The Susan B. Allen Foundation’s eighth annual Gala brought together about 400 guests and  celebrated the accomplishments of the Foundation with a fun evening, good food and most importantly, generous giving last Friday evening.

This was a year to launch Urgent Care and continue funding projects and initiatives of the Foundation.

One of several special moments during the night included the announcement of the Matthew J. Cross Fund for Care. This was a fund established in honor of Matt Cross, who passed away from cancer earlier this year. Matt spent 21 years as a Hospital Trustee and was a proud supporter of Susan B. Allen. Click here to read more.

The Foundation held its annual Farm to Table event in June recognizing those who support our wellness initiaitives.  

The annual Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy was a time to thank donors, recognize giving and present two special awards.

Following a dinner at the Stone Hill Barn, recognitions got underway. Several donors were recognized for achieving new levels of cumulative giving.

New to the Chairman’s Circle were Tom McKibban and Dr. Cathy Cooper, Dr. PJ Hutsey, the Owens family and Sandifer Engineering and Controls. Click here to read more.

Gala 7 focused on the Heroes Among Us as the Foundation celebrated those who help support the Hospital. The evening included a delicious meal, live music and silent and live auctions.

Those attending this year’s event helped to launch the Hospital’s new Nurse Navigation program. This new program will assist our patients on their healthcare journey and be an advocate for their healthcare needs. This will continue our commitment of providing the quality care you have come to expect from Susan B. Allen at times when our patients need it the most.

Hospital staff, donors and friends gathered Thursday evening for the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy to thank donors and celebrate the impact they have on SBA.

Sponsored by BOK Financial, the evening began with a social hour and meal, and ended with the recognitions and awards. Foundation Board President Tom McKibban welcomed everyone saying “As you all know, the Hospital Foundation serves the community,” he said. “We are very proud of our Foundation. It’s been a great year, and we’ve accomplished a lot.”   

The Tom Murry Fund for the SBA Cancer Center, created to encourage the important work and innovation in cancer care and the Mary K Connell Fund for Wellness, which is centered on promoting the health and wellness of the youth of the community, were recognized as two new endowed funds set up in 2016.

The evening concluded with the presentation of three special awards. The first being the Foundation’s Distinguished Staff Award which was presented  to Robin Dean, RN, Director of Critical Care. “Robin is an exemplary nurse and great   leader. She supports the Foundation, she supports our community.”, said presenter Tom McKibban. Cindy Ebers, VP of Nursing, said “Robin is a rare jewel. Her devotion to our staff, our patients and their families, and to our community is nothing short of remarkable.”

The second award was the Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to the Connell Family. “Giving back has   always been a part of the lives of the Connell family as we all know,” said Gay Kimble, SBA Chief Human Resource Officer. “The Connell family is a stellar  example of how the gift of donating and commitment to  community can impact lives. We greatly appreciate their partnership.”

The final award was a surprise to Keri Myers, who received the SBAMH Foundation Medallion of Excellence. “She saw a need for our community,” McKibban said. “She makes that connection at the heart level with people who are looking to make a meaningful and significant difference in our community.”

“What we’ve done, we have celebrated great things through philanthropy and we heal by giving back,” Keri said. “We’ve done it together and together we’ve made a difference. We will continue to make a difference. Please know that for each and every one of you, I appreciate what you do for Susan B. Allen.”

Nestled between boutique shops, boulangeries and a sidewalk café, the Foundation’s vision of Parisian Nights came alive.  Live music, delicious desserts and unique auction items made Gala 6 an unforgettable evening filled with fun, laughter and wonderful memories.

We are grateful for the generosity of our Gala sponsors, guests, volunteers and local businesses for making this event a success. 

By attending the Gala, you made it possible for the hospital to invest in a Central Fetal Monitoring System, begin development of a Breastfeeding Clinic and provide the best training possible for the staff of the SBA Family Birth Center. Over a quarter of a million dollars was raised to benefit our smallest of patients. Making a lasting impact on their lives from their very first breath.