Community West Foundation….Straight from the Heart Red-Tie Gala Supports Cardiovascular Services

Kara Stinson, Mary Horoszko, Monica Robins, Meg Leneghan, Carol Mitsch, Evelyn Dvorak, Eileen Lupton and Michelle Rangus.

The joint was jumping at LaCentre in Westlake the night of Feb. 11 as Avon, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals celebrated their 13th annual Straight from the Heart Red-Tie Gala in support of west side cardiovascular services.

Hosted by Community West Foundation, about 500 guests jammed the Westlake event center for an evening of fun, food and a chance at $100,000 grand prize raffle.

Winner was Cindy Farrell, a Marymount Hospital nurse who has been with Cleveland Clinic for 23 years!

39 other great prizes were also won as emcee Monica Robbins was joined onstage by Fairview Hospital President Neil F. Smith, DO, Avon Hospital President Rebecca Starck, MD, and Lutheran Hospital President Donald Malone, MD, to pull the winning raffle tickets.

: Kimberly Vlastaris with her husband, Dr. Anthony Vlastaris, Regional Medical Director, Cardio-vascular Services.

: Donna Smith with her husband, Dr. Neil Smith, President, Fairview Hospital.

: Dr. Donald Malone, President, Lutheran Hospital and his wife, Jennine.

: Dr. Rebecca Starck, President, Avon Hospital and her husband, Joe.

Dr. Andrew Sakiewicz, Dr. Lon Castle, Gwen Print, Regional Senior Director, Cardiovascular Services, Dr. Ra-vi Bolla, Dr. Anthony Vlastaris, Regional Medical Director, Cardiovascular Services and Dr. Neil Smith, Presi-dent, Fairview Hospital.

“It is our privilege and honor to serve as this year’s chairpersons,” said Anthony Vlastaris, MD, Regional Medical Director Cardiovascular Services, and Gwen Print, RN, MSN, Regional Senior Director Cardiovascular Services. “On behalf of the Straight from the Heart Committee, we would like to thank you and our community for the incredible support, generosity and enthusiasm which has made this gala one of the premier events in Northeast Ohio. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Straight from the Heart Executive Committee and the Community West Foundation for all their hard work and support.”

Proceeds from the event, like last year, support the growth and innovation of cardiovascular services for the communities of Avon, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals.

: Harry A. Zilli, Jr., Community West Foundation, Life Trustee and his wife, Sharon with Susan and Donald Salisbury.The night also celebrated twins Sharon & Susan’s birthday.

: Dave Kumler and his wife, Emcee Monica Robins with Meg and Sean Leneghan.

: Bob and Vicki Foster, Community West Foundation Board Member with Marcia Ebert with her husband Robert Ebert, Chairman, Fairview Hospital Board.

: John Mills, Sr. Vice President of Operations at Fairview Hospital with his wife, Dr. Deborah Ghazoul-Mills.

: Lois Magisano with her husband, Community West Foundation Life Trustee Dr. James Magisa-no.

: Community West Foundation and Fairview Hospital Board Member Patrick Mulloy with his wife, Laura.

Guests danced the night away to music by Park Place.

Last year’s funds were used to develop a variety of programs, including:

– The annual Youth Movement Contest,

– Automatic defibrillator purchased for local Fire Depts.,

– Food, fitness and fun events for children to promote healthier futures,

– Therapeutic post-op support pillows for all open heart patients,

– Home monitoring program and equipment for CHF patients,

– Continuing education grant for caregiver of the year in remembrance of A. Chase Getz,

– Heart healthy nutritional cooking classes provided to the community.

“Please be assured that your support of Straight from the Heart will assist our hospitals in contributing to provide the very best in the treatment of heart disease,” said Dr. Vlastaris.