25 for 25: Celebrating Headlines and Sharing the Limelight

In honor of our 25th anniversary, we're proud to share 25 moments when our communities, residents, and team members were recognized for their trailblazing work, inspiring impact, and invigorating spirit and dedication.

These 25 moments capture times when our communities, residents, and team members, from inspiring milestones to meaningful initiatives that touched lives. While most are from 2025, a few standout stories from previous years highlight the ongoing dedication, care, and vibrancy that make The Bristal truly newsworthy. Each feature celebrates the people, moments, and experiences that bring energy, compassion, and pride to everything we do.

From local features to national coverage, these stories celebrate the people and programs that make our communities truly newsworthy.

2025 Highlights in Headlines

1. Congrats Grads! Residents graduate FIT Continuing Education Certificate Course

The Bristal at York Avenue hosted a graduation ceremony for residents who completed the FIT's Menswear: Iconic Milestones in Fashion History course.

2. Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Bristal at White Plains gathered residents, elected officials, and community leaders to mark the 80th anniversary of the4 liberation of Auschwitz.

3. Vow Renewal at The Bristal at East Meadow

Long Island couple, residents at The Bristal at East Meadow, celebrated 65 years of marriage on Valentine's Day.

4. The Bristal Partners with Borghese Roma

The unique, emerging collaboration between The Bristal Assisted Living communities and luxury skin care brand Borghese Roma will elevate the resident experience by providing luxury spa services and skincare products within select communities.

5. Guidance on Changing Landscape of Dementia Care

Mark Paretti, Vice President of Resident Experience for The Bristal Assisted Living offers guidance in an op-ed for Long Island Business News. He describes how The Bristal is leading the way in a fundamental shift in caregiving for individuals living with Alzheimer's and related forms of dementia, changes based on research-backed strategies.

6. Go Red Storm! March Madness at The Bristal at East Meadow

Resident Evelyn, a devoted Red Storm fan and twice-graduate of St. Johns University has not missed a single opportunity to cheer for the Johnnies this season.

Watch the news coverage of Evelyn's love of St. Johns Basketball.

7. The Bristal at North Woodmere Hosts Surprise Celebration

Residents Fred and Elaine have been married for 69 years, and The Bristal at North Woodmere hosted a surprise celebration to mark the occasion.

Learn more about their story and view news coverage of the event on our blog.

8. Chief Operating Officer Recognized by WTWH Healthcare

Chief Operating Officer for The Bristal Assisted Living, Amy Silva-Magalhaes, was named a 2025 Executive to Watch, in recognition of her visionary leadership in senior living.

9. Long Island Telephone Museum Visits The Bristal at Lake Grove

The Long Island Telephone Museum presented an immersive experience on the evolution of the mobile phone, including museum-style exhibits, an academic presentation, and stories of how changes in communication technology have impacted us personally.

10. The Bristal Earns Designation as A Great Place to Work®

The accreditation and designation is earned through widespread, anonymous team member feedback.

11. Studio 54 Remembered in Immersive Tribute at The Bristal at York Avenue

This dazzling tribute to Studio 54 feature4d acclaimed author Anthony Haden-Guest and the debut of a disco era-inspired fashion line from legendary designer Montgomery Frazier.

12. Seven Centenarians Honored at North Woodmere

The Bristal at North Woodmere honored seven residents turning 100+ in 2025 with a grand celebration featuring storytelling, reflections, live music, and invited guests.

13. Happy 100th, Michael!

The Bristal at East Northport hosted a special celebration for Michael's 100th birthday. Michael won a Purple Heart and then dedicated his life to developing award-winning geriatric care programs.

14. The Bristal Wins 2025 Long Island Choice Award

Herald Media names The Bristal Assisted Living the Winner in the 55+ Community Home and Home Services Category.

15. The Bristal Partners with Cornell University

As part of a broader commitment to shaping the future of senior living, an internship program is helping to train tomorrow's leaders at the cross-section of healthcare and hospitality.

16. Annual All-Stars Senior Softball Game

The Bristal partners with NYSSA, Nassau DHS, and the Town of Hempstead to bring this inspiring tradition to life each year.

See news coverage from the community event on our blog.

17. An All-Star Team Member at Mount Sinai

Lifestyle Coordinator Pamela Rate from The Bristal at Mount Sinai was recognized by Empire State Association for Assisted Living (ESAAL) for contributions to resident experience.

18. Champion Innovator Recognized

Regional Vice President of Operations Thamara Barbosa-Tirri honored as a 2025 Champion Innovator by Westfair Business Journal.

19. Artful Aging Advice from The Golden Girls

Three residents at The Bristal at Jericho pursuing their passion for the arts share their stories and give advice to others on the art of aging gracefully.

Read about the Golden Girls in this Newsday article.

Headline Highlights from the Archive

20. Centenarian Veterans Honored at The Bristal at Armonk

A joint Veterans Day celebration at The Bristal at Armonk honored Rocco (100, pictured here) and Peter (101) to commemorate their centenarian birthdays and their service in WWII.

21. ABC's Golden Bachelorette Attends Englewood Senior Prom

Joan Vassos, the first ever Golden Bachelorette, made a surprise visit to Senior Prom at The Bristal at Englewood, for a screening of the debut episode.

See pictures and view media coverage from the event on our blog.

22. Recollections on The World's Fair

Residents from The Bristal communities shared their recollections of the groundbreaking event which took place in 1964 in Queens, NY.

Read the article in Newsday.

23. Reflections Director Recognized by McKnights

Wendy Blackman, Reflections Director from The Bristal at North Woodmere, was recognized as a 2024 Unsung Hero for exemplary dedication and compassion.

24. Celebrating Lotte's Leap Year Birthday

The Bristal at North Hills hosted a 21st birthday celebration for resident Lotte, whose February 29th birthday occurs once every four years.

See press coverage and hear more about Lotte on our blog.

25. The Bristal Grandfriends

The GrandFriends Program at The Bristal at East Northport brins residents into local elementary schools to inspire a love of reading and strengthen community ties.

View media coverage to learn more about the program.

When Recognition Reflects Our Purpose

Each of these moments reminds us that recognition is most meaningful when it reflects who we are and why we serve. The headlines may shine a light, but it's the everyday compassion, dedication, and joy within our communities that make the real impact.

We're grateful to our residents, families, and remarkable team members whose stories, big and small, continue to define The Bristal with heart, purpose, and pride. While these moments made the news, the true honor is knowing that we make a difference every single day.