Sports legends LaDainian Tomlinson and Dan Fouts may have been the headliners for the fifth annual “Night of Nights” gala presented by the Palomar Health Foundation, but there also were plenty of stars in the audience who helped make the recent event a rousing success once again.
Some 630 guests attended the gala in support of the Building Your Healthcare System of the Future capital campaign, including the new Palomar Medical Center that is scheduled to open August 19 in Escondido.
The event raised $832,825, bringing the total raised to nearly $6.6 million since 2007 when the first gala was held.
“This year’s gala was an extra special occasion because of the countdown to the opening of the new Palomar Medical Center this summer,” says LaDainian Tomlinson, the former San Diego Chargers great who has hosted every gala.
“We are thrilled and thankful to be a part of such a remarkable and historic journey that began eight years ago,” adds Tomlinson, who hosted the May 19 gala with his wife, Torsha. Fouts, the Hall of Fame quarterback and San Diego Chargers legend, served as master of ceremonies.
Several luminaries attended the event held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. They included 2012 Night of Nights co-chairs Lori Holt Pfeiler, Barbara Warden and Carol Stensrud Lazier.
Stensrud Lazier was recognized during the program for donating $1 million to the Building Your Healthcare System of the Future capital campaign.
Top sponsors recognized included DPR Construction, Anesthesia Consultants of California Medical Group, Bergelectric, Cox Communications, Kaiser Permanente, North County Radiology Medical Group and Rancho Guejito Corporation.
“The gala’s success reflects the deep commitment of hundreds of grateful patients, donors, physicians, nurses and staff to the realization of a dream that is the completion of the Hospital of the Future,” says Ann Braun, Palomar Health Foundation Chief Executive Director and Chief Development Officer.
“The future is now with the planned opening of the hospital later this summer,” Braun adds. “There are still naming opportunities available through the Palomar Health Foundation.”
Building Your Healthcare System of the Future
In 2004, North County voters approved Proposition BB funding for the improvement and expansion of Palomar Health facilities.
The facilities master plan called for the construction of the new Palomar Medical Center as well as renovation and expansion of Pomerado Hospital in Poway, renovation of the existing Palomar Medical Center, which was recently renamed Palomar Health Downtown Campus, and the addition of satellite medical centers in Ramona, San Marcos, Valley Center and Rancho Peñasquitos.
The Palomar Health Foundation launched the $55 million Building Your Healthcare System of the Future capital campaign to encourage the community’s philanthropic support of its healing mission.
The new Palomar Medical Center is the centerpiece of the capital campaign. The 11-story, 740,000-square-foot hospital is one of the greenest and most technologically advanced health facilities in the nation.
A Grand Opening community celebration will take place on July 28 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include tours of the new hospital. The new Palomar Medical Center will begin treating patients on August 19. The new facility will provide expanded trauma and emergency services, heart surgery, neurosurgery, vascular and other services in a structure designed with the flexibility to accommodate emerging technologies.
Special plaque recognition opportunities at the new hospital are still available. To learn more about naming opportunities, please call the foundation at 760.739.2787 or email pph.foundation@palomarhealth.org.
For more information about Palomar Health, formerly Palomar Pomerado Health, visit www.palomarhealth.org.