GREENPORT, NY, July 7, 2026 - As the sun set over the Greenport waterfront, supporters of Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) gathered at Smuggler's Cove for another memorable Dancing on the Dock, an evening of dining, dancing, entertainment, and philanthropy benefiting the hospital and the communities it serves.
The annual event brought together donors, sponsors, volunteers, community leaders, physicians, and hospital supporters to celebrate the spirit of summer while investing in the future of healthcare on the North Fork and Shelter Island.
"Events like Dancing on the Dock remind us just how fortunate we are to live in a community that cares deeply about its local hospital," said Paul J. Connor III, Chief Administrative Officer of SBELIH. "This has been a remarkable year for our hospital, highlighted by our recent Primary Stroke Center designation and our continued growth as part of Stony Brook Medicine. But our work is far from finished. The healthcare needs of our community continue to grow, and philanthropy remains essential to helping us meet those needs."
Connor thanked Smuggler's Cove, Stony Brook Medicine leadership, sponsors, volunteers, the Foundation Board, and Foundation staff for their support and commitment to the hospital's mission.
Funds raised through the event will support important priorities, including investments in medical equipment and technology, modernization of hospital facilities and infrastructure, enhancements to emergency and behavioral health services, physician recruitment and retention, nursing education and workforce development.
"Simply put, every dollar donated stays here and benefits our community," Connor said. "Together, we are building a healthier future for the East End."
The evening also celebrated a historic year for the hospital, including the recent opening of its Primary Stroke Center, bringing advanced stroke care closer to home for residents and visitors throughout the region.
"Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated a milestone that has been years in the making—the opening of our Primary Stroke Center," said William Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine. "This achievement means that residents and visitors on the North Fork and Shelter Island now have access to advanced stroke care closer to home, when every minute matters. It reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, EMS partners, leadership team, Foundation supporters, and the many individuals who believed in this vision and helped make it a reality."
Dr. Wertheim also highlighted the hospital's continued expansion of behavioral health services and the strength of its partnership with Stony Brook Medicine.
"When Eastern Long Island Hospital joined Stony Brook Medicine, we shared a vision of preserving local healthcare while expanding access to academic medicine, advanced technology, and specialized services," he said. "Today, that vision is becoming reality. Together, we are investing in the future of healthcare on the East End while maintaining the personalized, compassionate care that has defined this hospital for more than 121 years."
The Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation extends its gratitude to all sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees whose generosity makes events like Dancing on the Dock possible and helps ensure exceptional healthcare remains close to home for generations to come.
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 the region since 1905. SBELIH provides care to 25,000 year-round residents, expanding to more than 60,000 in the summer, and offers comprehensive healthcare services including behavioral health, medical-surgical care, orthopedics and general surgery, wound care, interventional spine and sports medicine, gastroenterology, advanced ambulatory care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, and physical therapy. SBELIH has achieved Primary Stroke Center designation from The Joint Commission, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality, timely stroke care close to home. The hospital also serves as a clinical campus and training site for Stony Brook Medicine, with its first SBELIH Psychiatry resident graduating in 2022. To learn more, visit 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: elihfoundation.org.