March 8, 2018

Banner Bon Santé Ball

Vena Dhillon and Dr. Vinnie Dhillon; Craig Cunningham and Rinku Skaria. Top, right: Scott Keo. Bottom, right: Dr. Jhumka Ghosh-Narang and Dr. Steve Narang

Banner Health Foundation’s second annual Banner Bon Santé Ball blended glamour and the spirit of giving in honor of heart health Feb. 24 at The Phoenician. The evening included inspiring guest speakers and entertainment.

After the cocktail reception, the 475 guests made their way to the French-themed ballroom where Emmy award-winning journalist and CBS-5 news anchor Kris Pickel served as the evening’s emcee, welcoming performers and guest speakers to the stage. Michael Bublé tribute artist Scott Keo performed the timeless “Feeling Good,” followed by a collection of songs throughout dinner. To celebrate Heart Month, a quartet from Arizona State University’s School of Music, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, dazzled attendees with a rendition of “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical Rent.

Division Chief of Cardiology at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, Dr. Martha Gulati, shared highlights of Banner University Medicine’s cardiovascular program. Guests watched a TSN television segment featuring Tucson hockey player Craig Cunningham, who collapsed on the ice in 2016 at age 26 due to a rare heart disorder. After the video, Cunningham and Dr. Zain Khalpey, the cardiologist from Banner – University Medical Center Tucson who saved his life, shared with guests the importance of philanthropic support for cardiovascular programs.

In a live auction, a traditional home-cooked Indian dinner for 10 at the Fountain Hills home of Dr. Steve Narang, CEO of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, and his wife, Dr. Jhumka Ghosh-Narang, sold not once, but twice.

Later, TrejaVu, led by Grammy Award-winning bassist Mel Brown, kicked off the after-party with funky dance standards that quickly moved attendees to the dance floor.

The CORE Institute and Valley Anesthesiology & Pain Consultants – a Sheridan Practice were among the key sponsors. Proceeds will support cardiovascular care programs and training of future physicians at the Banner – University Medical Centers in Phoenix and Tucson.

HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY