GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION’S 22nd ANNUAL SPRING BALL RAISES $431,000

Suffern, N.Y.- (May 2007) – More than $431,000 was raised at the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation’s 22nd annual Spring Ball, held on Sunday, April 15, at the Hilton Woodcliff Lake in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. Proceeds from the event will help to fund expansion, renovations, and enhancements to Good Samaritan’s Emergency Department, a vital service provided by the hospital and a point-of-entry for many within the community.

Six hundred fifty guests attended this year’s spring ball which featured a fun “Under the Big Top” circus theme and honored Dr. Stuart Lestch, M.D., with the Sister Joseph Rita Award for Medical Excellence and Mark Acker, with the Good Samaritan Hospital Medal of Honor.

Dr. Lestch joined the Good Samaritan medical staff in 1972. He served as Chief of subsection of neurology from 1988 to the present, is active on the Medical Executive Committee, is Medical Director of the Stroke Team, and Co-director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. He led the charge for Good Samaritan Hospital to become one of the first hospitals in New York to attain Stroke Center designation from both the JCAHO and New York State.

Mark Acker received this year’s Good Samaritan Hospital Medal of Honor for his service and dedication to the community. He has long been active in supporting community activities, and is a past Chairman of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, in addition to being an active member of the Rockland Business Association, also sitting on its Board.

Good Samaritan Hospital is part of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, which also includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, N.Y. and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information on this, or any of the hospital’s programs or services, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000 or www.GoodSamHosp.org.

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