(Providence, RI) – On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Butler Hospital hosted its annual gala at The Graduate Hotel to support groundbreaking advancements in mental and behavioral healthcare. The funds raised will support the highest needs and priorities, including research and treatment delivered at Butler Hospital’s Brain Research and Interventional Neurotherapeutics (BRaIN) Program, which features cutting-edge clinical care and research initiatives to advance new treatments for depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders.

As the leading provider of mental health and addiction care in Rhode Island, Butler Hospital is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. The donations will help ensure Butler Hospital continues to deliver exceptional care to every individual who seeks its support.

“We are deeply grateful to our community of supporters whose generosity makes our mission possible,” said Mary E. Marran, MS, OT, MBA, president and COO of Butler Hospital. “At Butler Hospital, we strive to provide ready access to behavioral health care, ensuring every individual receives the compassionate, expert support they need to heal and thrive.”

At this year’s event, the Lila M. Sapinsley Community Service Award was presented to Joshua Miller. Former Rhode Island State Senator Joshua Miller has an unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy and public health reform. Throughout his 18-year tenure representing District 28, Senator Miller championed legislation to expand access to mental health services, including the establishment of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and the creation of the nation's first sanctioned overdose prevention center. He also sponsored bills to de-stigmatize language in state law on alcohol addiction and worked to unify behavioral and mental health services across the state. His leadership and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the John H. Chafee Healthcare Leadership Award from the Rhode Island Health Center Association. Senator Miller's legacy of service continues to inspire efforts to improve the well-being of all Rhode Islanders.

In addition, the Charles Reppucci Butler Hospital Service Award was awarded to Barbara Ostrove, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA. Barbara is a seasoned behavioral and mental health clinician with 37 years of experience, including 34 years at Butler Hospital. She has made significant contributions, such as expanding inpatient programming to include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and developing sensory de-escalation programs that reduced seclusion and restraint. As Chair of the Butler Hospital Arts and History Committee since 2016, she has led projects to enhance the hospital's art collection and restore its historical library. Barbara also facilitated the Care New England Leadership Development program and has volunteered as an academic accreditor since 2004, completing over 50 accreditation visits. After retiring as the Assistant Director of Accreditation/Risk Manager at the American Occupational Therapy Association in 2022, she remains active as a volunteer accreditor and consultant, advocating for improved behavioral and mental health care and the integration of healing arts in healthcare.

The gala was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including:

Gold Sponsors ($5,000):
Gail and John Alofsin 
Anonymous 
Amy and DB Hebb 
Tony Hirsch 
Mary E. Marran 
New England Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund 
Navigant Credit Union 
Jack and Judith Remondi 
Dr. G. Mustafa Surti & Ruksana Surti

Silver Sponsors ($2,500):
Amazon Web Services 
Kevin Baill, MD 
Bentley Companies  
BankNewport
Bliss Properties, Inc.  
Brain Ultimate, Inc. 
Bristol County Savings Bank 
Jim and Shelley Botvin 
Gary and Bethany Furtado
Tomas Gregorio 
Hinckley Allen 
David and Jeannine Rogers 
LivaNova 
Lundco Painting LLC 
Andy & Judy Matt 
Stephen F. Moran, MarshMcLennan Agency Northeast 
Professional Ambulance, LLC 
Siena Restaurant Group 
Warwick Mall

To donate, please visit https://foundation.butler.org/event-one-time-donation.

About Butler Hospital 
Butler Hospital, a member of Care New England, is the only private, nonprofit psychiatric and substance abuse hospital serving adults, seniors, and adolescents in Rhode Island and southeastern New England. Founded in 1844, it was the first hospital in Rhode Island and has earned a reputation as the leading provider of innovative psychiatric treatments in the region. The Major Affiliated Teaching Hospital for Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in conducting cutting-edge research. For more information, visit butler.org.