Prestigious Awards Presented at 21st Annual St. Francis Foundation Gala

Shakopee, Minn. 11/26/2007--Individuals, community leaders and area businesses came together for the 21st Annual St. Francis Foundation Gala ‘Reflections of Silver …Visions of Gold” to help raise over $175,000, including in-kind donations, to support the healing environment at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, which will include the enhancement of four pediatric patient rooms and the addition of a new Atrium Garden. The event was held at Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Destination in Chaska.

The prestigious 2007 Physician Touchstone Award, which recognizes a physician who has made a tremendous impact at St. Francis through both their leadership and clinical excellence, was presented to Dr. Lars Conway, Pathologist and Medical Director of the Laboratory at St. Francis Regional Medical Center. Dr. Conway joined St. Francis in 1984 and built the pathology and laboratory departments.

Celebrating 25 years of service, the Foundation also presented two Humanitarian Awards, which acknowledge and recognize the significant contributions of individuals who enrich the lives of people through service to our communities in the area of healthcare. The recipients demonstrate an outstanding commitment to human rights and exemplified the values of the St. Francis Foundation – that of compassion, integrity, focus, and stewardship.

The first award was given to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul in honor of founding the St. Francis Regional Medical Center Foundation in 1982. The Sisters are a group of individuals who have demonstrated incredible acts of kindness and service to St. Francis, our patients and the communities we serve. Their endless love and dedication, and their many endeavors at St. Francis have improved the human condition and alleviated suffering for thousands of individuals.

The second award was presented to the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth in honor of their 20 years of sponsorship of the St. Francis Foundation and St. Francis Regional Medical Center. Demonstrating respect and embracing common moral decencies such as compassion and human diversity, they have provided unfailing respect for the dignity of all persons and guided St. Francis in providing services that recognize the whole person.

A “Spirit of St. Francis” video, introduced by Mike Baumgartner, President, St. Francis Regional Medical Center, captured personal stories from patients and staff about what makes St. Francis so special.

The gala was emceed by Belinda Jensen, Chief Meteorologist, KARE-11 TV. It featured a reception with a cabaret singer, complimentary martini and wine bars, silent and live auctions, elegant dinner and dessert followed by a late evening chocolate fountain and dancing to the sounds of Synergy.

The gala planning committee included Dr. Cindy and Mike Harvath, Dr. Joseph and Rebecca Leach, Dr. David and Rachelle Willey, Wally and Barb Danielson, Lori Peterson, Carley Stuber, and Joan Fawcett.

A special thank you to event sponsors:

Silver sponsors: Allina Hospitals & Clinics and Rahr Malting Co.

Bronze Sponsors: Best Buy Co., Inc, Fruenshuh HealthCare Real Estate Solutions, Revenue Rocket Consulting Group, and Valley Family Practice

Table Sponsors: Benedictine Health System,Crossroads Medical Centers, First Community Bank, Harris Companies, KleinBank, Kraus Anderson, David and Constance Kraus, Dr. Joseph and Rebecca Leach, Park Nicollet Health Services, Proforma Print Dynamix, LLC, St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Suburban Emergency Associates, Target Commercial Interiors, and Voyager Bank

Patron Sponsors: HGA Architects, Perkins & Will, and Sodexho

Friend Sponsors: Gail Campbell. Gerdes & Associates, Mary Gores, Vera Hillstrom, Louise Kates, Robert and Clare Kreuser, Jimmy Levine, MD, Richard Majerus, Art and Judy Quinn, Ann B. Sidwell, MD, Jon Thorstenson, Daniel Trajano, Gary and Barb VanEyll, and Jim and Lois Willette

St. Francis Regional Medical Center is jointly owned and sponsored by the Benedictine Health System, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, and Park Nicollet Health Services. This unique structure combines the caring and compassion of a community hospital with the modern medical technology, specialties, and services found in the metro area. St. Francis provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency care services on a collaborative medical campus with more than 30 other clinics and providers.

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