15th Anniversary Gala Celebration

 

 

Family Voices 15th Anniversary Gala Celebration included a reception, dinner, and awards ceremony at the historic Decatur House in Washington, D.C.  Jana Stanfield, Mistress of Ceremonies, entertained over 150 family leaders, professionals, and partners with heart-warming songs, complemented by inspirational stories from Mitch Hamilton, Master of Ceremonies.  Together they set the stage to honor three individuals for their significant and long-term contributions to improving the lives of children and youth with special health care needs.

 

Lifetime Awardees

• C. Everett Koop, MD - Former Surgeon General of the United States
• Merle McPherson, MD -  Former Director of the Division of Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Maternal and Child Health Bureau
• Thomas J. Tauke -  Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Policy and Communications for Verizon;  Former United States Representative, Second District, Iowa

 

 

Dr. Koop, Dr. McPherson, and Mr. Tauke were each presented with original artwork created by three talented young people from the Family Voices network of families: Nick Arango, Cassilly Woll, and Matt White.  Learn more about this elegant evening in the Gala Program.

 

Funding for the Gala was provided, in part, by many generous sponsors. 

 

Honorary Committee:

• James Anderson, MD, CEO, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
• Richard C. Antonelli, MD, Chief, Division of Primary Care, Director, Department of General Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center
• Honorable John Antonio, Sr., Governor, Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico
• Tom Baffuto, Executive Director, ARC of New Jersey
• Jonathan Bates, MD, CEO, Arkansas Children's Hospital
• David Bergman, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine
• Michael and Carol Berman, Washington, DC
• Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP, President and CEO, Institute for Healthcare Improvement/IHI
• Christina Bethell, PhD, MBA, MPH, Director, Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative
• Senator Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
• Kathleen Kirk Bishop, PhD, MSW, Dean, School of Social Work and Family Studies, Wheelock College
• Marian Bolton, President/CEO, YMCA of Central New Mexico
• Thomas W. Chapman, MPH, EdD, President and CEO, The HSC Foundation
• Tamara Clay, Public Health Advisor, Indian Health Service
• Senator and Mrs. Kent Conrad, North Dakota
• W. Carl Cooley, MD, Medical Director, Crotched Mountain Foundation, Center for Medical Home Improvement
• Karen Cox, PhD, RN, Vice President, Children's Mercy Hospital
• Senator Pete Domenici, New Mexico
• Senator Byron L. Dorgan, North Dakota
• Stu and Fran Eizenstat, Partner, Covington and Burling
• Alejandra Gepp, Project Director, Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza
• Senator and Mrs. Chuck Grassley, Iowa
• Senator Tom Harkin, Iowa
• Joseph Holahan, MD, Chair, New Jersey American Association of Pediatrics Council for Children with Disabilities, Medical Director, Child Development Center of Children's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital
• Charles J. Homer, MD, MPH, CEO, The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality/NICHQ
• Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities
• Senator and Mrs. Edward M. Kennedy
• Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, Rhode Island
• Senator John F. Kerry, Massachusetts
• Congressman Jim Langevin, Rhode Island
• Senator Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey
• Congressman and Mrs. Edward J. Markey, Massachusetts
• Senator Robert Menendez, New Jersey
• Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, Contributing Editor, Health Affairs
• Paul Newacheck, DrPH, Institute for Health Policy Studies and Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Francisco
• Congressman Steve Pearce, New Mexico
• James M. Perrin, MD, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Director, Division of General Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children
• Rick Rader, MD, Director, Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center, Editor in Chief, Exceptional Parent (EP) Magazine
• Beverley Roberts, Director, Mainstreaming Medical Care Project of New Jersey
• Lisbeth and Daniel Schorr, Washington, DC
• Tom Tonniges, MD, Director, Boys Town Institute for Child Health Improvement
• Congressman Tom Udall, New Mexico
• Deborah Klein Walker, EdD, Vice President, Abt Associates, President, American Public Health Association
• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
• Congresswoman Heather Wilson, New Mexico

