Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Hosts
33rd Annual Harbor Lights Ball
Honoring Gregorio Guillen, M.D., with the Excellence in Medicine Award;
The Liberty Group with the Business of the Year Award, Ali Rada with the Executive of the Year Award, and Joan Harewood, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, with the Distinguished Service Award
Press Release 3/29/17
PERTH AMBOY – Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation’s premier fundraising event the 33rd Annual Harbor Lights Ball will be held Friday, May 12, 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, N.J. The Harbor Lights Ball is now the signature fundraising event for Raritan Bay Medical Center with the Foundation’s decision to focus exclusively on the ball after discontinuing the annual Art Show and Golf Classic fundraisers in 2016. The ball is chaired by Jessica and George Smith, M.D., and honors members of the community who have been valued partners of the hospital. Proceeds from the ball will be used to support the hospital’s new Center for Robotic Surgery at Raritan Bay in Old Bridge. The medical center is committed to providing the community with exceptional surgical services, utilizing advanced surgical equipment and care from Magnet recognized nurses and expert surgeons.
“We remain focused on providing our community with the best possible care. The addition of the new Center for Robotic Surgery and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgical system enables our surgeons to provide patients with advanced treatment options, close to home,” said Michael R. D’Agnes, FACHE, president of Raritan Bay Medical Center. “The Harbor Lights Ball and continued philanthropic support makes it possible for us to add new technology and launch new programs to fulfill our mission of delivering exceptional health care.”
Four awards will be presented during the evening. Honorees were selected based on their dedication and philanthropic commitment to Raritan Bay and the surrounding community. Honorees include:
•Excellence in Medicine Award: Gregorio Guillen, M.D. Dr. Guillen’s practice has faithfully served the Perth Amboy community for many years. As President of the Medical Staff at Raritan Bay Medical Center Dr. Guillen has worked steadfastly to improve the quality of care delivered to patients.
• Business of the Year Award: The Liberty Group. Opened for business in 1920 as Liberty Transportation & Storage. Since then, they have grown from a small moving business with one truck and a passion to serve their clients, to a global moving, maintenance, and shredding company. Today, their clients benefit from the stability of a third generation, family owned and operated business that has adapted and grown to serve their clients.
•Executive of the Year Award: Ali Rada. Cuban born Ali Rada came to Perth Amboy as a little boy with his parents in 1970. After graduation from high school he started running Ali’s Liquor Store and Tavern on Smith Street in 1981. He expanded his portfolio in the late 80’s by opening his first check cashing business. In the early 90’s he purchased investment properties and gained experience in management and rehabilitation, which led to the construction of two new buildings in a redevelopment area in 2000. Today he continues investing, developing, and operating multiple real estate properties in the Perth Amboy and Woodbridge area. He resides, with his wife and three children, in Holmdel, NJ.
•Distinguished Service Award: Joan Harewood, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC. Joan is a champion of nursing, leading with integrity, professionalism and fairness. Before retiring at the end of 2016, Joan served as Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Raritan Bay Medical Center. Joan successfully led Raritan Bay to a third Magnet re-designation, recognizing nursing excellence, in 2014.
The Ball will feature a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and dancing, a silent auction and a 50/50 cash raffle. There are many opportunities for individuals, organizations and corporations to sponsor the event and place ads in the program. For more information on how to support the Harbor Lights Ball, or to receive a formal invitation, contact Executive Director of Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Linda Hill, PharmD, at 732.324.5374 or email linda.hill@hackensackmeridian.org. Online registration is also available atwww.MeridianHealth.com/RBMCBall.
