May is traditionally the month when nurses are recognized worldwide, in part because May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She professionalized nursing roles for women and is known as the founder of modern nursing.

In celebration of National Nurses Month, Rockland County Legislature Vice Chair Dr. Aney Paul, a longtime nurse herself, presented the Distinguished Service Award— the Legislature’s highest honor— to three exceptional nurses: Glenn Albin, Dr. Gaelle Duvivier, and Mary Laiju Shine Kelanthara. These honorees were recognized for their professional excellence and dedicated community service.

• Glenn Albin transitioned from accounting to healthcare, serving as a paramedic and emergency room nurse for over four decades. He mentors new nurses and teaches advanced life support, while actively participating in the Knights of Columbus and South Orangetown Ambulance Corps.

• Dr. Gaelle Duvivier, a Certified Nurse Midwife and educator, works with New York Presbyterian and SUNY Rockland. She advocates for women’s health, leads health fairs, and researches ways to improve breastfeeding and reduce health disparities.

• Mary Laiju Shine Kelanthara, with 28 years of nursing experience, serves as an Infection Control Nurse at HVDDSO. She’s also a passionate volunteer, fundraiser, church educator, and South Indian TV actress.

Dr. Paul praised the honorees for making “a positive difference every day” in the lives of Rockland County residents.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital is offering free breast cancer screenings on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Breast Center. These screenings are available to uninsured women aged 40 and over who meet eligibility requirements. The event is funded by the Cancer Services Program of the Hudson Valley and Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Spanish-speaking assistance is available. 

The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers 3D digital mammography, which can detect up to 41% more invasive breast cancers. The center has been granted a three-year/full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and is designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

For more information about the services provided at The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, To register and check eligibility, call 845-348-8511 or visit montefiorenyack.org/breast-center