Touro Infirmary Foundation holding in-person honors, gala events

This year, the Touro Infirmary Foundation is returning to live events for the Judah Touro Society Award presentation and gala, but to limit the number of guests at one time in the age of Covid, the two events are being separated.

The award event will be held on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Audubon Tea Room, honoring Fr. Doug Brougher. The evening includes a seated dinner, music and the award presentation.

On Dec. 9, the gala will be done as a casino night, also at the Audubon Tea Room, with a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Both events benefit the new Breast Care Center at Touro, which was announced at the Pampered and Pink event on Oct. 14. The center will not only provide the region with a state-of-the-art facility with advanced treatment options for breast cancer, but will bring a Breast Cancer Center of Excellence to a community in need.

The Napoleon Imaging Center will be transformed into the new center, boosted by a $3 million campaign chaired by Phyllis Alltmont.

A New Orleans native, Brougher is being honored for almost 60 years of ministry. He studied in Rome as Vatican II was taking place, and was ordained in December 1962.

In New Orleans, he has served numerous congregations, most recently Good Shepherd Parish.

He began the chaplaincy program at Touro Infirmary 35 years ago, working solo for 15 years before being joined by a second chaplain. While working with those of all faiths, he also started the Eucharistic ministry program, which now has almost 20 volunteers serving the Eucharist to Catholic patients six days a week.

Tickets to the casino night start at $150, or $250 per couple. The awards gala is $200 per person.

Higher levels are available at $1,500 for the Judah Touro Society and $2,000 for the Bensadon Physicians Giving Society, which will include two tickets to each event.