Mercy Hospital
First Quarter 2026 April – December 2025 Recap
A NIGHT 90 YEARS IN THE MAKING
The Friends of Mercy are thrilled to announce plans for a truly special evening celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Mercy Ball on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at The Lannin.
Co-chairs Mayor Fran Murray and Gloria DiSciullo, along with the Ball committee are already hard at work designing an extraordinary celebration, complete with exciting
surprises for our guests. This milestone event promises an unforgettable night honoring nine decades of tradition, generosity, and community support.
Join us as we come together to celebrate this remarkable milestone and continue the legacy of supporting Mercy Hospital. Mark your calendars and get ready for a spectacular evening!
DESIGNED WITH WOMEN IN MIND: MERCY’S BREAST IMAGING CENTER
Mercy Hospital has completed renovation of its Breast Center, designed to enhance the patient experience while expanding access to advanced women’s imaging services.
The project, recently completed, includes upgrades to mammography exam rooms, improvements to clinical infrastructure, a door to the entrance to ensure privacy and dignity for the women in that area, refreshed interior finishes, enhanced layouts, and new furniture in patient and family waiting areas. The goal was to create a modern, welcoming environment that supports both clinical excellence and patient comfort.
The renovated Breast Center reflects Mercy Hospital’s continued commitment to women’s health, early detection, and compassionate care for the community.
This project was made possible through the generous support of Friends of Mercy.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
As I begin my second term, it continues to be a true honor to serve as President of the Friends of Mercy. I remain deeply committed to advancing our mission by raising awareness of the Friends of Mercy throughout the community, while fostering greater engagement and growing our membership. Equally important is ensuring our community stays informed about the exciting progress, innovation, and compassionate care taking place at Mercy Hospital.
This past year has been one of meaningful growth, connection, and impact. The success of 2025 was made possible through the continued dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm of our Friends members, supporters, and partners. Your commitment allows us to strengthen our outreach, support important initiatives, and enhance the patient experience at Mercy.
The Friends of Mercy have been incredibly active this year, hosting events, building new rel ationships, and expanding our presence in the community. Each effort reflects our shared passion for service and our belief in the vital role Mercy Hospital plays in the lives of so many. A special thank you to Gloria Disciullo, whose tireless dedication, creativity, and leadership in planning our exceptional events continue to make them some of the most anticipated and beloved gatherings in our Mercy community.
In the pages that follow, you will see highlights of all we have accomplished together. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. I look forward to another year of continued growth, collaboration, and making a difference: Together.
MERCY RECEIVED $312,000 FROM THE FRIENDS
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members, donors, and supporters, the Friends of Mercy had a truly impactful year in 2025. Through our four signature events, we proudly raised over $312,000 to support critical initiatives at Mercy Hospital.
These funds directly contributed to several important projects, including:
These achievements would not have been possible without your continued generosity and support. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and community!
Friends President, TJ Murray presenting Joe Manopella, President of Mercy Hospital with a $312,000 check.
CONTINUING A TRADITION OF SERVICE: NILS BOSCH JOINS THE BOARD
The Friends of Mercy are proud to announce that Nils Bosch has joined the Friends of Mercy Board. Nils grew up in Rockville Centre, as did his wife Meaghan (Dowling), and they are the proud parents of Noah, Maren, and Andrew.
Meaghan works in the Levittown School District and has long standing ties to Friends of Mercy. Both of her parents were actively involved in attending and volunteering at FOM events over the years, and she continues that tradition by generously volunteering her time in support of Mercy’s mission– you probably have seen her at our St. Pat’s Dinner & Mercy Ball!
Professionally, Nils is a Director at Merrill Lynch, where he began his career as an intern in 2003 and advanced to Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor. He is a partner in the Bosch Croutier Group alongside fellow board member Brian Croutier.
Nils first began attending Friends of Mercy events in 2014 with Brian and gradually became more involved, first as a Friend, then as a committee member. He was inspired by the passion and dedication of longtime board members and by the lasting contributions Mercy continues to make in the community.
Service has always been an important part of Nils’ life. His parents, Ray and Gail Bosch, instilled strong values of community involvement and service from an early age. His mother, Gail, worked as a Registered Nurse for over 45 years, and his father, Ray, served as an NCPD Lieutenant. Their example played a meaningful role in shaping Nils’ desire to give back.
The Friends of Mercy are grateful for the opportunity to welcome Nils to the Board and look forward to his contributions to Mercy’s important work alongside such a dedicated group of volunteers.
