FOR OFFICIAL RELEASE | JULY 17, 2017
The Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center is pleased to announce the appointments of three new members to the organization's Board of Trustees. Carmine Asparro, Todd H. Hesekiel, Esq. and Nicholas Lazzaruolo join the five current board members who oversee Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center's mission of helping to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their caregivers. For nearly three decades, Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center, with passionate support from its board, has been providing families affected by this disease, the information, support and unique programs and services to help them cope. The new board members not only bring extensive professional credentials, but personal experience in managing with Alzheimer's.
Carmine Asparro is a Principal with OnPoint Partners, a national managed care consulting firm, based in Carle Place. He has extensive experience addressing the challenges of managed care and is well qualified in negotiation and implementation between facility-based service contracts and managed care organizations on Long Island. Mr. Asparro's professional experience includes a number of high-level positions, among them, Senior Vice President – Managed Care for the Long Island Health Network (a 10-hospital system) and senior roles with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and Travelers Health Network. Mr. Asparro earned an M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York.
Since his mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis about five years ago, Mr. Asparro has dealt with the challenges of the disease first-hand. He and his family have dedicated themselves to providing her with the best possible care, and have also actively engaged in fundraising events for Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center. Mr. Asparro and his wife, Kathy, live in Plainview.
Reflecting on his board appointment, Mr. Asparro said, "Having gone through the hardship and anxiety of being one of the caregivers for my mother who, today, continues to suffer from Alzheimer's, I feel privileged to serve on the Board of Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center. I look forward to offering my time, effort and expertise to further the goals of this fine organization."
Todd Hesekiel, of Plainview, is a partner with McLaughlin & Stern, LLP, a national law firm. At the firm's Great Neck office, he is the Administrative Partner, overseeing all day-to-day operations. Mr. Hesekiel received his B.A. from Boston University in 1996 and his J.D. degree from the Yeshiva University-Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2000. He is admitted to practice law in New York, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association and the Jewish Lawyers' Association of Nassau County.
Mr. Hesekiel's father-in-law lived with Alzheimer's disease for several years before his passing in 2014. As a result, Mr. Hesekiel and his family have a strong commitment to supporting the work Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center does. For the last several years, he has been a member of Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center's Golf Classic committee and earlier this year, his wife, Jennifer, was a committee member for Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center's annual Women's Luncheon and Fashion Show. In 2016, Mr. Hesekiel's daughter, Samantha, organized a fundraiser for Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center to coincide with the Ann Asparro Run (honoring Mr. Asparro's mother and featuring his son, Jay, who ran 90 miles for his grandmother and other families affected by Alzheimer's).
Nicholas Lazzaruolo joined Grant Thorton LLP in Melville, a leading audit, tax and advisory firm, in 2003, where he is an Audit Partner, serving nonprofit and higher education clients. He is a certified public accountant in the state of New York and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has in-depth technical knowledge and experience in financial and compliance audits, consolidated fiscal report certifications and special projects related to operational studies. Mr. Lazzaruolo, who holds a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University, has worked with a vast array of international and national not-for-profit organizations including professional associations, higher education, social service organizations, foundations and religious organizations.
Mr. Lazzaruolo and his family are active supporters of organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He lives in Smithtown with his wife, Erika and two children, Gena and Lea. Both his family, and his wife's, have been impacted by Alzheimer's disease.
Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center is extremely grateful for the acceptance of the newest board members to become part of our vital work. With more than 50,000 Long Islanders currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and the number expected to grow, the need for Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center's programs and services is on the rise. Our organization is fortunate to include a Board of Trustees comprised of individuals who understand this need and are dedicated toward fulfilling it.
Caption: Carmine Asparro, Todd Hesekiel, Nicholas Lazzaruolo (L to R)
For more information about the Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center, please contact Jenna Caroccia, Director of External Affairs at jcaroccia@liaf.org or (516) 767-6856 ext. 28. To schedule an intake, please contact Melissa Katz, Director of Early Stage/In-Home Respite at mkatz@liaf.org or call (516) 767-6856 ext. 14.
For 29 years, Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center has been providing supportive community-based services to Alzheimer’s families on Long Island. Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center offers critically needed social adult day programs for individuals facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center takes considerable pride in its pioneering role in the development of cutting edge services that foster the independence, dignity, well-being and safety of individuals with Alzheimer’s. For information call (516) 767-6856 or visit www.lidementia.org