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Lakeland Gala Hits New Record High

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One of the most colorful Lakeland Health Foundations Gala events in recent history has also proven to be the most prolific such affair and that is excellent news for the hospital family's new Pavilion project currently underway in St. Joseph.

More than 340 southwest Michigan residents and guests recently attended the annual Lakeland Health Foundations Gala, held at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College, dazzled by the bright lights of the Big Apple and amazingly colorful performance art.

Through sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent auction, and a raffle, the Gala raised $125,000 – the largest amount generated at a Foundations event to date – to benefit the 260,000 square foot Pavilion at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph which is slated for completion in 2020.

David Burghart, President of Lakeland Health Foundations and Vice President of Philanthropy for Lakeland Health says that, “Each year, the Lakeland Gala brings together community members from all walks of life who are passionate about making a difference in the health of the communities they live and work in.” He adds, "Through their generosity, we are one step closer to building a world-class medical facility right here in southwest Michigan.”

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During an evening in “New York, New York” guests enjoyed fine dining, live entertainment, dancing, and even performance art as shown in the photo included with this story at Moody on the Market.com, showing Brianna McCann in a "live painting" with a decidedly metropolitan backdrop. Both the backdrop and the model were painted on the spot by artist Susan Dennison.

Additionally, Loren B. Hamel, MD, President and CEO of Lakeland Health, shared stories of patients, including Dan Bledsaw who credits the Heart Center staff and cardiothoracic surgeon, Samuel Durham, MD, for saving his life.

The Hanson Heart Center – recently named in recognition of Merlin and Carolyn Hanson’s philanthropic support – will be an integral part of the new Pavilion offering patients access to a multidisciplinary cardiac and vascular team, state-of-the-art procedure and treatment rooms, a cardiac rehabilitation area, as well as nuclear medicine and stress testing exam rooms.

Plans for the Pavilion also include new state-of-the-art medical and surgical suites, a short stay unit, imaging centers, an intensive care unit, and education and community rooms. A new main entrance to the facility will focus on visitor amenities including areas designated for healthy living and additional outreach programs.

As Dr. Hamel told his audience that night, “We can provide great care in our existing facility, but if we really want the right experiences for our patients and providers, we have to continually invest.” He concluded, “Our hope is that through modernizations and the latest technology we will be able to save more lives, restore health to more patients, and provide the quality health care our community needs so that they can remain close to home.”

It's the second dose of big news for the new Pavilion in recent days, coming on the heels of a $500,000 commitment to the building project from the Lakeland Auxiliary. 

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