Hospital Gala raises nearly $200K for non-profit

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The Piedmont Fayette Gala Committee are, from left, Pat Cook, Amy Burnett, Gina Wilson, Anne Williams, Debbie Britt, Vickie Turner, Dr. Angela Swayne, Dr. Elizabeth Killebrew and gala auctioneer, Stephen Walker. Photo/Joey Appie Photography.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital celebrated its “commitment to caring for the community” with its first-ever gala Feb. 11 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The event, a fundraiser for the 501(c)3 not-for-profit hospital, was held at the Delta Flight Museum. More than 450 people attended the event, which raised nearly $200,000.

Proceeds from the event help Piedmont Fayette sustain its ongoing programs and operations, while also making new improvements and advanced technologies possible.

“We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of our sponsors and the hundreds of donors who supported our inaugural event,” Piedmont Fayette CEO Michael Burnett said. “It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Fayette County did not have a hospital. The event provided us the opportunity to tell our story and celebrate our patients and the care we provide.”

When Piedmont Fayette first opened its doors in 1997 with 100 employees, there were some who thought there would not be enough need for a hospital and it would never be busy enough to justify its existence. Today, Piedmont Fayette has more than 1,600 employees, nearly 700 physicians and 250 volunteers. This spring, Piedmont Fayette Hospital will complete its third major expansion.

The hospital is now licensed for 221 beds and, soon all of the patient rooms will be private rooms. The emergency department, which will see more than 75,000 visitors this year, will double in size.

“While our hospital and services have grown exponentially to better meet the needs of the community, so has our heart for the community we serve,” said Burnett.

Event sponsors included Coweta-Fayette EMC, the Piedmont Fayette Medical Staff, Brasfield and Gorrie General Contractors, Meadows and Ohly, The Ronnie Thames Foundation, The Women’s Specialists of Fayette, Georgia Urology, MediaMash, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service, North Atlanta Surgical Associates, Peachtree Piedmont Pathology, Piedmont South Imaging, Southern Crescent Women’s Healthcare and dozens of others.

The hospital announced that its second annual gala will be held on Feb. 10 next year.