For Sacred Heart Bay Hospital’s Cardiovascular Services

PANAMA CITY – Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation’s inaugural Paint the Town Red Gala, presented by The Chapman Family Foundation, raised $64,962.24 for Sacred Heart Bay Hospital’s cardiovascular services.

In honor of Hearth Month, guests donned their best red formal attire and gathered at the Boardwalk Convention Center to raise money while simultaneously celebrating the hospital’s 75th anniversary. Upon entry, attendees were greeted with complimentary valet and live performers before walking through the transformed event space that was “painted red” for the night’s festivities.

Inside the grand ballroom, guests took their seats for a multi-course dinner and a champagne toast to kick off the night’s programming. The Master of Ceremonies, Shane Collins, was instrumental in keeping our guests informed of the night’s festivities. Guest speakers took the stage to thank the attendees for joining the gala on this momentous occasion, including Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation President, Adrienne Maygarden, who welcomed guests, followed by remarks from Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital President, Robin Godwin, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kunal P. Jani.

The Atlanta Showstoppers then took the stage to entertain guests before renowned, award-winning auctioneers, Charlie and Michael Adcock, kicked off the live auction, sponsored by Loyalty Credit Union. Paddles were raised to bid on various trips and packages including a yacht rental, trip to Italy, and Churchill Downs getaway package.

Throughout the evening, guests also had the opportunity to enter to win a $5,000 shopping spree donated by Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry, along with tickets for a wine and spirits pull, sponsored by Loyalty Credit Union. Through sponsorships, the live auction, and raffle ticket sales, the inaugural event’s proceeds were $64,962.24 for Sacred Heart Bay Hospital cardiovascular services.

“Proceeds from this event will allow Sacred Heart Bay Hospital to purchase electrocardiogram (EKG) machines,” said Janet Piepul, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation major gifts and planned giving director. “This mighty machine tests the electrical activity in a patient’s heart and can detect any unusual heart rhythms or other heart conditions, thereby alerting the physician that further testing of the patient is required. We are so thankful for the community’s support from the Bay Gala as their generosity helps strengthen every part of our mission and brings comfort and hope to patients and families across our communities.”

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital is the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, offering the highest level of emergency care in the area for life-threatening injuries and illnesses. The hospital is nationally recognized for its cardiovascular care. It is the only comprehensive cardiovascular program in the tri-county area providing open heart surgery, minimally invasive valve replacement surgery (TAVR), and pulse field ablation and the WATCHMAN device for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital is an accredited stroke center.

Attendees commemorated the celebration in the interactive photo booth, sponsored by Emerald Coast Hospice, and the 360° photobooth, courtesy of Encompass Health. The party continued into the night during the after-party, sponsored by Sandpiper-Beacon Beach Resort, where guests danced and enjoyed late-night bites. “We can’t thank our partners, supporters, and sponsors enough for helping us make the inaugural Bay Gala such a success,” Piepul said. “We hope to raise even more money and have even more guests join us next February for the second annual gala – stay tuned!”

Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation would like to thank the local businesses and individuals who sponsored this year’s gala, including Diamond Sponsor: Vituity; VIP Sponsor: Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest Florida; Décor Sponsor: VITAS Healthcare; Special Performer Sponsor: Creative Printing of Bay County; Special Gift Sponsor: Panhandle Credit Union; Registration Table Sponsor: Dr. and Mrs. David R. Dietrich; Podium Sponsor: Bell and Company; Champagne Sponsor: Emerald Coast Hospice; Photography Sponsor: Peoples First Insurance; Valet Sponsor: Perry & Young; Program Sponsor: Innovations Financial Credit Union; Cocktail Napkin Sponsor: Jim and Nadia Smallwood; Course Sponsor: Champions First Credit Union; Course Sponsor: Cumi and Gary Walsingham; Table Sponsors: Bay Health Foundation, Clarity Mental Health, Bill Cramer Chevrolet GMC, Credit Business Services, Inc. – In Memory of Tommy M. Cooley, Dermatology Solutions Group, Esteem Wealth Partners, Florida State University Panama City, Friends of Bay, Gedd Law Firm, Gulf Coast State College, Hancock Whitney, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Hello Credit Union, J&J MedTech, Mayor Michael “Doc” Rohan, Sr. M.D., Medtronic, Nations Best Family Healthcare, Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry, PanCare of Florida, Platt Law Firm, RC Events, and Think Real Estate. Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation would also like to the following in-kind sponsors for being a part of this year’s event, including 30A Distilling Co., Bacardi, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Bay Point News, Carousel Supermarket, Distillery 98, Emerald Coast Magazine, Good Clean Wine, Lamar Advertising, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Paradis, Salty Girls Beverages, VIP 30A Magazine, WJHG News Channel 7, and WMBB My Panhandle.

Check Presentation Photo (From Left to Right): Janet Piepul, Sacred Heart Foundation Major Gifts/Planned Giving Director; William Platt, Platt Law Firm; Kristian Chapman, President of Peoples First Insurance; Dr. Chris Conway, Cath Lab Manager; Tiffany Laughlin, Cath Lab Director; Dr. Brandy Milstead, Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital ER Doctor; Pamm Chapman, Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital Development Board Member; Robin Godwin, President of Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital.

About Ascension Sacred Heart Ascension Sacred Heart, based in Pensacola, Florida, operates five hospitals and more than 100 other sites of care, employing more than 6,440 associates. In fiscal year 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart provided more than $193 million in community benefit and other care for vulnerable persons. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation Paint the Town Red Gala Proceeds Exceeded $60,000