Darienites Dance for Health Care

Health care woes aren't typically a cause for song and dance.

But on Saturday night, the Stamford hospital’s budgetary constraints will move a sell-out crowd of 500 partygoers to dance the night away at the hospital’s fifth annual “Dream Ball.”

Budget cuts at the federal and state levels, along with slower-paying or nonpaying patients, have put hospitals across the country under fiscal stress. Thankfully, Stamford Hospital, a private, nonprofit, community and teaching hospital has escaped deep financial troubles.

"Even though Stamford Hospital delivers more uncompensated care than any other hospital in Connecticut, it has held its own and will once again have a positive operating margin this year," Rosiak said.

Still, the hospital is hoping the Dream Ball will generate the $500,000 to $650,000 it has raised in previous years to enable purchases not in the current budget.

Thanks in large part to a group of generous Darien benefactors, businesses, and volunteers, the Dream Ball committee will transform the Stamford Tully Health Center into a classic “Rat Pack” era nightclub, and hundreds will gather for an evening of “dancing and culinary delights.”

The Stamford Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital, hopes that this year's Dream Ball will raise over $500,000 at its silent auction to enhance patient care and purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment; it’s a financial assist that will help the hospital maintain high-quality medical care.

The Foundation assembled a "wish list" for its Giving Tree from recommendations by the hospital staff, according to Fern Pessin, Dream Ball Coordinator. These items range from simple toys for the pediatric unit, to the $600,000 StealthStation by Medtronic: an image-guided surgery system that allows surgeons to navigate through the body using 3D images during surgery.

In addition, money raised will help fund two new programs: a prenatal bereavement program to be implemented in the Labor and Delivery Department, and the "No One Dies Alone" program to assure the presence and support of a volunteer companion to dying patients who would otherwise be alone.

The Stamford Hospital is one of few hospitals in the area that serves Darien residents (Norwalk, Greenwich and Bridgeport). A group of Darien volunteers and businesses are contributing their time, energy, products and services to help make the event a success.

Martha Rhein, mother of four and grandmother of one (as of Oct.10), is a Darien health professional volunteering her time on the Dream Ball Committee. Rhein began a program in women’s wellness at Stamford Hospital and believes deeply in the hospital’s mission of providing high-quality healthcare to the region.

Darien volunteer Ali Milne has volunteered in the past for the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, said she is helping out with the Dream Ball to raise the hospital’s profile in the community and attract new benefactors. Milne’s husband Douglas D. Milne III became chairman of the hospital’s board on Oct. 1.

"We are all aware of the rising costs of health care and the hospital’s financial needs to maintain its high quality of patient care," said Milne.

The hospital endured tough economic times in the 1990s; by 2001, their pension plan was under-funded by $40 million. Employee layoffs followed in 2002 and 2003.

But by 2007, the hospital’s revenues had improved significantly.

"Through solid management and fiscal discipline, the hospital has been fortunate enough to continue to generate operating income and be profitable without needing investment income," Rosiak said.

The hospital is expanding its cardiology services to provide open-heart surgery and elective angioplasty and has plans for a $40 million emergency department expansion.

Joining Darien volunteers in the Dream Ball effort are a number of Darien businesses, who have donated a number of items to the silent auction.

To name but a few: BMW of Darien has donated three bikes, Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop has offered six months of flowers, and Equinox of Darien has offered one month’s complimentary membership.

"Know us before you need us," the gala’s website advises, as fundraisers like the Dream Ball help the Stamford Hospital maintain top quality care and save lives.

And that really is a cause for song and dance.

The Saturday, Nov. 7 Dream Ball is currently sold out. For more information about the committee, or to make a donation to the Stamford Hospital Foundation, visit the Dream Ball 2009 website.