WELCOMING OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
This past fall, the Friends of Mercy hosted our annual New Member Cocktail Party at Monaghan’s, a wonderful evening of connection with interested members from our community.
Membership remains the foundation of the Friends of Mercy, an organization proudly serving our hospital community since 1936. The continued growth of our membership is vital to sustaining our mission and supporting Mercy Hospital through fundraising, outreach, and advocacy. Each new member brings fresh energy, ideas, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
We are delighted to welcome six new members to our growing organization and are grateful for their willingness to support our mission and carry forward our legacy of service.
Please join us in welcoming:
Dr. Karthik Bharadwaj
Dr. Manish Mammen
Jonathan Diorio
Timothy Roberti
Dr. John Ioannou
Jon Wilsusen
ST. PATRICK’S DINNER KICKS OFF ANOTHER GREAT YEAR
The Friends proudly kicked off 2026 with our annual St. Patrick’s Dinner on March 5th, an evening filled with camaraderie, laughter, and celebration. With over 260 guests in attendance, the event was a tremendous success and a wonderful start to the year ahead. We are especially grateful to our co-chairs, Peter Knowles and Nils Bosch, whose leadership and hard work helped make the evening such a success.
We were honored to recognize Brian Joesten, a dedicated member and Board member of the Friends of Mercy, for his continued commitment and service to our organization. A highlight of the evening was a heartfelt introduction by his son, Nicholas Joesten, whose words beautifully captured Brian’s character and impact.
The night also featured special guest Matt Harvey, former New York Mets
All-Star pitcher, who was introduced by Tom Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. During an engaging Q&A session, Matt shared stories from his base-ball career, with plenty of laughs along the way. Of course, one of the most talked-about moments was his answer to how he earned his famous nickname, “The Dark Knight.”
Did You Know: The “Dark Knight” name was created after a Sports Illustrated cover story by Tom Verducci, which highlighted Harvey’s dominant pitching and intense persona in New York City. It was a play on his last name (Harvey Dent is Batman’s ally-turned-villain in The Dark Knight series) and a nod to his role as a savior of the Mets’ pitching staff in the city of Gotham.
True to tradition, the evening had the feel of a classic “guys’ night out,”
bringing together friends and supporters who look forward to this event year after year. Guests enjoyed exciting auction items and a lively 50/50 raffle, where one lucky winner took home an impressive $5,000 prize!
The celebration continued with dessert served in an adjoining room, accompanied by the festive sounds of the Irish band, The Diddley Idols.
A longtime fan favorite, the
St. Patrick’s Dinner once again delivered a memorable evening for all who attended. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a special night, setting the tone for another successful year of events in support of Mercy Hospital.
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An Extra-Special thank you to FOM member Keith Linsalata from Art Flower & Gift Shoppe for the beautiful clover!
SUMMER LUAU OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN
The Friends of Mercy’s annual Luau, held this past June at the beautiful Ocean Club, once again proved to be a highlight of the summer season. This highly anticipated event welcomed over 250 guests for an unforgettable evening set against the stunning backdrop of the ocean. With gorgeous weather and a picture-perfect sunset, guests danced the night away under the stars in a truly festive atmosphere.
A favorite among attendees, the Luau is known for its incredible food and relaxed, beachside vibe. Guests enjoyed a delicious feast featuring fresh lobster and shrimp from Jordan’s Lobster, along with a traditional pig roast and an array of other favorites. One of the most exciting moments of
the evening was the Friends’ famous Reverse Raffle. With only 200 tickets sold, anticipation builds as numbers are drawn throughout the night—though those pulled early are not the winners. The final 12 tickets remaining in the drum take home prizes ranging from $150,
$200, $300, and $500, with the last ticket claiming the grand prize of
$7,000.
This year’s lucky winner was our very own Msgr. Frank Caldwell, who generously donated the entire amount back to the Friends of Mercy. A strong supporter of the Oneview Healthcare platform, Msgr. Caldwell didn’t hesitate to donate his winnings back, knowing it would
be a win-win for all the patients at Mercy Hospital.
More than just a fundraiser, the Luau is a true “friend-raiser,” bringing people together to connect, celebrate, and learn more about the Friends of Mercy in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Additionally, the Mercy Luau holds special significance as it is a tribute to the late Andy Healey, a cherished member of the Friends of Mercy and our Rockville Centre community, who held a special place in his heart for this annual event. It was a wonderful evening and a perfect start to the summer.
