Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association to induct three on May 5

A trio of Hewlett High School graduates will be honored for their accomplishments and inducted into the Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association Hall of Fame at a ceremony and accompanying brunch at the high school on May 5.

Founded in 1994 by several Hewlett High graduates from the class of 1963 shortly after their 30-year reunion, the alumni association has inducted more than 160 graduates from Woodmere and Hewlett high schools. This year Drs. Don Powell, Ricky Friedman and Dana Rausch are the inductees.

Powell, class of 1968, is being inducted for his contributions to the health and wellbeing of countless individuals through his professional work, philanthropy and volunteerism. “As a developer, teacher, author, speaker, inventor and founder of a leading health promotion organization, Dr. Powell has been devoted to helping people help themselves,” Maryann Ferro and Melissa Gates stated in a news release. They are the two newest leaders of the HWAA.

He has appeared on hundreds of television and radio talk shows, including “Good Morning America,” “Fox Business,” “Fox and Friends,” CNN and ESPN, and has been featured in publications, such as USA Today, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

He is well known for his pieces about the 10 healthiest New Year’s resolutions that Americans make and how to keep them, which have received worldwide attention. Powell also volunteers at the Friendship Circle of Michigan, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to individuals with special needs and their families.

Friedman, class of 1977, is being acknowledged for his humanism, teaching and his successful, communicative career as an obstetrician-gynecologist. In addition to being on the list of Best Doctors in New York for the past 19 years, he has also published many peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and abstract presentations.

His commitment to improving medical care for women suffering from breast cancer paved the way for his appointment as an advisor to 5 Under Forty, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the lives and medical care of women under age 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Invested in his community, Friedman has also held several leadership positions at his house of worship.

Rausch, class of 1990, is being recognized for her research into the early detection of breast cancer and for improving care for victims of the disease. She has written many research papers and has presented her research at various local, regional and national conferences.

She is a medical director at eviCore Healthcare; a company committed to advancing health care management for patients, providers and health plans.

A Hewlett resident, Rausch is an active board member of both the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre Religious School and involved with the public schools. “She has achieved great honors in both her professional and community life, and will continue to serve as a role model for our future graduates, ” Ferro and Gates, stated in the release.

In addition to the three inductees, the HWAA will also recognize Susan Deutsch Love Wilker, class of 1957, and Carol Kerr Harrison, class of 1964, for helping to establish the alumni association and for their many years of service to the association.

The ceremony and brunch is at 11:30 a.m. Hewlett High School is at 60 Everit Ave. in Hewlett. To attend, go to hewlettwoodmerealumni@gmail.com or  https://hewlett-woodmere.revtrak.net/hw-alumni-association/#/f/hall-of-fame-brunch-2019.