Celebrate "A Night of Decadence" at the Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville, as the Blue Mountain Health Systems celebrates its 13th annual fundraising gala on April 17.
While the black-tie affair will feature a decadent night of Champagne and chocolate, gourmet food and live entertainment, the event is meant to honor the "decadent" display of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
The gala committee settled upon this theme to honor Blackwell's courage and daring.
She earned her degree during a time when medicine was practiced only by men, and many were scandalized by Blackwell's belief that she had the intellect and ability to become a physician.
"It's really about the decadence of thinking," said Joe Guardiani, director of fund development at Blue Mountain.
"She had the decadence to go above and beyond, and to clear the hurdles that get in the way of enlightenment. She paved the way."
The theme will also honor this year's gala co-chairs, Drs. Deborah Smith, Barbara Davis, and Cheryl Lipson, three Blue Mountain physicians who have dedicated their careers to medicine and healing.
"They are three of the finest members of our medical staff, and they also happen to be women," said Guardiani.
Drs. Smith and Davis have been serving on the gala committee for several years, and Dr. Lipson was recruited to the committee for the first time this year.
"We are honored to be co-chairs, and thankful to (Blackwell) for paving the way for women physicians throughout the world," added Smith.
The annual gala is the health system's cornerstone fundraiser.
The goal for this year's event is to raise more than $90,000, which will be used to remodel patient rooms at Blue Mountain Health Systems, including the Lehighton and Palmerton hospital campuses an