CenterLight Health System Hosts Inaugural Be the Light Gala
News related to:CenterLight Health System · 2 min read
NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- CenterLight Health System recently celebrated its inaugural Be the Light Gala, an evening dedicated to raising philanthropic support for the CenterLight Impact Fund. The gala, held at Guastavino's in New York City, honored outstanding leaders and advocates whose work reflects a shared commitment to serving older adults and strengthening communities. The event celebrated the power of compassion, service, and community impact in enhancing the lives of participants in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
The gala brought together supporters, healthcare leaders, community partners, and friends for an evening celebrating the power of generosity and its ability to create meaningful opportunities for older adults. Emmy Award-winning PIX11 News host Monica Morales served as master of ceremonies, recognizing the contributions of honorees who have made meaningful contributions to healthcare, community, and the lives of others.
The evening's honorees included Victoria Schneps, Founder, President, and Co-Publisher of Schneps Media; George C.K. Liu, MD, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the Coalition of Asian-American IPA (CAIPA); Sister Mary Anna Euring, O.P., a PACE participant, artist, and philanthropist; and State Senator Gustavo Rivera, who chairs the New York State Senate Committee on Health. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, joined the celebration with a video acceptance of her award.
A highlight of the evening was the premiere of the Be the Light video, which featured CenterLight staff and participants sharing their personal experiences about the impact of the PACE program. The heartfelt stories drew an emotional response from guests, highlighting the holistic approach of the program, which goes beyond medical care to include friendship, purpose, culture, and laughter.
Tara Buonocore-Rut, President and CEO of CenterLight Health System, emphasized the importance of the CenterLight Impact Fund.
Sister Mary Anna Euring, in accepting the Spirit of Light Award, encouraged the audience to embrace the Zulu word "Ubuntu," which she described as meaning "I am here because of you."
State Senator Gustavo Rivera, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of providing opportunities to older adults.
The gala brought together supporters, healthcare leaders, community partners, and friends to celebrate the power of generosity and its ability to create meaningful opportunities for older adults. Proceeds from the event directly support enhanced programs that promote health, connection, purpose, and quality of life for CenterLight PACE participants.