The Brooklyn Hospital Center’s annual Founders Ball was held at the Brooklyn Museum on May 18.
Photo courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center
The Brooklyn Hospital Foundation raised over $1.43 million during its 2026 Founders Ball, held May 18 at the Brooklyn Museum.
More than 600 supporters, including physicians, community members and business partners attended the sold-out event. This year’s theme, “We’ve Got You!” highlighted the wide range of care by The Brooklyn Hospital Center, which serves nearly 300,000 patients each year in Downtown Brooklyn and beyond.
Lizanne Fontaine, chair of Board of Trustees, receive the Founders Medal.Photo courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center
The network is known for its commitment to providing “outstanding health services, education and research to our Brooklyn community,” through “advanced technology, and innovative medical and surgical treatments.”
Guests at the Founders Ball enjoyed an evening complete with food, cocktails and live music. The celebrations ended with an after-party transformed into a retro Coney Island boardwalk.
Attendees enjoyed a retro Coney Island-themed afterparty, complete with games treats and more.Photo courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center
The $1.43M raised tops last year’s totals. Funds raised from the event will support hospital improvements, including new medical equipment, facility upgrades and enhancements to patient care programs.
Robert DiGregorio, chief pharmacotherapy officer, received Walter E. Reed Medal.Photo courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center
The event was chaired by hospital trustee Martha Bakos Dietz. Honorees includes Robert DiGregorio, chief Pharmacotherapy officer at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, who recieved the Walter E. Reed Medal, and Lizanne Fontaine, chair of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, who received the Founders Medal.
The foundation also recognized its lead sponsors, including New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, St. George’s University and Robert E. Buckholz.