Captured Event

November, 07 2008 - Keogh Health Foundation's First Friday Gala

Where: Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa

When: November 7, 2008

Time: 5:30 PM

Ticket Prices: Individual Seats - $300, Junior Contributor - $300 a couple (under age 35)

Beneficiary: Keogh Health Foundation

Host(s): BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona

Founders: Karlene Keogh Parks

Co-Chair(s): Gail Damico and Judie Beach

Executive Director: Allen Gjersvig

Welcome: Glen Padula, Keogh Health Foundation Board Chair

Entertainment: AZ Youth Piano Competition Gold Medalists - Katrina Jia, Elizabeth Sun, David Chou

Of note: Richard Boals, president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, presented checks to each of the Gold Medal winners/Dr. Peggy Rostron, director AZ Youth Piano Competition presented flowers.

Sponsors: TITLE: BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona; SPIRIT OF HOPE & HEALTH: Judie & Bill Beach, HealthNet, The Keogh Company, Steinway of Phoenix; LEADERSHIP HOPE & HEALTH: Schaller Anderson, CIGNA, Osborn Maledon, Ewing Irrigation, Dedicated Clinical Research & Integrated Medical Services, Greenberg Traurig, Humana of Arizona, United HealthCare & AZ Physicians IPA, United Technical Institute (UTI); HOPE & HEALTH: Care 1st Health Plan, Health Choice Arizona, HealthNet of Arizona Sojourn Care, Northsaide Hay, Phoenix Health Plan, St. Joseph's Hospital

Menu: SALAD: Goat cheese phyllo purse, lolla rossa, frisee & micro rainbow intensity greens, berry compote on brioche crostini w berry vinaigrette; ENTREE: Deconstructed beef wellington enhanced w pinot noir glace and bearnaise sauce, pesto roasted halibut w apricot glaze, truffle potato hash, asparagus, sugar glazed carrots and overnight tomatoes; DESSERT: Lemon pavolva martini, rasberry sauce, lemon curd and crumbled meringue, fresh raspberries and blueberries, Osborn Maledon white chocolate garnish

Attendance: 300

Attire: Business

Florist: White House Design Studio and Florist

Information: Allen Gjersvig - 602-424-2505

Event Coordinator: Claudia Maldonado (program manager)

Board of Directors: Steve Arkin, Judith Beach, Peggy Bilsten, Frank J. Benedetto, Michael E. Clark, Gail Damico, Benton V. Davis, Judith Engelman, MD, Janice Ertl, Jacqueline Forsythe, Marisue Garganta, Lisa Glow, Debbie Hill, Karlene Keogh, Lionel Lyons, Jeff Montag, Glen Padula, Carolyn Rose, Jay T. Roundy, Brian Schulman, Stella Xenakis, Susan York

Steering Committee: Judie Beach, Arizona Youth Piano Competition Committee Chair and Keogh Health Foundation Board Member; Peggy Rostron, DMA, Arizona Youth Piano Competition Director

Blacktie Photos by: Shawn Reed

Marisue Garganta (board member), Karlene Keogh (founder), Judie Beach (executive committee)
View all photos

Keogh Health Foundation's First Friday Gala

By Myra Richman

On Friday, November 7, 2008, First Friday Gala, benefiting the work of the Keogh Health Foundation, provided guests an elegant evening with outstanding entertainment from three gold medal winning piano students at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa.

Sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Arizona, First Friday Gala was a celebration of kids – helping kids. Beginning with cocktails and dinner, guests were treated to a piano concert by the three remarkable award-winning young gold medalists.  The standing ovations were well deserved.  Volunteer leadership for the fourth First Friday Gala was provided by two key board members.  Gail Damico, a sales executive recently retired from BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, and Judie Beach, community volunteer, coordinated the event for a second year.

The Keogh Health Foundation (KHF) was organized in 2003 by Karlene Keogh and her late husband, to help Arizona’s vulnerable population find affordable healthcare during times of personal crisis. They focus on low-income women and their children who are participating in programs to achieve self sufficiency. KHF has assisted more than 72,000 low-income Arizonans with access to healthcare.  KHF pre-qualifies individuals and families through face-to-face meetings for eligibility in public health programs, using One-E-App, an online application system. KHF does not duplicate services, they complement existing community groups, schools, and churches by extending their outreach efforts. 

KHF sponsors the very competitive Arizona Youth Piano Competition (AYPC). In just three years AYPC has become one of the top competitions for talented and serious piano students. Out of state university level piano professors judge students in three age divisions from 10 years to 18 year of age.  The two-day competition was held at Steinway of Phoenix in October.

For more information contact Allen Gjersvig, 602-424-2505 or visit www.KeoghHealthFoundation.org.