BRONX, NY (March 2022) — Proximity to research hospitals and plug-and-play capabilities are among the top elements of a winning formula for developing life sciences real estate, said Joseph Simone, said Joseph Simone of Simone Development Companies.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted its annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 25 at the Villa Barone Manor in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Joseph Kelleher, president of Simone Metro Properties, (pictured R to L with scholarship winner Noemy Rodriguez, Allison Aguilar of Simone Development and Bronx Chamber Foundation Board Chair April Horton, Director, External Affairs & Government Affairs at Verizon), helped celebrate Women’s History Month and support the Chamber’s efforts to award scholarships young Bronx women who have demonstrated academic excellence.

This year’s luncheon honored Christine Croke, RN, patient care coordinator in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Montefiore Weiler Hospital/Einstein Campus for her extraordinary contributions to Bronx patients, families and colleagues during the peak of the pandemic.

This year’s scholarships were made possible through the generosity of sponsors Con Edison, Ponce Bank, Verizon, The Monroe Foundation, Simone Development, New York Botanical Garden, Orange Bank & Trust Co., KZA Realty, Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy, F&F Insurance and Metro Optics.