On a gorgeous spring afternoon on Thursday, April 3 inside the Debussy Ballroom at the Chateau Elan Inn, The Women of Northeast Georgia hosted a very special fashion show where lunch, friendships and fashion came together for a good cause and raised almost $55,000 for emergency services at the future Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton. 100 percent of the proceeds benefitted The Medical Center Foundation.
The event began with a champagne reception and silent auction featuring alluring items such as a designer handbag, beach and golf getaways, and tickets to the Petite LeMans, just to name a few.
Douglas Morrison, MD, emergency medicine physician and medical director of Emergency Services at the future NGMC Braselton, spoke to the more than 200 people in attendance and gave anoverview of the planned emergency services in Braselton. He likened the day’s event to the support of women in the Gainesville community when Northeast Georgia Medical Center, then Hall County Hospital, was built in 1951, which is documented in black and white photos surrounding the Emergency Department in Gainesville.
“Like you, they had been at work long before the hospital doors were opened,” said Dr. Morrison. “Adorned in their stylish pumps, fitted skirts, and hats, those women were leaders in every sense of the word: looking into an unknown future and doing their part to make that future better. How humbling it should be to all of us to know we have a small part in bringing such an important service to the people of this region.”
Lunch was provided by presenting sponsor Chateau Elan Resort and Winery in the Debussy Ballroom, followed by the fabulous fashion show featuring clothing presented by Sonia Steffes of Sonia Says in Athens. Steffes traveled to New York earlier in the year year to hand pick the perfect fashions for the show. She expertly described each ensemble as the models walked the runway, many of whom volunteered with The Women of Northeast Georgia and assisted with organizing the event.
Assisting the models to the runway were Anthony Williamson, vice president of Greater Braselton Development for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), and Jim Moore, chairman of The Medical Center Foundation. Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS; Janice Braselton; Evanda Moore; and Nancy Panoz served as VIP hostesses of the charity event.
At the conclusion of the show, benefit co-chairs Judy Pennebaker and Debbie Pergantis called to the stage Burrell, Williamson, Moore, and The Medical Center Foundation President and Chief Development Officer Nancy Colston while event volunteers Angie Pascual and Lona Pope unveiled a large presentation check displaying the total amount raised of $54,833.
“This is an incredible gift,” said Burrell. “This community has embraced our Health System and our dream to build a first-class hospital close to home for area residents. Dr. Morrison said it so well, “While this community needs a hospital, the hospital needs this community.’ Each and every one of you has the power to make the new hospital exceptional: whether through philanthropy and support of events like today or through your gifts of time as a volunteer or as a patient or caregiver. As president and CEO of NGHS as well as a native of this area, I couldn’t be more grateful for and proud of this community’s support.”
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton will open in Spring 2015. Located on the newly constructed State Route 347, one mile west of Hwy 211. The hospital will bring muchneeded local access to emergency medical treatment 24 hours a day,7 days a week, through a state-of-the-art, technologically advanced, broad-service facility with:
- board-certified ER physicians and specially trained staff
- 16,400 square feet with 17 private treatment rooms and a dedicated trauma room
- on-site access to a full range of services including clinical diagnostics, radiology, laboratory, and surgery
- dedicated patient entrance and visitor parking
- dedicated ambulance entrance
- helipad for medical air transport
- design guided by continuous improvement, efficiency, and patient experience principles
For more information about the new NGMC Braselton, visit www.nghs.com/braselton. For more information about The Medical Center Foundation, visit www.TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org.