Mercury Ball 2015

More than 500 of the community’s most charitably-minded citizens “set sail” when South Miami Hospital and Baptist Health Foundation “embarked” on the 55th annual South Miami Hospital/Kidz Medical Services Mercury Ball. Themed “Nautical Nights,” the event set a record in terms of funds raised through the ball, with gross revenues of $523,000 supporting the expansion of South Miami Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Chaired by Raquel Hickey and Kerry and Dr. Jorge Perez, this year’s Mercury Ball was made possible in large part through the generous support of Title Sponsor Kidz Medical Services, First National Bank of South Miami, Florida Heart Care and Bacardi. In addition to a live and silent auction, and dinner and dancing to the music of The Culture Band, the ball – emceed by WPLG-10 news anchor Jacey Birch and South Miami Hospital Board Chair Yerby Barker – was highlighted by recognition of Joe Buchanan as the hospital’s “Philanthropic Volunteer of the Year,” and Bruce Wirtz MacArthur as its “Person of the Year.”

A special appeal from Sofia and Ryan Holtzman touched the hearts of all in the room, as Sofia shared their personal story of having their precious twins cared for and ultimately saved over the course of more than three months in South Miami Hospital’s NICU. “South Miami Hospital will always be a part of our family,” said Sofia. “Our twins are here today because of the hard work of everyone who cared for them there, and we can never repay them for that gift.”

For more information about supporting South Miami Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, please contact Karl Cetta at 786-467-5405, or email KarlC@BaptistHealth.net.