Hospital's talent show raised more than $5,000 for patients
'American Idol'-esque competition a real winner with St. John's staff

St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital held their first St. John's "Idol" Talent Show Fundraiser on March 8 at the Pacifica High School Performing Arts Center in Oxnard.

More than 325 attendees watched a lineup of St. John's employees, physicians, volunteers and family members who performed. The show raised more than $5,000 to benefit patient care at St. John's hospitals.

The event featured a variety of acts, including dancers, singers and instrumentalists. Each act was judged by members of St. John's Senior Management Team in the same way acts are judged on "American Idol."

The first-place winner was St. John's employee and singer Dwayne Whitehead, who won tickets to Disneyland, movie passes and tickets to St. John's Healthcare Foundation's black tie "Enchanted Adventure 2008" gala in June.

Second- and third-place winners Nora Fernandez-Doane and Evan SulaGoff received Disneyland tickets and movie passes.