Denver Unites at 2024 Foundation Gala
April 16, 2024
Leaders and locals come together to proclaim the critical importance of Denver Health to the community
Nearly 1,400 people attended the 2024 Denver Health Foundation Gala on Saturday, April 6, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. The theme this year was “Thriving Denver” and the event raised $1.5 million in proceeds, which will benefit Denver Health’s core mission.
CBS Colorado Mornings Anchor Michelle Griego emceed the gala and former Denver Broncos player-turned motivational speaker Reggie Rivers served as the gala’s auctioneer.
The gala included a video message from Colorado Governor Jared Polis and remarks from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne, DrPH, and Denver Health Foundation Board Chair Josh Hanfling.
Lynne noted the unprecedented financial pressure Denver Health is currently facing, citing $140 million in uncompensated care in 2023.
“The theme of tonight’s gala is ‘Thriving Denver.’ If Denver is to thrive in the future, we must be able to meet the health care needs of everyone in our community,” said Lynne. “No other health care system is doing this in the comprehensive way that Denver Health does. And yet we cannot continue to support the growing demands of our community without more financial resources.”
During an awards presentation, Kaiser Permanente was honored with The Foundation of Denver Health Award, presented in recognition of their philanthropic contributions to Denver Health and their profound effect on Denver Health’s mission of clinical care, education, and research.
In 2023, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, through the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund at The Denver Foundation, and in partnership with donors to Denver Health Foundation, raised significant funds to support Denver Health’s general operating costs and further its core mission.
Philanthropist and Denver Health Foundation board member, Nancy Gary, PsyD, was honored with the 2024 Wellington E. Webb Award for Excellence in Health Care Philanthropy, presented in recognition of her philanthropic contributions to Denver Health and the lasting influence of her civic commitment to advancing our community’s collective wellness.
Dr. Gary, alongside her late husband Sam Gary, has been a longstanding supporter of Denver Health’s mission. Most recently, she provided transformational philanthropic support to the Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM), empowering Denver Health to save thousands of lives through substance use disorder services. Dr. Gary, who has refrained from attending events for many years due to COVID risks, surprised guests by accepting the award in-person amidst a standing ovation. She told attendees she felt compelled to be at the gala to underscore the significance of Denver Health’s role in the life of the city.
To cap off the evening, gala guests were treated to an enthralling hour-long concert by Denver-raised, five-time Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves with musicians John Beasley, Reuben Rogers, and Terreon Gully. Reeves enriched her performance with lyrics that referenced Denver and she shared personal anecdotes between songs, painting vivid pictures of growing up in the city. She reminisced about iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and paid homage to influences such as Earth, Wind & Fire and her uncle, the legendary bassist Charles Burrell. Before the concert, Griego honored Reeves’ mother, Vada Louise Swanson, celebrating her dedicated work as a pediatric nurse at Denver’s Hyde Park Health Center from 1967 to 1982.
During the reception, local Denver musical artist Kayla Marque captivated the crowd, while local Denver neo-soul group People in Between provided entertainment during dinner. Local Denver Aztec dance troupe Journey Through Our Heritage led guests to the Centennial Ballroom for dinner and local Denver visual artists Diego Florez-Arroyo and Lauri Keener created artwork during the event. The pieces will be donated to area health clinics.
The 2024 Denver Health Foundation Gala featured a live auction with items ranging from an exclusive Denver Health experience involving helicopter and ambulance ride-alongs, to tickets to ski the Birds of Prey World Cup course, to a weekend at the Breeders’ Cup, to a vacation package donated by Attimo Winery. A last-minute donation of an autographed Nikola Jokić jersey was the highlight of the auction. More than half a million dollars were raised during the event through a combination of the live auction and a paddle raise, surpassing the fundraising total from the last gala in 2022 and marking it as the most successful night-of fundraising in gala history.
During his remarks, Denver Health Foundation Board Chair Josh Hanfling emphasized the critical importance of Denver Health to the city.
“There would be no Denver without Denver Health,” said Hanfling. “We are a cornerstone of the community and serve as a beacon of hope and healing for individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their background or circumstances. Denver Health’s commitment to serving the community goes beyond medical care. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging and support for everyone.”
The 2024 Denver Health Foundation Gala Honorary Chairs were Rose Andom, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Susan Daggett, Helen and Joe Drexler, Katherine Gold, Brooke and Tom Gordon, Josh Hanfling, Donna Lynne, Jamie Van Leeuwen and Andrei Parvan, and Michelle Sie Whitten and Tom Whitten.
Denver Health Champions for the Thriving Denver Gala comprised all living former mayors—Federico Peña, Wellington E. Webb, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, Michael Hancock—and current Denver Mayor, Mike Johnston.
The Gala Sales Committee included Kathy Boyle, Ph.D., R.N.; Alyce Blum; Polly Breit; Peg Burnette; Lily Cervantes, M.D.; Richard Dart, M.D.; Amy Friedman; Kris Gaw; Brooke Gordon; Josh Hanfling; Nicole Isenberg; Auna Jornayvaz; Donna Lynne; Bill Saslow: Michael Saslow; Chuck Scully; Kristie Sheets; Charlie Walling; Lee White; and Molly Yost.
Gold Sponsors for the 2024 Denver Health Foundation Gala were Rose Andom, The Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, Madison Family Foundation, MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation, Susan and Lee McIntire, alongside Blair and Kristin Richardson, Henry and Lorie Gordon, Jane Ingalls and Neil Nowak, George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson, and Leo Tilman and Dr. Alisa Koval. The event’s many silver and bronze sponsors can be found on the event website.
Denver Health Foundation Executive Director Crystal Potter Rivera expressed profound gratitude for the remarkable turnout and the record dollar amount raised at the event.
“Denver Health Foundation is immensely grateful to our generous donors, sponsors, partners, and guests who made the 2024 Gala an outstanding success,” said Rivera. “This kind of dedication underscores the significance of rallying together to uplift and strengthen the health and well-being of our community. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to Denver Health and the countless lives you touch through your generosity.”
Established in 1860 and older than the state of Colorado, Denver Health upholds a core mission to provide equitable health care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay; to educate future health professionals; and to drive research and community partnerships.
Your giving to Denver Health Foundation makes a difference in countless lives. Invest in Denver’s health today. Visit our donation page to make a gift.