Inspire Magazine Winter 2017 | Page 22

B E N E F I T E V E N T A racing atmosphere made for an exhilarating experi- ence at the Grand Prix Soirée, a benefit for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. As the only pediatric specialty hospital in the Pacific, Kapi‘olani continues to keep pace with patient needs because of generous supporters. The Grand Prix Soirée was a festive way to celebrate how donations accelerate our efforts to care for keiki. Proceeds from the soirée will help fund the new emergency department that will open in the Diamond Head Tower in December. The expanded space will have larger patient treatment rooms that will enhance the workflow and allow family members to stay close to loved ones. The new emergency department will also feature new trauma rooms, triage rooms, state-of-the-art equipment, as well as new and separate pediatric and adult waiting areas. Top photo: Brad Nicolai, Soirée co-chair Stephanie Gambetta and Shelley Crammer Bottom photo: Kapi‘olani Health Foundation Former Board Member Alana Kobayashi Pakkala and friends 22 Our sincere mahalo to all of the donors and table sponsors, including presenting sponsor Saks Fifth Avenue, for making Kapi‘olani‘s Grand Prix Soirée such a success. Special thanks to co-chairs, or “lead drivers,” BJ Kobayashi and Stephanie Gambetta for planning and creating an event to remember! The contributions of the Soirée Committee were invalu- able–going above and beyond the “pit crew” duties. Soirée Committee members were Sean and Kimberly Hehir, Peter and Michelle Ho, Kathy Inouye, Patrick Kobayashi, Alana Kobayashi Pakkala, Dustin Sellers, Martha Smith, Kelly Sueda, Ray Vara and Linda Woo. The checkered flag effect came to life thanks to Brad Nicolai and his team who transformed the Velocity showroom into a racing venue. We are honored to have community leaders who are truly committed to helping our medical center create a healthier Hawai‘i for our children and future generations.