Gala co-chairs Gretchen Bylow, Kim Nichols, MD, Jennifer Seidel. Contributed photo
Saturday, November 19 was an evening to remember as Greenwich Hospital held its annual gala fundraiser, which raised nearly $1 million for the hospital’s cardiovascular services. More than 350 supporters, including special guests Jill and Harry Connick Jr., joined in the Parisian cabaret themed festivities at Greenwich Country Club.
Celebratory Honors
At the gala, Greenwich Hospital President Norman G. Roth presented James R. Sabetta, MD, director of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine and assistant chief of staff, with the President’s Award for his many years of dedicated service to the hospital and his outstanding achievement and commitment to his patients.
“With his diverse and multiple roles, Jim plays a critical role in helping to shape all sections of medical services at Greenwich Hospital. His tenacity is renowned. He will often not leave a sick patient’s side until he has assured that every test was performed and the diagnosis confirmed,” said Roth.
Jill and Harry Connick Jr., Carolyn Roth, Event Honoree James Sabetta, MD, Greenwich Hospital President Norman G. Roth
Sabetta graciously accepted his award, saying, “I am honored and humbled by the award being given to me. I feel that all I have done is to simply do what I promised to do when I received my MD many years ago.” He continued by sharing stories of patients who touched his life throughout his career at Greenwich Hospital, which now spans over 32 years.
The tribute to Sabetta concluded with a special video message from patient and friend, Glenn Close. Close first sought the care of Sabetta 26 years ago when she was suffering from a chronic condition that threatened her career. She described Sabetta as a “magnificent physician” and noted that she was eternally grateful for his care, brilliance, comfort and friendship, saying “To all those in the Greenwich Hospital community, please take good care of him, because if I’ve learned anything in the last 26 years, there is only one Dr. Jim Sabetta.”
Chief of Cardiology Christopher Howes, MD, Sasanka Jayasuriya, MD, Leslie Douglas Churchwell, MD, Keith Churchwell, MD. Contributed photo
Paris, Cabarets and the Can-Can
Gala chairwomen Gretchen Bylow, Kim Nichols, MD and Jennifer Seidel selected a Parisian cabaret theme for this year’s décor. The party began at 6 pm with cocktails and silent and wine auctions in the club’s ballroom. Guests were led to dinner in a magnificently transformed tent boasting red, hot pink and gold fabric panels, a whimsical backdrop of the Paris skyline, images of can-can dancers projected along the tent’s perimeter, and dramatic candelabra centerpieces accented with feathers and flora. Reed McIlvaine of Renny and Reed Floral and Event Design, NYC orchestrated the design.
C. Hugh Hildesley led a spirited live auction that included magnificent trips to St. Andrews, Scotland and the beaches of Anguilla, breath-taking diamond earrings from Betteridge, a classic diamond and white gold bangle bracelet from Tiffany & Co., a chance to design your own pair of boots with renowned shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, and a tour of the U.S. Capitol and breakfast with Senator Richard Blumenthal. The auction concluded with an exciting “paddle raise” for additional contributions to cardiovascular services.
Following the live auction, guests flooded the dance floor, inspired by the fantastic music of the Starlight Orchestra. At the end of the night, party-goers were gifted a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts as they made their way to their awaiting vehicles.
Comprehensive cardiovascular care
Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, claiming the lives of more than 600,000 Americans – that’s one in every four deaths – a year.
Greenwich Hospital recognizes the importance of delivering the highest standards of cardiac care by offering a comprehensive range of specialized cardiac services, including screening, prevention, emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation programs. As one of the few providers in the region to offer emergency angioplasty, Greenwich Hospital is an essential community resource when a few minutes could mean the difference between life and death.
Greenwich Hospital is a member of Yale New Haven Health. Greenwich is a 206-bed (includes 32 isolettes) community hospital serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.
It is a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. Since opening in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare industry as a leader in service and patient satisfaction excellence. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence.
Greenwich Hospital Foundation is committed to securing the funds needed for the hospital to fulfill its mission of extending the highest quality of safe and compassionate healthcare to everyone in our region, regardless of their ability to pay.