PHOTOS: 28th annual Founders Ball benefits Brooklyn Hospital Center

The Brooklyn Hospital Foundation celebrated its 28th annual Founders Ball in support of the Brooklyn Hospital Center on Friday, September 16, bringing in over $1.3 million to modernize the hospital and invest in the future of healthcare in the borough.

The event – held at the Barclays Center and emceed by five-time Emmy Award-winning news anchor Sukanya Krishnan of PIX11 News – marked the kickoff of the Dodrabicentennial Anniversary Committee, which will spearhead efforts to celebrate the hospital’s 175th Anniversary in 2020

“The Founders Ball is a celebration of those who have done so much to support the Brooklyn Hospital Center and keeping Brooklyn healthy for 170 years and counting,” said Gary Terrinoni, TBHC’s president and CEO. “We are so grateful to them, as their support will allow us to undertake a major redevelopment of the hospital campus. This work will transform Brooklyn for years to come and pave the way for Brooklyn’s present and future health care needs.”

The gala’s honorees were Karen Peetz, president of BNY Mellon (recipient of the Founders Medal) as well as Angela Kerr, MD, chief of gynecology, and Abraham Jelin, MD, division chief of pediatric gastroenterology (Walter E. Reed Medalists).

Special guests included Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (“M Butterfly”), New York Islanders legend Clark Gillies and actors Ralph Macchio (“Karate Kid,” “The Outsiders” and “My Cousin Vinny”) and Vincent Piazza (“Jersey Boys,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Sopranos”), among others.

This year’s Founders Ball featured a brand new format, which allowed guests to network during the reception, presented the honorees with their awards from the Barclays Center floor, and was followed by dessert and dancing in the 40/40 Club.

“Producing the gala, with its new format, takes a lot of hands and dedication,” stated Dino Veronese, chair of the Brooklyn Hospital Foundation. “We are very grateful to the board, the Founders Ball Committee, and the leadership team for their efforts to make this such a success.”

The Brooklyn Hospital Center is located at 121 Dekalb Avenue.