Photo Flash: Candice Bergen, Renee Fleming Honored by Einstein College of Medicine

The Women's Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine hosted its 61st Annual Spirit of Achievement Luncheon on Tuesday, May 19th at the Rainbow Room, honoring Candice Bergen, Renée Fleming and Einstein faculty members Daphne T. Hsu, M.D., and Robert H. Pass, M.D. Both are leading pediatric heart specialists at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, the pediatric division of Einstein's University hospital. The event benefited cancer research by leading scientists at Einstein's Albert Einstein Cancer Center. Scroll down for photos!

TODAY show correspondent Jill Martin acted as Mistress of Ceremonies and introduced Carol Roaman, president of the Women's Division, who served as luncheon co-chair with executive board members Andrea Stark and Terri Goldberg. Ms. Roaman, who lost her daughter to ovarian cancer expressed her admiration for researchers at Einstein and added that the division has raised over two million dollars for Einstein cancer research since she became involved in 2012. Ms. Stark then noted how the people of New York City "need Einstein," and thanked Einstein and Montefiore and everyone involved in organizing the event.

Allen M. Spiegel, M.D.,Einstein's Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, then introduced a moving video to an audience including past Spirit honorees Christine Baranski star of "The Good Wife,"Olympic figure skating gold medalist Sarah Hughes and acclaimed Broadway producer Daryl Roth, a Women's Division board member. The video told the story of how Drs. Hsu and Pass provided lifesaving heart transplant surgery to 17-year-old patient, Brianna Barker. Following the video, Ms. Barker took to the stage to express thanks and asked Dean Spiegel and Ms. Martin to join her in presenting the Spirit of Achievement awards to Dr. Hsu and Dr. Pass.

Dr. Hsu spoke about how excited she is about current plans for Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore to strengthen their longtime working partnership, and that she is looking forward to following Brianna's success in life. Dr. Pass then thanked the College of Medicine, his "role model" parents and the patients who inspire him on a daily basis. Ms. Martin presented both honorees with engraved crystal bowls.

Accepting her award after a warm introduction by Ms. Martin, Ms. Fleming commented that as a singer she strives to "enhance lives," calling it "a privilege to be around these doctors who were saving lives."

Ms. Bergen, whom Ms. Martin described as "a true icon," was then invited to the stage to collect her award. She commented on the "staggering" work of the doctors at Einstein. Then, noting that she lost her first husband, film director Louis Malle, to lymphoma, and that her current husband, real estate developer Marshall Rose, who was in the audience, lost his former wife to cancer, she remarked that the Einstein Women's Division's efforts on behalf of cancer research was a cause to which she could relate.

Ms. Martin announced the winners of the afternoon's raffle, which included one hour of private jet time from Wheels Up and a Sunday brunch for four at the Rainbow Room. She closed the program by congratulating honorees and thanking guests for their continued support for Einstein. Guests left with gift bags that included copies of Ms. Fleming's new CD, The Art of Renée Fleming. Many also received autographed copies of Ms. Bergen's new memoir, A Fine Romance.

Photo Credits: J. Torres, East Coast Photography, Jonathan Grassi @ Patrick McMullan