First Systemwide Gala for AMITA Health Raises $1.5 Million+

Eight hundred twenty-five guests gathered on leap day, Saturday, February 29, for the first systemwide gala for the AMITA Health Foundations, raising more than $1.5 million to benefit people in need across all communities served by AMITA Health. The Inaugural AMITA Health Gala, “Leaping Forward Together,” celebrated AMITA Health’s coming together as one unified health system to carry on the faith-based mission that has always guided its legacy Adventist, Alexian Brothers and Presence Health ministries. It also marked the first philanthropic event with AMITA Health President and CEO Keith A. Parrott, FACHE.

“The foundations play a critical role in supporting the success of AMITA Health,” said Parrott, in opening remarks. “In 2019, donors contributed nearly $22 million to support the people we serve. Tonight, all contributions will be invested in programs and services from all AMITA Health ministries that would not exist without philanthropy.”

AMITA Health Foundation Co-Chairs Kenneth Bauwens, Chief Executive Officer of Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, and Michael Benoit, Partner and Co-Founder of DiMeo Schneider & Associates, joined Parrott in welcoming guests to the black-tie celebration presented by Superior Ambulance Service and hosted at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

“The gala symbolizes how we are leaping forward together as one, with hope and vision to create change in our communities and make a difference in people’s lives,” said Bauwens.

“We are excited about what’s ahead and grateful to all that we are on this journey together,” added Benoit.

The evening featured a three-course gourmet menu, silent, live and reverse auctions that collectively raised more than $400,000, and dancing until midnight with the popular band Dr. Bombay.

AMITA Health Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Thor Thordarson introduced a video featuring stories representing each of AMITA Health’s legacy organizations of people whose lives have been saved or changed through the exceptional care they received, including neonatal care, cancer care and supportive housing.

“Through your generous donations, we will keep reaching beyond our ministry walls to bring healthcare into the community and community into healthcare,” Thordarson said.

In addition to the auctions, well-known abstract expressionist performance artist Elliott From (ArtBeat Live) created Chicago themed canvas paintings on stage. A grand raffle featured an Icelandic Northern Lights Adventure with five magical days and nights in the cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik, Iceland, along with a once-in-a-lifetime northern lights boat cruise showcasing the aurora borealis on the North Atlantic Ocean. The exciting live auction included: “Sky’s the Limit” travel package of two United Airlines business-class round-trip tickets to any location in the world; Emerald Isle Getaway with round-trip airfare for two guests to Dublin along with six days of stunning accommodations and tours through Ireland; Chicago Cubs third-base suite for up to 21 guests; and a private dinner with AMITA Health President and CEO.

In addition to the Presenting Sponsor Superior Ambulance Service (Elmhurst), numerous additional community organizations sponsored the event: President’s Sponsor ($100,000): Bear Construction Company (Rolling Meadows); Diamond Sponsor ($50,000): Mr. David’s Foundation (Itasca); Platinum Sponsors ($30,000): Cardiac Surgery Associates (Downers Grove), Metro Infectious Disease Consultants, LLC (Burr Ridge), and Vituity (Chicago); Gold Sponsors ($20,000): Illinois Emergency Medicine Specialists (Hinsdale), Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors (Northbrook), MedEx Ambulance Service (Skokie), Power Construction (Chicago), and Roque-Ponton Medical Group (Chicago); Silver Sponsors ($15,000): Crane and Norcross (Chicago), Northwest Oncology & Hematology, S.C. (Rolling Meadows) and Walsh Construction (Chicago); Bronze Sponsors ($11,000): Alliance Pathology Consultants (Hoffman Estates/Elk Grove Village), Associated Pathology Professionals – Dr. Vickie Rezai (Chicago), Baird Advisors (Milwaukee, WI), DuPage Pathology Associates (Hinsdale), Envision Physician Services delivered by Elk Grove Radiology, S.C. (Elk Grove Village), ITW (Glenview), KaufmanHall (Skokie), Livingston, Barger, Brandt & Schroeder, LLC (Champaign), Lucas Ambulance Service (Hodgkins), Michuda Construction (Tinley Park), Movéo (Chicago), R1 RCM Inc. (Birmingham, MI), Sebert Landscaping Company (Bartlett), Suburban Pulmonary & Sleep Associates (Westmont), Suburban Radiologists, S.C. (Hinsdale) and TouchPoint Support Services (Mobile, AL); Ruby Sponsors ($7,500): Advance Inpatient Medicine (Oak Brook), Barker, Castro, Kuban & Steinback LLC (Chicago), Berry Electric (Berkeley), CEPro, Inc. (Arlington Heights), Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine (Warrenville), Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC (Chicago), Generations Healthcare Network (Lincolnwood), Grant Settlements, LLC (Shelby Township, MI), Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLC (Chicago), Jensen & Halstead, Ltd (Chicago). Johnson & Bell (Chicago), Legacy Healthcare (Skokie), NorthStar Anesthesia (Irving, TX), Radiology Partners (Chicago), Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago) and Trilab, Inc. (Schaumburg); Emerald Sponsors ($5,000): Flood Brothers Disposal and Recycling Systems, Inc. (Oakbrook Terrace), Foley & Lardner (Chicago), FrontRunnerHC (Plymouth, MA), HCR-ManorCare (Hinsdale), Standard Textile Co. (Cincinnati, OH) and Super Electric Construction Company (Chicago); Pearl Sponsors ($3,000): AdvaCare Systems (Chicago), B and B Maintenance (Lake Zurich), BSD Corp. (Hinsdale), Drs. Girgis & Associates, S.C. (Hinsdale), Dr. Kalisha Hill (Kankakee), Gilly Vending (Miami, FL), Glade Plumbing & Piping Company (Kankakee), HGA (Milwaukee, WI), Illinois Business Communications (Wood Dale), Interior Investments (Chicago), Lyon Family Foundation (Chicago), Merchants’ Credit Guide Company (Chicago), NECA-IBEW Local 176-LMCC (Joliet), OnePoint Patient Care (Morton Grove), Plymouth Place (LaGrange Park) and Schoenberg Finkel Newman & Rosenberg, LLC (Chicago).

Collectively rooted in faith-based healthcare serving the Chicagoland area for more than 100 years, AMITA Health’s mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus. The foundations exist to help ensure that everyone in our communities — especially those who need it most — has a place to turn for exceptional, compassionate healthcare. AMITA Health Foundations include: Alexian Brothers Foundation, Bolingbrook Hospital Foundation, GlenOaks Hospital Foundation, Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, La Grange Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Presence Health Foundation.