UNMC raises nearly $10,000 at Night of a Thousand Stars party

Hosts of the UNMC pre-party at Pauli’s Blueroom included, from left, Ketih Swarts, Jayme Nekuda, Dr. Miguel Madariaga, Paul Griego, Karen Griego, Dr. Sue Swindells and Mike McGlade.

Some of the attendees at the UNMC pre-party included, from left, Nekuda, James Thorson, Judy Thorson, Dr. Swindells and Dr. Audrey Paulman.

Attendees at the UNMC pre-party included, from left, Courtney Fletcher, Pharm.D., Jean Fletcher, Dr. Alan Langnas and Susan Langnas.

Nearly $10,000 was raised this year at UNMC’s “Night of a Thousand Stars” party held at Pauli’s Blueroom on Dec. 6. The event was attended by 115 people with proceeds going toward the Nebraska AIDS Project.

“It was a great turnout,” said Dr. Susan Swindells, medical director of the UNMC HIV Clinic and one of the nine co-sponsors of the event. “UNMC is the place to go for HIV/AIDS patients. So, I think it’s important that we show how supportive we are of the Nebraska AIDS Project and the great work being done there. This is a terrific event every year, and it’s something the entire city gets behind.”

Dr. Swindells noted that proceeds from this year’s UNMC party exceeded last year’s party by more than $2,000.

Following the party at Pauli’s, attendees headed to the Holiday Inn, 72nd and Grover streets, for the citywide gala. The theme for this year’s event was “Bewitched, Bedazzled & Be Dancin.'” An estimated 1,800 people attended the citywide gala, which featured hors d’oeuvres and desserts and music from Session 7, one of Omaha’s hottest musical groups.

Approximately, 30 pre-parties were held around the city this year prior to the citywide gala. An estimated $140,000 was raised for NAP through the various parties.

This marked the 16th year for the Night of a Thousand Stars Gala and the fourth consecutive year the UNMC pre-party was held at Pauli’s Blueroom Lounge, 4016 Leavenworth St.

The UNMC pre-party was hosted by:

• Miguel Madariaga, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases;
  
• Ziba Jalali, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases;
  
• Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., medical director of the UNMC HIV Clinic, and the UNMC HIV Team;
  
• Keith Swarts, UNMC’s director of business services;
  
• Mike McGlade, senior associate dean for administration and director of finance, UNMC College of Medicine;
  
• Jayme Nekuda, UNMC’s director of benefits and worklife services; and
  
• brothers Chris and Paul Griego and Paul’s wife, Karen, representing Pauli’s Blueroom.