Two Rockville Centre residents were among the recognized healthcare leaders, community advocates and dedicated staff members honored by Mount Sinai South Nassau at the Oceanside Hospital’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
At the Jan. 16, ceremony, individuals were honored for their contributions that embody the late civil rights leader’s values of service, leadership, and community care. They were presented with the Mount Sinai South Nassau Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award for their exceptional achievements and commitment to fostering Among the honorees was Rockville Centre resident Janice Campbell, nurse manager of the hospital’s Parent-Child Education Resource Center and co-chair of its Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council. Campbell came to the United States from Brazil in 2008. A specialist in women’s health, she began her tenure at Mount Sinai in 2009 and has since been a key member of a multidisciplinary team.
“This honor is a reflection of the collective effort of our team,” she said. “It’s a testament to what we can accomplish together.”
As the founder of the “There for Her” committee — Tracking Health Equity, Raising Efforts for Healing, Empowerment, and Respect — Campbell has spearheaded projects to address birth disparities and ensure respectful, patient-centered care for diverse populations. Under her guidance, the committee organized the hospital’s inaugural Maternal Health Equity Symposium in 2024, which focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality among Black women. Campbell’s efforts gained national recognition in 2022 when she received the inaugural Award for Extraordinary Nurses in Patient Safety from the National Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
Growing up in Brazil, Campbell said she admired Dr. King’s work from afar.
“I grew up in another country, listening to his work, thinking it was something that I would never be part of it but then, when we moved to the U.S. we learned that it’s such a strong part of the culture,” she said. “It’s so inspirational the way that he was able to fight for human rights in a peaceful way.”
Rockville Centre resident Naginder Singh received the honor for her lifelong dedication to community service. Born and raised in India just a few years before the 1947 partition, which forced her family to flee Pakistan and resettle in New Delhi, Singh overcame tremendous hardship to build a life centered on family, education and giving back.
When her late husband, Dr. Harbhajan Singh was offered a chance to pursue a career in medicine in the United States, the family moved to Massachusetts in 1968, and nine years later made their way to New York, where they made a home in Rockville Centre.
After Naginder earned her master’s degrees in history and early childhood education, She worked as a social worker in Nassau County while raising her two sons and supporting her husband throughout his esteemed medical career upon graduating from Amristar Medical College in 1963.
Her community involvement includes contributions to the Mount Sinai South Nassau Veterans Committee, the Sandel Senior Center and the local Lions Club.
In 2024, she was honored with the Robert Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, which was established by Lions Clubs International to highlight outstanding service to either a local Club, district or overall community. This further solidified her legacy of compassion and dedication to Rockville Centre and its residents.
“I am so blessed, and I’m very, very fortunate to live in Rockville Centre,” Singh said. “This hospital has given love and support to my family for all these years. I’m very grateful and very fortunate to be part of your family.”
Representatives from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick presented citations to the honorees, recognizing their profound impact on the community.
Christine and Keith Doud, of Merrick, were celebrated for their transformative contributions to the hospital and beyond. The Douds, who have been married for 12 years, have exemplified teamwork and altruism in their respective roles at the hospital.
Christine Doud, a 23-year veteran of the hospital, has served on numerous councils and committees, earning accolades such as the ATNM Award of Excellence and the Daisy Team Member Award. In addition, she co-designed the “Who Will You Be Today” campaign, which encourages actionable kindness and promotes workplace morale.
Keith Doud, an engineering department team member, has been instrumental in supporting the hospital’s Veterans Committee initiatives, including the “Suits on Soldiers” and “Coats for Soldiers” drives, which have provided more than 1,000 items to veterans in need. Together, the couple spearheaded the Toys for Tots program and the Santa at Sunrise fundraiser, benefiting countless children and families during the holiday season.
“There are so many great people working here who are equally deserving,” Christine Doud said. “To be recognized for something we’re so passionate about is truly overwhelming.”
For the Douds, their work at Mount Sinai is more than a job — it’s a family affair. Christine Doud’s sister served the hospital for nearly four decades, and her niece is also part of the team.
“It’s like a family business,” Keith Doud remarked, reflecting on the significance of being honored during the Martin Luther King Day celebration.
As each honoree received recognition, the audience was reminded of Dr. King’s legacy.
“It’s not uncommon for us to quote Martin Luther King,” Keith Doud noted. “To be recognized on a day that celebrates his legacy makes this even more special.”