Holy Cross Health Foundation’s Evening of Gratitude Celebrates More than $20 Million Raised in 2025

 

FORT LAUDERDALE (March 19, 2026) – Since last year’s Evening of Gratitude, Holy Cross Health Foundation raised more than $20 million to fund expansion, renovation, new medical equipment and future projects for Holy Cross Health. To show appreciation to major donors for their contributions and to celebrate this year’s accomplishments, supporters, Holy Cross Health board members and hospital leadership gathered on March 2nd for the 2026 annual Evening of Gratitude dinner at Pier Sixty-Six.

Emeritus Board Member Keith Koenig, a longstanding supporter of Holy Cross for more than three decades, was given the Remarkable Philanthropy Champion Award. The award is presented annually to an exceptional individual—physician, donor, board member or colleague—who demonstrates a significant philanthropic impact through generous contributions or their ability to inspire others to give.

“Holy Cross is a part of my family and part of my life,” said Koenig, Founder and Chairman of CITY Furniture. “From caring for my parents to cancer treatments for my late wife to the birth of my children to wound care for myself, Holy Cross does a remarkable job providing us with quality medical care and goes above and beyond with a compassionate touch that sets them apart. When any of my family or friends need care, we turn to Holy Cross. The health mission mixed with the faith mission makes Holy Cross so much better.”

During the dinner, Laura Denoux, Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Holy Cross Health Foundation, spoke of some of the highlights in 2025 that resulted from the power of philanthropy, including Wanda and Jim Moran, Jr.’s transformational and historic $6.5 million gift for advancements to the Emergency Department that is now named in their honor.

Another monumental achievement in 2025 was the Holy Cross Family Health Center in Oakland Park that opened in June. Funded entirely by philanthropy, the state-of-the-art facility was made possible thanks to multiple donors. The new Holy Cross Community Pharmacy is expected to open this summer with support from a $500,000 grant from The Jim Moran Foundation.

Thanks to an incredible $2 million gift from Jon and Helaine Ayers, combined with additional donor support totaling $3 million, the Jon and Helaine Ayers Rehabilitation Center opened last July, featuring some of the most innovative outpatient physical rehabilitation equipment in Broward County.

“I am incredibly appreciative of our generous donors. Their gifts have impacted the lives of the patients and families we care for,” said Denoux. “From modernizing our facilities to introducing new programs and services, Holy Cross Health is at the forefront of transformation.”

Planned giving was a recurring theme in 2025. Planned gifts help ensure that Holy Cross Health can continue providing compassionate care for generations to come. Individuals who include Holy Cross in their estate plans become members of the new Legacy Society. Planned gifts represent more than financial support. They reflect trust, vision and a belief in Holy Cross Health’s mission.

One of the year’s most significant commitments came from Chuck and Jackie Frasier, whose $5 million planned gift will strengthen the future of cardiovascular care. Additionally, Charlene Bonvissuto recently made a $2 million planned gift to the Cancer Center, and Dr. Jeff Wood and Mark Abate committed a $1 million planned gift. Plus, Didier Moritz made a second $500,000 charitable gift annuity to support future capital improvements across the hospital, bringing his total cumulative giving to over $1 million.

This past year, Holy Cross Health Foundation hosted a series of events, The Holy Cross Golf Tournament, Breast Cancer Awareness Tennis Tournament and Women’s Wellness Brunch, that raised more than $500,000 towards the purchase of new mammography machines at the Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women’s Center.

Alan Guerrieri and the Guerrieri Family Foundation continue to champion Holy Cross Health’s most critical initiatives, directly enhancing patient care and supporting the evolving needs of clinicians. In December, they gave $500,000 in honor of cardiac electrophysiologist Kirubakaran Munuswamy, MD to fund capital improvements and medical equipment at the main campus.

At the Evening of Gratitude, Denoux announced a new $5 million gift from The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation to support Phase 2 of the Operating Room renovation project, bringing their total investment towards the hospital’s surgical suites to $10 million. The generosity of Steve Mehallis and Gordon Latz of The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation helps ensure Holy Cross can attract and retain top surgical talent now and in the future.

