The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies Highlights 2026 Gala Honorees Recognizing Leadership and Advocacy

The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies will honor distinguished individuals and organizations at its 2026 EPIC Family Gala – Love in Action. A Night to Give. A Legacy to Grow. This year’s honorees include Community Care Rx as Corporate Honoree; Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder of the Nassau County Police Department as Community Partner Honoree; and Joseph and Nina Meyer as Family of the Year, celebrating their leadership, advocacy and lasting contributions that help make EPIC’s epilepsy support, mental health counseling and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities possible and stronger across Long Island.

“These honorees reflect the heart of our mission—compassion in action, collaboration across systems and an unwavering commitment to people during their most vulnerable moments,” said Lisa Burch, President & CEO of the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. “Each of these honorees has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve and we are proud to recognize their leadership and generosity.”

The honorees will be recognized at the 2026 EPIC Family Gala on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Heritage Club at Farmingdale. Proceeds from the event support the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies’ programming, helping to diversify funding in order to protect and sustain the organization’s essential services during any uncertain times. As demand for mental health care, epilepsy advocacy and community-based services continues to grow, this support provides financial stability that allows EPIC to plan for the future, respond to emerging needs and ensure consistent, high-quality care for years to come. These funds are an investment in dignity, safety and the promise that no individual or family who turns to EPIC will be left without support.

“Community support plays a critical role in ensuring our services remain strong and accessible,” said Jeff Nagel, Board Chair of EPIC Long Island. “Donations and support from events like the EPIC Family Gala help us continue providing care and advocacy when funding sources are uncertain. This generosity allows us to remain focused on the people and families who rely on us and to respond with compassion, consistency and stability when it matters most.”

“Access to timely, quality mental health care is more important than ever,” said Steven Greenfield, Board Chair of South Shore Guidance Center. “The dedication of this year’s honorees helps make our work possible by strengthening the connections and community support we rely on every day. Their continued partnership assists us in our goal to continue providing effective care and crisis support to individuals and families, even as needs grow and funding landscapes shift.”

Community Care Rx, a long-term care pharmacy founded by Hossam Maksoud, RPh, is recognized as Corporate Honoree for its dependable service, innovative solutions and commitment to patient-centered care. Serving assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities and OPWDD residences across the tri-state area, Community Care Rx partners with EPIC Long Island to ensure individuals in EPIC residences and day programs receive pharmacy services tailored to their unique needs. Irien Moawad, RPh, President of Pharmacy Services and Compliance, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience and serves on the EPIC Long Island Board of Directors, further strengthening the partnership through her guidance and support.

Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder has served as Police Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department since 2018 and brings more than four decades of law enforcement experience. Under his leadership, Nassau County has achieved historic reductions in crime and has been named the Safest Community in America by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years. Commissioner Ryder has been a committed partner to the South Shore Guidance Center and the Nassau County Mobile Crisis Team, helping strengthen the county’s response to mental health emergencies through improved coordination, safer interactions and stronger connections to care.

Joseph and Nina Meyer, recipients of the Family of the Year Award, transformed a deeply personal experience into meaningful advocacy for the epilepsy community. After Nina experienced her first tonic-clonic (formerly known as grand mal) seizure, the couple became passionate champions for awareness and support, founding the Open to End Epilepsy Golf Outing and Rock the Bowl: Striking Out Epilepsy benefit event. Since 2024, they have raised more than $40,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation Long Island, providing critical resources for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

For more information about the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies and how to support their initiatives, visit www.epicli.org.

About the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies:

The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies comprises three organizations that provide advocacy and healthcare resources for families and communities throughout Long Island. EPIC Long Island operates a Day Habilitation program in East Meadow along with 18 group homes located throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties and provides clinical services for children and adults who have developmental disabilities. These facilities are led by incredible caregivers who offer support and help facilitate wonderful experiences and programs for those in their care. Each of EPIC Long Island’s residences is unique, and the individuals who live there have various abilities as well as life challenges.

The Epilepsy Foundation Long Island helps raise awareness and provides vital advocacy and resources for the more than 35,000 Long Islanders who have been diagnosed with epilepsy and suffer from seizures. This includes providing community education in schools and healthcare venues and offering Seizure First Aid Certification to help train Long Islanders to provide immediate care for someone experiencing a seizure. Surprisingly, 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime.

The South Shore Guidance Center in Freeport is an outpatient behavioral health clinic within the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. It provides a wide range of care for Long Islanders of all ages to accommodate the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults. This includes individual, group, and family psychotherapy, substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, and medication-assisted treatment.

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