LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2014 — The USC Institute of Urology honored Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league baseball franchise, with the Louis Zamperini Courage Award at its annual “Changing Lives and Creating Cures” gala, Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, raising more than $2 million. Host Jackie Watson was on the red carpet sharing secrets and chatting with the attendees at this amazing event for a great cause.
The event hosts included C. L. Max Nikias, president of the University of Southern California (USC); Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., MBA, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC; Jeff Small, president and COO of DreamWorks Studios; and Inderbir S. Gill, M.D, executive director of the USC Institute of Urology. The evening’s presenting sponsors, Tom and Holly Gores with Platinum Equity, were joined by Tina and Rick Caruso and Randy and Ken Kendrick as honorary co-chairs.
Puliafito welcomed over 600 guests before introducing the evening’s emcee, “Saturday Night Live” alum Joe Piscopo, providing some lively quips before turning the show over to Gill, who thanked the many supporters and shared a video celebrating department highlights and recognizing staff.
Jay Leno’s stand-up comedy monologue was greeted with non-stop laughter, and nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow, performed her chart-topping songs “All I Wanna Do” and “Every Day is a Winding Road.”
DreamWorks’ Jeff Small, Puliafito and Gill joined Luke Zamperini, the son of Louis Zamperini, the famous USC alumnus, U.S. Olympian, World War II P.O.W. survivor and prostate cancer patient of the USC Institute of Urology, to present Derrick Hall with the award named in honor of his father.
“Derrick faced his greatest personal challenge when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. When he immediately began encouraging other men to get tested after age 40, he showcased the courage and resilience that exemplifies the spirit of Louis Zamperini and this award,” said Gill.
ABOUT THE USC INSTITUTE OF UROLOGY
Part of Keck Medicine of USC, the USC Institute of Urology is comprised of over 65 passionate and skilled members and fellows under the direction of its founder, professor and chair, Inderbir Gill, M.D. As international leaders in advanced robotic and open surgery for urological cancers, the USC Institute of Urology remains committed to world-class urologic care. For more information, visit urology.keckmedicine.org.
