"Sample, Savor and Support" Event Raises More Than $48,000 for Pediatric Orthopaedic Research

On Friday, April 27, more than 125 guests enjoyed gourmet tastings and libation pairings from notable New York City restaurants Spina, Ponty Bistro and The Player's Club to help raise vital funds for Pediatric Orthopaedic Research at Columbia University Medical Center.

Guests strolled through the dining room of the legendary Player's Club, delighting in a new cuisine every half hour, as well as the more than 60 wines from the many sampling stations.

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The event, which also featured live piano music and a silent auction of more than 50 gifts ranging from gourmet gift baskets to hot air balloon rides, brought together patient parents, medical staff and NYC-area "foodies" to help children with musculoskeletal disorders.

Andrea Ferrante, parent of a four-year-old diagnosed with severe scoliosis and kyophosis who has been a patient since 2009 addressed the crowd (to read a copy of her speech, please click here). Her words echoed the feelings of the other patient parents in attendance. "To me and my husband, the word without a doubt that best describes or summarizes the Columbia Orthopaedic Group is "hope." The staff is great, Dr. Vitale is wonderful, and Dr. Roye's passionate leadership and direction is obvious. I'd like to say thank you to all the doctors and entire staff for their dedication to children seen both in the operating room and through their research. Thank you for providing hope for so many of us here tonight, said Ms. Ferrante.

"Through the wonderful support we received we were able to raise funds that will go directly to helping children with orthopaedic concerns lead pain-free, mobile lives," said Dr. David P. Roye, Jr., Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. "These events allow us carry on our mission to find innovative treatments for these kids."

Pediatric Orthopaedic Research at Columbia University Medical Center supports the tremendous work performed by our internationally-acclaimed surgeons who are advancing the treatment of children with orthopaedic problems. There are thirty-four studies currently in progress, including research in spinal deformities, hip disease and scoliosis. The results of past studies have lead to clinical breakthroughs and improvements in the quality of children's lives here in New York — and throughout the world.

For more information about the Pediatric Orthopaedic Research and the Pediatric Orthopaedics Division at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, please visit www.childrensorthopaedics.com.