50th Annual Mercury Ball Raises Funds for Emergency Care Center


Celebrating half a century of healthcare excellence and community service, South Miami Hospital held its 50th Annual Mercury Ball, raising funds to renovate and expand the hospital’s Emergency Center, operating suites and imaging services.
Nearly 500 supporters – including a founding physician and a 50-year employee – gathered for the golden anniversary ball at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Deborah Antoni, Esq., and Kathleen and Nathan Hirsch, M.D., chaired The Sultry 50s themed ball which had guests dancing to the nostalgic tunes of the Mystics, and Marty K’s Music Makers.
Surgeon and former Medical Staff President Jorge Rabaza, M.D., was honored as Person of the Year for his leadership in patient and physician satisfaction. Jean Ellen duPont Shehan was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year for more than 70 years of selfless service to children, environmental causes, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations, including South Miami Hospital’s Child Development Center.
Each year the Mercury Ball is organized by the South Miami Hospital Associates, a group of business leaders who serve as goodwill ambassadors and fundraisers for the hospital, and the South Miami Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital.

Serving as presenting sponsor of the ball was longtime supporter TotalBank. Other major sponsors included Kidz Medical Services, Inc., and First National Bank of South Miami.
For more information about South Miami Hospital Foundation, contact Karl Cetta at 786-662-8126 or Karlc@baptisthealth.net.
South Miami Hospital Chief Executive Officer Lincoln Mendez with Board of Directors Chair Judge Robert Dubé and Board member Yerby Barker.
Joaquin Medina, Andreina Trejo, TotalBank President Luis de la Aguilera, Elizabeth Vento, Danny Diaz, Claudia Santiano and Luis Castro.
Leslie Buchanan, Susan MacArthur, chair of First National Bank of South Miami’s Board Bruce MacArthur and Joseph Buchanan.
Ghassan Haddad, M.D. and Albert Tano, M.D., representing Kidz Medical Services, Inc.
Baptist Health Foundation Chief Executive Officer Stephen Parsons with Philanthropist of the Year Jean Ellen duPont Shehan.
Robert and Rosy Buchwald.
NBC6’s Jackie Nespral with John and Lucy Yanapolous.
Person of the Year honoree Jorge Rabaza, M.D., with partners Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. and Juan Carlos Verdeja, M.D.
Chair of Baptist Health Foundation Board of Directors Jim Harris and Victoria London.
Baptist Health Foundation Assistant Vice President Karl Cetta with wife Susi and chair of South Miami Hospital Foundation Board of Directors Robert Berrin.
South Miami Hospital Medical Staff President Guillermo Pol, M.D., and wife Agueda.
Zeina Haddad and Patricia Birch.
Steven Kang, M.D., Juan Carlos Pereda, M.D., Ian Reiss, M.D., James Burks, M.D. and Chaminda Jayanetti, M.D., representing Reiss, Kang, Burks & Jayanetti, M.D., P.A.
Yvonne Johnson, M.D., Medical Director of South Miami Hospital Emergency Services John Braden, M.D., and Diane Amado-Tate.
Jorge Rabaza, M.D. – 2010 Person of the Year – with former South Miami Hospital Person of the Year awardees.
Mark R. Dylewski, M.D., Lynn Seto, M.D., and Lynn H. Harrison, M.D., representing Baptist Health Cardiac & Thoracic Surgical Group.
South Miami Hospital Board members Alysa Herman, M.D., and James W. Loewenherz, M.D.
Jonathan Messinger, M.D., representing Radiology Associates of South Florida, and Alyse Messinger.
Romeo Majano, M.D. and his wife Maria Elena, with Matthew Snow, M.D., and his wife Claudia. Drs. Majano and Snow represent South Miami Cardiology, P.A.
Leonard J. Zwerling, M.D., Yale M. Samole, M.D., Jorge Cuello, M.D., and Bernard S. Silverstein, M.D.
Jerrold Young, M.D., and his wife Jo-Ann.