From Left: Gene Lovin, Cumulus of Chattanooga; Amanda Plecas, Waterhouse Public Relations; Carolyn Fryar, First Tennessee; Aricia Gallaher, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel; Tracy McCarley; Jody Roberts, Curiosity Marketing Group; Lindsey Shrader, Kenco Group; Janda White; University Surgical Associates; Lizzy Nelson-Cohen; Lisa Pepper, Bethel University; Maggie Tanner, Synovus Bank; Vannessa McNeil, Erlanger Health System.
Planning is under way for one of the premiere fundraising events in Chattanooga: the 13th annual Denim and Diamonds Gala, supporting Hamilton County Project Access.
The planning committee is led by chair Vanessa McNeil, Erlanger Health System. The committee includes: Jeff Alger, Optimal Health ; Josh Brooks, Opal Salon; Candace Davis, Chattanooga CVB; Ashley Evans, Volunteers in Medicine; Riann Bilderback; Carolyn Fryar, First Tennessee; Aricia Gallaher, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel; Shea Hill, HealthSouth; Ryan King, Keller Williams; Tracie LeSar, Vascular Institute of Chattanooga; Connie Love, CHI Memorial Community Health; Gene Lovin, Cumulus of Chattanooga; Carol Malone, Vascular Institute of Chattanooga; Tracy McCarley, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Alliance; Lizzy Nelson-Cohen; Lisa Pepper, Bethel University; Amanda Plecas, Waterhouse Public Relations; Jody Roberts, Curiosity Marketing Group; Lindsey Shrader, Kenco Group; Melissa Stephenson, Parkridge Health System; Maggie Tanner, Synovus Bank; and Janda White, University Surgical Associates.
The Denim & Diamonds committee works hand in hand with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga to put together a dynamic and exciting gala to support the Project Access community health partnership and other community health initiatives. Making sure Project Access is available to those in need of specialty care but who do not have insurance is what drives Ms. McNeil in chairing the event.
“Over the past 13 years Project Access has provided care and services to more than 14,000 people, “ she said. “That number is staggering and it pushes me to help create an event that will fund Project Access and allow it to expand, making specialty medical care available to all who need it.”
The celebration of healing will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. It will be an evening of music, food and fellowship with a fun and exciting theme to be announced soon. The work of nearly 900 area physicians who have donated more than $161 million worth of medical care to the working poor of Hamilton County will be honored.
“It’s amazing to think that the doctors and hospitals that are part of Project Access provide all the necessary care at no cost to the patient,” Ms. McNeil said. “That kind of care is going above and beyond. Everyone who is part of the massive Project Access partnership deserves to be applauded for their generosity to our community. In addition, we are so blessed to have a great group of caring community leaders to help make Denim & Diamonds an amazing event no one will want to miss.”
Project Access is a nationally-recognized, physician-led community health initiative that coordinates free specialty medical care for low-income, uninsured residents of Hamilton County. Partners, who provide free services to Project Access patients, include the Erlanger, Memorial and Parkridge Hospital Systems, and Kindred and Siskin Hospitals.
Sponsorship opportunities, including exclusive sponsorships, are available ranging from $500 to $10,000. Opportunities include exclusive sponsorships of activities and events. For more information, contact Kevin Lusk at 622-2872 or kevin@chattmd.org.
Denim & Diamonds is presented by Dale Buchanan & Associates; Vascular Institute of Chattanooga and Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough.