HDI Brings International Film Exchange workshop to Iraq

The Humpty Dumpty Institute recently partnered with the Iraqi Independent Film Centre to host a workshop in Baghdad for young Iraqi filmmakers. The event was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad with additional help from Human Film UK/NL and Iraq Al-Rafdin. The Baghdad training was part of the International Film Exchange, an HDI program that trains promising filmmakers from around the world and encourages them to use the power of film and television to highlight important social issues.

The theme of the workshop, which took place May 1-10, was “Telling the Story.” The workshop’s instructor was California-based filmmaker Bill Megalos, who has been producing and directing feature films and documentaries for more than 30 years.

“This is my first trip to Iraq,” Megalos said. “I am moved by the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by these young filmmakers who work under difficult circumstances and with limited resources. I’d like to see more organizations like the Iraqi Independent Film Center and more programs like HDI’s International Film Exchange so Iraqis can tell their stores to the world as they rebuild their country.”

HDI’s President Ralph Cwerman was also pleased with the success of the training program.

“When we first proposed an International Film Exchange program for Iraq, there were concerns that Iraqi filmmakers might not be ready for a program of this type. Based on the results of this workshop, they clearly are," he said. "We look forward to expanding the International Film Exchange to more countries in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.”

Connie Milstein is a one of the founders of the Humpty Dumpty Institute and continues to work with the non-profit as Chairman Emeritus.

Fourteenth Annual Heart's Deligh Wine Auction Takes Place Next Week

Mark your calendars! The 2013 Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction will be taking place May 1-4 in Washington, D.C. Started by the American Heart Association in 1999, Heart’s Delight is widely recognized as one of the most exclusive destination events in the country. Since it began, Heart’s Delight has raised more than 11 million dollars for the American Heart Association. Next week master winemakers, culinary greats and a number of distinguished guests will celebrate, and bid on, an amazing selection of food and wine to add to this total. 

The party kicked off on Tuesday, April 23, with the Hall of States Reception held on a rooftop overlooking the Capitol building. Members of Congress mingled with Heart’s Delight guests at the event, which also included a live auction. The evening’s honorary chairmen were Senator Saxby Chambliss and Congressman Mike Thompson. 

This week guests will be treated to a presentation on American wine, intimate wine dinners, both live and silent auctions, and a virtual wine cellar tour. This year’s chairman is Nicholas E. Calio, President & CEO of Airlines for America. 

Connie Milstein was honored to be the 2010 Heart’s Delight Chairman. She and her husband, Jehan-Christophe de La Haye Saint Hilaire, are longtime benefactors of the American Heart Association. She was recognized at the 2010 Vintners Dinner by David Markiewicz, the American Heart Association’s Executive Vice President. He praised her dedication and generous support of heart research. Earlier that year, the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center opened at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital thanks to generous contributions from Connie and other members of the Milstein family.

NewYork-Presbyterian Receives Energy Star Award

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital was recently recognized with a 2013 Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The hospital was recognized for its highly efficient combined heat and power system at its Weill Cornell Medical Center campus, which opened in 2009. The state-of-the-art system creates an independent source of electricity and heat for the campus, protecting the hospital from power outages during weather-related events, allowing doctors and nurses to provide uninterrupted care and safeguarding medical research facilities, diagnostic labs and pharmaceutical supplies.

This isn't the firs time that the EPA has recognized NewYork-Presbyterian for its sustainability efforts. Next week, the hospital will receive its eighth Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management.

“NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital leads the field with its commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money and create a healthier environment,” said Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator of the EPA.

Connie Milstein is a long-time member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Board of Trustees and has worked with the hospital in a number of ways. She currently serves on the Quality and Performance Improvement Committee, the Real Estate and Major Facilities Committee and the Join Conference Committee. She also serves as a Governor of the NewYork-Presbyterian Foundation, Inc. Connie’s parents, Vivian and Seymour Milstein, began working with the hospital in the 1950s and Connie helped to open the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center in 2006 in their honor. 

