About the 2025 Unsung Heroes ListCity & State New York's inaugural Unsung Heroes list, researched and written in partnership with journalist Lon Cohen, recognizes New Yorkers who are highly effective but operate largely under the radar — from nonprofit leaders to civic organizers and public servants who get things done behind the scenes. Read the full …
About the 2025 Unsung Heroes List
City & State New York’s inaugural Unsung Heroes list, researched and written in partnership with journalist Lon Cohen, recognizes New Yorkers who are highly effective but operate largely under the radar — from nonprofit leaders to civic organizers and public servants who get things done behind the scenes. Read the full list →
About the 2025 Unsung Heroes List
City & State New York’s inaugural Unsung Heroes list, researched and written in partnership with journalist Lon Cohen, recognizes New Yorkers who are highly effective but operate largely under the radar — from nonprofit leaders to civic organizers and public servants who get things done behind the scenes. Read the full list →
A Quiet Force in Rockland County
Not every hero wears a cape — some wear a white coat and show up every day to help older adults and families navigate the hardest chapters of their lives. Richard Serrano, founder of Active Rockland in New City, New York, is exactly that kind of hero. In November 2025, City & State New York recognized him on its inaugural 2025 Unsung Heroes list — a roster of notable New Yorkers who achieve remarkable results behind the scenes, out of the spotlight.
The recognition was well deserved. Over the course of more than 16 years, Serrano has quietly built something extraordinary: a wellness center that doesn’t just treat bodies, but nurtures whole people — and the families who love them.
From a 2,200 sq. ft. Dream to a County-Wide Mission
Richard Serrano founded Active Rockland in 2009 with a 2,200 sq. ft. space in New City, NY, aiming to deliver compassionate, high-quality physical therapy. His vision grew beyond the clinic, and in 2022, Active Rockland expanded to a second wellness center in the Palisades Center, serving more residents across Rockland County.
Rockland County’s Only Outpatient Dementia Day Program
Active Rockland offers the county’s only outpatient dementia day program, supporting both participants and their caregivers. Through meaningful activities and compassionate care, the program fosters connection, confidence, and joy for those navigating memory challenges.
Through simple yet meaningful activities like Memory Lane TV and chair yoga, participants regain confidence while caregivers find the respite and community they need.
Memory Lane TV and chair yoga might sound modest, but their impact is anything but. For someone living with dementia, a familiar song or a gentle stretch can spark recognition, reduce anxiety, and restore a sense of self. For a caregiver, an hour of community and support can mean the difference between sustainability and collapse. Serrano and his team understood this, and built a program that honors both.
What Active Rockland Offers
Active Rockland provides a continuum of care that spans physical rehabilitation and wellness, all delivered with the warmth and rigor that has defined Serrano’s practice from day one. Their services include:
- Outpatient Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Dementia Day Program (Rockland County’s only outpatient program of its kind)
- Chair Yoga & Adaptive Fitness
- Memory Lane TV & Therapeutic Activities
- Wellness & Lifestyle Education
- Caregiver Support & Community
A Leader Defined by Compassion
Richard Serrano’s impact goes beyond the programs he created — it’s guided by a philosophy of caring for the whole person and their loved ones. His inclusion on the Unsung Heroes list highlights the essential work done quietly and consistently: from leading yoga sessions to supporting caregivers, Serrano exemplifies the movers and shakers who strengthen communities with profound care.
So Proud of You, Richard!
Being named an Unsung Hero by City & State New York is more than recognition—it’s a public acknowledgment of the impact you’ve made every day. Richard Serrano, your dedication to Active Rockland and the community it serves has always been essential, and now the world sees it too.
We celebrate not only Richard but the entire Active Rockland team, whose unwavering commitment makes Rockland County a place where older adults and their families can feel supported, cared for, and connected.
For those who’ve experienced the care firsthand, this honor comes as no surprise: Richard Serrano is, without a doubt, a true hero.
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