New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) to Honor The Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, and Dr. Bruce Siegel, M.D., M.P.H. at STAT! For New York City's Public Hospitals! Annual Gala

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The STAT! For New York City's Public Hospitals! Gala Benefit will be held in the atrium of Bellevue Hospital on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m.  Designed to raise awareness in support of New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation's (HHC) mission to promote the health and welfare of the people of the City of New York, the Gala also celebrates HHC's 35,000 staff members and the many and diverse communities served by HHC.  

This year's honorees are The Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, a community outreach program that brings the joy of the classical circus to hospitalized children at pediatric facilities; famed music producer, visual artist, and philanthropic activist Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean; and Dr. Bruce Siegel, M.D., M.P.H. Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.

Presenters include former Today Show host Meredith Vieira and Alan Aviles, President and CEO of The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.  

The co-hosts for the star-studded affair are Dr. Bob Lee (WBLS) and Lynda Baquero (NBC) with musical performances by Tony Award-winner Melba Moore and the M27 Latin-All Stars featuring Grammy-winner and Latin Grammy-nominee Dave Valentin and Latin Grammy nominee "Chembo" Corniel, paying homage to the legendary jazz world artist "Matchwagon" Hilton Ruiz.

The STAT! For New York City's Public Hospitals! Gala Benefit will be the official launch of a series of music and entertainment events benefitting public healthcare facilities throughout New York City. The official press conference detailing the week's activities will be held October 5, 2011.    

Tickets to STAT! 2011 Gala Benefit and events are available at http://www.stathhc.org/gala.html or by calling 646-458-2815.  

About HHC

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 480,000 member health plan, MetroPlus, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year of whom more than 450,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health, and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission's John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.

Contact:  
Susan Jacobs, STAT! Producer, 646-458-2814 / 917-626-5999
Angela Mack Axiom 257 Group:  212-380-8042
HHC Press office: 212.788.3339

SOURCE New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation