Hospital company gives classic ball new theme

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican and St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation presented their 58th annual fundraising gala Feb. 28 at The Mirage.

Formerly known as the Mardi Gras Ball, it was Las Vegas’ longest running fundraising ball. The new name, “Celebration: Recognizing humankindness,” points to the compassionate nature and core values of faith-based health care ministry.

Brian Brannman, senior vice president of operations, Nevada, for Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican and president and CEO of the St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus, said the company believes that one simple act of human kindness can be contagious and lead to more goodwill and good feelings that help promote healing.

Brannman also presented the “Humankindness Awards” to the event’s honorees. The Adrian Dominican Sisters arrived in Henderson nearly 70 years ago to work at St. Rose Dominican Hospital on Water Street. They are committed to the community and demonstrate the spirit of human kindness. Attending the gala were Sisters Michael Thomas Watson, Carol Elya, Phyllis Sikora, Xiomara Hernandez, Judy Nelson, Katie McGrail, Mary Kieffer and Vicki Dalesandro.

Also recognized for human kindness were Bank of America, MGM Resorts International, Tina and Calvin Tyler of the Tyler Foundation and Dr. Randal Peoples, the medical director of the St. Rose Stanford Center of Neurosurgery.

The Mirage Ballroom was filled with 590 supporters for the gala.

The evening began with a hosted cocktail reception, an extensive silent auction and two long buffets offering many appetizers.

Serving as the evening’s master of ceremonies was D.J. Allen, a Southern Nevada native and the author and founder of Xs &Os of Success. He also is the founder of Imagine Communications, vice chairman of the Dave Rice Foundation and current chairman of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce.

Bishop Joseph Pepe of the Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas delivered the dinner’s invocation.

Among the guests were Dana and Paul Wiesner, Barbara and Stan Jones, Sandy Marnell and Steven DeStefano, Sheila and Sam Schmidt, Vernita and Harry Mays, Jeffrey Burr, Jean Brannman, Carol Rose and Cliff Hanssen, Marlene and Jim Peoples, Will Ledbetter, Neal Rosenburg, Florence and Gard Jameson, Charlie Guida, Hugh Anderson, Debra Mills and Chuck Berg, Kellye and Al Welch, Kendall Tenney, Ron Bailey and Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.

Dinner co-chairs were Kim and Tom Moore with assistance from Barbara Davis, Debi Walsh, Jon Guy, Paula Green, Julie Kellogg and Kate Grey.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg conducted the live auction for 10 packages, such as four tickets for the Taylor Swift concert in San Diego with hotel and airfare that brought a bid of $5,000; a private cocktail party at Blue Heron’s custom home went for $5,000; a meet and greet with entertainer Smokey Robinson raised $2,500; lunch with the Sisters of St. Rose sold for $3,000; and a Maltese puppy from The Animal Foundation was adopted for $5,500.

The silent and live auction made more than $100,000 and the Raise Your Paddle event raised more than $41,000.

Event proceeds will support the healing ministry of Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican at its three acute care campuses serving 185,000 patients, as well as through its community outreach programs.

The evening concluded with entertainment by Don Felder, former lead guitarist of the Eagles.