Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone will 'invade'
2008 Hospital Foundation Gala
Friday, May 30, 2008
Gala attendees will be entertained by the music of one of the top bands of the 1960s 'British Invasion.'
The British are coming! The pop sounds of the '60s will fill Nora Mayo Hall when Herman's Hermits, featuring original lead singer Peter Noone, perform in November at the 19th annual Gala hosted by the Mid-Florida Medical Services Foundation.
The fund-raising event, scheduled for November 13, will help support the Foundation's healthcare services and programs at Winter Haven Hospital, Regency Medical Center for women and children; six family health centers and a variety of additional healthcare facilities. Community-owned, not-for-profit Winter Haven Hospital is the major medical center for east Polk County and the Ridge Corridor communities
Last year's Gala raised a record of more than $500,000 in philanthropic contributions, said Don Ingram, chairman of the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
"This year we feel we can build on our great success by showcasing not only the medical services we provide to the community," Ingram said, "but also by making this one of the best Galas ever. We're bringing in one of the best hit-making bands from the 1960s."
With Noone as the lead singer, Herman's Hermits formed in Manchester, England, in the early 1960s. They swiftly joined the ranks of the popular and wildly successful British Invasion bands that toured the United States.
Playing such hits as "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am," Herman's Hermits built a huge following of fans who enjoyed their clean-cut image and sound. They performed often on national television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show.
As recently as March, 2007, Noone served as a coach on the British Invasion segment of American Idol, where he sang another of the band's hits, "There's a Kind of Hush."
Bolstered by community support at events like the Gala, progress at Winter Haven Hospital has been dramatic in recent years. Among the achievements:
Winter Haven Hospital recently was recertified as a Primary Stroke Center, the only such facility in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties and was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top stroke centers in the nation.
Regency Medical Center was awarded Premier's Quality Award for Obstetrics and neonatal care, one of only three "Best in Country" women's medical centers.
The Bostick Heart Center, Central Florida's newest state-of-the-art cardiovascular service pavilion, offers a full spectrum of heart surgery and cardiovascular health services. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons recently reported that for the past 12 months, the Bostick Heart Center ranked in the top 98 percent for patient outcomes compared to similar centers.
In addition, the hospital is working toward securing a Magnet Certification. By becoming a Magnet facility, the hospital will have demonstrated excellence in nursing care, higher-quality medical services at a lower cost and demonstrated better patient outcomes.
"We are extremely proud of the depth of healthcare we can offer to our patients, and at the same time, we want the community to know that decisions about the level that we can provide are made here in east Polk County," said Bob Carter, chairman of the Winter Haven Hospital Board of Directors. "I think our community is blessed to be able to say that."
Lance Anastasio, president and CEO of Winter Haven Hospital, said the annual Gala serves a dual purpose for the Hospital and the community.
"The Gala is a perfect opportunity for the hospital and the Foundation to let our friends in the community learn more about our exciting projects and services," he said. "And it's a wonderful occasion for our supporters to come out and have a good time."
"We work hard to bring the best healthcare possible to our growing region," said Joel Thomas, Vice President of Development for the Foundation. "The Gala will help us continue to do that."
