Doctors Hospital “Galactica” Gala
Raises nearly $700,000 for Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute
Doctors Hospital Galactica Committee members George Foyo; Ali Mora; Michael Swartzon, M.D.; Dara Swartzon; Olga and Nelson Lazo, CEO, Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute; Abby and Jose Portuondo, M.D.; Mirtha and José Davilá, M.D.; Elsa Figueredo; and Jacqueline Cocopardo
In a galaxy not so far away – in fact, right here in Miami – Baptist Health Foundation and Doctors Hospital held what many gala-goers dubbed the party of the year: The Doctors Hospital “Galactica” Gala. The black-tie event raised nearly $700,000 gross for Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, which serves as a clinical trial site for new orthopedic surgery techniques, novel implants, genetically-engineered cartilage and bone, and revolutionary biologics.
The gala’s “interplanetary” ambience and the spirit of philanthropy combined to create a “stellar” event, complete with an “out-of-this-world” dinner, dancing and two performances by “Light Balance,” season 12 finalists on the hit show, America’s Got Talent.
Generous sponsors of the Gala included: The Miami HEAT, American Airlines, Cisco/Presidio, The Collection/Porsche, Crystal Cruises, Doctors Anesthesia Associates, Florida Panthers, Ocean Bank, ER Stat Inc., Miami Dolphins, Radiology Associates of South Florida, Robins & Morton, Tri-City Electric Co., Inc., VITAS Healthcare, Bacardi, Galaxy Productions, OpusCare of South Florida, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Swartzon, Total Wine & More, Ultra Music Festival, Richard P. Cole, Karel Foti, Gastro Health, Dr. & Mrs. John Zvijac, The Americas Group of Raymond James, Aurora Diagnostics/Mark & Kambour, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern Florida, and Dr. & Mrs. Harlan Selesnick.
Event committee members included Mirtha and José Dávila, M.D.; Elsa Figueredo; George Foyo; Nelson and Olga Lazo; Ali Mora; Jacqueline Cocopardo; Abby and Jose Portuondo, M.D.; Dara and Michael Swartzon, M.D., and Nancy and Agustin Veitia.
Emceed by broadcasters Joe Rose and Bianca Peters, the event attracted 700 area business, civic and community leaders. Among the tantalizing live auction items were the world’s most famous Moonwatch, the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, donated by Moray’s Jewelers; an exotic 7-day, 6-night Macchu Picchu adventure with two business-class tickets donated by LATAM Airlines; a stunning 14-karat white gold, 2.99-carat diamond bangle donated by Maurice’s Jewelers, and two luxurious 14-day voyages in deluxe verandah accommodations donated by the award-winning Crystal Cruises.
Bret and Lourdes Abraham of AvMed
Robert Beans, Wayne Cameron Eldred and Matthew Meehan
Ajit and Maria Alicia Asrani
Heather Dennis of Riviera Health Resort and Dean Rotchin
Jaret Davis of Greenberg Traurig
David Sanford of American Medical Response and Judy Webb
Iliana Mendez of AvMed seated in The Collection Porsche
George and Luisa Foyo, Ali Mora, Lourdes Jofre-Collett and Timothy K. Collett
Elizabeth and Bo Boulenger, executive vice president and COO, Baptist Health
Glen Rice, former Miami HEAT player, and Tia Santoro
Kim Bokamper, former Miami Dolphins player, and Mary Giles
Anthony Hill of the Florida Panthers and Nelson Lazo
Galactica emcees Bianca Peters and Joe Rose
Evan Rees of SunTrust Bank, Jennifer Natoli, Cheryl Rees of Ocean Bank and Joe Natoli, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Baptist Health
John Vidalin, executive vice president and chief revenue officer, the Miami HEAT, and Mike Inglis, radio broadcaster and play-by-play announcer, the Miami HEAT
Martha and John A. Rock, founding dean, FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Alex Rodriguez and Joanna Clutter of the Miami HEAT
David and Lisa Nigro
To support Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, visit BaptistHealth.net/Foundation, call 786-467-5400 or email Giving@BaptistHealth.net.