Philanthropists Iris and Saul Katz Are Setting The Standard For Women's Surgical Care

Philanthropic power couple Iris and Saul Katz help set the standard for women’s surgical care.

Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling with philanthropists Iris and Saul Katz at the groundbreaking for the Katz Women's Surgical Center at Glen Cove Hospital this June.

Iris and Saul Katz have lived in Glen Cove for more than 50 years, making many visits to Glen Cove Hospital as they raised a family that includes three children and eight grandchildren. For nearly 40 of those years, they have been deeply invested in the strength, growth and vitality of not only Glen Cove but the entire Northwell system. Saul is a member and past chairman of Northwell’s board of trustees and served as a trustee at Glen Cove Hospital. He played a key role in the merger of Glen Cove Hospital with the North Shore Health System, as well as in the merger of the North Shore Health System with Long Island Jewish Medical Center—two significant milestones in Northwell’s history.

Recognizing disparities in healthcare for women and men, the Katzes made it their mission to support women’s health at every age and stage of life. In 2008, Iris and Saul founded the Katz Institute for Women’s Health—an entirely unique approach to women’s health that has become a defining hallmark of Northwell—and endowed it with an additional gift in 2020. Their longtime philanthropy made it possible to build the Katz Women’s Hospitals at both Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital.

“Women are so different. Our bodies are different and so are our hearts and our lungs,” says Iris. “We are understudied, undertreated and often misdiagnosed. We must be taken care of differently. Women deserve more.”

The couple’s most recent gift establishes the Katz Women’s Surgical Center at Glen Cove Hospital, part of their larger vision for the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and the ongoing transformation of women’s health across the health system. “Iris and Saul set out on a journey more than 14 years ago to ensure the unique healthcare needs of women would no longer be overlooked,” says Stacey Rosen, MD, senior vice president of women’s health at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health. “Their commitment has been the driving force behind the launch of this revolution.”

The center will provide comprehensive care to meet women’s surgical needs, featuring the latest advances in breast surgery, breast reconstructive surgery and preventive mastectomy, gynecological and urological procedures, and advanced robot-assisted surgery. A separate entrance will give women access to a dedicated reception area and welcoming lounge, and patients will be guided throughout their care by specialized nurse navigators.

“This women’s surgical center is the first of its kind for Northwell and the region, and is a model of care that will serve as a national destination,” says Neil Tanna, MD, vice president of the Katz Women’s Surgical Center at Glen Cove Hospital. “The program has a multidisciplinary team of experts who provide the highest-quality, patient-centered, female-focused surgical care.”

Glen Cove Hospital’s executive director, Kerri Scanlon, RN, is grateful for the couple’s dedication. “This project is so meaningful to the community and personal for the Katz family. This is their hospital, and a gift like this means everything to Glen Cove,” she says.

“We believe we are in a movement,” says Saul. “Whatever Northwell does, others follow our lead. We believe people will recognize how we focus on and care for the unique needs of women.” Iris adds, “It will be the showcase for others to follow. This is just the beginning.”

This vision for Glen Cove was unimaginable 10 years ago. Following significant investments from Northwell and generous philanthropic support, Glen Cove Hospital experienced a turning point and, this year, proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary. With an ambitious focus on expanding specialized areas, the hospital has earned accolades for excellence in surgical care and gained national recognition for acute rehabilitation, in addition to its innovative Parkinson’s disease program. A leader in addressing the needs of an aging population, the hospital continues to redefine care with specialty-trained, age-friendly medical expertise.

The level of patient care expanded even further in 2021, when Diana and John Colgate supported the purchase of the first MRI machine and establishment of an MRI suite. “Recent gifts to Glen Cove from Diana and John Colgate and Iris and Saul Katz are a sign of our permanence,” says Scanlon. “We’re an extraordinary hospital, and we’re here to stay.”