Baptist Hospital’s Back to Black Ball

Benefitting the Baptist Hospital Center for Excellence in Nursing

The Baptist Hospital Ball took “going green” to the limit with its “Back to Black” theme. Celebrating its 30th year, the ball was held at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa where nearly 500 guests sported classic – shop your closet – black attire to this gala affair. Paperless registration and a virtual tour of a traditionally printed ball program put the Baptist Hospital Ball over-the-greening top. This innovative, fundraising evening raised funds in support of the Baptist Hospital Center for Excellence in Nursing.

This year’s ball chair was Pamela J. Garrison, R.N., a Baptist Hospital nurse. Other distinguished chairs were Jack A. Ziffer, M.D., physician chair; R. Kirk Landon, dinner chair and Ibrahim Al-Rashid, philanthropic chair. The evening’s presenting sponsor was Radiology Associates of South Florida.

“It was wonderful to see so many folks enjoying themselves while raising funds for such a worthwhile cause,” said Ms. Garrison. “The nurses, hospital and especially our patients will benefit from our efforts tonight.” Music for this year’s ball was courtesy of Jack Ziffer and his band, Ziffer 6.

This year’s proceeds will support the Baptist Hospital Center for Excellence in Nursing. Donations to the Center are used for the education and development of the nursing staff, to reward outstanding nurses for their contributions to the profession, to send students through nursing school and to improve patient care with nurse-approved equipment and programs.

The nursing education program allows more nurses to attend advanced training classes. Baptist Health Nursing Scholars Program offers full scholarships to men and women who want to enter nursing and other allied health professions. Training is provided on and off-site, in conjunction with local colleges and universities. Currently, there are more than 650 Nursing Scholars/Graduates benefiting from the program.

Providing advanced technology such as computerized nursing records, new medical equipment, wireless communication devices and interfaces with bedside computers, automates time-consuming tasks. This gives nurses more time to spend with their patients.

Please make a donation to the Center for Excellence in Nursing and contribute to a healthier South Florida community. For more information, please call Christopher M. Kraus at 786-596- 6535.