Baptist Health Foundation Celebrates Accomplishments and Announces Capital Campaign at The Grand Gala 2024

$5 Million Raised will Benefit Baptist Health’s Hospitals and Institutes

MIAMI, FL — October 16, 2024 — Baptist Health Foundation held its 2024 Grand Gala Saturday, October 5 the Miami Beach Convention Center Grand Ballroom. The event brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals, donors and corporate philanthropy partners to support Baptist Health’s hospitals, institutes, services and programs in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The Gala was hosted by South Florida TV personality Laurie Jennings and featured a celebrity performance by global music icon and philanthropist Marc Anthony. Speakers included Baptist Health President and CEO and Gala co-chairs Bo Boulenger and Elizabeth Boulenger and Baptist Health Foundation CEO, Alex Villoch.

The event also featured the launch of Power Extraordinary — The Campaign for Baptist Health.  This historic campaign — the first in the organization’s nearly 65-year history — aims to raise $600 million in support of the organization’s vision to pursue a reimagined approach to patient care, a hub for the best minds in medicine, a new era of research and a global center for innovation.

“As South Florida continues to grow rapidly, Baptist Health is committed to raising the standards of healthcare for our community,” said Bo Boulenger. “Our donors understand our mission and vision, and The Grand Gala celebrates the generosity that will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

The Gala’s 1,400 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by a formal seated dinner and live auction. Entertainment was provided by Marc Anthony and his band, and the Danny Beck Party Band.

In total, the Grand Gala raised $5 million.  Donors selected their area of support, providing funds that will benefit patient and caregiver services, research and clinical trials, education and training for healthcare staff, state-of-the-art technology, community outreach programs and more.

“Donor philanthropy is transforming Baptist Health, setting the stage for the future of healthcare in South Florida and beyond,” said Alex Villoch.  “Our donors are generously supporting research and education, which has made us a national leader and destination for cancer, brain and spine, cardiovascular and orthopedic care.  We are very grateful for their investment in the community and the trust they’ve placed in us.”

The Grand Gala sponsors included Marc Anthony and Emina and Sam Nazarian as Honorary Chairs; Michele and Howard Kessler as Philanthropic Chairs; Dasburg family and Karel Foti and Diamond Sponsors; Griffin Catalyst and Citadel | Citadel Securities as Platinum Sponsors and CC Homes, Radiology Associates of Florida (RASF) and Vilar-Hoynack Construction as Gold Sponsors.

Official partners included the Miami HEAT as official sports team partner; Bacardi as official spirits partner; The Collection as official automotive dealership partner; American Airlines as official airline partner and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings as official cruise line partner.

Other noteworthy sponsors included Accenture; Aetna; Ahead; Arcadis; Array Architects; Bain Capital; Bank of America; Baptist Health Medical Group; Breakthrough at Barry University; Belmont Village Senior Living; Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services / EWM Realty; Bermello Ajamil; Berhhard; Tim and Mary Casey; CDW; Century Homebuilders; Coastal Building Maintenance (CBM); Criticare Clinics; Doctors Healthcare Plans; DPR Construction; Envision Healthcare Charitable Fund; Falk Waas; First Horizon Foundation; Florida Atlantic University; Florida International University; Florida National University; Florida Panthers, Goya Foods; Grossman, Roth, Yaffa, Cohen Trial Lawyers; HealthCare Appraisers; Health Foundation of South Florida; HEICO; HKS; Holland & Knight; KIDZ Medical, The KSquare Group; La Croix; Marcos, Rothman, Valdes Attorneys at Law; Julianne McDowell and Kristen Munroe; Media Counselors; MedPro Healthcare Staffing; Meisner Electric; Miami Dolphins Foundation; Moss & Associates Construction; William R. Nash, Nateman family; Nextep Electric; NV2A Group; Pediatrix Medical Group; Perry Ellis International; PNC; Premier; Prosys; Rick Case Automotive;  Senior Nannies; Tiger Connect; Turner Foundation; United Healthcare; Vitas Healthcare; West Coast University; and Wolfe Pincavage Health Lawyers.

For more information, visit BaptistHealthGrandGala.org.

About Baptist Health Foundation

The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Baptist Health 

Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 27,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

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