Connie Milstein and BSF Host Holiday Luncheon at at Walter Reed

Last month, Connie Milstein partnered with Neiman Marcus, Fidelis Security and Blue Star Families to host the 2012 holiday luncheon at Walter Reed Medical Center. Each winter wounded warriors, caregivers and their families are treated to an afternoon filled with tasty treats, holiday crafts and games, and a visit from Santa. This year guests were treated to a performance by the Annapolis Area Christian School’s Madrigals Choir and a special Christmas story read by Darlene Greenert. Also inattendance was Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter; Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, George Little; Commanding Officer of Walter Reed Admiral Stocks and his wife; Surgeon General of the Navy, Admiral Matthew Nathan; and the wife of Admiral Anderson Chief Medical Office of the Marine Corps, Paula Anderson.

This annual BSF event allows wounded warriors to celebrate what is important during the holidays with their families and caregivers, even if they cannot be at home. Each family left the event this year with a family portrait with Santa, books, holiday cards and other special gifts. Nearly 200 BSF volunteers, including Connie Milstein – a member of the non-profit’s Board of Directors, gathered to organize the holiday event.

NSO Announces European Tour in Early 2013

The National Symphony Orchestra recently announced that they will embark on a four country European tour beginning January 31, 2013. The orchestra, under the direction of Christoph Eschenbach, will perform in Madrid and Murcia, Spain; Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Nürnberg, and Frankfurt, Germany; Paris, France; and Muscat, Oman. The tour date in Oman was added after the tour’s initial announcement and the National Symphony Orchestra will be the first major American orchestra to perform at the Royal Opera House Muscat.

The NSO is currently wrapping up its second international tour in eight months. It is currently wrapping up the Americas tour, which included stops in Trinidad, Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Over the years, the NSO has celebrated many touring milestones. The first international tour was in 1959 and made stops in 19 countries over the course of 12 weeks.

“From the earliest days of my appointment as National Symphony Orchestra Music Director, I have said that I wanted to bring this great orchestra to the attention of the world,” Eschenbach said. “To be making our second international tour so quickly after our first, is tribute to the wonderful musicians of the NSO, and to our work together.”

Connie Milstein, a Washington, D.C. resident and huge supporter of the arts, serves on the National Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Advisors.

NYU Washington D.C. Academic Facility Officially Open to Students

Connie Milstein, right, attended the NYU Washington D.C. ribbon cutting on Monday, Sept. 24.

Last week, NYU expanded its presence in the nation’s capitol as it cut the ribbon on the Constance Milstein and Family Global Academic Center. University students can now “study abroad” in D.C., taking classes, conducting research and pursuing internships from the 75,000 sq. ft. academic facility. Located just blocks from the White House, the curriculum offerings will focus on politics, government, public administration, and journalism, among other trends. NYU hopes to place many of the visiting students in internships or jobs by tapping the large number of NYU alumni in the city. 

The campus was made a reality through generous donations by Connie Milstein, Principal and Co-founder of Ogden CAP Properties, LLC, and local philanthropist; and Ronald Abramson, a shareholder in the firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

“On behalf of the entire NYU community, I thank Connie Milstein and Ron Abramson for their wonderful gifts, as well as the many other alumni and friends who supported NYU Washington D.C. Their philanthropy 

and their belief in us are potent validations of the global academic network NYU is building,” said NYU President John Sexton.

NYU’s Washington, D.C. site is the 14^th NYU-operated academic center outside of New York City. It was designed for NYU by Hickok Cole Architects and the general contractor was the Sigal Corporation. Construction began in December 2010 and the University is currently applying for LEED Certification for the building.

NY-Presbyterian Welcomes Three to Board of Trustees

Though Connie Milstein now resides in Washington, DC, she remains involved in a variety of causes in New York City, where she lived and worked for many years. In 2010, the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital opened the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center, made possible through a $50 million gift from the Milstein family, including Connie and her brother Phillip. The state-of-the-art, 142,000-square-foot Heart Center features advanced diagnostic technology and treatments that are less invasive, more accurate, and require less healing time. Connie has served as a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Board of Trustees since 2000. The Board, which is made up of 87 individuals, oversees the Hospital’s five campuses.

Last week, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital announced three new additions to the Board of Trustees: private equity executive Russell Lloyd Carson; real estate developer Bruce A. Beale, Jr.; and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The hospital is the national’s largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital – it boasts 2,409 beds between its five campuses. Each year, the hospital’s 6,144 affiliated physicians and 19,376 staff provides inpatient, ambulatory and preventative care for the 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits each year. The U.S. News and World Report ranks NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as the sixth-best in the United States. Each of the hospital’s specialties was ranked in the top 50 by the publication.