised crucial support for The Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Mount Sinai, drawing together a passionate community dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by MS.

Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, Associate Director of the Center; Dr. Stephen Krieger, Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Anthony Rosa, Founder and CEO of Runway 7 Fashion, Advisory Board Member of the Center, and the designer behind the MS-themed lab coats showcased at New York Fashion Week, co-chaired the event.

Attendees were welcomed to the evening’s program by Fred D. Lublin, MD, Director of the Center and Saunders Family Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine, and Aaron Miller, MD, Medical Director of the Center and Professor of Neurology. Heartfelt remarks were delivered by Meruka Hazari, MD, a patient with MS and Advisory Board member of the CGDC. After a video featuring grateful patients, Dr. Katz Sand and Dr. Krieger, who sported one of Mr. Rosa’s designer lab coats, took the podium to address what the Center and patient care has meant to them. Additionally, Christina Kovacs, Director of Brand & Sponsorships for Runway 7 Fashion, and Mr. Rosa’s mother, Elizabeth, whose late son, Ralph, battled MS for 23 years, addressed the audience on behalf of Mr. Rosa, who could not attend. They spoke of their deep connection to the cause.

The night was capped off by an incredible performance by David Gerard, a renowned mentalist and magician, who once again captivated the audience with his mind-bending skills.

While the entertainment thrilled guests, the heart of the evening was its mission: raising $500,000 in vital funds to advance patient care, groundbreaking research, and innovative education at the Center. With more than 6,000 patients depending on its services, the need for continued support has never been greater.

Dr. Krieger reflected on his participation in the celebration, “After attending the CGD Gala for 20 years, it was an honor to co-chair and speak at the event. My remarks to ‘find the good we can do’ in the lives of everyone with MS who we care for, to envision their best possible outcomes and seek this with scientific advancements and also with empathy, generosity of spirit, and beneficence – really encapsulates our clinical mission at the CGD Center. I asked those in attendance to think about the good they can do for the Center, and although when I said ‘to be clear, this is a call to action’ it got a good laugh, I also hope that it inspired people to dig deep and contribute to our mission, as we can’t succeed without the philanthropic support that our gala provides.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors over the years, gala proceeds have developed and sustained transformative initiatives such as the C. Olsten Wellness Program, launched in 2020 by Dr. Katz Sand. This program takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to improving the quality of life and long-term outcomes for people living with MS. Funds raised also play a critical role in supporting pioneering research and training future MS specialists.

In Dr. Katz Sand’s words, “It was truly an honor to serve as co-chair for this incredible event. We are extremely grateful to our wonderful community for helping us ensure the night’s success. We could not do the critically important work we do every day without this amazing support!”

The evening was a tremendous success, reinforcing the Center’s unwavering commitment to revolutionizing MS care and offering hope to thousands of patients and families.