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Nancy DeMatteis (second from left) and guests at The Creek.


Enjoying brunch on the terrace before shotgun.


Golfers prepare their carts to begin their busy day.


Tee off at The Creek.


Finishing a hole at The Creek.


The Murphy Family before shotgun at Meadow Brook Club.


Tee off at Meadow Brook Club.


Christopher Pascucci (second from left) and guests at Nassau Country Club..


Relaxing on the deck of The Creek's beach house.


Enjoying cocktails before the Awards Dinner.


The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, distinguished dinner guests at The Creek.


Tom Fanning, Sr. (left), Sister Pauline Gilmore, FMM, and the 2010 Golf Chair, Brian Hehir at the Awards Dinner.


Tom Fanning, Sr. (second from left), and Bernard Monteleone, M.D. (second from right), with guests under the tent at the Awards Dinner.

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Eugene Souther (second from left) and guests before teeing off.


Tom Christman (left) and guests at Meadow Brook.


Tom Fanning (right) and guests enjoy the day on the course at Meadow Brook.


Golfers check-in at Meadow Brook and select a Tiffany favor.


Nancy DeMatteis, who organized the first annual St. Francis Hospital golf tournament, greets dinner guests.


Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO presents an award to golf chairman, Robert J. Alexander.


The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary gather before the Awards Dinner.


Brian Hehir (right) enjoys cocktails in the club house at The Creek.


Tee off at The Creek.


Nancy DeMatteis (second from right) and guests enjoy a sunny day on the course.


Sr. Pauline (left) and Sr. Lucie 'spotting' the hole-in-one shots at The Creek.


Peter Quick (center) and friends at brunch on the veranda at The Creek.


Golfers finish up a beautiful day on the course.

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The SFH logo decor reflects onto the ballroom floor


Gala guests enjoy the band


Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO, with honoree Robert Kissane (center) and Chairman of the Board, Peter Quick (right), after the honorary presentation


Dinner guests listen to Dr. Guerci's opening remarks


Mr. and Mrs. Renato Berroya, M.D., (left) with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Soterakis, M.D.


Bishop William F. Murphy, honoree, Robert Kissane (center), and his guests


"Marilyn" with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary during cocktail hour


"Groucho Marx" escorts Dr. and Mrs. Richard Shlofmitz, M.D., into the gala

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The Capital Campaign Chairs announce SFH's campaign goal.


Actors take a dip in 'gin tub' during cocktail hour.


John Kemp, Bishop William Murphy (center) and Christopher Pascucci.


Capital Campaign Chairs, Peter Quick (left) and Christopher Pascucci with St. Francis Hospital President & CEO, Alan D. Guerci, M.D.


(From l. to r.) Leslie Guerci, Judy Licht, Jerry Della Femina, Claudio & Debra Del Vecchio, and Peter Quick.


A view of the cocktail area.


A shot of the beautifully decorated dining room.


(From l. to r.) Alan D. Guerci, M.D., and Leslie Guerci with event Chairman, Jerry Della Femina & Judy Licht.


(From l. to r.) Dr. and Mrs. Richard Shlofmitz with Dr. and Mrs. Richard Matano, and Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Tenenbaum.


(From l. to r.) Dr. and Mrs. Gary Gecelter with Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Rubach.


Ken and Carol Wessel (third and fifth from right) with their guests.


(From l. to r.) Dr. and Mrs. Newell Robinson with Dr. and Mrs. Stephan G. Cokinos, and Dr. and Mrs. Larry Altschul.


Honorees, Claudio and Debra Del Vecchio with their children.


1920's Keystone cops "raid' the cocktail hour to signal the start of dinner.


A guest chooses the "Mystery Blue Box" - a raffle held at the event.

Nearly 200 Cardiac Research Volunteers Are Honored by St. Francis Hospital for Helping to Pave the Way For Future Research

GREENVALE, N.Y. – As a 23 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, Tom Melia considered himself in pretty good physical shape. He never felt any of the symptoms of heart disease, but after participating in a cardiac research study at St. Francis Hospital, doctors found he had a 90% blockage in a coronary artery and needed two stents.

The now retired 48-year-old former firefighter from Massapequa was one of nearly 200 research volunteers recently honored at the Hospital’s DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Rehabilitation. Its Director of Research, Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., FACC, FAHA, and its Clinical Director of CT and MRI Services, Jie Jane Cao, M.D., MPH, FACC, credited the volunteers for helping to pave the way for new cardiac technologies and treatment strategies.

Melia said he decided to participate in a Cardiac CT Scan study in October 2005 upon the recommendation of a cousin who works at St. Francis Hospital. The state of the art radiological technique is used to visualize coronary arteries noninvasively with unprecedented clarity. The day after taking the test, he received a call that may have saved his life.

“I was in the field in full firefighter gear, doing research on a rope. I had just climbed up five flights of stairs and was about to go out a window, when I got a call on my cell phone from Dr. Reichek. He said they saw a couple of spots,” said Melia.

The firefighter said he responded half-jokingly, “Does this mean I shouldn’t jump out the window. I didn’t take it seriously because I showed no symptoms.” But it was no joke. After undergoing an angiogram with Richard Shlofmitz, M.D., the Director of the Hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Melia required two stents.

Melia said he feels great since undergoing the procedure, has lost 20 pounds and works out five days a week. He encourages other firefighters to take part in cardiac research studies at St. Francis and shudders to think what would happen if he didn’t take that important first step.

Anyone interested in becoming a cardiac research volunteer can call (516) 629-2037 for more information.

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About St. Francis Hospital

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center is New York State’s only specialty designated cardiac center and is the busiest heart center in the Northeast. A recognized leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiac disease, St. Francis Hospital performs more cardiac surgery and interventional cardiac procedures than any other hospital in New York State. A leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI). Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com.