Phillip and Patricia Frost to be Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award
–This year marks the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 91st Annual Dinner Gala, which will be held on June 1st, 2013 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Phillip and Patricia Frost will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for their philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the Greater Miami Beach community. Their generosity and commitment to the arts and education are extensive. This award represents their continued support and lifelong dedication to cultural and academic institutions. “There is no more deserving couple than Pat and Phil Frost for this honor of being chosen by the Miami Beach Chamber for the Lifetime Achievement Award, not only for achieving outstanding economic success, but realizing their goals of making our community a better place to live. Pat with her work in the public schools of South Florida and Phil with his outstanding and dynamic work not only in business but in utilizing so much of his time, efforts and economic resources to make a better life for all of us in the fields of arts, science, education and religious endeavors,” said Gary Gerson, the founding senior partner of Gerson, Preston, Robinson & Company. “We welcome them to this honor that is so very much earned by this dynamic couple.”
Doctor, entrepreneur, educator, art connoisseur – both Phillip and Patricia Frost have held many titles. Perhaps the most appreciated of them all is “philanthropist.” The couple is among Miami Beach’s most celebrated individuals for their countless contributions to the city.
It was half a century ago when, Phillip, a young medical intern met his future wife, Patricia, on a blind date. Ever since, the two have crafted a memorable history of entrepreneurial endeavors and significant donations to support culture and education in South Florida.
Phillip, a staple in Forbes Wealthiest 500 list, was a dermatologist before entering the pharmaceutical business, where he invested and grew a number of ventures, such as IVAX and OPKO. Patricia spent 28 years as a teacher and principal in the Miami-Dade County Public School System, retiring in 1993.
The Frosts are generous supporters of education, science and technology and the arts. After their gift in 2003, the largest ever given to a university-based music school, the University of Miami named the school the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. Also in 2003, after their gift to the Art Museum at Florida International University, the museum was named The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum. Most recently, they provided a major gift for the construction of the new Miami Science Museum, which will be named the Patricia & Phillip Frost Science Museum. They are renowned collectors who donated their 113- piece collection of American abstract art to the Smithsonian Institution in 1986.
“Phillip and Patricia Frost have set the standard for leadership and philanthropy. Their legacy is truly remarkable and it’s difficult to quantify just how much they’ve contributed to the growth, not only of Miami Beach, but South Florida as a whole,” said Alan Lips, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman. “We are proud to recognize Phillip and Patricia for their years of dedication and support.”
Phillip and Patricia Frost have been extremely successful in their careers and philanthropy, and the Lifetime Achievement Award honors their accomplishments and contributions. They continue to be very active in their philanthropic endeavors throughout the community.
