Celebrating Zelda Program Founding Director Dr. Susan Gerbino

Over her 30 years of service to NYU Silver, Dr. Susan Gerbino has been a Clinical Professor, founding Coordinator of the Westchester County Campus, Founder and Director of the Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (Zelda Program), and a beloved, teacher, mentor and colleague. On September 23, 2024, current and former students, Zelda Program fellows, faculty and staff, funders, friends and family gathered to celebrate Dr. Gerbino on her retirement.

Dean Michael A. Lindsey spoke of Dr. Gerbino’s “enduring and powerful” impact on the School and the field of palliative and end-of-life care (PELC). Retired Clinical Associate Professor Diane Grodney cited Dr. Gerbino’s “depth of respect, consideration, intelligence, conscientiousness, awareness, and commitment to social justice and equity.” Clinical Associate Professor and MSW Program Director Cora de Leon shared how Dr. Gerbino modeled the importance of gatherings, relationship building and collaboration. Zelda Program Mentorship Director Jocelyn Walls noted that the program Dr. Gerbino started from scratch has now had nearly 150 MSW Fellows, 96 Leadership Fellows and over 600 graduates of the Postmaster’s Certificate Program. Zelda Program Administrator Neeta Arbeiter said of Dr. Gerbino, “I’ve witnessed firsthand how you’ve inspired so many social workers at various stages in their career to believe that they matter and can truly make the world a better place.”

After Dr. Gerbino payed tribute to her late mentors, Zelda Foster and Dr. Esther Chachkes, and thanked the many colleagues, students, donors, friends and family, who have supported her in all her endeavors, she addressed the future of the Zelda Program. She cited Gloria Steinem’s objection to the phrase “passing the torch,” a notion that suggests there is only one leader who holds all the wisdom and knowledge. “That's antithetical to my view of leadership and it’s antithetical to Zelda,” said Dr. Gerbino. Continuing Ms. Steinem’s metaphor, she spoke of using her torch to light those of many others. “So you end up with a circle of light. And that’s leadership, that’s fellowship, that’s community, that’s love, that’s wisdom.” And that’s exactly what Dr. Gerbino has embodied throughout her career.