Winthrop-University Hospital Hosts 24th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Present at the 24th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Winthrop-University Hospital were members of the Hospital’s Board of Directors (l.-r.) Edward Travaglianti; Maureen E. Clancy; Richard A. Newhouse, Jr.; John F. Collins, Winthrop’s President & CEO; Mineola Mayor Jack Martins; Winthrop Board Member Veronica Renken; Larry Werther, Deputy Mayor of Mineola; and Paul Cusato, Mineola Village Trustee.


John F. Collins, president & CEO of Winthrop, gets help lighting the Hospital’s majestic Christmas Tree from pediatric patients Aaron Conner of Laurel, NY, and Makenzy Chaikin of Dix Hills.

The festivities commenced with a spectacular musical performance by the Mineola Concert Singers from Mineola High School, under the direction of Megan Messina, followed by presentations by John F. Collins, Winthrop’s President & CEO; Richard A. Newhouse, Jr., former Chairman of the Board of Directors for Winthrop; Mineola Mayor Jack Martins and others.

As the countdown to the tree lighting began, two very special patients – Aaron Conner of Laurel, NY, and Makenzy Chaikin of Dix Hills – had an important job – hitting the switch to illuminate the magnificent Christmas Tree. Following the ceremony, guests had the opportunity to enjoy an array of refreshments in the Hospital’s Main Lobby.

The holiday festivities will continue as the Hospital prepares to hold its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony in the Serenity Chapel on December 15.