The Miriam Combines Annual Meeting and
Miriam People Celebration to Create Memorable Night
On November 17, 2022, The Miriam Hospital Foundation hosted its Annual Meeting and Miriam People Celebration of Tradition at the Providence Marriott. The event, held in person after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, was attended by more than 80 guests—who were eager to celebrate the power of philanthropy, recognize the impact of legacy supporters, and get the latest news and updates about their beloved hospital.
Celebrating philanthropy
Susan Kaplan, Chair of The Miriam’s Foundation Board of Trustees, kicked off the evening acknowledging the challenges of the past few years, but was forward-looking in her remarks, saying: “Instead of focusing on the crisis we have lived through, it is important to reflect on how we were able to band together and accomplish what we did, all in the name of providing the highest quality health care to our community.”
Regardless of the format of fundraising activities, virtual or in-person, Susan added that The Miriam’s donors were right there by the hospital’s side, literally through thick and thin. And the results were nothing short of incredible. “We experienced our most successful fundraising year ever (out of campaign),” Susan explained, “and when you consider that philanthropy is what built The Miriam, the fact we’re still realizing record-setting levels of generosity nearly 100 years later is beyond inspiring. In fact, it has perhaps never been clearer that we simply could not do all that we do without the support of our amazing donor community.”
The Miriam’s 2022 Gala & Auction, Studio 164: A Night of Giving and Gettin’ Down, was but one of many examples of philanthropy in action Susan mentioned from the stage. Thanks to the leadership of event chairs Debbi and Jordan Jaffe, DMD, more than $837,000 was raised, including $419,950 to create the Lung Cancer Screening and Nodule Program at The Miriam Hospital. The Miriam also received thousands of donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations during this last fiscal year, including several transformational gifts and “every one of them helped us to fulfill our mission of Delivering health with care,” Susan emphasized.
Spotlighting world-class care
At the event, The Miriam’s President, Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, echoed Susan’s sentiments of gratitude and shared a lengthy list of accolades the hospital received this year that validated, on a broad level, just how special and exceptional a place The Miriam is.
Being named the top hospital in Rhode Island for the eleventh year in a row by U.S. News and World Report, taking first place in The Providence Journal’s Community Choice Awards in the “Hospital/Medical Center” category, and having several of the hospital’s already award-winning programs rank among America’s best, was just a sampling of what Dr. Ducharme mentioned.
“There is so much for us to be proud of and thankful for,” Dr. Ducharme told guests. “From our people and our caregivers to our traditions and the power of compassion, The Miriam truly sits in a league of its own, and I could not be more grateful to all of you for your support.”
Reports from Lifespan leadership, the Medical Staff Association and Women’s Association, and the Presidential Scholarship Awards presented by Kathleen C. Hittner, MD and Arthur J. Sampson were also included in the program and underscored the culture of excellence and compassionate care provided at The Miriam.