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Starlight Gala
“Travel the World with Florida Hospital,” the 2015 Starlight Gala fundraiser in Tampa brought out supporters attired in
formalwear, as well as the dress of their favorite countries, which ranged from India to the Orient to the American West.
John Negley, vice president of the Florida Hospital West Florida Region Foundation, looked dapper on stage in his Scottish
kilt. Bonnie Lambert was chair, Louise Fischer was vice-chair, and Penny and Jeff Vinik were honorary chairs of the benefit,
which featured a reception, dinner and auction, plus special entertainment by Kevin Costner & Modern West. The Gala’s
proceeds will help Florida Hospitals purchase necessary equipment and access additional resources and clinical staff.
MATT NASSIF/JOE PHOTO TAMPA
Committee member Marilyn McPhail enjoyed
the evening’s entertainment by actor, director
and singer/songwriter Kevin Costner and
Modern West, his five-piece band.
Garla Johnson and her husband Joe, who is
the CEO of Florida Hospital Carrollwood,
were pleased to see so many familiar and
new faces at the Gala fundraiser.
Jeff and Penny Vinik were the honorary
chairs of the Gala they helped sponsor to
benefit Florida Hospital, his Tampa Bay
Lightning’s official healthcare provider.
Louise Fischer, the Starlight Gala planning
committee’s vice-chair, and Bonnie Lambert,
who served as its chair, were glad that the
benefit’s auctions went so well.
ABC Action News co-anchor Wendy Ryan,
who served as the benefit’s emcee and live
auctioneer, attended with her husband,
television and video personality
Jerome Ritchey.
Attorney Brad Culpepper, a former
Tampa Bay Buccaneer, who assisted with the
live auction, attended with his wife Monica,
who competed on television’s Survivor.
166 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016