RWJ Hamilton Foundation's "Autumn Affair" Black Tie Gala Raised Over $138,000 to Benefit Patient Care and Safety

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
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.