Annual Gala Raises Close to $300,000 in Support of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital
Newburgh, NY – The St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation hosted its annual gala on Saturday, September 15 at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor. This year’s event, titled “The Renaissance of Healthcare” raised a record amount of funds with just more than $296,000 in net proceeds through the support of the hospital’s donors, attendees and friends. Proceeds will be used to support the hospital’s programs and initiatives. The silent auction included a 1930’s Ford Model A, generously donated by Lee Murphy and Jaci Canning Murphy of Cornwall, which raised more than $19,000 towards this year’s proceeds.
This year’s Renaissance theme was a perfect fit for SLCH. Earlier this year, the hospital became a member of the Montefiore Health System, revitalizing the delivery of care to the community it serves through the expansion of existing programs and the addition of new services on the horizon. The Foundation honored Dr. Geoffrey Brackett, Ms. Michelle Rider, Esq., and Mr. Patrick Ortland with the Leadership in Transformation Award, paying tribute to their collective efforts to help bring the partnership between SLCH and the Montefiore Health System to fruition. Father Mark Connell, a longtime supporter of SLCH through significant philanthropic efforts and community involvement, was recognized with the Community Commitment Award.
“We are so proud to have honored these four individuals,” said Joan Cusack-McGuirk, SLCH President and CEO. “I would also like to thank our 2018 Gala Co-Chairs, Jill Cappa and Mary Ellen Sayegh, both members of the SLC Auxiliary and very dedicated volunteers and supporters of SLCH.”
Top sponsors included The Kaplan Family Private Foundation, The SLCH Medical Staff, Bonura Hospitality Group, Crystal Run Healthcare, The Littman Family, RestorixHealth, and Unitex Textile Rental Services.
All three Leadership in Transformation honorees were recognized for their dedication in leading SLCH's search for a strategic partner to guide the hospital through the current shift in healthcare delivery, ultimately leading to the hospital's official partnership with Montefiore Health System this past January.
Dr. Brackett, the Executive Vice President of Marist College, has been on the SLCH Board of Trustees since 2010 and took over as Chairman in 2017.
“Geoff has been an integral part of bringing our community hospital to where we are today,” said Cusack-McGuirk. “His leadership, guidance and dedication as a board leader to the fiduciary responsibility has helped to bring us into a sustainable state for the long term.”
Ms. Rider became involved in hospital leadership as part of the Foundation Board of Directors in 2007. She has been an active member of the hospital Board of Trustees since 2010, including a stint as Chair from 2015-17.
“Michelle played a tremendous role in positioning SLCH on a path to sustainability,” said Cusack-McGuirk. “Her expertise in governance contributed greatly to ensuring that we found the right partner that would assist in bringing St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital into the next era of healthcare delivery.”
Patrick Ortland served on the Board from 2007-16, taking on the Chairmanship from 2013-15.
“Pat led our board during a very challenging time, and was a driving force in guiding the hospital toward a strategic partner,” Cusack- McGuirk said. “He worked diligently with fellow board members and hospital leadership to help identify a partner that would share our mission, quality standards and dedication to community; factors that make SLCH a special place.”
Father Connell is the Executive Director of San Miguel Academy, a private boys middle school that provides exceptional education opportunities to an underserved population. He is also a member of the St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation Board of Directors.
“Anyone that has ever walked through the halls of San Miguel Academy can tell you what a tremendous impact Father Mark has on his students,” said Cusack-McGuirk. “We thank Farther Mark for his commitment to our community hospital and the community at large. He is truly making a difference.”
For more information regarding St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation events and ways to give, please visit http://www.stlukescornwallhospital.org/giving/Pages/Ways-to-Give-.aspx or contact the Foundation Office at (845) 568-2580 or Foundation@slchospital.org .
About St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) is a not-for-profit community hospital with campuses in Newburgh and Cornwall, NY. The hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the Hudson Valley and has achieved excellence in the delivery of compassionate and comprehensive health care services. The Joint Commission noted SLCH for excellence in Key Quality Measures in the management of Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke and Surgical Care. SLCH is also recognized as an industry leader in using information technology to improve patient care, by winning the Most Wired Award for the fourth year in a row. In January 2018, SLCH officially became part of the Montefiore Health System to strengthen the delivery of health care locally and enhance access to exceptional specialty care for Hudson Valley residents.
