Methodist Hospitals’ Masquerade Raises Funds and Spirits for Healthcare Workers and Guests

Methodist Hospitals’ Masquerade Raises Funds and Spirits for Healthcare Workers and Guests

Methodist Hospitals’ Masquerade Gala is an annual fundraiser for Methodist Hospitals. This year, the proceeds will be directed to Methodist’s efforts in COVID-19 care. However, the pandemic was far from the night’s focus, as event-goers celebrated healthcare workers’ efforts over the past two years and Methodist’s future approaching its centennial.


“We’re so excited to be here tonight,” said Heather McCarthy, President of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation. “It has been a rough couple of years with the pandemic, not being able to see each other, and hospital staff working at maximum capacity. We really want to celebrate them tonight and help by raising funds, not only for equipment but, as a safety net hospital, to assist with patients who can’t afford to pay and who need health services from us.”


McCarthy spoke at the event and presented a Diamond Award United States Steel Corporation – Gary Works, for their kindness and continued donations throughout the pandemic. The award was accepted by Dan Killeen, General Manager of Gary Works.


“This is our third year working with Methodist,” Killeen said. “As the COVID-19 pandemic began, we started to get some calls from some municipalities asking for PPE. One of the places that reached out was Methodist. We were able to go into some of our stock and provide some vital PPE.”


Gary Works donated more than 400 N95 masks at the beginning of the pandemic when supply chain issues made it difficult for the hospital to obtain personal protective equipment.


“The relationship since then has grown,” said Killeen. “For us at Gary Works, Methodist is extremely important because they are our number one provider of trauma services. Safety is our core value at US Steel. So if one of our team members happens to get hurt, Methodist is there. They’re constantly working with us and we are glad that we have such excellent treatment accessible in Gary.”


Pride in Methodist was a strong theme throughout the night. Nurses spoke about how their teams helped them manage the magnitude of the pandemic and how Methodist made them feel completely supported along the way.


“I’m very proud of this organization,” said Scott May, Audit Committee Chair of Methodist Hospitals’ Board of Directors. “They get overlooked among the larger systems, but Methodist has a world-class organization. The money from the auction and this event will go back into that system.”


Gary Miller, past President of the Foundation Board and current Board member, and his wife Char Miller, were also in attendance. Gary was the first president of the Foundation Board and has a unique perspective on how the gala has grown over the years.


“Every year we do this event to raise money, and every year we choose a part of the hospital to support -this year it happens to be for the COVID fund” said Miller. “We work with the hospital board, which is separate from the foundation board, so that we can identify the areas of greatest need.”


“We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation," said Matt Doyle, Methodist Hospitals President and CEO.

"While the Hospital and Foundation Boards are separate entities, we are united in the purpose and mission to provide high quality health care to all those in need. Methodist has been committed to high standards of care for decades. It’s very exciting because we are building up to our 100-year anniversary, which will be next year,” McCarthy added. “So that’s really a tremendous marker of the presence of Methodist in the community and its commitment coming on 100 years.”

Methodist Hospitals was the center of the event, but after the Diamond Award was presented and speeches concluded, talk of work faded on a filled dance floor with music from a live band.


“This event is great,” said Dr. Vincent Sevier, Chief Medical Officer for Methodist Hospitals. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get outside of the walls of the hospital, and just to spend time with colleagues, peers, board members, and those in the community—who all come together to support Methodist Hospitals to provide patient care. I’m excited to get to know everyone and mingle.”


The Gala provides time to unwind while serving a good cause: Methodist’s patients and providers will benefit from the proceeds of the evening’s event.

Methodist Hospitals Masquerade Gala

Methodist Hospitals Masquerade Gala 92 Photos
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