HopeHealth, the non-profit provider of hospice, palliative and home health care, will host its annual gala, "An Evening of Hope & Gratitude," on June 8, 2023, 5:30 p.m., at WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. The event will raise funds to support HopeHealth's mission of providing compassionate care, support, and education to hospice and palliative care patients and their families. The fundraiser is hosted by The Public’s Radio morning host Luis Hernandez. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a three-course dinner, live music and a “Mystery Box” drawing for a getaway at Newport’s Wellington Resort.

During the gala, HopeHealth will honor outstanding individuals with three unique awards:

The Human Dignity Award will be presented to Richard W. Besdine, MD, and Terrie Fox Wetle, PhD, who have dedicated their careers to research, education and policy to improve the care of people at end of life. Dr. Besdine, until his stepping down from leadership in 2020, was inaugural Greer Professor of Geriatric Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Interim Dean of Medicine from 2002 to 2005. Dr. Wetle, a gerontologist, was founding dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health.

The Distinguished Advocate Award will be presented to U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a champion for end-of-life care in the U.S. Senate, emphasizing Rhode Island as a leader in patient-centered care. He is known on Capitol Hill for his passion about care at the end of life and his work to make healthcare better for all Rhode Islanders and Americans.

The Spirit of Hope Award will recognize the extraordinary expertise and compassion of HopeHealth hospice aide, Patrick Wallace, CHPNA, whose commitment to patients and families embodies hospice and palliative care at its best. Employed at HopeHealth since 2007, Wallace was nominated by his peers who praised his expertise and leadership. One nominator commented that he is “a shining example of the HopeHealth spirit.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for companies and individuals who wish to support HopeHealth's mission. "The support of our community makes it possible for HopeHealth to provide important services, such as grief support, veterans’ programs, Alzheimer’s and dementia services and free care for the uninsured," says Suzanne Fortier, chief philanthropy officer at HopeHealth. “And 100% of the proceeds from this event support patients and families in need of compassionate care.”

For more information about "An Evening of Hope & Gratitude," please visit www.HopeHealthCo.org/2023Gala.