Southampton Hospital Foundation Hosts Gala In Your Garden Preview At Ornare In Southampton

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, on Saturday, August 7, will again invite supporters to a “Gala in Our Garden.”

Last year, Mirella Cameran-Reilly, Interim Chief Development Officer of the Southampton Hospital Foundation, with Chief Administrative Officer Robert S. Chaloner came up with the idea to stage small outdoor parties in private homes. Then, ten people was the CDC advised limit for gatherings. This year is a bigger, happier story. At the moment, there can be up to 30 people outside in your garden. And who knows? If we keep getting vaccinated, by next month, the CDC might allow more.

One thing is certain, the presentation will be grander. Elegant Affairs will cater, craft and deliver for all. Mirella invited local press to Ornare on Main Street in Southampton to announce the party and give press a sample of Elegant Affairs’ culinary repertoire. And did we sample! Yum!

The party, Mirella later told us, was planned in January. “We didn’t feel comfortable doing an 800 person party yet,” she said. “We have to model best cautious practices when it comes to public health.” They are calling this year a “hybrid” celebration: a small group of large donors will be feted, in person, at a patron party at Wölffer Estate Vineyards, hosted by Liev Schreiber, on Saturday, July 24.

“Elegant Affairs is partnering with us to deliver a range of options, from a three course dinner with Wölffer Estate wines to an evening with your own chefs, waiters, and bartender,” Mirella continued. That level will include handcrafted cocktails, a Chef’s Tasting Plate, delicious hors d’oeuvres and a three-course meal, all served in premium china and glassware. Donors preferring to host their own events will enjoy delicacies such as organic red beet chips with roasted shallot dip, croustades with organic hummus, eggplant caviar, lemon herb white bean pate and tomato basil chutney. Main course options include thick cut rib eye steak with Peter Luger steak sauce, horseradish cream and crispy onions or Nobu style miso glazed halibut and frizzled leaks. Is anyone hungry yet? Orders will be delivered with Wolffer Estate Vineyard wines and floral décor.

This year, the party will be fundraising to build an East Hampton free standing emergency department, as well as for the Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department. They’ve already raised $31 million towards their goal of $35 to break ground in East Hampton in the fall. Towards that end, Andrew and Kate Davis pledged a matching grant of $6 million and have taken a leading role in the effort.

“Obviously COVID-19 had a significant and detrimental effect on financing,” Mirella shared. “The cost was high, so, now we’ve got a big job on our hands. But, we have numerous events this summer to meet them.”

The hospital is proud of their COVID 19 response. “We played a key role in the vaccination program,” Mirella continued. “Our COVID treatment outcomes were excellent and patient care was on par with top hospitals. Health and safety measures were increased and were more than sufficient. No one caught the infection by coming into our hospital or by treating those who did. Now, we’re so happy to be getting back to normal, returning to ambulatory and in-hospital surgeries and regular screenings.”

In June, the hospital opened the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center in Hampton Bays geared towards the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

And so, thanks to great leadership, the hospital continues to up its game, which ups everyone’s. “I think people realize that having excellent health care available nearby is critical,” Mirella reminded, “whether you live here or visit.”

Tables can be purchased on the SBSH website southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/news/special-events. Donations can be made at southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/giving.