On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children hosted a special benefit evening called A Seat at the Table at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, and nearly $1.3 million for the Lurie Center's programs, services and multidisciplinary approach to treating individuals with autism from early childhood through adulthood. The exclusive first-time event featured the "Barefoot Contessa" Ina Garten, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ron Suskind, local author and public speaker Susan Senator, Antonia's Flowers' Antonia Bellanca, MGH Chief Nurse Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, DNP, FAAN, Director of the Lurie Center Christopher J. McDougle, MD, and President of MGH Peter L. Slavin, MD. 160 guests enjoyed a five-course menu inspired by Garten and a live auction emceed by former WHDH-TV anchor, Caterina Bandini Schwinn. Each dollar contributed leveraged an additional $2 from the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation, the founding donor at inception of the Lurie Center in 2009. The funds raised at A Seat at the Table will support the Lurie Center's groundbreaking efforts to improve services for adults with autism, including access to medical care through the development and dissemination of best practices and the education and the training of clinicians who will go on to practice in communities across the county.