Good afternoon.

I'm Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, and I am thrilled to be here today, as everyone is, welcoming the North Manhattan Eye Center of Westchester back home to New Rochelle.

This is an amazing homecoming back to New Rochelle, and we are so thrilled to have North Manhattan Eye Center back in Neurochelle here with us just to serve everyone on your eye and cataracts and glaucoma needs.

But first, before we get any further, let me introduce to you.

We have some people with us.

Of course, we have Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert.

We have City Manager Will Melendez.

Deputy City Manager Todd Costaldo.

Of course, we have Building Commissioner Paul Vaca with us.

As we are in the downtown of Neurochelle, we also have Executive Director Ann Gold from the Neurochell bid.

And the man of the hour is here with this family.

Brought this brought us here today.

That's Dr.

Gabriel Ferrera.

So we're we're so pleased to have this grand opening.

There's a lot of backstory, which you're going to hear more about.

But first, I'd like to bring up the mayor to say a few words of welcome.

Catherine.

I'm a crier.

I'm not going to do it though.

But talking to Dr.

Ferreira and hearing the story of you guys and your journey to this country.

I see, I'm going to start.

And then what you guys did.

How you work so hard.

And you and talking about your experience growing up in New Rochelle with our schools and just opportunities and chances that the community put around you and what you're bringing back home, as Catherine said, is what makes New Rochelle so great.

And I know I'm always grateful when a business chooses to open in New Rochelle, but in particular, your story is just the testimony of what like family, community, perseverance, of course, brilliance, course supportive spouse and beautiful children can do for a community.

And so thank you, Dr.

Ferreira.

Thank you for coming home.

Thank you for making it work.

I know it took some time, but for bringing your story, your talent, your vision, your brilliance here to our community who will only benefit from your expertise.

Looking forward to your success, and whatever we can do, we will do to make sure that you thrive here.

Thank you, Mayor.

That is touching.

It does make you want to cry.

Brings a tear to your eye.

And now I'd like to bring up Ann Gold, the executive director of the New Rochelle Downtown Bid.

Thank you.

I'm so delighted to be here.

And I am also so uplifted by your joyous story.

What a tradition you're you know bringing on to New Rochelle.

And I want to say that in addition to that wonderful story, what a wonderful access of specialized medicine you're bringing to our residents.

And that's a great thing for downtown and for all of New Rochelle.

So thank you, Catherine, for the ribbon cutting.

Thank you for bringing your practice here.

And we'll do everything we can to make you successful in New Rochelle.

And now, once again, I'd like to bring up the man of the hour, Dr.

Gabriel Ferrera.

So um, you know, rarely short for words.

Uh for those of you who know me, but um anyway, listen, I uh you know, if you're here, it's because you're important to me, um, whether it be professionally, the people that have supported me, that have allowed me to become the surgeon that I've become, um, that I've allowed me to learn uh what I've learned, you know, all of the reps that are in this room that uh have shared time in the OR with me, um, all of the people in this room that helped me build my first practice, that that practice is what has allowed me to fund this office.

Um to the friends and family in this room, you know, that have been there from day one, you know.

Um wasn't always easy.

Um but uh you guys have been there since day one.

Um my mom and dad, you know, whose uh first job in this country was uh in this building uh as the maintenance staff here.

Um you know, um my dad working three full times.

Um my family, my wife, without whom none of this would have happened, um, put this together.

My in-laws who have always been there at every moment of the way.

Um, I've got aunts, uncles, siblings in this room.

I just um, you know, it means a lot.

I've been trying to do this for a long time, and this doesn't come together by itself.

It really does take a community, and you know, I'm here, you know, to provide the level of care that I felt like Nourishell gave to me.

Um, took me from, you know, first generation American uh to where I am today, and I'm very happy to return that favor to this community.

And with that being said, uh everybody just enjoy the evening.

Welcome.

There's drinks, there's food, you know.

Um, let's make it more of a party and less emotional.

Well, it is a deservedly emotional event, and we are so thrilled to have you back with your family and your team here in New Rochelle.

Okay, so now don't go too far.

I'd like to bring up Glenny Orojas, New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce member, and um she works at Hotel Noma for a little presentation.

Dr.

Ferreira, bienvenido on your Rochelle.

Thank you for choosing us.

We're the community's totally blessed to have you guys, because we already know what you're gonna offer to the community.

So thank you.

And on behalf of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, we want to give you the certificate and wish you all the best.