The Miriam Hospital’s “Wine & Dine” Raises More Than $462,000

Posted Monday, May 07, 2012

The 2012 benefit gala for The Miriam Hospital on Saturday, May 5, at the North Central Airport in Smithfield, R.I., welcomed 475 attendees and raised more than $462,000 to support The Miriam Fund for a New Generation and The Patient Navigator Program at The Leonard and Adele R. Decof Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Miriam Hospital. These critical program improvements will enhance the care experience for patients and families.

The North Central Airport was transformed into a hip urban restaurant where Chef Karsten Hart of Castle Hill emerged the winner of a champion chefs challenge against Chef David Jackson of 10 Prime Steak & Sushi and Chef Kevin Millonzi of Millonzi’s Restaurant and Millonzi Fine Catering. Celebrity judges included Sunny Anderson of Food Network’s Cooking for Real, Chuck Hughes of Cooking Channel’s Chuck’s Day Off, Simon Majumdar of Food Network’s Iron Chef America, and seasoned food and travel writer Jane Sigal.

Guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Russell Morin Fine Catering, a live auction presented by Paul Zekos of The Zekos Group, and dancing to the sounds of the Mac Chrupcala Orchestra. The title sponsor of the event was Nortek. The presenting sponsor was Amica Insurance, and the platinum sponsor was Med Tech Ambulance Service.

Alan Litwin, chair of The Miriam Hospital board of trustees, said, “It was gratifying to see how enthusiastically people bid during the live auction in support of our Patient Navigator Program. Clearly, cancer has touched the lives of many in our community. Patient Navigators quite literally help our cancer patients navigate their way through the often complex and murky waters of cancer treatment. They make such an important difference.”

Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, echoed Litwin’s statement, adding, “Our goal is to ensure that every cancer patient who comes through our doors has that special someone, a nurse navigator, to take them by the hand.”

“It’s not just the extraordinary care. It’s the caring people who work here,” said Sharon Gaines, co-chair of the event with her husband, Alan Gaines, M.D. “It’s the attention to every detail, not just for the patient but for the patient’s family. And if there isn’t any family, The Miriam team becomes family. When you’re at The Miriam, you’re never alone.”

Event photos and captions for publication can be found at the following link: http://www.miriamhospital.org/WineDinePhotos [Please credit: Photos by Al Weems]

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