Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • October 5, 2011 Area The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Inc. will mark the second anniversary of the opening of the BVMI Healthcare Center at the “Celebrating the Culture of Caring Reception and Buffet Supper,” Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Seasons in Washington Township. Volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals provide free primary and preventive medical care to low-income Bergen County residents who have no health insurance. The BVMI Healthcare Center, a state-licensed ambulatory care facility, is located at 241 Moore Street, Hackensack. BVMI is guided by a “culture of caring” – a belief that the way a person is treated is as important as the medical care received. Six physicians will receive the Community Leadership Award for their commitment to BVMI’s patients. The physicians are representative of the 300 doctors throughout Bergen County who have offered to see BVMI’s patients on a referral basis at no fee in their private practice and the regular staff of volunteer doctors at the center. The honorees are Paul E. Berman, O.D., optometry, Focus Eye Health and Vision Care, Hackensack; Rich- BVMI to present awards at anniversary event ard S. Goldweit, MD, cardiovascular disease, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center; Scott D. Lippe, MD, gastroenterology, Bergen Regional Medical Center; Lisa Ann Miller, MD, gynecology and obstetrics, Hackensack University Medical Center; John Poole, MD, general surgery, Holy Name Medical Center; and Mitchell J. Rubinoff, MD, gastroenterology, The Valley Hospital. The Corporate Spirit of Giving Award will be presented to Brach Eichler, LLC, the Roseland-based law firm whose Healthcare Group has guided BVMI in its development and continues to provide pro bono counsel to BVMI. The firm has sustained the valued relationship which BVMI enjoyed with the late Burt Eichler, Esq. Medco Health Solutions will also receive the Corporate Spirit of Giving Award for its support of healthcare education and strong commitment to ensuring access to affordable, high-quality prescriptions for low-income Bergen County residents. A Special Tribute will be given to Bernard M. Weinstein, MPH, immediate past chair of the BVMI Board of Trustees for his leadership. Weinstein, a resident of Fair Lawn, is a former executive director of Bellevue Hospital in New York, and former commissioner of hospitals in Westchester County. His knowledge of healthcare systems was critical in the development of the BVMI Health- care Center. Since opening in November 2009, over 800 patients have been treated at the center. BVMI, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is completely dependent on contributed income from individuals, businesses, community groups and foundation grants. The “Celebrating the Culture of Caring” reception is the annual fundraising event. “BVMI has demonstrated that we can make a huge difference for people who lack health insurance while also offering a model for prevention, coordinated care and reduced cost in the long run,” said BVMI Board of Trustees Chairman Michael W. Azzara. “We are grateful to all our donors and volunteers. Their continued involvement and the welcome addition of new participants will insure our ability to meet the increasing community need for our services.” BVMI Founding Chairman Samuel A. Cassell, MD and volunteer Joan Cowlan are co-chairs of the Journal Committee. Trustee Heidi Ahlborn, MD is heading the Auction Committee supported by Friends of BVMI. For reservations or information about the journal and auction, contact Executive Director Norma Gindes at (201) 342-2478, extension 8484. Reservations are $175 per person. The organization’s website is bvmi.org. The community is invited to a presentation and discussion at Temple Israel and JCC of Ridgewood, “Hope for Peace in the Middle East: Understanding Israel,” on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Admission is free. The multi-media program will present an overview of Israel, its people and accomplishments, and an overview of the Middle East conflict. The presentation includes a live narration, slides, and video interviews with people from a variety of religious, ethnic, and professional backgrounds who are knowledgeable about Israel and its political situation. The program is intended for both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. A question and answer period will follow the presentation, in which the latest developments may be discussed. The program, which is sponsored by the Israel Action Committee of Temple Israel, will be presented by Temple Israel members Alain Sanders and Richard Schnaittacher. Sanders is an associate professor in the Saint Peter’s College Political Science Department, where he teaches a wide variety of courses on U.S. politics. Prior to joining the Saint Peter’s College faculty, Professor Sanders was a Guest speakers to discuss Middle East journalist for 21 years. He worked as a senior reporter for TIME magazine and wrote stories for every major news section of the magazine and for TIME’s early Internet site. During his career in journalism, Professor Sanders appeared on a variety of radio and television talk shows to discuss and analyze political developments. He was a weekly radio commentator on American news developments for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Australian radio stations 2KY, 4BC, and 2NC. He has published a variety of freelance articles over the years, and he continues to publish newspaper op-ed articles on political and legal affairs and provides comments on news developments in various media. Schnaittacher was born and grew up in the United States, moved to Israel in 1978 and lived there until 1986, and then moved back to the United States. As a result, he has dual citizenship. He has worked for a footwear manufacturer for 20 years and his responsibilities include development of business in the Middle East. His extensive travels through the Arab world, including Jordan, (continued on page 21)