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KD Partner Keith Gutstein Introduces Distinguished Speakers

Posted Feb 17, 2021

KD Partner Keith Gutstein Introduces Distinguished Speakers at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County’s Virtual Gala Concert

On January 26, 2021, Keith Gutstein, Co-Managing Partner of KD’s Woodbury office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group, had the privilege of introducing several distinguished speakers at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center (HMTC) of Nassau County’s Virtual Gala Concert. Keith is an officer of the HMTC, and KD sponsored this year’s unique event, which featured a live virtual performance by Israeli singer and Broadway star Dudu Fisher. The event also honored HTMC’s founder, Holocaust survivor Boris Chartan.

Partner Keith Gutstein Introduces Lenox Hill Documentary Stars and the Scientist Behind the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines

Keith introduced former Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Kathy Boockvar. Following Keith’s introduction, Ms. Boockvar spoke about her brother, Dr. John Boockvar, who co-stars in the Netflix documentary series Lenox Hill, which also stars Dr. David Langer, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.

For those who are unfamiliar, Lenox Hill follows the lives of Dr. Boockvar, Dr. Langer, and two other physicians at the eponymous hospital in New York City over eight compelling episodes. The Wall Street Journal describes the show as “a singular piece of work about people, their work and the place in which those people do that work. Not surprisingly, perhaps, it is the people who make the difference, in every aspect of the story being told.”

Keith was also given the opportunity to introduce Dr. Katalin Karikó, Senior Vice President of Bio-NTech RNA Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Karikó is the scientist behind both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. As quoted by the LI Herald, Keith told the attendees of the HMTC’s Virtual Gala Concert:

“[Dr. Karikó] has been helping to save humanity. Through her tireless efforts and pioneering analysis, Dr. Karikó’s research helped develop the Covid-19 vaccine that will help end this pandemic.”

During their speeches, Dr. Boockvar and Dr. Langer told stories about how their family members’ experiences during the Holocaust helped guide them toward their distinguished careers in medicine. Dr. Langer was a medical student when Dr. Karikó began her career, and during her remarks, Dr. Karikó described Dr. Langer as “a bright young medical student.” She continued, “He wanted to know everything that I knew, and he was really wanting to make [a] real impact on patients’ life.”

We thank Keith for his commitment to the HTMC, and we are proud to contribute to this extremely important organization. More information and a video of the 2021 Virtual Gala Journal can be found on the HTMC website: Virtual Gala Concert Starring Dudu Fisher.

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