Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s Dr. Michael Lasser Honored by Cortlandt Rotary Club
WMP Pediatrician receives the “Paul Harris Fellow”
Cortlandt Manor, NY - (July 1, 2011) – Dr. Michael Lasser, pediatrician with the Westchester Medical Practice, and chair of pediatrics at Hudson Valley Hospital Center has become the first Paul Harris Fellow Honoree of the Rotary Club of Cortlandt.
The Rotary Club of Cortlandt presented the award to Dr. Lasser on Saturday, June 25th during an event celebrating the club’s first anniversary. Named after the founder of Rotary International, the Paul Harris Fellowship award represents outstanding service to Rotary or to the community. In recognition of Dr. Lasser’s work in the community over the past 30 years, the club made a $1,000 donation to the Foundation’s "END POLIO NOW" campaign.
Sharon Irving, Charter President of the Cortlandt Manor Rotary, shared her personal story as an example of Dr. Lasser’s devotion to his pediatric patients. In 1995, Irving’s daughter, Sabrinna Ingram, was dying after six-year battle with a terminal illness. Irving recalls dealing with many doctors from different hospitals throughout the area before finding Dr. Lasser and described him as “…the doctor with the most compassion and concern for children.”
When Sabrinna became too ill to travel to the hospital, Dr. Lasser made daily house calls, and was always there for the family with advice or referrals, said Irving.
“[The Paul Harris Fellowship award] is the most prestigious award that a non-Rotarian can receive,” Irving said. “There’s something about him that’s very, very special.”
Dr. Lasser, MD, has practiced pediatrics in the Cortlandt/Peekskill area for 31 years. Dr. Lasser grew up in Westchester, attended Washington University and graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1973. After graduating from New York Medical College in 1977, he completed his residency in pediatrics at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital and began private practice in 1980. Dr. Lasser is board certified in Pediatrics. He now Dr. practices with Dr. Eric Mier, and Ellen Lasser, CPNP, as part of the Westchester Medical Practice.
Dr. William Higgins, Medical Staff President at HVHC and Medical Director of the Westchester Medical Practice, congratulated Dr. Lasser for this honor on behalf of Hudson Valley Hospital Center.
A letter to acknowledge Dr. Lasser was presented from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as well as proclamations from U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, NYS Senator Greg Ball, NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Westchester County Legislator John Testa, Town of Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi and Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster.
Dr. Lasser joins the list of other Paul Harris Fellows including action movie star Jackie Chan, conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, premier violinist Itzhak Perlman, Grammy Award winners A.R. Rahman, Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley, golfing great Jack Nicklaus, and peace advocate Queen Noor of Jordan, Mother Theresa, and many more.
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