MORGANTOWN – Black coats, black cowboy hats and glittery gowns brought the yee-haw vibe to the event center at Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place Saturday evening.
It was the first Vandalia Health Ball of the Year, with a Western theme: Frontier of Care – A Wild West Gala. More than 700 people attended to have an evening of fun and to raise funds for Vandalia Health–Northern Region.
For 60 years, the Ball of the Year had been an annual fundraiser put on by the Mon Health Medical Center Auxiliary. But the Auxiliary this past spring transitioned to its own Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser and the ball became an Vandalia event.
David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health and Davis Health Systems – Vandalia Health Northern Region, and executive vice president of Vandalia Health, said Saturday evening before the ball began, “We have to thank the Auxiliary of Mon Health Medical Center for 60 years of raising tons of money, community support and community spirit.”
Auxiliary fundraisers go to specific projects at Mon Medical Center. The Ball will benefit projects across the system.
“Last year we took care of more than 400,000 patients through our hospitals,” Goldberg said, “and now we’re coming together to celebrate, raise some money, raise some awareness.”
Every donor had the opportunity to donate to a specific hospital with that money going to that facility’s greatest need, he said. Some did, and some chose to give to Vandalia in general.
This year Vandalia north is investing almost $200 million in capital projects, Goldberg said. Among them, a new hybrid procedure room at Mon Medical, a new generator at Broaddus Hospital, new surgical equipment at Stonewall Jackson Memorial, expanding the clinic at Preston Memorial, the new Mon Harrison Hospital that will open this coming summer, and expanded radiology services at Mon Marion Hospital.
“All of these dollars are going to all of these expansion projects, so it really is making a huge difference across north-central West Virginia,” he said.
Event Planning Coordinator Madison Hutson led the planning and setup of the Ball. “We had an awesome team of volunteers that helped with setup,” she said.
The primary team was herself and colleagues Joanna Wylie and Laura McCall. “This is our brainchild from the beginning.”
Hutson praised the vendors they worked with and the volunteers who helped. They started planning in February, while the actual setup took three days, all done by Vandalia Health staff.
The dress theme for the evening was “Stetsons and Stilettos, ” and the Ball included a silent auction. The event was expected to bring in $500,000.
The event’s Frontier Sponsor was Hope Gas.
Vandalia Health also honored outstanding physicians for their commitment to patient care — a tradition that began in 2024 to recognize the medical professionals who exemplify the organization’s values of compassion, excellence and service.
Dr. Wade Stoughton and Roger King Physician Leadership Award: Allison Bardes; William Burns; James Gainer; Bruce Gorby; Jason McNair; Misha Phillips-Lee; Brad Warden.
Patrick R. Esposito and Caroline Esposito Award for Physician Excellence in Patient Care: John Battin; Garrett Butler; Frederick Gabriele; David Hall; Bonnie Forman; Alexander Nagy; Amanda Pennington; Todd Tallman.
Intermed Innovation Award: Samantha Crites; Marc Dotson; Matthew Gaskill; Hannah Hughes; Michael Hurst; Salam Sbaity.
In addition to physician recognitions, Vandalia Health presented the Christine Battin Award for Community Service to Julia Spelsberg, community outreach coordinator at Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital and President of the Theresa Snaith Hospital Auxiliary of Vandalia Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital; and Kim Liston, community programs coordinator at Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital.
Established in 2024, the award highlights the vital role of community engagement and volunteerism in advancing Vandalia Health’s mission and honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to outreach, education and service in the communities they serve.
Vandalia’s nine northern region facilities are: Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center, Morgantown; Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood; Vandalia Health Mon Marion Neighborhood Hospital, White Hall; Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston; Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center, Elkins; Vandalia Health Broaddus Hospital, Philippi; Vandalia Health Webster Memorial Hospital, Webster Springs; Vandalia Health Mon Harrison Neighborhood Hospital, under construction at Charles Pointe Crossing, Bridgeport; and The Village at Heritage Point, Morgantown.
