This is the launch of a momentous project for our region that will improve access to primary care for years to come
SVMC President and CEO Estevan Garcia, MD, DrPH.BENNINGTON, VT—The Summer Gala—Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation’s signature fundraising event and the region’s premier philanthropic occasion—netted nearly $1 million to support a Dartmouth Health Family Medicine Residency at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in downtown Bennington.
The event, which raised more than $981,000 and welcomed nearly 350 guests to the 1768 Hubbell Homestead in Bennington, launched a new capital campaign to build a Family Medicine Residency in downtown Bennington as part of Phase II of the Putnam Block project. The residency will serve as the anchor tenant of the five-story building.
“This is the launch of a momentous project for our region that will improve access to primary care for years to come,” said SVMC President and CEO Estevan Garcia, MD, DrPH. “We could not do this without the backing of Dartmouth Health and the support of our community. The excitement and optimism surrounding this project were evident in the generosity our Gala guests demonstrated.”
The residency, which is expected to welcome its first cohort of physicians in 2029, will attract six resident physicians each year for a three-year training program. Nearly 60% of residents remain in the communities where they train, creating a pipeline of providers who will live and work in the region.
Dartmouth Health President and CEO Joanne Conroy, MD, and Andrew Perron, MD, associate dean of graduate medical education at the Geisel School of Medicine, attended the Gala in support of the official launch of the residency campaign.
“This is truly the first step in transforming SVMC into a teaching hospital, where we can foster future generations of clinical experts who will be invested in this region,” Garcia said.
The event included presentation of SVMC’s Vision Awards. The Sean L. Casey Distinguished Community Service Award was presented to long-time SVHC Trustee Wayne Granquist for his work in healthcare and nonprofit governance. The Health Care Leadership Award was presented to Trey Dobson, MD, for his 20-year career at SVMC, furthering clinical excellence.
Leslie Keefe, vice president of corporate development, congratulated the winners and thanked the generous sponsors, donors, and committee members who made the evening possible.
“Our volunteer committees made this an exceptional evening,” said Keefe. “They embraced the importance of this project and helped us deliver that message to our Gala guests. Together with our sponsors, staff, and vendors, they helped create an evening that truly exemplified the theme of ‘Growing Our Own.’”
The Summer Gala Committee included co-chairs Caroline Maran Ivanov and Monique Geannelis, along with Rachel Caswell, Vicki Jerome, Carol Patterson, Caryn Packard, and Janet Thibodeau.
The Summer Gala Honorary Committee included co-chairs Susie Hunter and Doug Watson, co-chairs Sallyan and Steve Pelletier, Susan and Lael Kellett, Topsy and Andrew King, Wenke and Bill Sterns, Mary-Anne and Bob Van Degna, Debbie and Bill Wight, and Susan Willetts and Alan Pritz.
Summer Gala event sponsors were Tom Green and Kristen Johanson, Susie Hunter and Doug Watson, and Sallyan and Steve Pelletier.
Title sponsors were Allaire Health Services, Mack, and Salas O’Brien.
Presenting sponsors were Alfred Weissman Real Estate, LLC; Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Bevin; Coggins Auto Group; Kathy Fisher and Rocco Maggiotto; Hubbell Homestead; Deborah and John Larkin; rk Miles; Wenke and Bill Sterns; and Susan Willetts and Alan Pritz.
Lead sponsors were Joanne Conroy, MD; George and Jackie Keady; and Norene Peck.
Supporting sponsors included The Rowley Agency, a Gallagher Company; Allison & Walker Kimball; and SMRT Architects & Engineers.
Host sponsors included Bank of Bennington; Cardinal Land Properties—Scott Seidel and Diane Cardinal-Seidel; Drs. Carol Conroy and Anders Rhodin; Jenny and Leon Coutu; The Gift Garden; William Hoyt; Caroline and Vlad Ivanov; and VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.
Shuttle sponsors were Jason P. Morrissey, Attorney at Law, and Mt. Anthony Primary Care, Gregory King, MD.
The SVHC Foundation’s Community Business Partners include Ihasz & Associates, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Tyler Electric Security, and Wassick Tire Service.
Learn more about the event at summergala.com.