2017 Share in the Care Gala another success for Patient Care
On Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, members of the Southern Madison County Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Gala Committee members and hospital administration gathered for multiple check presentations from the proceeds of the 2017 Share in the Care Gala. The Gala was held Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in the Hall of Presidents located on the campus of Colgate University.
“More than $52,000 was raised that evening,” said President and CEO of Community Memorial Sean Fadale. “This wonderful annual event brings community partners together to share in the overall care of our community and beyond.”
“As co-chair of the 2017 Community Memorial Hospital Gala, I was privileged to be able to work with a team of dedicated volunteers and to have received the strong support of our community businesses and local artists,” said Mary Brundage. “This concerted effort resulted in a fun filled evening for all and enabled us to raise much needed funds for our local hospital which provides award winning medical care to our community.”
The event’s theme was Casino night. Attendees were greeted at the entrance of Presidents Hall by candlelight that led upstairs into the main hall with live music from the Horn Dogs and casino games. Many enjoyed a game of blackjack, tried their chance at the roulette table and were able to play a couple of hands of poker all in good fun to support three local organizations, Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, SOMAC and the Community Memorial Foundation.
Two separate checks were presented Feb. 8, $10,000 to the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for their ongoing support of the hospital and $5,000 to SOMAC, who used this year’s proceeds to purchase heart monitors.
The hospital invested funds to purchase safe patient handling equipment for lifting and transferring patients.
“The need was great,” said Diane Chase, senior director of clinical services. “New York state’s Safe Patient Handling Law went into effect early last year. The law recognized that lifting patients often can cause injury to both patients and health care workers and that safe patient handling programs reduce the risk of injury, protect patient dignity and improve quality of care.”
Chase added that some of the equipment purchased was disposable and reusable hover mats, glide sheets, bed ladders and continuous rolls with Velcro to prevent patients from slipping out of chairs.
“It was a very success event, especially for our patients who benefit from the safety equipment,” said Julie Rubenstein, Gala co-chairwoman and vice president of the Community Memorial Foundation Board. “Creating that positive experience for patients is at the very core of what staff work so hard towards every day.”
The 2018 Share in the Care Gala is set for Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Hall of Presidents. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 315.824.7036 or jbalog@cmhhamilton.com.
Photo #1 – Auxiliary Check Presentation
Mary Brundage, co-chair of the 2018 Share in the Care Gala; Community Memorial President and CEO Sean Fadale; Leslie Lollman, Treasurer of Hospital Auxiliary; and Julie Rubenstein, co-chair of 2018 Share in the Gala and vice president of Community Memorial Foundation Board.
Photo #2 – SOMAC Check Presentation
Mary Brundage, co-chair of the 2018 Share in the Care Gala, Morgan Larson, SOMAC and Gala Committee member, President and CEO of Community Memorial Sean Fadale, Kyle Sylvester, SOMAC Director of Operations and Julie Rubenstein, co-chair of 2018 Share in the Gala and Vice President of Community Memorial Foundation Board.