GREENPORT, NY, July 2, 2025 - The Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation (ELIHF), in proud partnership with Porto Bello Restaurant, hosted its highly anticipated Dancing on the Dock celebration on Thursday, June 26, 2025, this year transforming the beloved tradition with a spectacular new waterfront venue that brought the event to an entirely new level.
Held for the first time at Porto Bello in Greenport, with the lights of Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) glowing across the water, the evening captivated guests with stunning harbor views, an electric summer atmosphere, and a perfect blend of elegance, community spirit, and signature North Fork charm.
Guests were treated to an unforgettable evening of lively conversation, laughter, and music as they danced under the stars, savoring Porto Bello’s exceptional cuisine and signature flair. The fresh setting infused new energy and excitement into the annual event, delighting friends, neighbors, and supporters who gathered to strengthen SBELIH’s mission to deliver high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
"Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital is a proud member of the Stony Brook Medicine family, and a cornerstone of compassionate, community-focused care,” added Dr. William Wertheim, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine. “With a 120-year legacy and a team of deeply committed staff and physicians, SBELIH continues to lead the way in delivering personalized, high-quality care to the East End."
“Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital is a community hospital in the truest sense,” said Paul Connor III, Chief Administrative Officer of SBELIH. “We’re here for you because of you. Tonight is a celebration of that bond between the hospital and the community, between caregivers and patients, between neighbors who care about one another.”
“This incredible new venue showcased the very best of our community - beautiful surroundings, outstanding food, and the shared commitment to advancing local healthcare,” said Linda Sweeney, Vice President of Foundation/Community Relations at SBELIH. “We are so grateful to Porto Bello for partnering with us to make this year’s Dancing on the Dock an evening to remember.”
Proceeds from the event directly benefit SBELIH, supporting vital enhancements to patient care, technology, and services. The ELIHF extends its heartfelt thanks to the Gala Committee, sponsors, and attendees whose generosity and enthusiasm make a meaningful difference for the hospital and the community it serves.
Dr. Wertheim highlighted several key milestones, including the hospital’s continued expansion of behavioral health services, record-setting community support, and advancements in clinical care. “We are especially proud to be in the final stages of becoming a Primary Stroke Center, a designation that will elevate the emergency care available right here on the North Fork. It means faster diagnosis, faster treatment, and better outcomes for patients experiencing a stroke, all without leaving their community.”
He also announced that Quannacut remains the only program on Long Island staffed by addiction medicine specialists and will soon be home to a new Addiction Medicine Fellowship, launching in July, a vital investment in training the next generation of experts in substance use disorder treatment.
Additionally, Dr. Wertheim shared that SBELIH will welcome a new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alison Madden, in July, a board-certified gynecologic specialist who will begin seeing patients in Mattituck and the soon-to-be-completed medical offices in Greenport. In September, a new Addiction and Family Medicine physician will also join the team, practicing alongside Dr. Jarid Pachter in Southold, further strengthening primary care access for local families.
Dr. Wertheim applauded the unwavering dedication of the ELIH Auxiliary, including the vast array of basket prizes guest bid for during the evening, “This year, the Auxiliary raised a record-breaking $600,000 in support of the hospital, and they are well on their way to surpassing that milestone again. Their impact is remarkable and deeply appreciated.”
Thank you to our event sponsors Mattituck Environmental Services, The Brennan Family Foundation, Stony Brook Medicine, Peconic Landing, Eileen and Daniel Oakley, North Fork Country Club, Dr. James and Phyllis Rubin, Peconic Propane, Riverhead Building Supply, Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter, Advantage Title, Jessie & Scott Bennet Beacon Light Foundation, Richmond Realty Corp, Z. Micah Kaplan MD, and Kuhlmann Management Corp.
The ELIHF believes the gift of good health is one the entire community shares. Funds raised from Dancing on the Dock have a direct and lasting impact on the care patients receive. Every dollar stays locally supporting SBELIH in Greenport, sustaining its mission, and ensuring that world-class healthcare remains close to home.
Photo: Guests at Dancing on the Dock at Porto Bello Restaurant.
Credit: Photos by Nicole B. Brewer
About Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital:
As part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) combines the best in academic and community medicine, improving access to advanced medical care for residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island. With 70 beds, SBELIH is Suffolk County’s first hospital, serving all of Suffolk County since 1905. SBELIH provides care to 25,000 year-round residents, and expands to 60,000 summer residents, with comprehensive healthcare solutions, including behavioral health, medical-surgical, orthopedics and general surgery, wound care, interventional pain management, gastroenterology, advanced ambulatory care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, and physical therapy services. The hospital is also a clinical campus and training site for Stony Brook Medicine, with its first SBELIH Psychiatry resident having graduated in 2022. To learn more, visit https://elih.stonybrookmedicine.edu/.
About the Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation:
The Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation (ELIHF), established in 2006, is the fundraising and communications arm of Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH). All of the Foundation's philanthropic efforts are independent of Stony Brook Medicine (SBM), and all funds raised by the Foundation remain local to benefit SBELIH in Greenport. SBELIH is one campus of the SBM system. All hospitals fundraise to enhance services, attract physicians and healthcare professionals, and to build infrastructure for current and future healthcare needs. The Foundation promotes participation in developing and maintaining a positive relationship between our community, healthcare providers and the hospital. To learn more visit: https://elihfoundation.org/.