MGH Institute Celebrates a Night of Inspiration

Heather Unruh was Emcee at the MGH Institute's Gala.

“A Night of Inspiration” was the theme at the MGH Institute of Health Professions' 10th annual Gala on October 27. Close to 300 people attended the event, held at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel.

The Gala, which raised over $350,000 to support student scholarships, featured inspiring stories from the MGH Institute community about how the health sciences graduate school is educating the health care leaders of tomorrow.

Two people from the IHP community were highlighted: Matina S. Horner, who served as an IHP trustee for 27 years, including Chair of the Board from 1995–2005; and Jessica Kensky, a Registered Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital and Doctor of Nursing Practice student who lost both of her legs after being injured in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Heather Unruh, former anchor for WCVB-TV, was the event’s MC for the second consecutive year.

Honorary chairs were Ellen Zane, CEO Emerita of Tufts Medical Center and an IHP Honorary Trustee; and Peter Zane, former President of Kryptonite Corporation. Jack Connors Jr., former Chair of Partners HealthCare and founder of Hill Holliday marketing agency; and Samuel O. Thier, MD, former CEO of Partners HealthCare, were also honorary chairs. Peter D’Arrigo, President of D’Arrigo Brothers of Massachusetts and an IHP trustee, was the event’s chair.

Proceeds from the Gala fund scholarships for students in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology who attend the school, and whom typically graduate with an average educational debt of more than $100,000. More than $3 million has been raised since the first Gala in 2007. The Institute awarded $5.4 million in aid to students during 2015-2016 academic year.

Four individuals or companies donated at the Platinum Level: Bill and Kristi Geary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Putnam Investments, and Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sanders. Nine individuals or companies donated at the Gold Level: Sumner Brown, CVS Health/MinuteClinic, Peter and Pamela D'Arrigo, Trish and Mark Joyce, McCall & Almy, Inc., MGH Nurses’ Alumnae Association, George and Barbara Thibault, Wise Construction Corporation, and Ellen and Peter Zane. See full sponsor list.

“The mission of the MGH Institute to educate the best health care leaders continues to resonate with people,” said President Janis P. Bellack. “What sets the IHP apart is what goes on in our classrooms, labs, and clinical settings. Students learn with, from, and about each other through these experiences. They learn to be leaders. And they learn from faculty and practitioners who are leaders in their respective fields, leaders who bring the best of their knowledge and expertise to benefit our students.”