Doctors Hospital Ball
Raises Funds for OR Renovation


More than 700 guests spiraled down the rabbit hole into the Doctors Hospital Whimsical Wonderland Ball, May 17 at Florida International University’s U.S. Century Bank Arena. Distinguishing itself as the grand finale to South Florida’s gala season, the Doctors Hospital Whimsical Wonderland Ball ignited all of the senses while raising $796,192 to benefit the hospital’s Operating Room Renovation Project.
“We are grateful to our committee chairs and volunteers for planning another event filled with our signature elements of enchantment, excitement and energy,” said Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital. “Celebrating the magic of the city we live in and the community we serve, the Whimsical Wonderland Ball set the pace for our future by supporting the commitment and dedication of our physicians and caregivers.”
Presented by Doctors Hospital Foundation and organized by community volunteers, the ball was chaired by Ilien and Keith Hechtman, M.D., with co-chairs Patricia and Carlos Garcia, Esq., and Abby and Jose Portuondo, M.D. These dynamic team members have chaired the ball since its inception and continue to bring their signature passion to this spectacular event.

Guests danced to the sound of the Drew T Band and were entertained by a performance by Mobius 8, stilt walkers; an interactive food wall; and interactions with Alice in Wonderland characters including the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and a Cheshire Cat aerialist. The energy did not end at the Whimsical Wonderland Ball; just when guests thought the night was over, #AfterWonderland, sponsored by Mynt Lounge, kicked into high gear, bringing young philanthropists from our community together for the second part of the evening.
Sponsors for the festivities were Doctors Anesthesia Associates, Aurora Diagnostics/Mark & Kambour Pathology Associates, ER Stat, UHZ Sports Medicine, The Collection Porsche, Neiman Marcus, Bacardi, Village of Merrick Park, Rene Ruiz, Galaxy Productions, Massage Envy Spa (South Miami and Brickell locations), Mynt Lounge, Maurice’s Jewelers, American Airlines and Goya Foods.
To support the Operating Room Renovation Project at Doctors Hospital, please contact Natalia Ferrer at 786-308-3577, or nataliafe@baptisthealth.net.
Jorge Maza, M.D. with wife Lipsy and Mirtha and Jose Davila, M.D of Doctors Anesthesia Associates
John and Lucy Yanopoulos with Jackie Nespral and Armando Hassun, M.D.
Patricia Delgado, M.D. and Ana L. Viciana, M.D. of Aurora Diagnostics, Mark & Kambour
Emery and Jill Sheer, William H. Banchs and Eris and Robert Thomas, M.D.
Doctors Hospital Ball Auction Chair Cristina Lopez- Peñalver, M.D. with husband Manuel Peñalver, M.D.
Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA with wife Randi
Kierstin Koppel and Andrew Koppel of Maurice's Jewelers
Alexander van der ven, M.D. with wife Tina and Jessica Powers with husband Gautam Yagnik, M.D. of UHZ Sports Medicine Institute
Rudy Kranys and Lois Russell
Gary and Renee Bleemer of Premier Parking
Ricardo Cury, M.D. of Radiology Associates of South Florida with wife Ana
Maria Cristina Miranda and Carlos Arriola
Ann and Neil Chrystal
Aislynn Thomas-McDonald and Scott McDonald, M.D.
Scott Aaron of Cisco/Presidio with wife Erin
Edward Garabedean, John Uribe, M.D. of of UHZ Sports Medicine Institute and Anne Marie Garabedean
Alex Gierbolini with wife Iris Esteva, Marian Castro and Michael and Pamela Martinez
Robert Viñas, Marta Yee, Yara Gamez and William H. Banchs
Damian Gutierrez and Gretel Gonzalez
Edgardo Reyes-Ayala, M.D. with his wife Brenda Gonzalez, M.D.
Jay and Adria Fraioli of Media Counselors
Amadeo Cabral, M.D. with wife Rullina Acra-Cabral
The Collection Porsche Macan
Yasser Asmar Fernandez, M.D. with wife Walkiria Campos
William and Roberta Stokes
Iliana Menendez of AvMed with husband Joe Lozada
Ilien and Keith Hechtman, M.D., Olga and Nelson Lazo, Abby and Jose Portuondo, M.D. and Patricia and Carlos Garcia, Esq.
Hayden Hosford with Wayne Retsema and wife Lourdes Martinez of Massage Envy South Miami and Brickell