Newport Hospital’s donor community came together on July 12 at Belle Mer for the hospital’s annual A Salute to Health Summer Celebration. Co-chairs Dory Hamilton Benson, Maura Cullen, Sheika Egan, Victoria Johnson, Isabella Dana Ridall, and Mary Van Pelt designed a beautiful evening that raised $1.2 million, which the hospital will use to address its most-crucial funding need: adolescent behavioral health.
“We know the vision to establish Newport Hospital generations ago was born from our founder’s desire to ensure their community could receive the best medical care possible close to home,” said Crista Durand, President of Newport Hospital. “We again have the opportunity to make a real difference in the wellbeing of our community; this time, for our most vulnerable teens, the young lives that represent our future.”
This year’s event commenced a $5 million fundraising effort for the development of an eight-bed, adolescent behavioral health unit at Newport Hospital. The unit, in partnership with the world-renowned Bradley Hospital, will serve patients 12 to 18 who suffer from acute mental health disorders. It will provide stabilization, assessment, and treatment for suicidal, aggressive, and other behavioral conditions. Beyond the added beds, the area of the hospital housing the new unit will undergo a full renovation, including bright and modern group therapy rooms, activity space, and an outdoor enclosed therapeutic area.
Following a moving video that showcased a local teen’s experience and the overwhelming need for additional behavioral health services for Rhode Island youth, especially on Aquidneck Island, guests were invited to support the cause.
As hospital president Durand spoke to the need, the atmosphere in the room soared as former New England Patriots star and three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman made a surprise appearance. The Super Bowl MVP teamed up with Anthony Napoli, MD, Newport Hospital’s Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, to present the night’s fund-a-need auction and garner the community’s support, with multiple donors immediately committing six-figure gifts.
“We were founded and funded on philanthropy in 1873 when we started as a small, 12-room cottage,” said Durand after the tremendous outpouring of support. “Our hospital’s culture is steeped in history, healing, and hope, and we are beyond blessed to have the amazing support that continues to make a direct and powerful impact on our ability to deliver world class patient care right here on the island.”
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