On March 17, 2018, more than 800 guests gathered in the Georgia Aquarium Oceans Ballroom to celebrate Grady Health System’s healthcare heroes at the eighth annual White Coat Grady Gala. The event shared the stories of patients and the healthcare providers and champions whose efforts saved or enhanced their lives, highlighting the incredible impact Grady makes on the metro Atlanta community every day.

The sold out event raised $1.2 million for Grady Health System, and an additional $150K onsite for the purchase of two retinal scanners/cameras to advance Grady's ophthalmology care. Guests of the Gala included prominent elected officials, business and community leaders, along with Grady Health System, Emory School of Medicine, and Morehouse School of Medicine executives and physicians.

This Gala was co-chaired by Sam Johnson, Regional Managing Partner of Ernst & Young, and his wife Stefanie, and Dave Stockert, former CEO and President of Post Properties, and his wife Cammie Ives. Emmy Award winning former WSB-TV news anchor and television personality Monica Pearson, and current WSB-TV news anchor Linda Stouffer, served as the event’s emcees. Presenting sponsors included Delta Airlines, The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority, and The Home Depot.

The 2018 White Coat Grady Gala honorees included:

The Fulton and DeKalb County Commissioners. Each of the County Commissioners received a Champion of Grady Award for their incredible support of Grady Health System’s capital campaign. Collectively, the two groups voted unanimously to fund up to $90 million of Grady’s upcoming capital projects through bonds.

Dr. Yousuf Khalifa, Chief of Ophthalmology at Grady, and Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Global Ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine.  Dr. Khalifa received the Rising Star Award for his commitment to the creation and advancement of Grady Eye Center, which provides preventative and specialized care to thousands of underserved patients and those at risk of blindness.

Dr. Sheryl Gabram, Emory Surgeon-in-Chief for Grady Health System and Director of the AVON Comprehensive Breast Center.  Dr. Gabram received the Trailblazer Award in recognition of her efforts to advance breast cancer care through community education outreach, and innovative and less invasive technological procedures.

Robert “Bob” Meyers and Kristina Miles, are Grady EMS first responders who were recognized with the Heart of Grady Award. Along with countless certifications and designations between them, including Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer, and Grady EMS Bike and Biohazard Specialty Transport Teams, their teamwork to save and sustain lives in highly time-sensitive and unpredictable emergencies, serves as a benchmark for Grady’s emergency response care.

Dr. Louis Sullivan, founding Dean and former President of the Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Sullivan received the Pete and Ada Lee Correll Legacy Award for his accomplishments as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Chairman of the board of the National Health Museum, and his pivotal role rallying community support for Grady Health System.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such esteemed healthcare professionals and community leaders, champion Grady and support its mission,” said Renay Blumenthal, president of the Grady Health Foundation.  “Their impact on patient care, physician training, and our ability to offer Grady as a viable healthcare solution for all Atlantans is exemplary. Grady truly is the heart of Atlanta, and thanks to these honorees, that heartbeat continues to grow stronger every day.”