Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Volunteers shine at American Heart Association dinner

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 1, 1998 | 10:31 a.m.

LONG-STEMMED RED ROSES were presented to guests arriving at the recent American Heart Association volunteer awards dinner. Jointly presented by the Las Vegas Valley, North Las Vegas and Henderson/Green Valley chapters, the evening affair was a gracious gathering at Ellis Island casino. Welcoming the crowd was the resort's executive vice president Karen Dorsey with Michael Rainone, newly appointed director of food and beverage, who jointly assisted in the planning of the evening, a new venture for Ellis Island.

During the hosted social hour preceding dinner, guests toured the room to view displays explaining the Heart Association's many health-care offerings and fund-raisers. Photos of past years' volunteers in action and the opportunity to sign up were provided at the displays for the golf tournament, American Heart Walk, Women and Heart Disease Conference and the Multi-Cultural Heart Disease Workshop, to name just a few. Mingling in the crowd and explaining their own commitments to the Heart Association were underwriters for this volunteer dinner, among them Roger and Sandy Peltyn, George Maalouf, Simon Keith, Jim Zeiter, John Zelling, Roger Croke, Jon Jannotta, Vince Leist and Randy Campanale.

Recognized during the evening's program for their stellar efforts were Heart Award recipients Jon Tullis, KVVU-TV 5, Vonne Chowning, DRGM Advertising, Decatur Int'l Minute Press, Cheryl Winnemore, Southwest Printers and Gainer Oliver. Also in the spotlight were new Las Vegas Valley Division board members Lynn Kohler, Richard Peters, Dr. Jay Johnson, Scott Larsen, Dr. James Mock and Stuart Mandelbaum. President Dr. Robert Wiencek Jr., of Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, will serve as president for the Las Vegas Valley Division in the coming year with fellow officers Chairman Martin Greenbaum, of Creative Dynamics, and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Gregory Uhl, of Cardiovascular Center of Southern Nevada.

Recognized with a special American Heart Association Service to Community award was Dr. Leo Spaccavento, outgoing president and six-term board member of the Las Vegas Valley Chapter. Spaccavento and his wife Sandy, along with Roger and Sandy Peltyn, co-chaired the annual Heart of Gold Ball earlier this year. Joining in the applause was fellow cardiologist Dr. Berge Dadourian who was recently awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" award for the AHA's Western States Affiliate. Dadourian, a representative delegate for Southern Nevada, reported on research progress and national health issues covered at the recent Western States conference.

Ride wraps up

Known for his lovable role as Cliff Clavin on "Cheers," John Ratzenberger spent the last several weeks going the extra mile for diabetes research. Starting out on Father's Day, June 21, he and other riders mounted their Harley-Davidson motorcycles for the start of the 1998 Harley-Davidson Cafe Big Ride for a Cure, a cross-country motorcycle ride to raise money for the Ratzenberger Diabetes Research Fund Inc., and the American Diabetes Foundation.

The ride began at the Harley-Davidson Cafe in New York City and concludes this Saturday, July 4, at the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson Cafe, on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue. Celebrities from television, film and sports will be present at the public welcoming party slated for 11 a.m. A celebrity-packed evening affair is by ticket only. The 8-11 p.m. party inside the Harley-Davidson Cafe is priced at $35 per person, with proceeds to benefit diabetes research. Refreshments, a live auction, giveaways, music, videos of the national ride and special celebrity appearances have been planned. Contact American Diabetes at 369-9995 for reservations.

Welcome home

Early-morning festivities recognizing instrumental supporters and members of the press were held Monday at the Las Vegas Ronald McDonald House. Orchestrated by publicist Laura Herlovich, owner of PR Plus, and her able staff, the media breakfast and first-look tour were attended by David Madsen, Lisa Amerson, Mary McDonald, Cindy Schloss, Latoschka Smith, Millie Woods and Lisa Poe. Ronald McDonald House's Executive Director Emma Addis was just one of the staffers and volunteers who explained that this shining structure is intended to serve as a home away from home for families of seriously ill children. As these families cope with the illness of a child, this haven is provided to bring some measure of comfort and joy, and ease the difficult times. The Las Vegas Ronald McDonald House, situated on a quiet block off West Sahara Avenue, not far from Decatur Boulevard, is designed to host 12 families, providing both communal areas and quiet spots for rest and retreat.

Over a dozen years in the planning, the project has been a lengthy commitment for many community volunteers. Nancy Gasho, former organization president and past president of Junior League, was a charter member of the group, helping it take root first as a Junior League effort and later transitioning to an independent effort. Fellow veterans of the struggle to see Las Vegas join 190 other cities in offering a compassionate shelter for families and children are CPA Sharon McNair and Dr. Kathy Mahon. A strong and supportive presence from the beginning, the owner-operators of Southern Nevada McDonald's restaurants have been generous benefactors and are well represented on the 1998 Executive Committee by Tim Anderson, field services manager for McDonald's Corp.

Incoming President Jacqueline Taylor, chief administrative officer for University Medical Center who will be installed this week, explained much of the building's successful completion can be attributed to Vice President for Development Ernie Becker Jr., who took a strong leadership role in design and construction of the 12,500-square-foot "home that love built." Keeping costs down were generous gifts in-kind and direct donations used for building materials, as well as interior items including the grand piano provided by the Las Vegas Rotary Club.

Taking on the sponsorship of entire rooms and wings were corporate leaders, among them the Mirage Resorts, Boyd Gaming, Bennett Foundation and Southwest Airlines. Enjoying the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and speeches were Roz Santangelo of Southwest Airlines, Jane Fielden, Priscilla Scalley, Bette Conn, Julie Samuelson, Rose McKinney James, Eva Thomas, Landra Reid and Susan Peterson representing Gov. Bob Miller.

Opening to their first family in residence on Tuesday, the Las Vegas Ronald McDonald House continues to need the support of many in Southern Nevada. Distributed at the open house were a number of "wish lists" covering many needs including staples and bulk food for the pantry, household and personal-needs products, kitchen and laundry items and a host of office materials. Individual donors, churches and civic organizations are asked to call 252-HOME (4663) for details on how to volunteer.

Physician honored

Welcoming ceremonies were recently held to honor Dr. Edith Marley, Nevada's first and only dedicated pediatric pathologist. One of only 192 certified pediatric pathologists in the country, Dr. Marley will be on staff at Sunrise Children's Hospital. Mitch Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, in his remarks commented, "Pediatric pathology, as with other pediatric disciplines, is a specialty. Now the community will benefit with someone dedicated to this field." This area of pathology includes determining whether tissue samples taken from a child during a biopsy are benign, malignant or a developmental flaw. This process typically begins when a child is referred from a pediatrician to a surgeon or oncologist. Dr. Marley did her antamic and clinical pathology residency at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.