November 1, 2007

Mercy Foundation to Entertain Record Crowd Saturday for Gala

The Mercy Medical Center Foundation will host a sell-out crowd for its 2007 Gala, “A Festival of Wine in Bordeaux,” on Saturday evening at the Marina Inn and Conference Center in South Sioux City.

A record 530 people will attend this year’s event. The gala is the Mercy Foundation’s major fundraiser each year.

Dr. Gerald and Sheryl McGowan are co-chairs for the gala, which will benefit women and children’s services at Mercy.

Following a social hour at 6:00 p.m., gala guests will be served dinner at 7:00 p.m. Gourmet entrees will include regional dishes from the Bordeaux region in France.

One of the highlights of the event will be the presentation of the Dr. George G. Spellman Annual Service Award to Dr. Ted Roman, Sioux City’s first cardiovascular surgeon. During a 21-year career at Marian Health Center, now Mercy, Roman completed thousands of open-heart surgical procedures during more than 64,000 hours in the operating room. He retired from medicine in 1999.

Named for one of the most distinguished physicians in Sioux City’s history, the Dr. George G. Spellman Annual Service Award pays special recognition to a community member or group who has given of their time, talent and dedication to exemplify the values of Mercy.
Live music, dancing, and a raffle will cap the evening.