MGH Institute of Health Professions 3rd Annual Scholarship Gala generates more than $350,000

More than 350 people packed the Grand Ballroom at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel Thursday, October 29, at the MGH Institute of Health Professions 3^rd Annual Scholarship Gala.

Begun in 2007 to raise scholarship funds for students attending the Boston graduate school for health sciences, the gala generated more than $350,000, pushing the total amount raised for scholarships to more than $825,000 for 2009.

Proceeds from the gala fund new scholarships for MGH Institute students studying nursing, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and medical imaging. Enrollment has grown more than 35% in the past five years to more than 900 full- and part-time students, requiring the school to expand its financial aid resources accordingly.

“To get this kind of a turnout in this economy is very impressive,” said MGH Institute President Dr. Janis P. Bellack, “It’s a strong indication that people value the education we are providing to help alleviate the shortage of health care professionals not just in nursing but in all fields.”

Three $25,000 gala Diamond Sponsors -- CVS MinuteClinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Charles and Mrs. Ann Sanders – each underwrote one scholarship for a currently enrolled student.

Ari Buchler, senior vice president at PhaseForward and an MGH Institute Trustee, and Dr. Sanders’ daughter, Trish Joyce, Needham, MA, were the co-chairs for the gala.

Honorary Co-chairs for the evening were Dr. and Mrs. Sanders, and Julian Haynes. Dr. Sanders oversaw the establishment of the MGH Institute in 1977 while serving as general director of Massachusetts General Hospital; while Mr. Haynes was the school’s first provost.

Legendary ad executive and philanthropist Jack Connors, chairman of the board of trustees at Partners HealthCare, was the master of ceremonies. The Connors family established a $500,000 scholarship fund at the 2007 Scholarship Gala.

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is an innovative and independent graduate school that operates within the framework of Partners HealthCare. The MGH Institute is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.