Westchester Magazine’s 2026 Healthcare Heroes, featuring Dr. Rafael Ortiz, the Executive Director of Neuroscience at White Plains Hospital

Westchester Magazine’s 2026 Healthcare Heroes Luncheon united an inspiring community to celebrate the extraordinary individuals whose dedication has profoundly shaped regional healthcare. Held on Thursday, May 14th, at Mulino's at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester, NY, the event provided guests with a meaningful afternoon dedicated to honoring and connecting with this year’s honorees. Recognized for their exceptional compassion and excellence, the remarkable stories of these distinguished professionals will be featured in the upcoming May issue of Westchester Magazine.Dr. Rafael Ortiz, the Executive Director of Neuroscience at White Plains Hospital, spoke with Bob Marrone about his dual clinical and administrative roles. As a neuroendovascular surgeon, Dr. Ortiz specializes in minimally invasive catheter procedures to treat brain aneurysms and strokes. Over the past three years, he has successfully built a comprehensive neuroscience team at the hospital, gathering experts from across the country to treat conditions like epilepsy, brain tumors, and Parkinson's disease. Dr. Ortiz revealed that his career path was personally inspired by his grandmother's experience with a neurodegenerative condition. He noted that his work is immensely rewarding because it directly impacts not just individual patients, but entire families and communities.