Peachtree Christian Hospice to honor U.S. Ambassador Joseph Ghougassian at the 13th Annual Benefit, Gala and Awards Dinner

It was with a generous heart and giving spirit that the late D. Scott Hudgens made Peachtree Christian Hospice possible by funding the cost of building the hospice and donating the land on which to build it. Each year Peachtree Christian Hospice honors that altruism and seeks to recognize such qualities in others by presenting an award in his name to an individual who has exhibited an unselfish spirit of caring for others.

This year, Peachtree Christian Hospice is pleased to announce the Scott Hudgens “Good and Faithful Servant” Award will be presented to U.S. Ambassador Joseph Ghougassian at its 13th Annual Benefit, Gala and Awards Dinner. This signature event, to be held at the historic Atlanta Athletic Club on April 30, will also feature Dr. Keith A. Robinson of Houston, Texas as the Honorary Gala Chairman.

“Each Benefit, Gala and Awards Dinner has proven to be an evening to remember, and this year’s event promises to be something very special once again,” said Martha Todd, Peachtree Christian Hospice President and Board Chair.

Ambassador Ghougassian’s achievements and the tributes made to him over the years are numerous. He was the first naturalized United States citizen from the Middle East to become a U.S. Ambassador and began his government services in 1981 as a member of the White House Staff of President Reagan. He served as Peace Corps Director in Yemen, and in 1985 President Reagan appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar. Ambassador Ghougassian is the founder of the first ever American School in Qatar (K-12). During his distinguished career, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the rank of Knighthood Commander in the Order of St. Gregory the Great for having succeeded to influence the Government of Qatar to lift 14 centuries of religious prohibition on the practice of Christian Faith and other faiths in the country. Additionally, His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani awarded him the medal of the Order of Merit for having developed strong bilateral ties between Washington and Doha.

“Ambassador Ghougassian has graciously served the world’s community of Christians and has shown amazing courage in helping to take Christianity and religious freedom to a part of the world that was terribly oppressed for so long,” said Ms. Todd. “It is an honor to celebrate him and to share his inspiration with our Peachtree Christian Hospice constituents. “

For years Dr. Keith A. Robinson, 2015 Honorary Gala Chairman, was one of only 200 doctors worldwide with unique training as a Crown and Bridge Specialist and Maxillofacial Prosthodontist whose specialty focused on creating life-like artificial facial replacements for cancer and trauma victims. He has authored books and has lectured extensively nationally and internationally. Dr. Robinson is a Certified Crisis Chaplain and has been deployed with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team in support of locations devastated by natural disasters.

Known as The Doctor with Two Brains, Dr. Robinson is also the Founder of Health Media Network and AlleyGrin Produtions, LLC, two Houston-based media companies specializing in innovative professional communication techniques about health concepts for print and broadcast media. He has hosted more than 500 nationally syndicated health radio shows under the title America Talks Health with Dr. Keith Robinson. As a documentary producer, Dr. Robinson is the recipient of numerous Emmy Awards.

“Dr. Keith Robinson is a very positive and uplifting person with extraordinary experiences and accomplishments” said Ms. Todd. “His participation as Honorary Gala Chairman is a gift I am sure all in attendance will greatly enjoy.”

The Benefit, Gala and Awards Dinner will be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:30. The event will feature entertainment from The Sound of Music performed by Courtenay Collins and friends of Mamma Sez Productions. Seats are still available for purchase for those interested in attending. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information please visit www.peachtreechristianhospice.com or call Monica Johnson at 770.232.7727.

Peachtree Christian Hospice is a nonprofit organization that emerged from the Outreach Ministry of Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta to benefit all of Greater Atlanta and the surrounding communities.

Located on 8.7 acres in Duluth donated by D. Scott Hudgens, Jr., PCH’s 16-bed facility is operated by PruittHealth Hospice engaged in providing palliative hospice care. As a loving place of rest, comfort and hope, Peachtree Christian Hospice is also served by dedicated staff and a host of trained volunteers from the community who give of their own time to support others in their time of need.

For more information contact Monica Johnson, Director of Community Relations, at Peachtree Christian Hospice at 770-232-7727 or visit www.peachtreechristianhospice.com.

(Photo of Ambassador Ghougassian courtesy of Moreland Photography)