Mercury Ball 2015


South Miami Hospital Mercury Ball Chairs Raquel Hickey and Dr. Jorge and Kerry Perez
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.”

Dr. Yvonne Johnson and South Miami Hospital CEO Lincoln Mendez present Bruce Wirtz MacArthur (center) with the Person of the Year Award.
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.
Dr. Albert Tano and Dr. Jorge Perez of Kidz Medical Services receive the Title Sponsor Award.
Lincoln Mendez and South Miami Hospital Board Chair Yerby Barker present Joseph Buchanan (center) with the Philanthropic Volunteer of the Year Award.
Bruce Wirtz MacArthur and Veronica Flores receive the Silver Corporate Supporting Sponsor Award on behalf of First National Bank of South Miami.
Dr. Romeo Majano receives the Gold Supporting Sponsor Award on behalf of Florida Heart Care, LLC.
Maggie Gonzalez receives sponsor award on behalf of Bacardi, with Laura Denoux
South Miami Hospital Board Chair Yerby Barker and Pam Barker with Bill Banchs, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation.
Dr. Ghassan and Zeina Haddad
Vicky and Dr. Jorge Rabaza
Dr. Anthony and Dorcas Gonzalez with Lourdes Jofré-Collett
Dr. Jonathan and Alyse Messinger with Elizabeth and Jorge Lopez
Dr. Juan Carlos Verdeja and Milly Marrero
Isabella and Dr. Ronald Goerss
Marjorie and Dr. Jeremy Tabak
Susan and Dr. Michael Meister
Agueda and Dr. Guillermo Pol
South Miami Hospital CEO Lincoln Mendez and America Mendez
Rina Stacey and Richard Stacey of Riviera Health Resort
Ryan and Sofia Holtzman
Joseph and Leslie Buchanan
Veronica Flores of First National Bank of South Miami and Pedro Flores
Dr. Yvonne Johnson and her daughter Jasmine
Dr. Romeo Majano of Florida Heart Care, LLC and Mari Majano
Bruce Wirtz MacArthur of First National Bank of South Miami and Mary Scott Russell
South Miami Hospital CEO Lincoln Mendez and America Mendez with Pam and Yerby Barker, South Miami Hospital Board Chair
Michael Duchowney and Leslie McCormick of Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.
Adi Mendlestein and Scott Mendlestein of Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon & Bonner, P.A.
Lizette Fernandez and Alejandro Fernandez of Gastro Health
Heather Dennis of Riviera Health Resort and Dean Rotchin