Foundation Gala Raises $125,000 To Benefit UH Parma Medical Center's Emergency Department

Andy Novak’s heart was shocked six times to restore its beat on a January morning earlier this year. At the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation’s glittering gala on Sept. 15, Novak stood on the stage, flanked by the Parma Heights paramedics and UH Parma Medical Center Emergency Department team that brought him back to life. His emotional story detailed a massive heart attack, intensive care stay on full life support and dramatic recovery, thanks to a strong “chain of survival” that included bystander CPR delivered by the family. Novak’s story launched a flurry of giving at the black-tie celebration at the Embassy Suites in Independence.

Chief Nursing Officer Julia Mason presented Novak and his wife, Becky, with a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary, while many among the 300 in attendance took out their cell phones and texted “give2uh” to make donations to the Foundation’s campaign for the ED. The fundraising event raised more than $125,000 and counting toward the ED’s renovation and enhancement.

“We are so grateful to Andy and Becky for sharing their story,” said Marcia Ferguson, Executive Director of the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation. “It helped our guests understand what our caregivers do and how important UH Parma emergency care is when we need it most!

During the evening, the Foundation recognized major donor gifts of $25,000 and over pledged since December, including: Donna Koler, the Busch family, Legacy Health Services, the Walter W. Born Foundation and others. They also celebrated a $1 million gift from the late Margaret Tomec, a longtime volunteer in the hospital Gift Shop whose favorite charity was the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation.

In addition to UH Parma’s Medical Staff and Auxiliary, major event sponsors of the event were: Huntington Private Bank and Weston Hurd LLP.

“This evening was a celebration of the spirit of caring and commitment in our UH Parma community,” said Angelo N. Pimpas, Chairman of the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation. “Our Emergency Department cares for thousands of sick and injured members of our community each year. In fact, approximately 70 percent of our inpatients arrive through the ED. The Foundation supports the work of the hospital through its caring mission.”