On November 11, 2010, Silver Hill Hospital will celebrate 80 years of “restoring mental health” at a black tie benefit in Manhattan. The gala affair is the inspiration of hospital friends, Michael Cominotto and fashion designer Dennis Basso, who plan to showcase the hospital as an expert resource for patients in need of psychiatric care. All proceeds will go to scholarships for young people in need of financial assistance to undergo treatment in Silver Hill’s month-long residential programs, which are not typically covered by insurance.
To help ensure the success of the evening, co-chairs Cominotto and Basso have enlisted Grammy award-winning Natalie Cole as mistress of ceremonies and an illustrious group of Manhattan’s most charitable women as vice chairs. In addition to dinner and dancing to the very popular “DJ Cassidy,” a live auction featuring a custom sable coat contributed by Basso will be at the heart of the evening’s festivities.
Cominotto and Basso are creating the Silver Hill Gala in gratitude for Mr. Cominotto’s very positive experience at Silver Hill as a patient. According to Cominotto, “Dennis and I are determined to raise awareness for Silver Hill, where excellent psychiatric services and extraordinarily compassionate care are combined in an infinitely beautiful private setting.” “Importantly,” adds Basso, “we want everyone to know that, Silver Hill, one of the best psychiatric hospitals anywhere, is right here in the New York area when help is needed.”
Speaking to the importance of the Gala for Silver Hill, Dr. Sigurd Ackerman, President and Medical Director, states that this is a tremendous opportunity to promote the depth of Silver Hill’s clinical capabilities and to describe the strengths of the hospital, both in quality of care and facilities. “We are deeply grateful to Michael and Dennis for stepping forward to help the hospital and for such a worthy cause,” said Dr. Ackerman. “We also commend them for their courage to speak publicly on our behalf, which we believe will also help to lift the stigma associated with mental illness.”
For details about the Silver Hill Gala, including reservation information, please contact Missy Fallon, Chief Development Officer at Silver Hill at (203) 801-2295 or mfallon@silverhillhospital.org.
