Pullman hospital holds gala to up services

Fundraiser brings in average of $100,000 per year for equipment, salaries, programs

Attendees+of+last+year%E2%80%99s+Pullman+Regional+Hospital+Foundation+Gala+hold+up+auction+numbers+looking+to+donate+money+to+the+hospital.

COURTESY OF STEPHANIE PIERCE

Attendees of last year’s Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation Gala hold up auction numbers looking to donate money to the hospital.

JAYCE CARRAL, Evergreen reporter

The Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation will host their 13th annual gala Feb. 2. All proceeds raised by the event will be allocated for hospital programs.

Rueben Mayes, Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation chief development officer, said the foundation hosts the gala to celebrate its fundraising successes from the previous year. During the event, the foundation recognizes annual donors and sponsors.

He said those attending the event pay an admission fee of $125. They are also given several opportunities to donate money through participation in auctions, raffles and paddle-ups.

For the last four to five years, the gala has raised an annual average of $100,000, Mayes said.

Derek Sadam, Pullman Regional Hospital assistant director of operations, said the foundation’s primary function is to transfer money to the hospital.

The funds go toward purchasing equipment, employee salaries and support of special programs such as the Women’s Leadership Guild and the Regional High School Athletic Training Program.

“The foundation helps provide philanthropic support,” Sadam said. “It helps people in the community see the impact they have had on the hospital and what the hospital has done for the community.”

He said funds gathered from previous galas have helped fund the hospital’s same-day services building, mammogram equipment and orthopedic services. He said the event will have over 300 guests and is expected to last until 11 p.m.

Mayes said the money raised during this year’s gala will help fund the hospital’s new cardiology center and the Family Medicine Residency Program.

The three-year program trains resident physicians to become doctors after graduating from medical school, he said.

“We are excited because the community is growing,” Mayes said. “It’s an opportunity for folks to come together and help the hospital as it grows.”