Health

ELIH CEO treks Mt. Kilimanjaro to kickoff capital campaign

Eastern Long Island Hospital's Paul Connor, president and CEO  and Dr. Anthony Mitarotondo, chief of radiology  at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Credit: Courtesy Photo)
Eastern Long Island Hospital president and CEO Paul Connor and Dr. Anthony Mitarotondo, chief of radiology at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Credit: Courtesy Photo)

In what might be the most unique capital campaign kickoff in Eastern Long Island Hospital history, two officials have trekked to the top of Africa’s highest peak — Mount Kilimanjaro — in hopes of getting others to take up their campaign challenge.

On Oct. 20, hospital president and CEO Paul Connor and Dr. Anthony Mitarotondo, the Greenport hospital’s chief of radiology, began the 19,341-foot climb, making it to the top and back in just six days.

“It was the most extreme physical challenge I have ever had,” Mr. Connor, 63, said of the hike, which required about two months of training.

What he’s asking of you isn’t quite as extreme.

The hospital’s 2015 CARE Campaign challenge is designed to get people moving while using social media to encourage donations.

“I am asking everyone to pledge to walk 10,000 steps [a day] in honor of the hospital’s 110-year anniversary or donate to the annual appeal,” Mr. Connor said in a press release about the campaign.

He is asking participants to upload a video of their first 10 steps to Facebook, using the hashtag #ELIHFitness, and then challenge three others to either do the same or donate to the hospital through its website. Those who upload a video will win a free pedometer, according to the release.

The goal is to raise $10,000 or reach 110 participants by Dec. 2, which is known as Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.

“Feeling good mentally is really the best by-product of physical activity,” Mr. Connor said. “Staying fit allows me to be better at what I do every day … It’s never too late to challenge yourself physically.”