Special Events
While a host of 150th anniversary events took center stage in 2023 and 2024, the traditional calendar of annual events at both Mercy and Stella Maris were tremendously successful and provided abundant opportunities for friends and volunteers to show their support for both organizations.
Special events coordinated by the Mercy Health Foundation team provide wonderful opportunities to unite our leaders, staff, supporters, and community at large. Events generate significant philanthropic support for Mercy Health Services’ clinical and community programs and offer platforms to increase awareness of Mercy’s expanding services in and around Baltimore.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the special events hosted in support of programs and patient services for the health system generated $462,811 in donations. We are extremely grateful to our corporate sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants for their unfailing generosity.
Corporate Partners President’s Reception
Mercy hosted a reception on its downtown campus to thank corporate donors for their past support and to introduce a year of celebration and community service leading up to Mercy’s 150th anniversary. The Irish-themed networking event featured remarks by Dr. Maine, who acknowledged the pivotal role of the Sisters of Mercy in the hospital’s storied history. Dr. Maine honored and toasted 11 Sisters of Mercy in attendance who currently or previously worked at Mercy and/or Stella Maris. A total of 59 corporate and philanthropic foundation guests representing 32 organizations participated.
Heat It To Beat It Walk
Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters gathered at Mercy Medical Center in September of 2023 for the 14th Annual Heat It To Beat It survivorship celebration and fundraiser, which benefits research led by surgical oncologist Dr. Armando Sardi, Medical Director of the Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy. The increasingly popular and inspiring event raised $242,516 to support ongoing cancer research.
Stella Maris Wine Tasting
In April of 2024, Stella Maris celebrated its 21st annual Tasting of Wine and Craft Spirits event. Offered to nearly 300 guests at the Grand Lodge of Maryland, the event provided participants the opportunity to sample and purchase wine, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, and bid on dozens of silent and live auction items. The event raised $108,214 to benefit long-term care services for Stella Maris residents.
BreastFest
BreastFest, an annual “cocktails for a cause” fundraiser produced by Mercy’s longstanding partner The Tyanna Foundation, was held in November of 2023. The Tyanna Foundation works tirelessly to ease the breast cancer journeys of women and to promote early detection nationwide. Known for their slogan “Save the Girls,” the Tyanna Foundation’s BreastFest event provided $25,000 in support of the care provided at Mercy’s Hoffberger Breast Center. The Tyanna Foundation has provided over $2 million in cumulative support of the Breast Center over the last two decades.
Stella Maris Crab Feast
In October, the 39th Annual Crab Feast and Hospice Day of Giving was held at the Timonium Fairgrounds to benefit Stella Maris. Guests enjoyed delicious catered meals, fun games, music, raffles, and auctions. Nearly 30 committee members, 75 volunteers, and 550 participants made the 2023 Feast one of the most successful to date, generating $112,081 in support of hospice care.
Corporate Partners Breakfast
Mercy hosted its annual Corporate Partners Recognition Breakfast on May 2, 2024 on its downtown campus. The breakfast recognizes businesses and organizations for their support of Mercy’s programs and services. Attending the breakfast were 93 corporate guests representing 47 companies, foundations, and community organizations, with 125 attendees in all.
The breakfast featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Maine, who posed questions regarding the state of healthcare to three of Mercy’s top physician specialists: Sandra Kotiah, M.D., Director, The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center; Lauren Nigro, M.D., of the Breast Reconstruction and Restoration Center; and Paul Thuluvath, M.D., Medical Director of The Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease.
The Mercy Advocate Society for Events
The Advocate Society recognizes individuals whose volunteer leadership and involvement played a vital role in supporting the mission, values, and philanthropic vision of Mercy Health Services between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. We are indebted to these individuals who ensure that the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy endure.
2023 Mercy Heat It To Beat It Committee
Judy Amoss
Sevren Chwang
Tracy Gosson
Michael Henry
Anthony Jones
Mary Caitlin King
Monica King
Katie Pawlikoski
Mandi Phillips
Pam Phillips
Helen Szablya
Denise Wesley
Stella Maris Crab Feast and Hospice Day of Giving Committee
Tom Barranco
Marina Brockmann
Lara Chamberlain
Kathy Deane
Sonia Fierro-Luperini, M.D.
Dee Gautcher, R.N.
Dee Gittings
Cooper Henry
Mary Beth Kelly
Noreen Lidston
Kali Mallik
Katie McNeely
Tracy Oerman
Drew Osmeyer
Brian Peller
Dave Ross
Dan Sullivan
Carol Thrasher
Chuck Zeller
Sally Zeller
2024 Stella Maris Wine Tasting
Frank Boston, Esq., Co-Chair
P. Sean O’Conor, Co-Chair
Vanessa Boston
Brigid Clevenger
Christian Colon
Claire Dietrich
Beth Donahoo, M.D.
Jill Golueke
Steve Golueke
Rachel Hammer
Dan Hughes
Caley Kratz
Katie McNeely
Maria McNeely
Bob Moore
Brian Peller
