Marin General Hospital Foundation Announces Beneficiary And Early Sponsors For the 2012 Annual Fundraising Gala"
GREENBRAE, CA — Marin General Hospital Foundation hosted early sponsors and announced upcoming plans for its 2012 annual fundraising gala at a luncheon held for board and committee members at Sabor of Spain in San Rafael on January 25th.
The Spring Gala, Feria de España, will be held Saturday, May 12th, at Sausalito's Marinship Park. This year's beneficiary is the Marin General Hospital Trauma Center and Emergency Department (ED). Funds raised will help cover the costs of extensive renovations and upgrades needed to improve flow and wait times for trauma/emergency patients. Construction began last May after a generous $2.89 million gift was provided by Marin's Schultz family, longtime donors and supporters.
Gala Committee Chair and Foundation Board member Susan Gilardi said, "You hope you and your loved ones never have to use the emergency services of a hospital, but should you need them, you want them to be nearby and top-notch."
This year's Gala Committee promises the event will not only be a spectacular, festive occasion but will also raise awareness and money for emergency services at Marin General Hospital - Marin County's only Designated Trauma Center.
"The Trauma Center is an invaluable community treasure most deserving of the community's support. It's critically important to the health and welfare of us all," says Gilardi.
Dr. Jim Dietz, Medical Director of the ED, spoke about the changes that have occurred during his tenure. "Twenty years ago when I first came here, the ED was a tiny room located on the hospital's second floor," he said. "Now, the field of emergency medicine has evolved and our staff consists of all board-certified emergency medicine physicians."
Marin General Hospital's Chest Pain Center consistently exceeds national standards for "door-to-treatment" time more than 46 minutes faster than the national "gold" standard of 90 minutes; and the success rate for patients undergoing coronary intervention consistently exceeds 98 percent.
San Anselmo resident Don Lazzarini provided a personalized illustration of that speed and efficacy. Not long ago he was on the golf course when he felt pain and pressure in his chest. Despite protests, his companions called for an ambulance and he was taken to the ED at Marin General Hospital. "By the time I arrived, Dr. (David) Sperling was there to meet my ambulance and get me to the cardiac catheterization lab," Lazzarini said. "On the way there, I coded and they had to revive me. They literally saved my life that day."
Dr. Jim Dietz pointed out that about 65% of the hospital's admissions come through the Emergency Department.
"The ED is the front door of the hospital for most patients," Dietz said. "We want that experience to be positive-fast and efficient within a well-designed and pleasing environment."
Gilardi announced that early commitments by sponsors have exceeded expectations. Businesses that have already pledged major support include Bon Air Center; Anesthesiology Consultants of Marin, Inc; Gilardi & Co.; The Schultz Foundation; Cardiovascular Associates of Marin & San Francisco; Marin. Sonoma IPA; CEP America Emergency Physicians at Marin General Hospital; Marin Medical Laboratories; Mollie Stone's Markets; Marin Specialty Care and Bank of Marin. Major individual supporters include Barbara McCullough, Jeff and Judi Kirshbaum, Linda Hothem and Dr. Pino Esposito. A full list of sponsors will soon be available at Our Foundation.
"Garnering this level of support from the community is extraordinary," she said. "It's a tribute to the quality of our doctors, nurses, and staff."
Tickets to the black-tie event cost $500. For more information call the Marin General Hospital Foundation, 1-415-925-7770, or e-mail Joann Rossi, rossij@maringeneral.org.
