Doctors Hospital and Baptist Health Foundation Wrap Gala Season With “ThunderBall”
Baptist Health South Florida’s Doctors Hospital and Baptist Health Foundation rounded out this year’s gala season with a “thunderous” celebration. More than 700 philanthropically-minded guests attended the “ThunderBall” gala, amidst dancers, décor and a zip-lining stuntman reflective of the James Bond series of films. Highlighting the evening was a performance by international recording artist Sheena Easton, whose multiple chart-topping hits include the Bond theme, “For Your Eyes Only.”
Chaired by Mirtha and Dr. José Dávila, Martha and Raul Valdes-Fauli, Elizabeth and George Kakouris, and Nelson and Olga Lazo, the gala raised more than $800,000 for Doctors Hospital’s Youth Athletic Outreach Program.
“For more than 65 years, our hospital has provided the highest-quality care to our community, and our physicians treat every patient with care and concern,” said Doctors Hospital CEO Nelson Lazo. “Our reputation has led to partnerships with local sports organizations including the Miami HEAT, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers and FIU – and we’re proud of our commitment to the health and well-being of young athletes in our community, too. So, we’re thrilled that this year’s gala raised so much to benefit our special youth-tailored program.”
Created by Doctors Hospital’s John Uribe, M.D., in 1987, with care provided to then-underserved schools in Miami-Dade, the Youth Athletic Outreach Program has grown and evolved to offer services to 37 Miami-Dade Public Schools, including pre-participation athletic screenings, football game coverage, continuing education seminars, voluntary electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings, the Baptist Outpatient Concussion Program, youth event athletic training coverage, and the Concussion Reduction program.
In addition to Ms. Easton’s performance, the black-tie ThunderBall gala – emceed by CBS4’s Vanessa Borge and Joe Rose – included a reception, live and silent auction, dinner and after-party, playfully themed “You Only Live Twice.”
ThunderBall was produced in large part through the generous support of The Americas Group, Bacardi, The Collection/Porsche, Doctors Anesthesia Associates, ER Stat, Goya Foods of Florida, Mark & Kambour Pathology Associates, Sazon Goya, Total Wine and UHZ Sports Medicine Institute.
If you would like to contribute to Doctors Hospital’s Youth Athletic Outreach Program, please contact Karl Cetta at 786-467-5400, or email KarlC@BaptistHealth.net.
