UNMC pre-party raises nearly $7,700 for Nebraska AIDS Project

From left: Mike McGlade, John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., and Keith Swarts attend UNMC’s pre-party reception.

Pauli’s — one of Omaha’s hot spots during the College World Series — was once again the place to be on the evening of Dec. 2, as it played host to UNMC’s pre-party for this year’s “Night of a Thousand Stars” event.

More than 150 people turned out for the party, raising nearly $7,700 for the Nebraska AIDS Project.

Attendees were encouraged to “Come as a star or come as you are.” Following the 50 pre-parties around the city, more than 2,500 people converged on the Holiday Inn for the citywide party, which raised nearly $175,000 with additional money still being received.

From left: Dr. Susan Swindells and Walter Brooks.

In light of the “star” theme, this year’s event was entitled “Hollywood at the Holiday.” Anne and Mike Boyle served as chairpersons for the event, while Tuna Fish Jones, a five-piece Lincoln band, provided music.

“It was a great night,” said Keith Swarts, director of business services. “It’s become a tradition for UNMC to have an excellent turnout for its pre-party. We appreciate all the people who came and want to thank Pauli’s for hosting the event in its Blueroom Lounge. It was a unique venue for the party, as there were five TVs in the room tuned to the Huskers’ Big 12 championship game. It created an electric atmosphere.”

From left: Jayme Nekuda and Keith Swarts join Karen and Paul Griego at the “Night of a Thousand Stars” pre-party reception.

Swarts co-hosted the UNMC pre-party along with Dr. Susan Swindells, medical director of the HIV clinic at UNMC and the Terry K. Watanabe Professor of Internal Medicine in the section of infectious diseases, and Mike McGlade, senior associate dean for administration and director of finance for the UNMC College of Medicine. Brothers Paul and Chris Griego, owners of Pauli’s, and Paul’s wife, Karen, served as hosts for Pauli’s.

Pauli’s is located at 4016 Leavenworth St. The Blueroom Lounge is located adjacent to the Pauli’s sports bar in the space formerly occupied for many years by the Pet O’ Mine store.