Baptist Hospital “Once Upon a Time” Gala
Benefiting Baptist Children's Hospital
Baptist Health Foundation and Baptist Hospital combined sports heroes and famed fairy tale characters to create a magical weekend. It kicked off with the “Heroes” Golf Tournament, held in partnership with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Alumni Association, and chaired by Carlos and Victoria Lowell. Hosted by World Series MVP Mike Lowell, together with five-time All Star Jorge Posada and the MLB Players Alumni Association, the tournament took place on the greens of the Trump National Doral, with special thanks to Platinum Presenting Sponsor Pacifica Real Estate Co., Bacardi and the Mike Lowell Foundation.
Co-chairs Charlotte and Jeff Hicks, Cristina and Matthew Sullivan and Victoria and Carlos Lowell
Children’s Cancer Caring Center President and CEO Lee Klein, with Dr. Doured Daghistani
Dr. Ricardo and Ana Cury with Ana Beatriz and Ricardo
Lane and Macarena Jones with Ashli and Luke
Elizabeth and Bo Boulenger, Baptist Hospital CEO
Bill Banchs, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation, Susan Carr and Randy Lee, chief operating officer, Baptist Children’s Hospital
Lindsey Trax and Sherry Kranys
Roger Tovar, representing sponsor Palmetto 57 Nissan Volkswagen
Frank Carreras, representing sponsor Bentrust Financial, Inc.
Karel and George Foti
Dr. Fernando and Elsa Mendoza with sons
Bob Coward, received sponsor award on behalf of Sheridan Healthcare, Inc., with Laura Denoux
Alfonso Maceda received sponsor award on behalf of Ocean Bank
Jim Carr with his daughter Nikki
Tomas and Sandra Erban with Dr. Jack and Hope Ziffer
Jorge Posada, host for the Heros Golf Tournament
Carlos Lowell, Heros Golf Tournament chair and Jeff Hixson, of the Major League Baseball players Alumni Association
Mike Lowell
Dr. Barry Katzen with his grandson
Shane Battier and Dr. Jose Davila
Dr. Ricardo & Esty Queiro
Beatriz and Dr. Juan Sola
Rick Wieder and Bonnie Murray
Mardi and Dr. Lloyd Zand
Victoria and Carlos Lowell with their daughter
Rudy Kranys and Lois Russell
Lauri Jennings
Harvey & Kerry Muskat
Miguel and Sandra Rishmague
Rodrigo Leiva and his father, German Leiva
The following night, Baptist Hospital’s “Once Upon a Time” Gala benefiting Baptist Children’s Hospital held true to its theme, with Rapunzel greeting guests from atop her castle and wandering minstrels playing medieval music. The evening – chaired by Charlotte and Jeff Hicks, Victoria and Carlos Lowell and Cristina and Matthew Sullivan – attracted a record crowd of more than 600 guests, including children, and featured a live and silent auction, dinner and dancing.
Among the highlights of the evening was a special tribute to Children’s Cancer Caring Center President and CEO Lee Klein, in recognition of her longtime leadership and philanthropic spirit, which are credited with enabling the Center to ensure that children from all walks of life who need cancer care receive it, regardless of ability to pay.
Sponsored by Bacardi, Bentrust Financial, Inc., Ocean Bank, Palmetto 57 Automotive Group and Sheridan Healthcare, Inc., the gala also honored 20 pediatric cancer survivors, who attended in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Children’s Cancer Caring Center located at Baptist Children’s Hospital.
Proceeds from the golf and gala were $745,000 and will benefit the Pediatric Oncology program at Baptist Children’s Hospital, where more than 200 pediatricians and 100 pediatric subspecialists – backed by pediatric-trained nurses and support personnel – offer expert healthcare to children from birth to age 18.
If you would like to contribute to the wellbeing of our youngest patients and support Baptist Children’s Hospital, please contact Nicole de Lara Puente, director of development, Baptist Health Foundation, at 786-596-3429, or email NicoleDel@Baptisthealth.net.