Founder's Day 2010

Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams, medical doctor, clown and author, was chosen as the 2010 St. Barnabas Hance Award recipient.

The Hance Award is presented annually to a person of national acclaim who has made a significant impact upon the lives of Americans. The award is named for Brother Gouverneur P. Hance (1871-1954), who founded St. Barnabas in 1900 as a place to provide care to those in need regardless of their ability to pay.

Dr. Patch Adams believes that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process and has devoted his life to the study of what makes people happy. Dr. Adams is the founder and director of The Gesundheit! Institute and an author.

The day-long celebration was held Thursday, April 29, 2010 and included a visit by Dr. Adams to St. Barnabas Nursing Home, an exclusive fund-raising luncheon at The Washington Place and a fund-raising dinner and silent auction at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. The dinner was attended by nearly 400 guests, who bid on dozens of silent auction packages.

Proceeds from Founder's Day benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which annually provides more than $4.2 million in free care to poor and low-income patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas. Since its founding in 1900, the mission of St. Barnabas remains the same - to care for those in need regardless of their ability to pay.

Mark your calendar for 2011 Founder's Day to be held Thursday, April 28, 2011. For more information please contact St. Barnabas Charities at (724) 443-0700, ext. 5258 or email St. Barnabas Charities.

Signature Sponsor

Patch Adams with
William V. Day, president,
St. Barnabas Health System

Patch visits patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home

Patch is presented with a memory book from Don Kinast,
St. Barnabas Nursing Home resident

Reception and Silent Auction at the Omni William Penn

Co-emcees David Johnson and Peggy Finnegan , WPXI-TV