News

Sussex Emergency Associates Support Beebe at the Thanksgiving Ball

11/22/05

The Beebe Annual Thanksgiving Ball was an overwhelming success once again as more than 450 guests dined and danced in celebration of the approaching conclusion of the Medical Center's five-year, Vision 2005 Capital Campaign.

The 18th Annual Thanksgiving Ball raised more that $150,000 to help complete the largest capital campaign in the history of Beebe Medical Center. More than $10.8 million has already been contributed in support of three capital construction projects. The first two, the new Outpatient Care Center on Route 24 and a new central utility building on the Savannah Road Campus in Lewes, have been completed.

The third project, now underway, is the expansion of Beebe's Emergency Department. Once the project is completed, the number of beds in the Emergency Department will grow from 18 to 36, and the annual patient capacity will grow from about 34,000 patients to 60,000 patients.

Over the last two years the numbers of patients seen in the Emergency Department has increased significantly due to the huge explosion of people moving into communities that Beebe serves, said Dr. Michael Edwards, Emergency Department Medical Director and member of Sussex Emergency Associates.

The expansion of the Emergency Department will allow us to incorporate many new modalities in the delivery of emergency care. These new advances will not only make it possible to serve more patients, but also will make it more efficient for our patients, he said.

Sussex Emergency Associates, which provides the staff to Beebe's Emergency Department, has been a loyal and generous supporter of the medical center's fundraising efforts.


Beebe Medical Center President and CEO Jeffrey M. Fried said that Beebe is truly grateful for the outpouring of support that it receives from the community.

To be this close to the conclusion of the $12 million Vision 2005 Campaign is a remarkable testimony to the respect and caring that residents and visitors have for Beebe.

Medical Center Board member Patti Shreeve said that the Thanksgiving Ball is not only an important fundraiser, but a wonderful event that is perhaps the most creative and fun in the community's fall season.

Designers, Decorators and creative volunteers come forward to create some of the most exiting and colorful table displays imaginable, Shreeve said.

Caption: Joining Jeffrey Fried in enjoying the festivities at the Ball are members of the Sussex Emergency Associates and their spouses. Pictured from left to right are: Jeffrey Fried, Drs. Eric and Kim Gallagher, Drs. Joydeep and Maria Haldar, Dr. Michael and Debbie Edwards, Dr. Paul and Cheryl Cowan, Dr. Kevin and Elaine Bristowe; and Dr. Thomas and Patti Shreeve.