 

Jana Stanfield, Mistress of Ceremonies:

Ms. Stanfield is an internationally recognized, award-winning recording artist, transformational speaker, humorist and multi-platinum songwriter. She has achieved multi-platinum success with her songs being recorded by such artists as Reba McEntire and Andy Williams and is equally successfully entertaining audiences in her one-of-a-kind performances on such stages as Nashville's Grand Ole Opry and New York's Carnegie Hall. In 2005, Stanfield was awarded two New Thought Music Awards, including Best Inspirational Song and Best Personal Transformation Song for "I'm Not Lost, I'm Exploring," and "What Would I Do Today If I Were Brave," respectively. Additionally, Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises' CEO Jack Canfield chose to feature Stanfield for her unique entrepreneurial success in his latest bestseller, "The Success Principles." While Stanfield has shared stages with fellow performers ranging from Kenny Loggins to The Dixie Chicks, she also enjoys success presenting at conferences and corporate events worldwide for tens of thousands each year, as an increasingly popular keynote speaker. A former broadcast journalist, Stanfield uses her storytelling abilities to blend humor, music and hopeful messages into events known as Keynote Concerts, referring to her music as "psychotherapy you can dance to." According to Stanfield, "I figure if someone is going to give me three minutes of their time to listen to a song I've written, I want it to be helpful."

 

Mitchell Hamilton, Master of Ceremonies:

Mr. Hamilton is a young man from Mineral Point, WI who has come a long way since his birth 22 years ago. Despite extensive absences school due to 49 surgeries and countless hospitalizations, Mitch graduated from high school with his peers in 2004. A born organizer, Mitch started his first club in second grade picking up litter around school. At age 13 he got his first job as the school reporter writing for the local weekly newspaper. He's been working ever since. He served on the board of directors of KASA - Kids as Self Advocates for five years. Mitch currently serves on the board of two non-profit organizations for families of children with disabilities and co-hosts their annual fund-raising auction. Mitch is an experienced public speaker and enjoys sharing his story with others which combines with his love of travel. He has crisscrossed the country, presenting to diverse groups including physicians, federal agencies, parent and youth organizations, MCH LEND and medical students. He has many interests including water-skiing, down-hill skiing, and attending any kind of sporting event, especially his beloved Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. His dream is to get his own apartment and a street-legal wheelchair fast enough to be licensed as a motor vehicle.

 

Nick Arango, Artist:

Nick is Jicarilla Apache and lives in Algodones, New Mexico. He is 30 years old and has a progressive neurological disorder of unknown origin. Nick paints twice a week in the Native American Disabled Artists Program at Very Special Arts in Albuquerque, where his instructor is Sam Bautista of Laguna Pueblo. Nick's paintings have hung in shows at the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque International Airport. With hands-on assistance, Nick skis, rides horses, swims, and takes care of his seven nieces and nephews.

 

Cassilly Woll, Artist:

Cassilly is one of the most charming people you will ever meet. Her delightful personality shows in all of the works she creates. She began her art career in 1980 when she started taking classes at Kapiolani Community College and found that she has quite a talent. Her work includes watercolor, oil and clay and can be found across the country. Born and raised in Hawaii, she lives in the city of Honolulu with her family and friends and visits her favorite place, the Kahala Mall, everyday to spread her warmth, cheer and of course shop! She has been employed at Kahala Mall since her graduation from Kaimuki High School.

 

Matt White, Artist:

Matt discovered painting in 2000 when he transferred to a new high school and was given the opportunity to take an art class. The teacher guided Matt to painting using a dabbing method, and Matt took off from there. Matt uses tempra and acrylics and has done water colors as well. He has entered paintings in the New Mexico State Fair and has sold his work through Very Special Arts Gallery. Matt's work can be found all over New Mexico. Matt prefers realistic to abstract, tempra and acrylics to oil and uses a hydraulic easel to facilitate his art.