Mercy Ball Raises $150,000 For Radiology Suite

Mercy Medical Center President Dr. Alan D. Guerci (center) with wife Leslie, Robert Vizza (right) and Dr. Ronald Brenner, Director of Psychiatry at Mercy Medical Center.

The 70th annual Mercy Ball, held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury raised $150,000 for Mercy Medical Center. Some 500 people attended the glittering black-tie event sponsored by the Friends of Mercy, a 72-year-old organization of men who volunteer their time and efforts to support projects that advance the medical and surgical care provided to Mercy's patients. The proceeds from this year's event will support a new radiology suite in the hospital's Express Care Center.

The Ball was dedicated to the memory of Regina Brancato of Rockville Centre who supported the Medical Center for more than 30 years, starting as a Candy Striper and Volunteer. She served as a member and twice president of the Rockville Centre Junior League of Mercy, president of the Council of Leagues, and as a member of the Medical Center's Community Relations & Development Department.

Serving as Chair Couple for the Ball were Garden City residents Daniel Murphy, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine at Mercy, and Marie Murphy, a registered critical care nurse who is on the staff of the Queens Centers for Progress, an education facility for physical and developmental disabilities.

(From left) Mr. & Mrs. Stephen McLoughlin, 2007 President of The Friends of Mercy Medical Center, with tablemates Mr. & Mrs. Rick Myatt, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Joesten and Dr. & Mrs. Sal Palazzolo.

In ceremonies that included remarks by Most Reverend Paul Walsh, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, George P. Dunn of Rockville Centre received the Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented at the Ball to a distinguished individual dedicated to volunteering time and effort in support of the Medical Center. Mr. Dunn has been involved with Mercy since 1954 when he was a member of the high school Honor Guard at the Mercy Ball, then held at the Garden City Hotel. His half-century of support of Mercy has included serving as a member and chairman of Mercy's Board of Trustees, and as president of The Friends.

Most Reverend Paul Walsh, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre with Kathleen McCaffrey, RN (center right), recipient of the Sister Mary Nadine Casey, CIJ, Award, and members of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus.

The Sister Mary Nadine Casey, CIJ, Award was presented to Kathleen McCaffrey, RN, of Point Lookout, the Medical Center's Interim Director of Nursing, who began her nursing career at Mercy in 1971. The award honors a member of the Mercy family who best personifies the values of the Medical Center and the Congregation of the Infant Jesus whose members founded the hospital nearly a century ago.

Ann M. Barbaccia, MD, of Oyster Bay received the Theodore Roosevelt Award For Outstanding Service, presented by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council to an individual contributing to the development of Long Island's community hospitals in the spirit of the renowned former president and Long Island resident's lifelong devotion to public service. Dr. Barbaccia is an obstetrician/gynecologist with a private practice in Rockville Centre who has been a member of Mercy's Medical Staff for over 25 years. She has served as President of the Medical Staff, Chairperson of the Medical Center's Board of Governors and Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, as well as on the Board of Directors of Catholic Health Services of Long Island.

Most Reverend Paul Walsh, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre (center) with Dr. Lori H. Pollack, Mercy Medical Center Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology and 2006 President of The Friends of Mercy Medical Center, (left) and Mercy Ball Chair Couple Marie Murphy and Dr. Daniel G. Murphy, Mercy Medical Center Director of Emergency Medicine.

George P. Dunn, recipient of the Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award, flanked by Mercy Medical Center Board Member Francis X. Murray (left) and Andrew E. Healey, Past President of The Friends of Mercy Medical Center. Ann M. Barbaccia, MD, recipient the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council Theodore Roosevelt Award, with her father, lifetime Mercy Medical Center physician Anthony J. Barbaccia, MD. Ann M. Barbaccia, MD, (right) receives the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council Theodore Roosevelt Award from Sister Bernadette Downes, CIJ. (From left) Mercy Ball Chair Marie Murphy, Sister Anne Reekie, SR, CIJ and Ann Cella, RN, Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of Mercy Medical Center.