On Saturday, December 20, 2025, the Arts4All Foundation, established by Dr. Sumita SenGupta, and Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital held a Community Holiday Meet and Greet and National Human Rights Month Celebration, and recognized Olympic Gold and Silver medal winner in fencing, Lauren Skye Scruggs. Scruggs is from Queens, and is the first African American woman to win an individual fencing medal.
“I am deeply grateful and honored to receive this award and praise from my fellow New Yorkers. Queens will always be home for me, and I hope my fencing accomplishments will inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders from the community to have the courage and drive to compete on a global stage,” Scruggs is quoted saying in a press release from Arts4All.
“I thank Dr. Sumita SenGupta for this very memorable honor and Long Island Jewish Hospital for all of the wonderful work they do, especially in delivery and postpartum maternal care. Let my story be one of many for Queens,” Scruggs added.
Stephany McClain, Scruggs’ mother, said, “I want to take this moment to say thank you to all of the mothers whose compassion and love have raised and supported all of us into the adults we are today. Lauren is one of my four incredibly talented fencing children, and whether your child’s interests are recreational or competitive, it takes tireless dedication and a focus on wellness to make your goals into a reality. Lauren and I hope that our message resonates with the young children and mothers here today in that Queens is a borough of possibility, and through hard work, dedication, and stable support, you can achieve your dreams. When you achieve, we as a community all succeed!”
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The event which coincided with December being Human Rights Month, organizers recognized Scruggs and her mother, for their historic achievements. They also recognized Lorraine Chambers Lewis, the president of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital.
Dr. SenGupta thanked the Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital and Chambers Lewis, Scruggs and her mother “for their extraordinary accomplishments.”
Olympic Champion Lauren Skye Scruggs toured Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, which is the most diverse medical center within the Northwell system and is a 312-bed community teaching hospital, part of Northwell Health located in Queens, New York.
Chambers Lewis said the hospital as proud to host the program “that reflects the strength and diversity of Queens,” adding that partnering with the Arts4All Foundation “allows us to celebrate a historic achievement while uplifting stories that inspire.”
The elected officials present were New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Assemblyman Steven Raga, Councilwoman-elect Shanel Thomas-Henry, District Leader Hersh Parekh and District Leader Rhonda Brinda. Lunch was donated by Akbar Himani, the owner of Nanking Restaurant and dessert including an artisan holiday cake was provided by Kaushal Naik, the owner of Hot Breads.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said, “It is astounding what New Yorkers are capable of doing under immense pressure. The medical professionals in this room today work under immense pressure to deliver the highest quality of healthcare services.”
Other high-profile guests also praised organizers and the individuals recognized at the event.