Guild Plays Key Role in Supporting Work of St. John Hospital and Medical Center



Posted: Sunday, May 04, 2008

by
Soave Enterprises

Comprised of seven hospitals plus more than 125 medical facilities in southeast Michigan, St. John Health touches thousands of lives in southeast Michigan through services such as heart, cancer, obstetrics, neurosciences, orthopedics, physical rehabilitation, surgery, and emergency and urgent care, to name a few. Its history of serving the Detroit area dates back to 1844.

Through partnerships, coalitions, and program development and support, St John Health's innovative programs increase access to health care services for southeast Michigan residents of all economic backgrounds. St. John Health provided more than $100 million in uncompensated care in the past year. The health care provider carries out its mission with the support of thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsorships.

For instance, the St. John Guild plays an important role in the development and expansion of health care services offered to the community by St John Hospital and Medical Center. The volunteer organization, established in 1948, raises money to help support patient care programs and services. Over the years, the Guild has raised millions of dollars for the hospital. Its major fundraising event is the annual Guild Dinner.

This past year, the 47th Annual Guild Dinner was held to benefit the continuing work of St. John by welcoming approximately 1,000 patrons. The evening, held at Penna's in Sterling Heights, Michigan, kicked off with cocktails and was followed by a sumptuous meal.

As chairman of the Entertainment Committee Board, Soave Real Estate Group's Dan Roma worked with a local talent agency to select comedian and actor Kevin Pollack for the 2007 event. "Mr. Pollack has a great show and will have broad appeal to our diverse audience," Roma said. Pollack is best known for his movie roles in "A Few Good Men," "Whole Nine Yards" and "Grumpy Old Men." He has also appeared on the CBS legal drama, "Shark," starring James Wood and Jeri Ryan.

The event, held annually in June raised funds to benefit Detroit's St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Each year, the all-volunteer St. John Guild hosts the event as part of their effort to support the hospital. Roma joined the Guild Board four years ago, after a personal trauma drew his attention to the hospital's consummate level of service. "Both my children were born at St. John – even I was born at St. John," remembered Roma. "However, my active involvement with the Guild didn't begin until my son was hospitalized in 2003. At three years old, he caught influenza and had to be placed in isolation for an extended period. The amazing care he received spurred my need to become part of the organization."

"The Guild is a significant provider of funds for St. John," Roma continued. "The hospital petitions us whenever they have a need. The Guild then works to fulfill their request. Recently, for example, the Guild purchased a machine to supplement the hospital's groundbreaking work in cardiac research and a software system for patient tracking through the Emergency Department."

June 4, 2008, marks the 48th Annual Guild Dinner. Mr. Anthony Soave will be receiving the Philanthropic Services Award, Dr. Joseph Beals will be honored with the Physician of the Year Award and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Mr. Don Mattes. The proceeds of this year's dinner will provide funds for the St. John Hospital and Medical Center Lymphoma Care Center. This year's entertainment headliner will be provided by comedian, television and movie personality, Greg Hahn.

Soave Enterprises is a diversified management and investment company founded by Detroit businessman Anthony L. Soave that provides strategic planning, financial and other management resources to its affiliated business ventures in the real estate, automotive retailing, beer distribution, scrap metal, industrial services and transportation industries, among others.  For more information on Anthony Soave and Soave Enterprises, please visit http://www.soave.com.

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