SB Cottage Health’s 23rd Tiara Ball Elegance

The SB Cottage Health’s 23^rd Annual Tiara Ball took place at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday, March 7. This elegant, bejeweled gala is ticketed out a year in advance to over 500 lucky guests. Noted this year was the super high energy and warmth from the attendees who came dressed to impress in gowns from Paris paired with Jimmy Choo’s and men sporting tuxes or Armani formal suits. Fresh flowers were everywhere. The grand ballroom was decorated with two full walls of video feed, white marble tables on each side paired with round tables around the dance floor, topped with delicate votive candles and flower centerpieces. 

This five-star ball has every reason to celebrate the successes of SB Cottage Health for its continued advancements in health care science and innovation, updates to its services, and accumulating awards, including last year’s Top Teaching Hospital recognition by a nationally recognized watchdog org. Per my request for their remarks, Cottage Health Board of Directors Chair Eric Seale, said, “This event is a powerful reminder that exceptional pediatric care is a community effort. The generosity shown at the Tiara Ball allows Cottage Children’s Medical Center to expand services, elevate clinical excellence, and ensure that every child receives compassionate, worldclass care.” Scott Wester, president and CEO of Cottage Health added, “Philanthropy from the Tiara Ball helps ensure we’re always ready to support children in our community, no matter what they’re facing, from sudden medical emergencies to complex diagnoses or long-term specialized care. Your generosity makes it possible for us to invest in dedicated staff, leading-edge tools, and innovative treatments that give every child the best chance to heal.”

I arrived early to coordinate my top priority photographs of Wester, Seale, and the Tiara Ball committee, along with a lovely photograph of Seale and his wife, scientist Sandy Seale PhD, Dr. Miriam Parsa, MD, Chief Pediatric Medical Officer of Cottage Children’s Medical Center, and VIPs. 

The event Co-chairs, Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich, shared with me about the importance of the ball’s funding: “The Party of the Year is a night to celebrate the extraordinary Cottage caregivers whose compassion and skill make these bright futures possible for our youngest patients. Every day, our caregivers bring hope to families facing their most difficult moments. We are honored to support Cottage Children’s Medical Center alongside those attending tonight’s gala to help ensure that this remarkable resource continues to be a place where healing begins and that no child faces illness alone – and that every family feels the embrace of a caring community.”

Hambleton and Iscovich’s Tiara Ball committee were Gina Andrews, Katy Bazylewicz, Andrew Brown, Sharon Jordano, Allison LaBarge, Mari McAlister, Sue Neuman, Alex Nourse, Cathy Quijano, Betsy Turner, Mary Werft, Nicole Wester, and Margaret Wilkinson.

The ball began with a champagne and cocktail reception and professional photo ops at the “sweep.” Dinner remarks were made by Wester, and co-chairs, Seale and Dr. Parsa. State Street Ballet gave a brief performance. A video about a patient receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was shown. Guests were invited to support pediatric care through The Giving Sea. 

Noted guests included Surgery Residency Program Director Dr. Jeff Gauvin with the SBCH surgical residents who are sponsored annually to attend the ball by camera shy “Mama Bear” Linda Yawitz; Scott Wester, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cottage Health and his wife Nicole Wester; Lisa Moore, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cottage Health; Dr. Dina Alsowayel and Architect Tony Chase of Houston, Texas with SBMA Board Chair Michael C. Linn and wife Carol Linn; Westmont College President Dr. Gayle D. Beebe and wife Pamela with Supervisor Roy Lee and Jeanette Gumber RN BS; Jennifer and Kris Zacharias; Jerry and Geraldine Bidwell, Ronna Hitchcock Hoffman, David and Anna Grotenhuis; Tom and Deborah Loeb; Patrick McAlister; Kay McMillan; and Cottage Health Board officers and members. 

As we go to press, I am informed that the Tiara Ball raised over $810,000 in support of the Cottage Children’s Medical Center. The top sponsors of the 2026 Tiara Ball are Ben and Naomi Bollag, Chivaroli & Associates Insurance Services, Jeff and Sharon Jordano, Jordano’s, the Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.  

Till next week! Xx, JAC