12th Annual Jefferson Gala

Paul Anka was a surprise guest last night at the 12th Annual Jefferson Gala at the Marriott Downtown, which honored Sidney Kimmel. At one point, Anka brought Kimmel on stage, and they sang a duet to the tune of “My Way,” but with the words changed to reflect Kimmel’s generosity and his love for his wife, Caroline.

The evening started off with a cocktail party, where smartly dressed guests enjoyed catching up with old friends and thanking the Kimmels for their generous $110 million donation to Thomas Jefferson University, which will rename its medical school the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. A record 950 guests — who raised a record $1.2 million — dined on autumn salad and mushroom stuffed chicken before the program started with 6ABC’s Jim Gardner acting as master of ceremonies.

Caroline Kimmel, who looked stunning in Alexander McQueen, spoke about her husband, calling him a renaissance man who would always consider Philadelphia his home: It’s where he grew up, where they met, and where many of their good friends live.

Dr. Stephen K. Klasko welcomed the guests and thanked the Kimmels for their largesse; Klasko promised to deliver maximum return on the investment with the same class and integrity that the donation was given. He said it would allow them to continue to re-imagine the possibilities for Jefferson, and make a difference in many people’s lives.

Finally Sidney Kimmel spoke to the crowd, telling them how his grandparents were the first in his family to seek care at Jefferson Hospital, and even then it was the best care, with a lot of consideration. He thanked them for the honor, and said this honor really belongs to his wife, his great love, Caroline Kimmel, who gives him joy with her unending positive outlook on life, it was she who encourages him to spread joy all around.

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Bette Anne and Emil DeJohn.

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From left: Sidney and Caroline Kimmel with Dr. Doris Day and Dr. Michael Ghalili.

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From left: Medical students Brian Blazovic, Ramzy Nagle, and Karin Shafir took the night off of studying to attend the 12th Annual Jefferson Gala.

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From left: Elise Pizzi, Marcia and Ron Rubin, and Charles Pizzi.

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Jane and Leonard Korman.

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From left: Ira Lubert, Amy Klupp and Richard Green.

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From left: Hillary and Philip Nimoityn, MD and Kenny and Lisa Brownstein. (Lisa wants you to know that the 27th Anniversary Linda Creed Luncheon , Decembe 6th, is coming up. This year they're having a shopping boutique before the luncheon.)

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From left: Sharon Pinkenson (wearing vintage Norma Kamal), Joe Weiss, and Donna Livingston.

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From left: Janet Binswanger and Linda Berman, co-owner of Children's Boutique (which just moved from Walnut Street and can be found at the Shops of Liberty at 1625 Chestnut Street).

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From left: Dr. Guy Fried, chief medical officer (CMO) of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital (who was just honored Saturday night at the Stroke Council of Delaware Valley with the Lifetime Achievement Award), Karen Fried and Debbie Zelman.

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Jerry Blavat

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Dr. Richard Pestell and Dorin Levy.

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Jim and Amy Gardner.

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Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health System, and Colleen Wyse, vice president strategic initiatives at Visit Philadelphia.

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Legendary singer Paul Anka (left) surprised the crowd when he appeared on stage. He reworked the lyrics to Frank Sinatra's "My Way" to speak to Sidney Kimmel's (right) generosity, as Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, MD (center) looks on.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.