An Inaugural Tribute Honoring Extraordinary Donors

Eisenhower Medical Center is known for being first in many areas areas related to patient care, but recently, Eisenhower celebrated a first of a different sort. We gathered together, for the first time, the hospital’s most generous benefactors — those who have donated $1 million or more to the Medical Center. Never before had this extraordinary group been in the same room together with an opportunity to be recognized. These remarkable contributors are members of The Ambassador Society, a name inspired by the magnificent philanthropy of Ambassador Walter and Leonore Annenberg.

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On Monday, February 4, they were honored at the inaugural Ambassador Society dinner at The Vintage Club in Indian Wells. The elegant, black tie event, planned by The Ambassador Society Committee, which included Leonore Annenberg as Honorary Chair, included a special “beam signing” of a 700-pound, 10-foot steel beam — the final steel I-beam connection bridging the original hospital and the new state-of-the-art $212.5 million facility. Ambassador Society members signed the beam — a physical manifestation of the significant impact their unparalleled generosity has made on Eisenhower Medical Center.

Nearly 80 people attended the event. Currently, there are 94 total members of The Ambassador Society, individuals who care deeply about the hospital and who contribute not only financially but also with their time and expertise. As long-standing supporters of Eisenhower, they have taken on the role of moving the vision of the hospital to reality.

The names of Ambassador Society members will be engraved on a customized recognition wall at the main entry to Eisenhower Hospital. The recognition wall is part of a dynamic redesign of the hospital entrance facade; construction of this grand entry is scheduled to begin in January 2009.