Hundreds of Brooklynites gathered at a Downtown Marriot for the Brooklyn Hospital Foundation’s annual Founder’s Ball on Oct. 16 — where guests celebrated four honorees for their significant contributions to the borough and the medical facility.
“We were absolutely floored to see how many people came out to celebrate with us, especially since it was pouring rain,” said the hospital’s Vice President and Chief Development Officer Debbie Niederhoffer. “I think seeing all the examples of great philanthropists who have worked with the hospital left people very inspired.”
This year’s honorees included Brooklyn Hospital Foundation Chairman Dino Veronese; laparoscopic and robotic surgeon Dr. Dhanan Etwaru; Associate Program Director and Chief of General Internal Medicine Dr. Linus Yoe; and Red Apple Group Principal John Catsimatidis Jr.
The event helped raise a whopping $1.4 million from the 860 attendees — marking the seventh year the gala has crossed the $1 million threshold — and will help fund a $20 million renovation and expansion project for the Downtown Brooklyn hospital’s emergency department.
“These enhancements are critically needed,” said Niederhoffer. “The emergency department we have now was built to accommodate 40,000 patients a year. Last year, we saw 70,000 and…that number is just going to expand. The most important gift we can give to this area is an emergency room they can count on.”
