Riverside Healthcare is turning its annual gala into a fundraising push for expanded mental-health care: proceeds from the Heart Ball on Saturday, March 7 will support a new behavioral health unit planned for the second floor of Riverside Medical Center. The move comes as local providers report growing demand for inpatient and outpatient mental-health services.
The Heart Ball begins at 5 p.m. at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive in Tinley Park, and organizers say the evening will combine a formal dinner with dancing and community fundraising activities under the “Roaring Riverside” theme.
Riverside’s communications vice president, Matt McBurnie, described the event as a targeted effort to channel philanthropic dollars into areas of highest need. He emphasized that donations routed through the hospital’s foundation will be earmarked for the behavioral health expansion and related improvements in patient care.
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Who is supporting the effort
For the first time in the gala’s history, organizers have secured two Diamond-level backers, each pledging $50,000 toward the project. One contribution comes from a team of Riverside physicians; the other is a gift from Midwestern University, which supplies residents and fellows who train at Riverside.
- Diamond sponsor — Riverside physicians: Dr. Juan Jimenez (neurosurgery), Dr. Didi Omiyi (orthopedics), Dr. Shaud Ahmed (interventional radiology) and Dr. Shamit Desai (interventional radiology)
- Diamond sponsor — Midwestern University: the hospital’s academic partner providing medical trainees
- Event theme: “Roaring Riverside” (biennial gala)
- Date & time: Saturday, March 7; 5 p.m.
- Venue: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park
Riverside’s president and CEO, Phil Kambic, thanked local donors and longstanding community supporters, saying their gifts will help the hospital broaden access to behavioral health care. Hospital leaders framed the fundraising as a step toward meeting persistent community needs rather than an isolated upgrade.
The foundation will manage contributions and ensure they are directed to the expansion project. For event details and a full list of sponsors, Riverside directs readers to its Heart Ball page; information about the foundation and how to contribute is also available on the hospital’s site.
More information: riversidehealthcare.org/heartball • riversidehealthcare.org/foundation
