Financial Industries Leaders Raise more than $700,000 for National Jewish Health, Nation’s Leading Respiratory Hospital

Michael W. Scolaro, BMO Harris Bank, honored for contributions

Hundreds of people attended the March 16 National Jewish Health Financial Industries Virtual Event raising more than $700,000. In addition to raising critical funds for the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, the event honored Michael W. Scolaro, managing director and group head of BMO Harris Bank’s asset based lending (ABL) group. National Jewish Health performs groundbreaking medical research and treatment for patients across the nation and world with lung, heart and immune-related conditions, including COVID-19. This year marked the 43^rd consecutive year leaders in the financial industries have held this event for National Jewish Health.

National Jewish Health presented Scolaro with its Humanitarian Award for his significant civic and business contributions. “At BMO, we have identified a purpose, to boldly grow the good in business and life,” Scolaro said. “While I received the award, the team earned it – so we changed the inscription on the award.” 

Jay Schweiger, managing director of asset-based lending at BMO Harris Bank, served as event chair. Event treasurer was Kara Goodwin, managing director of asset-based lending at BMO Harris Bank. The event’s honorary chair was Thomas Greco, chief executive officer of valuations & industrial services at Hilco Global, who was also the 2019 honoree. Christopher Carmosino, president of valuations of Gordon Brothers and 2018 honoree, was inducted into the National Jewish Health Council of National Trustees along with Greco.

National Jewish Health President and CEO Michael Salem, MD, and Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, director of pulmonary research and COVID-19 research initiatives, joined the event by video from Denver. They both spoke about tremendous advancements made towards defeating the current health crisis.

“Along with many others, National Jewish Heath has made substantial progress in the pandemic – through vaccinations, testing, care and research – and we now have much reason for hope,” Dr. Salem said. “As we heard recently from President Biden, getting vaccinated and patience with public health measures will allow us to enjoy life without the constant threat and fear – to hug a relative, gather with friends and family, celebrate milestones, rebuild our economy and to heal as a nation.”

Scolaro and Schweiger visited the National Jewish Health campus in 2019. “If you ever get a chance, go to Denver and take a tour of National Jewish Health,” Scolaro told event attendees. “You’ll get a glimpse of what it takes to become the leading respiratory hospital in the country. Everybody works at a pace we typically associate with the closing of a very complicated deal.”

The Financial Industries event was formed in 1977 by the late Lou Moskowitz from Chemical and then Republic Bank. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $16 million for the hospital.

Special thanks to the event sponsors: Vice Chairs: BMO Harris Bank; Bank of America; Blank Rome LLP; Choate Hall & Stewart LLP; CIT Commercial Services; Citizens Business Capital; Hilco Global; Holland & Knight LLP; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; McGuireWoods LLP; Otterbourg P.C.; PNC Business Credit; Quality King Distributors, Inc.; Red Apple Group, Inc.; Sidley Austin LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP, TD Bank, N.A.; Wells Fargo Capital Finance; White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC; and Winston & Strawn LLP. Associate Chairs: Ares Management LLC; B. Riley Advisory Services; Saul G. Berkowitz; Durkin Group; Gordon Brothers; Hahn & Hessen LLP; Huron Consulting; Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbins LLP; The Renco Group, Inc.; Richter Consulting; Barbara & Michael Scolaro; Sector3 Appraisals, Inc.; and United Refrigeration, Inc. Sponsor Level: Becker & Poliakoff, LLP; BRG Corporate Finance; Crystal Financial LLC; FTI Consulting, Inc.; Getzler Henrich & Associates LLC; Goldberg Kohn, Ltd.; Loeb & Loeb LLP; Mandelbaum Salsburg, P.C.; Regions Business Capital; Riemer & Braunstein LLP; Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.; Signature Bank; Silverman Consulting; Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; Tiger Group; Torys LLP; Vedder Price; Webster Bank; and Webster Business Credit Corp.

For more event information, visit NYFID.org, or contact Mattie Shepheard at 720.591.4139 or ShepheardM@njhealth.org.