Admiral Rosen recognized for Wellness Center work.

The United Hospital Fund honored Rear Admiral Robert A. Rosen, NYNM (Ret.), with its 2008 Distinguished Community Service Award at its annual black-tie gala, held Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. The award recognizes Admiral Rosen for his leadership in creating the Florence and Robert A. Rosen Family Wellness Center at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System, which addresses the physical and mental health issues of veterans, law enforcement personnel, and their families.

In 2005, after identifying inadequacies in access to mental health services for the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral Rosen sought the guidance of his friend and colleague Dr. Lawrence Scherr, former chairman of the medicine at North Shore University Hospital. Admiral and Mrs. Rosen wanted to help those who have served our country and who, as a result, are experiencing a range of problems, from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse, to marital and other family problems, sleep disorders, and workplace difficulties. Admiral Rosen and Mrs. wanted to help their families, too.

With his wife, Florence, and their family, Admiral Rosen envisioned and then created The Florence and Robert A. Rosen Family Wellness Center for Law Enforcement and Military Personnel and Their Families at the North Shore-LIJ Health System--recognized as the first of its kind and a national model. The center treats what Admiral Rosen calls "the invisible wounds of war," the psychological and behavioral conditions that are sometimes hidden, but just as serious as bullet wounds. A critical and distinguishing feature of the Center is its emphasis on caring for the entire family, recognizing that dangerous and stressful assignments can have a serious impact on spouses, partners, parents, and children--and that the reintegration of families after long and sometimes multiple deployments brings unique challenges.

The Distinguished Community Service Award was established by the Fund in 1987 to recognize and promote extraordinary contributions by public-minded citizens to improve health care in New York City. For a third year, the Distinguished Community Service Award has been underwritten by TIAACREF, America's leading provider of retirement services in the medical, academic, research, and cultural fields. Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., president and chief executive officer of TIAA-CREF, presented the award to Rear Admiral Robert A. Rosen, NYNM (Ret.), this year's recipient.

Admiral Rosen is chairman and CEO of Rosen Associates Management Corporation, a real estate company with properties throughout the country. At the gala, the Fund also honored Anthony L. Watson, chairman and chief executive officer of EmblemHealth, Inc., with its Health Care Leadership Award, and The New York Community Trust, one of New York's preeminent philanthropic leaders, with a Special Tribute.

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The gala was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The event marks the opening of the Fund's 130th fund-raising campaign, which supports hospitals and health care in New York and the Fund's work to shape positive change. The benefit chairman was J. Barclay Collins II, executive vice president and general counsel of Hess Corporation, chairman of the United Hospital Fund.