MOUNT KISCO, NY — Northern Westchester Hospital announced the dedication of the Lashins Family Employee Wellness Gym made possible through a generous donation from Ed and Phyllis Lashins.

"We know how difficult the past few years were for everyone, but especially the heroic efforts of our health care workers," said Ed and Phyllis Lashins, Armonk residents and Northern Westchester Hospital patrons for more than three decades. "As soon as we heard about this project, we knew we needed to make this come to fruition. We are excited for this moment and the future health of NWH and its excellent staff."

The 1350-square-foot, fully equipped onsite gym for employees will be open 24 hours day, seven days a week. The space is equipped with two treadmills, two adjustable weight benches, a lat tower, a Smith machine, rowing machine, elliptical cardio machine, stationary bikes, free weights, stretch mats, Mirror workout system, two active Peloton workout systems and two bathrooms with showers. The gym also features rotating motivational quotes and QR codes that provide tips on food and nutrition, mental health, physical wellness and integrative medicine.

"Our patients and team members are at the center of every decision we make," said Derek Anderson, executive director at Northern Westchester Hospital. "Going to the gym regularly improves your health, mind, and body. We are grateful to the Lashins family and our own employees who donated the funds to open this fitness center. As a Planetree Hospital, we prioritize investing in our team members total well-being because we know that when they are strong, in body and mind, it's good for our patients and our community."

Over the past twenty years, Northern Westchester Hospital's philanthropic community invested more than $160 million to improve the hospital's medical and surgical excellence. This allowed the hospital to continually renew, expand, and accelerate its best-in-class patient care and state-of-the-art technology becoming the first hospital in the nation to achieve both designation as a Planetree Patient-Centered Hospital with Distinction and Magnet Recognition for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in their professional nursing practice.