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The Arts4All Foundation, in collaboration with GPK Foundation Americas, hosted a community celebration on May 8, 2026, at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to mark Mother’s Day during National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6 to 12.
Elmhurst Hospital, a 545-bed public hospital recently recognized as a “Best Regional Hospital,” is the second-oldest municipal hospital in New York City and serves the diverse communities of Queens. According to a statement, the hospital’s Nursing Department employs approximately 4,000 nurses who provide care during more than 140,000 emergency room visits and 1 million ambulatory visits each year.
The event highlighted the hospital’s commitment to advancing medicine, patient care, and evidence-based treatment, while recognizing members of the senior leadership team, including Chief Executive Officer Alina Moran, and Atiya Butler, director of the Department of External Affairs and Marketing.
“It is truly an honor to celebrate Mother’s Day with our local community at this momentous and beautiful celebration,” said Alina Moran, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “I am proud to join Dr. Sumita SenGupta in recognizing the incredible contributions of our dedicated staff, nurses, and physicians here at Elmhurst Hospital, who every day tirelessly work to deliver world-class, compassionate, and premier care to Queens, one of the most remarkable and diverse communities in the nation.”
According to the statement, the program featured remarks from elected officials, hospital leaders, and dignitaries, along with poetry readings, musical and dance performances, and cultural presentations reflecting the diversity of Queens. The celebration also included a sparkler show, a Mother’s Day cake-cutting ceremony, a silk flower-making class, and face painting activities.
The Arts4All Foundation additionally organized the distribution of more than 1,000 Mother’s Day gifts, including perfumes, lotions, bath bombs, collagen face masks, hair serums, lip balms, flowers, silk shawls, balloons, stickers, and chocolates for hospital staff and members of the Queens community. The initiative recognized the contributions of Elmhurst Hospital’s healthcare workers in providing compassionate and lifesaving medical care to New Yorkers.
Dr. Sumita SenGupta, founder of the Arts4All Foundation and organizer of the event, noted that more than 6,000 New Yorkers are employed at Elmhurst Hospital, with women making up nearly 80 percent of the healthcare workforce. She highlighted the role many healthcare workers played as frontline responders during the pandemic and other emergencies, often sacrificing personal milestones and holidays, including Mother’s Day.
She added that the Arts4All Foundation was honored to “organize a celebration for the women in healthcare whose resilience has strengthened our families and communities, sacrifice has improved life outcomes, and dedicated service has inspired all of us to continue to support advancements to medicine and community development as well as ensure healthcare workers receive equal pay, equitable labor practices, and the recognition they deserve.”
Somnath Ghimire, President of GPK Foundation America, said, “I wish all the mothers of Queens a very happy Mother’s Day! So much of who we are is because of the values our mothers have instilled in us. A mother’s sacrifice is unparalleled, and I am blessed to be part of our celebration honoring the extraordinary mothers of our community.”
Among the elected officials in attendance were Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz and Councilwoman Shanel Thomas-Henry, both of whom represent communities surrounding Elmhurst Hospital and advocate for women’s rights, healthcare, education, labor rights, housing, and affordability.
Dinner for the event was donated by local restaurant owners, including Tsomo Dasel of Himalayan Yak Restaurant, Gyanu Thapa of Gorkhali Restaurant, and Rekha Shrestha of Karahi House Restaurant. Dessert featured an artisan Mother’s Day cake provided by Kaushal Naik, owner of Hot Breads.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz said, “Mother’s Day is about celebrating the love, strength, and sacrifices of the mothers who are the heart of our community. Thank you to Dr. Sumita SenGupta, founder of the Arts4All Foundation, and Elmhurst Hospital for hosting this beautiful celebration right here in the place where so many of our moms and families come for care, comfort, and support. Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers and caregivers we honor today.”
Councilwoman Shanel Thomas-Henry said, “To all of the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, foster mothers, adoptive mothers, godmothers, caregivers, and guiding maternal figures, I thank you for raising and uplifting our families and communities with your unconditional love, strength, hard work, and nurturing care. I am honored to join Dr. Sumita SenGupta and Elmhurst Hospital in expressing our gratitude to the brave women in healthcare and mothers in our community.”
She added, “As a mother of two beautiful daughters, they inspire me to fight for a future where they, and every child, can thrive in a safe, supportive, and vibrant community. I am committed to continuing to fight for moms and families through expanding maternal healthcare, quality education, equal pay, social services, affordable housing, and access to childcare.”
The event concluded with performances by Mahadev Tripathi, Sweta Goswami, Subhra Goswami, Yomesh Sharma, Preity Jain, Gobind Kumar Negi, and Mariom Maria.
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