Out & About in RI: Miriam Hospital Gala raises over $890,000

The Miriam Hospital Raises $893,640 during Annual Gala

Event’s auctions and fund-a-need support additional surgical technology for the hospital’s spine center

More than 500 donors, friends, and supporters of The Miriam Hospital filled the Wildcat Center on the Harborside Campus of Johnson & Wales University on Friday, May 30 for the hospital’s annual Gala & Auction. The event was a tremendous success, raising a total of $893,640.

Maria P. Ducharme, DNP, RN, President of The Miriam Hospital and Brown University Health’s Chief Quality Executive; Natasha and Wendy Buckler, Event Co-Chairs; and David Rampone, Chair, The Miriam Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.

The funds raised will support and advance the compassionate, world-class care that has defined The Miriam throughout its nearly century-long history. Of the total raised, $434,630 was generated from the evening’s auctions and fund-a-need to help bring additional surgical navigation technology to The Miriam’s Spine Center.

Moonlight Masquerade was the theme of the gala, which was co-chaired by Wendy and Natasha Buckler. The mother-in-law/daughter-in-law duo, both longtime hospital supporters, led an evening of fun and fundraising, and emphasized the special relationship The Miriam has with the community it serves.

“The Miriam is our neighborhood hospital, right in our backyard,” said Natasha. “We know firsthand what a gem we have in The Miriam and how important it is to support this special place of hope and healing.”

Maria P. Ducharme, DNP, RN, President of The Miriam Hospital and Brown University Health’s Chief Quality Executive, spoke passionately about the hospital’s rich history and its bold plans for the future of care and innovation.

“It would be impossible to overstate the impact philanthropy has had on our patients and on our ability to deliver compassionate, leading-edge care,” said Dr. Ducharme. “Time and time again, our amazing donor community steps up to ensure we have the resources to be at our best when we’re needed most. As we approach our centennial, we’re not just celebrating 100 years of caring for our community – we are also preparing for the future with a transformational rebuild of our campus’ oldest building.”

The evening’s program featured a moving patient story from Phyllis DeMaio, a local mom diagnosed with scoliosis at 14. Phyllis lived in pain her entire life, until Alan Daniels, MD, Chief of The Miriam’s Division of Spine Surgery, performed the complicated procedure that repaired her severe spinal deformity. “Dr. Daniels and The Miriam Hospital not only changed my life—they saved it,” she said from the stage.

A video of Phyllis’ journey was also shared at the gala, after which she received a standing ovation.

The Miriam Hospital extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who helped make the 2025 Gala & Auction possible, including their committees, sponsors, auction donors, and entire community of supporters.

About The Miriam Hospital

The Miriam Hospital (www.miriamhospital.org) is a 247-bed, not-for-profit teaching hospital affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University with expertise in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, urology, bariatrics, men’s health, and minimally invasive surgery. It is home to the state’s first Joint Commission-certified Stroke Center and robotic surgery program. Its Total Joint Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its total knee and hip replacement programs. The hospital, which received more than $46 million in external research funding in fiscal year 2023, is nationally known for its HIV/AIDS and behavioral and preventive medicine research, including weight control, physical activity and smoking cessation.  U.S. News & World Report has named The Miriam the best hospital in Rhode Island 13 years in a row starting with their first state rankings in 2012-2013.  In 2024 The Miriam Hospital was awarded Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services for its seventh consecutive time. It is a founding member of the Brown University Health system. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/miriamhospital) and Twitter (@MiriamHospital).

Photos courtesy The Miriam Hospital