RWJ Hamilton Foundation's "Autumn Affair" Black Tie Gala Raised Over $138,000 to Benefit Patient Care and Safety (10/15/2008)

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY - The Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Foundation welcomed 350 guests to its annual black tie gala, "Autumn Affair", on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

This year's event was aptly themed "A World of Thanks" and paid tribute to Bristol-Myers Squibb as the Corporate Honoree for their long-standing philanthropic support of RWJ Hamilton; Maurice T. Perilli who is considered one of the 'founding fathers' of RWJ Hamilton was recognized as the Community Honoree; and five visionary Physician Honorees were applauded for their integral role in the establishment of the hospital more than 30 years ago: Dr. Catalino Arenas (posthumous); Dr. Louis Fares; Dr. Romeo Laurente; Dr. Manuel Ortiz; and Dr. Frank Santucci.

Pictured just after the unveiling of an artistic rendering of the Physician Wall of Honor from left: Antonio Sison, MD, chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at RWJ Hamilton; Dan Graziano, chairman of the RWJ Health Care Corp Hamilton Board of Directors; Louis Fares, MD, a physician honoree; Ellen Guarnieri, president and CEO of RWJ Hamilton; Frank Santucci, MD, a physician honoree; Karla Stein, vice president of the RWJ Hamilton Foundation; Mrs. Eileen Arenas with son Richard Arenas, MD, who accepted the award for her late husband Catalino Arenas, MD.

Following a cocktail reception and a successful Silent Auction, guests enjoyed musical entertainment provided by the renowned Kenny i Orchestra and a formal dinner with a brief program. During dinner, strolling violins and a theatrical tribute to Les Miserables complimented the elegance of the affair. As an added surprise to the evening, during the program a rendering of the upcoming Physician Wall of Honor was unveiled for the first time. The five physicians honored at the gala will be the first five inductees. Then, each year another will be added to the tribute wall which will be located in the new Lakefront Patient Tower at the hospital. Despite the challenging economy, this year's gala raised its highest net income in the event's 23-year history. Through the generosity of sponsors, attendees and those who participated in the ad journal, more than $138,000 will benefit patient care and safety initiatives at RWJ Hamilton in the coming year.

"Every year we look for new ways to create an elegant evening for the people who support our organization. Without the tremendous support of our Board, physicians, volunteers, employees, and partners in healthcare we would not be able to deliver on our promise of excellence the way we do," says Karla T. Stein, vice president of the RWJ Hamilton Foundation. "This year we know that it was a little harder for individuals and companies to make the financial commitments to our cause and we continually strive to ensure that we show our gratitude to those who support the endeavors of the RWJ Hamilton Foundation."

"People really came together to support the hospital and the foundation. It was truly a wonderful evening that will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on our community," says Nina Melker, senior vice president with The Bank of Princeton and chairperson of the Autumn Affair Committee. Nina is also a member of the RWJ Hamilton Foundation Board.

Also integral to the evening's success was Greg Blair, chairman of the RWJ Hamilton Foundation; Jeannine Cimino, also a Board member and the silent auction chair; and Sherise Ritter, likewise a Board member and this year's sponsorship committee chair.

If you would like to make a donation to benefit patient care and safety initiatives at RWJ Hamilton, please call the RWJ Hamilton Foundation, 609.584.6476.

More About RWJ Hamilton Foundation
Founded in 1984, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to support patient care services and special projects for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton. RWJ Hamilton relies on contributions and monies raised by the Foundation to continually grow and support the community’s healthcare needs. Led by a board of directors, the Foundation depends on the generous support of private donors, corporations, family foundations and charitable trusts. An active Auxiliary and the Young Professionals Group organize and host events that encourage community support. In addition to offering a variety of major gift and planned giving opportunities, the Foundation’s signature fundraising events include a Golf Classic, Autumn Affair gala, a 2K walk/5K run and All in Good Taste, a wine/beer networking social. For more information, visit rwjuhhfoundation.org.