The Catskill Chronicle

Director of Community Unity Bill Sipos (left), Chief Medical Officer at Catskill Regional Medical Center Dr. Peter Panzarino, and Director of RISE Program Cindy Zingher.

MONTICELLO, NY (May 26, 2011) – Mr. Willy’s Restaurant was rocking to the sounds of the VanTwistics when Mr. Willy, Bill Sipos, stepped to the microphone to remind everyone why they were there on Saturday, May 21.

As Chairman of Community Unity, he had helped organize an evening of music, along with a lobster bake and buffet dinner to recognize Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and to raise funds for Community Unity.

Two years ago, the hospital, under the leadership of then CEO Steve Ruwoldt, answered the call to save the Rape Intervention Services and Education (RISE) of Sullivan County by finding the program a home at CRMC.

RISE is one of the four key members of Community Unity along with D.R.E.A.M. Tank, Federation for the Homeless, and Recovery Center.

Dr. Peter Panzarino, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Mental Health and Biochemical Dependency at CRMC, received a plaque from Bill Sipos and Cindy Zingher, Director of RISE.

Dr. Panzarino thanked Community Unity and expressed the hospital’s thanks and appreciation for the much needed services that RISE provides to the Sullivan County community in caring for the needs of families that are victimized by rape and sexual assault crimes. He said that RISE’s immediate response and ongoing care is too valuable a resource to not have a home to operate from. The space RISE obtained had been Dr. Panzarino’s own office.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for Community Unity should e-mail billsipos@gmail.com.