Gift of Life International Making Dreams Come True Around the World
September 10, 2026 - Members of the Gift of Life Long Island Board were honored to attend the Gift of Life International Making Dreams Come True Around the World event at Terrace on the Park!
It was an inspiring fundraiser focused on one powerful mission: making a family's dream of a healthy, happy child come true by healing little hearts.
Key Highlights from the Evening:
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Sustainable Pediatric Cardiology: Inspiring stories were shared from recent medical training missions that built sustainable pediatric cardiac programs in countries like El Salvador, Jordan, Bolivia, Uganda, and beyond!
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Global Health Internship: We heard presentations from the inaugural cohort of the Gift of Life International Global Health Internship. Developed in partnership with institutions like Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), this program gives undergraduate students hands-on experience on international medical missions. Launched in June 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, interns engaged in clinical shadowing across pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, catheterization, and ICU units, while meeting with local healthcare leaders to tackle systemic challenges in pediatric heart care.
It was a truly wonderful event as we continue our shared work with Gift of Life International to heal little hearts around the world and make dreams come true!
For more about how Gift of Life International and Gift of Life Long Island are partnering to make the dreams of children come true by healing their little hearts, watch the video below!
July 2026 – Gift of Life Long Island is delighted to announce the appointment of Trudy Fitzsimmons to its esteemed Board of Directors, effective July 2026. Ms. Fitzsimmons brings a wealth of experience in community development, strategic planning, and leadership, which will be invaluable as Gift of Life Long Island continues its mission to save lives through by providing life saving cardiac interventions. Trudy Fitzsimmons is widely recognized for her dedicated leadership as the Chairwoman of Vision Long Island. Vision Long Island is a pivotal organization committed to advancing more livable, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible growth across Long Island through its Smart Growth initiatives. This approach focuses on crucial areas such as infill redevelopment and open space preservation. Vision Long Island champions the creation of mixed-use, mixed-income communities that are not only convenient and attractive but also pedestrian-friendly, making affordable housing and public transportation both desirable and realistic options for residents. Over the past two decades, Vision Long Island, under Trudy's guidance, has been an essential resource and counselor for downtown Villages and Towns. It has also served as a vital partner for County, State, and Federal governments, as well as the broader business and civic community, on matters concerning downtown revitalization, planning, and infrastructure. In addition to her significant work with Vision Long Island, Trudy is an active and respected member of the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club, demonstrating her deep commitment to community service and engagement. "We are incredibly excited to welcome Trudy Fitzsimmons to our Board," said Michael Burghardt, Chair for Gift of Life Long Island. "Her profound understanding of community needs, strategic vision, and passion for improving Long Island will be a tremendous asset. We look forward to her contributions as we work to expand our reach and save more lives." Trudy's extensive experience and dedication to fostering healthier, more vibrant communities align perfectly with Gift of Life Long Island's life-saving mission. We are confident that her insights will greatly strengthen our efforts.
