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Annual Medicine Ball raises $750,000 for Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Dr. Craig Millard and his wife, Dianne of Kenilworth | Photo courtesy of David Rest
ANNUAL MEDICINE BALL
BENEFITING: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC)
DATE: May 12
LOCATION: The Peninsula, Chicago
ATTENDED: 350
RAISED: $750,000
Article Extras
Updated: August 27, 2012 8:34AM
The Medicine Ball, hosted by The Women’s Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), is one of Chicago’s premier events and a source of important funding for RIC’s world-class rehabilitation care and research. This year’s benefit was held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Peninsula, Chicago.
The Ball, now in its 11th year, was co-chaired by Lori Komisar of Winnetka and Susan Mackenzie of Chicago. Members of the committee included Robin Fern of Chicago and Astra Gamsjaeger of Glencoe.
The 2012 theme was Return to Havana and guests had cocktails – including a rum bar - a gourmet dinner that featured dishes named El Carmelo, Ensalada 1492, Copa Carne – translated - a ceviche, salad and a banana leaf roasted beef filet. The decor made everyone want to travel to Cuba with a display of Cuban foliages, orchids and other exotic blooms in orange, deep red and apricot tones accented with candles There was dancing to the 911 Mambo Orchestra.
Among the 350 guests attending were Patsy and Pat Callahan of Winnetka and Connie and David Coolidge and Diana and Tom Hall of Kenilworth. From the western suburbs were Regina and Steven Gallo and Melissa Hennessy of Western Springs and Lois and Shaun Huggins of Glen Ellyn. The mistress of ceremonies of the evening was TV’s Janet Davies.
Dr. Joanne C. Smith is President and CEO of the Rehabilitation Institute. The president of the Women’s Board is Alicia Ziegler of Chicago and the incoming president is Christine Nappo also of Chicago
The $750,000 in funds garnered at this event will support programs and services the Board supports. The Fund-A-Need portion will support the RIC Place at the new Ronald McDonald House. The funds raised also support the many programs and services that RIC provides. Said the Chairman, Lori Komisar, “The formal part of the evening is brief and our aim is to make the Ball an exciting night by having the venue very visual and fun and have the evening further friends and friendships.”
RIC provides world-class rehabilitation care to patients from around the globe for a range of conditions from acute brain and spinal cord injury to chronic arthritis, pain and sports injuries. RIC, founded in 1954, has been ranked the #1 rehabilitation hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report for the 21st consecutive year. It attributes its leading standard of care in part to its innovative research and discovery, particularly in the areas of bionic medicine, robotics, neural regeneration, pain care and better outcomes.
To learn more about RIC, please visit ric.org.
