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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.

St. Francis Hospital Evaluates Innovative Device That May Help Patients Avoid Open-Heart Surgery

mitra

ROSLYN, N.Y., April 10, 2007 – St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, is the only hospital on Long Island treating patients in a clinical study of a new investigational device to treat mitral regurgitation (MR)--the most common type of heart valve insufficiency--using a cardiac catheterization technique.

St. Francis is one of 34 medical centers in North America evaluating the safety and effectiveness of this percutaneous (through the skin) procedure as part of a Phase II, prospective, randomized, controlled study in patients with moderate to severe or severe MR, as compared to open surgical repair or replacement.

The percutaneous mitral repair procedure uses the MitraClip™ device (made by Evalve, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) to bring the leaflets (the “swinging doors”) of the valve together, helping it to close properly. The procedure is performed by interventional cardiologists in the cardiac catheterization laboratory utilizing general anesthesia. In addition to improving blood flow through the heart, the procedure may also relieve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath that often affect patients with significant MR.

Cardiologist Andrew Berke, M.D. has performed the procedure at St. Francis Hospital. So far, over 160 patients have undergone the procedure as part of the EVEREST studies.

An estimated 4 million people nationwide suffer from significant MR, the most common type of heart valve insufficiency. In these patients, blood leaks backward through the mitral valve with each heartbeat, causing the heart to work harder to circulate oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

There are no medications that specifically treat or cure MR, though some patients receive drugs to manage the symptoms. Both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend open-heart surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve for patients who suffer from moderate to severe or severe MR. However, only 20 percent of these patients, or approximately 50,000, undergo surgery each year.

If left untreated, valve insufficiency can lead to atrial fibrillation, heart muscle dysfunction, symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF), and an increased risk of sudden death. Improved treatment options, such as the MitraClip device, can reduce the potential for developing CHF and may improve the quality of life for patients currently suffering from CHF.

For more information about mitral regurgitation or to find out if you may qualify to participate in the EVEREST II study, call toll free 1-877-MY-MR-FIX, 877-696-7349 or visit www.mitralregurgitation.org.

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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.

Contact:
Paul Barry, 516-705-6657, paul.barry@chsli.org
Rosemary Gomez, 516-705-6656, rosemary.gomez@chsli.org