TMC Gala: A record-setting night to remember

Glimmering lights, sparkling gowns and dynamic tunes filled the grand ballroom of the Westin La Paloma for the 2022 TMC Gala on Nov. 19.

As guests arrived, they were transported to Broadway with a giant marquee, a 42nd Street sign, entertainers and New York City street food. Guests knew they were in for a special evening of celebration and wonder, as they supported the TMC CardioVascular Center.

Attendees were lavishly dressed and beautiful, of course, but the true star of the evening was their amazing generosity — between ticket/table purchases and the live-paddle raise, more than $600,000 was collected to help TMC expand its cardiovascular program.

“It was great to see more than 800 people in attendance at the TMC Gala. We certainly are very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support we receive from the people of Tucson and Southern Arizona,” said Donal Drayne, chairman of the TMC Health Foundation Board of Trustees.

Honorary chairs in the spotlight

Dr. Gulshan and Neelam Sethi served as the gala’s honorary chairs, giving back together to their community hospital and encouraging others to do the same. With proceeds benefitting the TMC CardioVascular Center, it was a lovely way to bookend Dr. Sethi’s half-century career as a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Dr. Sethi can be proud of the accomplishments he achieved during his time as a surgeon. He performed the first lung transplant in Arizona, started a heart surgery program at the Tucson VA Hospital, published more than 220 scientific papers, educated hundreds of residents and fellows, and worked with numerous medical students.

He also started the TMC CardioVascular Symposium and played an important role in the development of many other programs including the TMC Structural Heart Program.

While Dr. Sethi fixed hearts and lungs, his wife Neelam was equally busy bringing the community together with events such as F.A.M.E., the Family Arts and Music Experience at the Children’s Museum Tucson, Bollywood at the Fox, as well as participating in several other charitable nonprofit organizations, including the Junior League and Angel Charity.

Center stage

The TMC CardioVascular Center takes center stage when it comes to caring for patients. Each year, the center cares for more than 6,500 cardiology patients and more than 1,000 structural heart patients. The center is a top- enrolling site globally for major clinical trials for new device technology, and is in the top five in the nation for performing procedures such as Mitraclip, TAVR and Watchman — all of which treat conditions that involve the structure of the heart — its walls, valves or chambers.

“What it comes down to is putting the patient first,” said Dr. Thomas Waggoner, director of the Structural Heart Program and Fellowship at Tucson Medical Center. “If you do that, everything else falls in line.”

Curtain call

The evening’s events included a live-ask paddle raise with auctioneer Bobby D. Elhert. His enthusiasm and passion energized participants who raised their paddles and the auction’s total. Following the final remarks, the house lights dimmed and the party lights came on for everyone to dance to the lively beat of the LA ALLSTARS. As the evening ended, and the Broadway lights went dark, the crowd could leave knowing it was they who were the true stars with their generosity exceeding all expectations.