Touro Infirmary Foundation hosted its annual gala on Nov. 4 in the River City Ballroom at Mardi Gras World. The theme of this year’s gala was "Road Trip."
This year’s “Road Trip" theme was selected in honor of the 2017 Judah Touro Society (JTS) Award recipient Dr. Thomas Oelsner, who, along with his wife Marilynn, has visited all 48 continental states in their recreational vehicle. Oelsner was recognized during the gala for his decades of service and dedication to healthcare and to Touro Infirmary.
Each year since 1989, the Touro Infirmary Foundation has given this award to celebrate the hard work and dedication of contributors who have gone “above and beyond” in support of Touro Infirmary and its community of patients.
Named for the 19th century philanthropist and founder of Touro Infirmary, the Judah Touro Society is composed of benefactors whose generosity and dedication to the values and mission of Touro Infirmary place them among the hospital’s strongest and most committed supporters.
From 1967 to 2006, Oelsner worked as a member of Touro Infirmary’s medical staff, and is renowned as an excellent and compassionate physician and internist. “No one deserves this year’s JTS Award more than retired physician, Dr. Oelsner,” said Touro Foundation Board Chair Nancy B. Timm. “His compassionate attitude to his patients and commitment to the highest quality healthcare in our community set him apart as a true leader. We are thrilled to name Dr. Oelsner this year’s recipient to recognize his hard work and dedication over the years.”
Throughout his 40 years on the Touro medical staff, Oelsner participated on numerous staff and board committees, including the Medical Executive Committee. As a nephrologist, Oelsner developed the first dialysis unit located in a New Orleans community hospital. The unit has been widely recognized for excellent care of patients with renal failure. He also served as Chief of Nephrology throughout his tenure on the Touro Medical Staff.
During Hurricane Katrina, one of the most critical moments in the history of Touro Infirmary and New Orleans, Oelsner placed the needs of New Orleans and Touro’s patients and staff above his own. He participated in the plan to evacuate the hospital, reopen the hospital, and rebuild its staff.
“I am beyond humbled to receive this year’s JTS Award,” said Oelsner. “Touro Infirmary has always been very near and dear to my heart. To be able to help support this year’s initiative in upgrading the Touro Wellness Center to improve patient access is truly an honor.”
Past JTS Award honorees include individuals such as Stephen Goldring, the inaugural recipient in 1989; Mrs. James Frank, Jr. (1995); Merryl Israel Aron (1997); Robert B. Haspel (2000); Louise L. Levy (2003); Raja W. Dhurandhar, MD (2007); Paul S. Rosenblum (2010); Margaret Epstein (2013); Harris Hyman III, MD and Salvador Caputto, MD (2014); and Stephen H. Kupperman (2016).
Proceeds from this year’s gala support the upgrade of Touro’s Wellness Center, providing a safe, comfortable space for individuals with spinal cord injuries to access life-enhancing technologies.
Proceeds from the event after-party support Touro’s Family Birthing Center, and its rehabilitation therapeutic recreation and emergency medicine departments.
For information about the Touro Infirmary Foundation, visit www.touro.com/foundation.