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





















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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.


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


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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.