To honor graduates of its Nursing Scholars Program, Baptist Hospital of Miami hosted celebrations at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove and the Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club. The cocktail and dinner event at the Yacht Club was a fund-raiser to benefit the nursing program. The second event, which followed at the end of the month at the Rod & Reel Club, was to congratulate and celebrate the advancement of the scholars' future careers in the field of nursing. Lori Elsbree, executive event planner for Baptist, employed the talent of Strike A Pose production company and together they conceived and carried out two colorful, commemorative occasions.
Enhancing the title of the "Framing the Future of Nursing" benefit dinner on April 14, at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, Elsbree carried a frame motif throughout the main rooms using picture frames—which showcased pictures of the graduates in their hospital uniforms—as décor. To get to the bar area on the veranda for cocktail hour, guests—including current students, graduates, C.E.O.'s of Baptist Health and corporate sponsors—walked through a doorway decorated with an elaborate gilt frame. With sailboats, tropical landscaping and the sunset in the background, the group sipped "Nurse's Nectar"—a concoction the bar staff created—and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres. After the social hour, guests entered the main dining room, where Diamonette Party Rentals' tables and chairs were dressed in shimmering tangerine and fushia-colored fabric supplied by Gables Linens. Topping the tables were coordinating orange and pink floral arrangements by Jeren Foliage, intermixed with faux butterflies, candles and more picture frames. During dinner and dessert, Kim Bankston entertained the diners with contemporary and jazz music. Wrapping up the festivities were goodie-filled baskets created by Basketworks, which were raffled off to the crowd.
Two weeks later, on April 30, the fifth graduating class of Miami Dade College and Baptist Health Nursing Scholars convened at the Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club, a historic 1929 waterfront fishing club facility and banquet hall on Hibiscus Island. Once again, Elsbree impressed guests with her vision of a vibrant garden, which was also executed by Strike A Pose productions. The lime green and yellow color scheme for the "Sunny Side Up" theme was enhanced by additional décor—blooming topiaries, sunflower bouquets and potted grass centerpieces bursting with flowers—by Hirni's Florist. Tables and chairs were draped by Gables Linens, and at each place setting was a gift bag with cookies shaped like flowers peeking over the top. Once dinner wound down, Pisces entertainment kept the crowd on the dance floor until the end of the night.
—Jose Gomez
