Charity event at Southampton Hospital generates $1.6 million for urgent care, showcases lavish Moroccan elegance throughout the evening.
The Southampton Hospital Foundation's 67th Summer Party, themed "A Night in Marrakesh," took place on August 2, 2025, in Southampton, New York. The event, held under tents along Wickapogue Road, aimed to support Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the newly opened Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department [1][2][4][5].
This annual fundraiser, which attracted approximately 400 guests, combined a festive atmosphere with a serious mission. The evening featured cocktails, a sit-down dinner, live music, henna artistry, Moroccan décor, and a spirited auction conducted by celebrity auctioneer Lydia Fenet [1][4][5].
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, a 120-bed institution staffed by over 2,800 clinicians across 48 specialties, serves as the South Fork's sole emergency-care provider and a designated Level III Trauma Center and primary stroke center [6]. The hospital's centres of excellence include cancer care, heart and stroke, breast health, advanced wound healing, and more, with 32 satellite locations [6].
The 67th Annual Summer Party raised over $1.6 million, marking one of the most successful benefits in the Foundation’s history [3][4]. The event honoured Kate and Andrew Davis for their unwavering generosity and advocacy in strengthening local healthcare [1].
The Southampton Hospital Foundation, under the leadership of Carol Gomes (CEO/COO of Stony Brook University Hospital), William Wertheim (Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine), Andrea Goldsmith (President of Stony Brook University), and many other distinguished supporters, such as Veronica Atkins, Jane Bartman, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Maria Brisbane, Marlene Brown, Margo and John Catsimatidis, Wendy and Howard Cox, Kate and Andrew Davis, Margaret and Eric Friedberg, Robert and Joyce Giuffra, David Granville, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Mark and Susan Kendall, Maureen and Steve Klinsky, Jay Lieberman, Tina Livanos, Fern Mallis, Julie and Billy Macklowe, Jimmy and Margo Nederlander, John Paulson, Jeff Pfeifle, Roz and Nat Perlmutter, Kathy and Othon Prounis, Cami and Tarek Raucci, Peter Thomas Roth, Barbara and Randall Smith, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Captain Kerry Titheradge, Kimberly and Eric Waldman, Cindy Willis, and Barbara Digan Zweig, among others, played a crucial role in powering the event's success [2].
The event's Vice Chairs included Hollis Forbes, Laura Lofaro Freeman, Sheila Fuchs, Margo Nederlander, Jean Shafiroff, Melanie Wambold, and Cindy Willis. Nancy Stone served as the Corporate Partnership Chair, while Gregory D'Elia and Lisa Tamburini were the Publicity Chairs [2].
The Moroccan-inspired decor included jewel-toned florals, lantern-lit canopies, and a saffron glow, set by Luminous Designs. Dinner was curated by Elegant Affairs and paired with Wölffer Estate Vineyard wines. Cocktail hour included specialty drinks and music by American Idol alum Christiaan Padavan [4].
In addition to the hospital leadership mentioned above, Howard E. Cox, Andrew Davis and wife Kate, Elena A. Ford and husband Mitchell Seldin, J. Oscar Molina, Allison Morrow, Florence R. Rolston, MD, Darin Wiggins, MD, Daniel M. Van Arsdale, DO, and Chairman Emeritus Ken Wright also lent their support to the event [2].
The media partners for the event included Dan's Papers, Express News Group, Hamptons Magazine, Hamptons Social, James Lane Post, The Purist, Social Life, and Spotlight on the Hamptons, helping to broadcast the event's purpose beyond the tent [1].
The Southampton Hospital Foundation advances private philanthropy to support SBSH's mission, ensuring high-quality healthcare for all East End neighbors [7]. Every dollar raised from the event fuels Stony Brook Southampton Hospital's investment across the South Fork, strengthening the Paulson Family Emergency Department, expanding services, and supporting the new Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department [5].
References: [1] Southampton Hospital Foundation (2025). 67th Summer Party. [online] Available at: https://www.southamptonhospitalfoundation.org/events/summer-party/ [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [2] Southampton Hospital Foundation (2025). Leadership & Board of Directors. [online] Available at: https://www.southamptonhospitalfoundation.org/about/leadership/ [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [3] Southampton Hospital Foundation (2025). 67th Summer Party Raises Over $1.6 Million. [online] Available at: https://www.southamptonhospitalfoundation.org/news/67th-summer-party-raises-over-1-6-million/ [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [4] Southampton Hospital Foundation (2025). 67th Summer Party. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUU-zlLv9Qs [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [5] Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (2025). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbsh/about [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [6] Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (2025). Services & Programmes. [online] Available at: https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbsh/services [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025]. [7] Southampton Hospital Foundation (2025). About. [online] Available at: https://www.southamptonhospitalfoundation.org/about/ [Accessed 22 Aug. 2025].
As the 67th Summer Party concluded, the attendees were sent home with a newfound appreciation for Moroccan home-and-garden décor, having admired the jewel-toned florals and lantern-lit canopies that adorned the event. With a successful fundraiser behind them, many participants also gained a better understanding of the important role the Southampton Hospital Foundation plays in maintaining the lifestyle of the South Fork community by ensuring quality healthcare services at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the new Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department.
