'Big Hearted' Come Out To Celebrate New UCSD Cardiovascular Center

Elegant black-tie supporters came out 700-plus strong Saturday to support and celebrate the opening of UC San Diego’s . The gala was held on UCSD Thornton Hospital's campus.

Among the attendees were Honorary Chairs Zandra Rhodes, founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, and Salah Hassanein, chairman of the Variety Children’s Lifeline.

More there were world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Stuart Jamieson (head of cardiothoracic surgery at UCSD since 1989) and his wife Sheri, Olivia and Peter Farrell of ResMed, event chairs Carol and Tom Dillon, Noni and Drew Senyei, UCSD Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences and Dean for the School of Medicine David Brenner, cardiovascular center Founding Director Dr. Anthony DeMaria, and actors Marion Ross and Paul Michael.

Among the fashionable standouts were Doreen Schonbrun in eye-catching vintage Chanel, Erika Torri in a Zandra Rhodes design, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price also wearing a Zandra Rhodes dress, Colette Royston wore Reem Acra and Louis Vuitton stilettos that husband Ivor helped put on curbside, Dixie Unruh in Zandra, Valerie Cooper in a slightly plunging and lacy Jenny Packham black gown, and Zandra Rhodes in Zandra, of course.

The fashion watch was part of the fun. The evening continued with dinner by Giuseppe Fine Catering. Reception cuisine included a tri-colored, bite-sized beet appetizer and seared ahi tuna on a crispy wonton. Dinner started with a Maine lobster and Chesapeake Bay crab stack with slivers of Hass avocado and mango-coriander salsa, continued with prime beef tenderloin and finale with a Dark Valrhona chocolate “bomb.”

Après dinner entertainment included a stellar performance by Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and singing star Patti LuPone.

The evening ended with dancing, as the weekend marked the beginning of the region’s first and only dedicated cardiovascular facility “providing outstanding patient care, leading-edge technology and groundbreaking clinical trials—all under one roof.”

The cardiovascular center, which will open its doors on April 3, was made possible by more than $30 million in philanthropic funds, including a $10 million leadership gift from Gaby and Richard Sulpizio.

“We are thrilled to see the results of what years of planning, hard work, perseverance and commitment of so many people has brought us,” said Gaby and Richard Sulpizio. “Having this new leading-edge cardiovascular center to serve the community where our family and friends live is our dream come true.”

For more information please visit heartcenter.ucsd.edu.