Honorees Announced for Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation’s 42nd Annual Chrysanthemum Ball

Manahawkin, NJ—The gala committee of the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation has announced the three honorees for 2013 Chrysanthemum Ball. They are Joseph Lattanzi, M.D., of Haven Beach, Angela Ominski of Manahawkin, and Janis Franco of Barnegat. These three outstanding leaders in our community will be honored at the Foundation’s 42nd annual ball on November 2, which promises to be the signature fundraising event of the season. 

Joseph Lattanzi, M.D., will be presented with the Robert S. Irvin, M.D. Award for Medical Service. A board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Lattanzi currently serves as president of the medical staff at Southern Ocean Medical Center. He joined the hospital in 1999 and has served as chairman of the Cancer Committee since 2003. Dr. Lattanziis also a dedicated government official, serving as a commissioner for Long Beach Township.

The James J. Mancini Award for Community Service will be given to Angela Ominski. Ms. Ominski has been part of many fundraising and community leadership efforts. She is a past president of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the Southern Ocean Rotary Club, Angela served as the group’s treasurer for three years. Her fellow Rotarians recognized her contributions by presenting her with the Service Above Self Award. She is currently on the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation board, is co-chairman of the Annual Giving Committee, and has served as the chair of the Journal Committee for the Chrysanthemum Ball for several years.

Janis Franco will be presented with the Zena Josephson Award for Volunteer Service. Ms. Franco works in the Birdcage Gift Shop at Southern Ocean Medical Center and has crocheted and donated many of the baby sweaters, blankets, and scarves that are sold there. She is also a member of the SOCH Auxiliary of the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation. She has volunteered for special events at the Family Resource Center for the past five years, and also volunteers for Foundation events. In 2009, Ms. Franco joined the Southern Ocean Medical Center Auxiliary and became the chairperson of the Hospitality Committee within a year. 

“This year’s honorees are stellar representatives from our community,” says Thomas Dolan, chairperson of Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation. “Each person contributes to the betterment of our community in their own unique way, and we are so pleased to recognize them for their personal efforts and accomplishments.”

This year’s event will feature the Kenny I Orchestra, a community silent gift auction, a live auction, and a 50/50 raffle. Southern Ocean Center Genesis Healthcare will once again serve as the Grand Sponsor of the ball. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ.

This year’s Chrysanthemum Ball will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets are $275 for individuals or $2,500 for a table of 10. For more information, please call Kathleen Cavallo at Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation at 732-751-5138 or email kcavallo@meridianhealth.com. Reservations and raffle tickets may be purchased online at www.MeridianHealthAffiliatedFoundationEvents.com/Ball.

About Southern Ocean Medical Center
Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin is a member of the Meridian Health family, which includes Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and most recently, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel.  

Southern Ocean Medical Center is home to a wide range of clinical services and programs specializing in cardiovascular and stroke care, maternity and women's health, orthopedics and joint health, bariatric surgery, and wellness and prevention programs.  

Part of Meridian Cancer Care, Southern Ocean Medical Center provides comprehensive cancer services, including radiation oncology, surgery, and clinical trials, and is connected to specialized programs and services throughout Meridian Health. For more information, visit SouthernOceanMedicalCenter.com.