Donors also continued to support nursing education and engagement through the Institute for Nursing Excellence, which provides nurses with advanced training, specialty certifications, leadership development, learning and various opportunities to recognize their dedication. These investments, supported entirely by philanthropy, include recent six-figure gifts from Buzz and Ken Czubay and The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

“As a faith based Catholic health system, Holy Cross relies on philanthropic partnerships and investments to advance their mission. I am proud to work alongside an exceptional leadership team and board dedicated to making that vision a reality,” said Pierre Monice, FACHE, President and CEO of Holy Cross Health. “We are investing in the equipment, technology, and clinical and office space needed to secure Holy Cross’ future success and execute the strategic plans that will sustain our growth.”

There are many exciting projects currently in the works at Holy Cross Health, including Free Standing Emergency Departments in Deerfield Beach, set to open in May 2026, and on Sunrise Boulevard, with a projected opening in July 2027; main hospital modernization; renovations and upgrades to operating rooms, electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization labs, pre- and post-op areas, and cardiovascular suites; and new surgical equipment. In support of Holy Cross’ goal of becoming a Comprehensive Stroke Center, new Biplane and Interventional Radiology Suites will provide real-time, dual angle imaging to treat complex brain, neuro and vascular conditions including strokes, aneurysms, tumors and blocked vessels with greater precision, reducing radiation exposure and improving safety.

“Every upgrade, every renovation, every piece of advanced equipment, every new space that opens its doors, all happens because of people who believe in our mission and choose to invest in our future,” said Monice. “Philanthropy makes all of this possible and the path ahead will be shaped by generosity, by vision and by a shared belief that our community deserves nothing less than the best care available.”

Holy Cross Board Chair Rudy Molinet, RN, MPH, FACHE thanked donors, sponsors, fellow board members and the Holy Cross Health Foundation team for their hard work and dedication to the ministry. “Donors make it possible for us to make a meaningful difference in our community and continue the mission of Holy Cross,” he shared. “It’s especially meaningful that this celebration falls during Holy Cross Health’s 70th anniversary year. Since opening our doors in 1955, we’ve been committed to advancing the health of our community, not just through clinical excellence, but through compassion, dignity and a deep respect for every individual we serve.”

While Holy Cross Health’s mission to provide compassionate, patient‑centered care is their guiding light, the Holy Cross Health Foundation team is proud to see this commitment recognized on a national level. One of the significant accolades that Holy Cross received this past year was the Foundation’s receipt of the High Performer designation from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, an honor awarded only to not‑for‑profit health systems ranking in the top 25% for net fundraising revenue in the United States and Canada. Additionally, Holy Cross Health was named a High Performing Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-2026 in the categories of Colon Cancer Surgery, Heart Failure, Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement and Pacemaker Implantation.

Also, Holy Cross Health was named one of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025 by Forbes and Statista, a testament to Holy Cross Health’s exceptional workplace culture. For the second time, Holy Cross Health was designated as a High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index for providing compassionate, quality care within the LGBTQ+ community. Earlier this year, Holy Cross Health was honored to receive the Lotus Recognitionä from the Watson Caring Science Institute (WCSI), an honor given to organizations that demonstrate caring as a consistent, lived practice.

Evening of Gratitude sponsors included BLU by ThriveWell, CITY Furniture, Allegro Fort Lauderdale, FVI School of Nursing, Haven Home Health, MPL Construction, Responsive Home Care, Senior Nannies, Belmont Village, BrightView, Catholic Health Services, DPR Construction, Florida Blue, MDVIP, Miller Construction Company, Rita & Rick Case Automotive Group, TD Bank, Fast Signs, MSA Community Home Health Services and Pierson Grant Public Relations.

Holy Cross Health graciously accepts ongoing donations for all areas of greatest need and specific departments that donors connect with. Visit holy-cross.com/GIVING to learn about ways to give and various funding opportunities.

ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH

A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospital rankings, was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek and selected as a Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals in 2025. Holy Cross has also been designated as a 2025 High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ health care access and Holy Cross Health Foundation is designated as a High Performer from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as the community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also includes Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect with Holy Cross Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.