NEW YORK, NY – MAY 5: The NYU Langone Medical Center held its annual Violet Ball on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, and raised $4.5 million in unrestricted funds. The gala at Cipriani 42nd Street was chaired by Robert I. Grossman, M.D., Dean and CEO of the Medical Center, and honored long-time supporters Susan Lipton and Martin Lipton. Laurence D. Fink served as Journal Chair for the event. Dr. Grossman also announced at the event that a residence hall of 300 faculty, nurses, and physicians will be renamed in honor of the Liptons. Martin Lipton, a founding partner of the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, is a Trustee of NYU Langone Medical Center, Chairman of the Board of New York University, and a Trustee of NYU Law School. Susan Lipton was the first woman to become a partner at Miami-based law firm Greenberg Traurig, and later worked as an investment banker in New York for Goldman Sachs and LF Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin, where she headed the Corporate Finance Department. Together, the Lipton’s have been extraordinarily supportive of the Medical Center. In addressing the crowd of nearly 850 guests, Dr. Grossman said, “We are transforming NYU Langone in every shape and form. We have recruited major talent. We have markedly improved the patient experience and we have reinvigorated our academic programs. On behalf of everyone who is part of NYU Langone Medical Center, I want to thank Marty and Susan Lipton for all they bring to our Medical Center. They are remarkable people.” Kenneth G. Langone, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “I have known Marty for at least 30 years. His compassion and his sense of sharing, giving and helping are second to none. His wife, Susan, shares the same level of commitment through the causes she embraces and has passion for. Susan and Marty are both very special people and on a very personal level, I can’t tell you how fortunate we are to have them as our honorees this year.” “Marty and Susan Lipton are the essence of the NYU family. They embody everything we hope to be. They are forces of nature. They are special people that cast themselves into the world and do good everywhere they go,” said John Sexton, President, New York University. After the Liptons received a standing ovation, Susan Lipton said, “I think I’m being honored because I’m the quintessential grateful patient. I, along with countless friends and family members, have been treated by the amazing doctors at NYU Langone Medical Center. I want to thank Saul Farber for sending me to the Medical Center decades ago, and I want to thank Bob. Grossman for his vision, and for being someone who always takes the time to counsel me – the grateful patient.” “We are truly grateful to all the wonderful doctors at NYU. I’ve had the privilege of working with a fabulous group of people at the Medical Center, the university, and the law school,” said Martin Lipton. “It was 57 years ago when I started law school in New York City, and I’ve been involved with NYU ever since. Our family is incredibly humbled to be honored here tonight, and we pledge our continued support for many years to come.” Special guests in attendance included: Fiona Druckenmiller; Lori and Larry Fink, Lynda and Michael Gardner; Gideon Gil; Lori and George Hall; Ruth and Sidney Lapidus; Laurence Leeds, Jr.; Sandy and Ed Meyer; Brooke and Daniel Neidich; Debra Perelman; Linda Gosden Robinson and James Robinson; Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn and Michael Saperstein; Klara and Larry Silverstein; Norma and Gordon Smith; Billie Tisch; Bonnie and Daniel Tisch; Merryl and Jim Tisch; Barbara and John Vogelstein; and Anthony Welters. Media Contact: Eileen A. Sullivan Vice President | Rubenstein Associates, Inc. | Tel: 212-843-8016 | Cell: 646-467-0674 | Fax: 212-843-9200 | e-mail: esullivan@rubenstein.com PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2009 by Christopher London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com