Seamus Carey, Ph.D., President, Iona University; Steven J. Corwin, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian; and Alfred F. Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H, retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Visa. 

By Diana Costello, Iona University

May 14, 2025: Iona University raised a record-breaking $2 million to support student scholarships at its annual Trustees Scholarship Award Gala on April 8, 2025, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and chief executive officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, was presented with the esteemed Iona Legacy Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and commitment to the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.  

Established July 2021, the school offers a new vision for collaborative health care education, modern workforce development and community engagement. The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences is rooted at Iona’s new 28-acre campus in Bronxville, located just 1.5 miles from NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester.

Speaking to a capacity crowd of over 500 people, Iona University President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., recalled how he had wanted to develop a new school of health sciences when Iona was initially acquiring the Bronxville campus in May 2021. But it was only the seed of an idea.

One day, over breakfast, Dr. Carey discussed the idea with a trusted advisor and current Iona Trustee, Alfred F. Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H, retired chairman and CEO of Visa.

Unbeknownst to Dr. Carey at the time, Mr. Kelly is also a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Board of Trustees. He immediately brought the idea to Dr. Corwin, and Dr. Carey recalled how an introduction turned into a quick connection. 

“Within two or three minutes, I realized Dr. Corwin had a vision for this school, how it would work, and how important it would be. The blueprint for the school was already in his mind before noon that day,” Dr. Carey said at the podium. “Fast-forward four years, and it is clear NewYork-Presbyterian and Iona not only share the same values, we share the same noble calling. Our job is to make the lives of the people we serve better. And so, I could not be more grateful to every one of you here tonight, because you are supporting that mission.”

In accepting the award, Dr. Corwin thanked Mr. Kelly for facilitating the opportunity, as well as the Boards of NewYork-Presbyterian and Iona for their trust. He also praised Dr. Carey as a tremendous partner.

“Trust and partnership are words that get thrown around a lot, and I think to a certain extent, we have devalued those words a bit,” Dr. Corwin said. “Iona exhibits that this has been a true partnership. And when you’re a partner, it’s not just transactional; you think about the other partner, you think about what’s good for them and not just what’s good for you. And you have trust that you both share the same set of values, and that those values will guide you forward.”

Dr. Corwin also took the opportunity to recognize six Iona nursing students graduating in May – announcing they will be hired by NewYork-Presbyterian.

“These young nurses who are graduating really demonstrate that people care about other people, that humanism runs deep, that faith runs deep, and that we can all strive to emulate those values that we profess to have,” Dr. Corwin said. “When you look around this room tonight, you have to believe in the future of our country and the future of all the young people that we educate and train in health care.”

In addition to emceeing the event, Mr. Kelly also co-chaired the evening with his wife, Peggy Kelly ’81, ’84MBA. In Bronxville, the Kelly Center for Health Sciences is named in their honor and serves as the school’s flagship building. Mr. Kelly said the night was a wonderful celebration of the strong and growing partnership between Iona and NewYork-Presbyterian.

“Together, we are building a healthier, stronger and more connected community, and together we are planning the future of health care in Westchester and across New York City,” said Mr. Kelly. “Dr. Corwin’s visionary leadership, not just in health care, but in community building, has made a profound impact on all of us. And his dedication to both innovation and compassion is truly inspiring. We are so thankful for his continued support of Iona and our students.”  

See photos from the event below.

Over 500 people joined the celebration, raising $2 million to support student scholarships.

Tim Hughes, Vice President, Operations, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester; The Honorable Richard Gephardt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gephardt Group; Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville Paul J. Dunphey, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester and President, NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital; and Mary Behrens, Bronxville Village Trustee.

Performances by Iona University’s Irish Dance and Pipe Band kicked off the evening.

Iona University nursing students Kathleen Fenlon ’25; Guadalupe Ceja ’25; Maya Peluso ’25; Molly Guillaume ’25; Ava Kotliar ’25; and Alyssa Urena ’25.

Iona University’s Trustees Scholarship Award Gala was held on April 8, 2025, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.