(October 30, 2007 - Rockville Centre, NY) - The Friends of Mercy Medical Center will hold their 71st annual
Mercy Ball on Saturday, December 1st at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The annual gala will support the medical center’s Emergency, Trauma and Express Care facilities, which provide around-the-clock urgent care for both adults and children.

The Chairmen of this year’s event is Jan Albert Koenig, MD, of Dix Hills, Mercy’s Director of Orthopedic Surgery. Three major awards will be presented:

• Robert A. Brancato, Sr. of Rockville Centre will receive The Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to a distinguished individual dedicated to volunteering time and effort in support of the Medical Center. Mr. Brancato is a past president of the Friends of Mercy and has been a member of its Board of Sponsors since 1982.
• Janet Starr, LCSW, CASAC, of Malverne, Program Supervisor of Mercy’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic will receive The Sister Nadine Casey, CIJ Award, honoring members of the Mercy family who best personify the values of Mercy Medical Center and the Congregation of the Infant Jesus whose members founded the hospital nearly a century ago.
• John E. Ryan, Esq., of Floral Park, will receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award for Outstanding Service, which is 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. Mr. Ryan is a principal of the law firm Ryan Brennan & Donnelly, LLP and served on Mercy’s Board of Trustees from 1999 through 2006.

One of the annual traditions at the Ball is the Mercy Honor Guard, comprised of high school students who escort the Grand March of dignitaries into the ballroom preceded by a Color Guard from the United State Marine Corps, and are then presented to the Bishop. Following the program, guests enjoy a sumptuous meal and dancing into the night with music by Current Affair.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and information, please call the Development Department at 516-705-2622.

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The Friends of Mercy was founded in 1935 as an organization of men dedicated to volunteering their time and efforts to raise funds for the construction of the new Hospital and advancement of medical and surgical care for the patients of Mercy Medical Center. In addition to the Mercy Ball, the group sponsors several fund-raising events each year, including a black-tie St. Patrick’s Dinner in March, and a Golf Outing in September. In the past two years, the Friends have raised over $700,000 which supported a new radiology suite in hospital’s Express Emergency Care Center, and for the hospital’s new North Pavilion acute care facility.

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Contact: Mel Granick
Phone: (516) 705-2618
e-Mail: Mel.Granick@chsli.org