A WILD SUCCESS! HEALTHY WOMAN’S 5^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WOWS AUDIENCE

(November 17, 2009-Jourdanton, TX)— South Texas Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Woman Program celebrated its 5^th Anniversary with a wildly successful celebration on November 5^th at the American Legion Hall in Jourdanton.

The theme for the event was Go Wild! And wild they went! The entire event was an over-the-top production. The setting was created with colorful animal inspired décor that filled the venue from floor to ceiling and then spilled over to every table and display. Organizers transformed the reception hall into an elegant venue by creating multiple freestanding rooms within the hall with yards upon yards of crème colored drapery and a colorful mix of sleek black tulle that looked like stylish mosquito netting for the wild excursion.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by masked escorts. The escorts welcomed partygoers to the event and served as guides onto to the “green carpet” which mimicked the traditional Hollywood red carpet entry ways for premiere events. The green carpet twist followed suit with the wild, jungle theme, which lent itself to a grass colored carpet.

The first stop of the evening was the Wild Winnings prize area. Healthy Woman Partners generously donated thousands of dollars of prizes to the program. In total, 199 prizes were gifted at the Go Wild Anniversary Celebration. Those prizes includes gift baskets, canvas art, specialty candles, mercury glass sculptures, Lolita Glassware, Brighton jewelry and travel bags, Gypsy Soles sandals and luxury enamel and crystal cuff bracelets. On top of the retail winnings, 40 floral art centerpiece created by Cosmic Creations were also won by attendees. The centerpieces were made of exotic flowers like Birds of Paradise and contained in coconut halves and drift wood.

As guests made their way out of the Wild Winnings area, they visited the In the Wild Cocktail Hour, sponsored by The Shot Glass liquor store in Pleasanton. Owner, Sharon LaGrange worked as a festive host to serve the 300 guests a bevy of wine selections. Her cocktail picks for the evening included Cupcake Winery’s Merlot and Chardonnay, Barefoot Bubbly Moscato and Umberto Moscato. The selection was perfect as it catered to those with a preference for reds, whites and sparkling wines.

The highlights of the evening before the national speaker took stage include the awards ceremony which honored the 2009 Healthy Woman Advisory Council and the winners of two coveted program awards. Members of the advisory council include:

Shanna	Allen, STRMC Director of Maternal Newborn
	Edward B. Blackmon, Jr., M.D.
Lisa	Blair, M.D. (in absentia)
Cindy	Carr, Owner of Nest Feathers
Rita	Castillo, STRMC Chief Quality Officer
Ginnie	Garcia, Representing Security Service Federal Credit Union
Sarah	Garcia, STRMC Nursing Administrator
Mary	Labatt, STRMC Director of Practice Management
Barbara	Lewis, STRMC Director of Imaging
Jo Ann	McFarland
Karen	Phillips, Owner of the Good Health Store
Suzanne	Schuchart, Business Owner/Rancher

Following after the council member awards, Rita Castillo was named the recipient of the 2009 Top Recruiter Award. Jim Resendez, chief executive officer (CEO) for STRMC presented Castillo with the honor.

Castillo successfully recruited the highest number of new members to the organization from January 2009 to date. This is Castillo’s first year serving as a Healthy Woman Advisory Council Member. In addition to her work with STRMC’s Healthy Woman Advisory Council, she is the Chief Quality Officer for the hospital.

The Top Recruiter Award is a new honor for the program. Jacque Stacy, Healthy Woman Coordinator says, “New member recruitment is a key component in the success and development of this chapter. Developing the Top Recruiter Award is a means to highlight a person, in this case, Rita, who has gone above and beyond to ensure the growth of Healthy Woman.”

After Castillo’s award, Danielle Marie Flores, STRMC Marketing Director and event coordinator for Healthy Woman, announced Cindy Carr as the 2009 Communitarian Award honoree.

Cindy Carr, second year council member, was also bestowed the Communitarian Award by Jim Resendez, CEO. Carr received a standing ovation at the event from the 300 plus people in the audience. Her table of supporters from Nest Feathers, the gift and home décor shop that she owns, were seated front and center to witness the momentous occasion.

The Communitarian Award is the program’s most prestigious honor. Candidates for the award are current Healthy Woman Advisory Council Members. Throughout the year, each member’s contribution to the organization is recorded. Emphasis is placed on one’s contribution to the event organization, regular attendance, anniversary promotion and new member recruitment. At the end of each year, the Healthy Woman Advisory Council Member with the highest level of overall achievement in each of these areas is then recognized as the honoree.

Danielle Flores, Healthy Woman Coordinator says, “I am delighted to award Cindy Carr, a munificent and hardworking woman, with this year’s honor. She is a role model to our council, members and community.”

Guests enjoyed a Safari Feast Among Friends, catered by Special Events by Claire Hindes & Carla McDaniel. Local honor society students volunteered to help provide table service to the guests are part of their community service efforts. As everyone enjoyed their dinner, one last special honor was announced. Jacque Stacy was given an award in recognition for her 5^th year of service to the STRMC Healthy Woman Chapter. She graciously accepted the surprise honor, and then introduced the evening’s speaker, Lisa Smartt. Smartt took stage—girdle in one hand and dollar store purse in the other!

Lisa Smartt & Danielle Marie Flores

She jokingly poked fun at her frugal nature and extensive parenting escapades. Her message of kindness to one’s neighbor and oneself were truly inspirational. The audience roared with laughter as she recounted her personal mishaps and triumphs.

The evening closed with the prize giveaways that astounded the crowd. The volume of gifts ensured that two-thirds of those in attendance left with a winning. Healthy Woman proudly presents the 2009-2010 Healthy Woman Partners.

PLATINUM PARTNERS

• Alejandra Moreno, M.D.
• Cosmic Creations Floral Design
• Nest Feathers
• Pleasanton Express
• SignCo. Graphics
• South Texas Sleep Diagnostics

SILVER PARTNERS

• Atascosa Dental Center, Curt R. Harlan, DDS
• Edward Blackmon, M.D.
• Brush Country Dental Center,
• Drs. Billy L. Morgan & Shelli R. Pruski, DDS
• Party Rentals, Inc.
• Security Service Federal Credit Union
• The Shot Glass
• The Gym

BRONZE PARTNERS

• Hurley Funeral Home, Inc.

PINK PARTNERS

• Otis White of Edward Jones
• Viva La Diva
• Sisters Boutique
• Crafts and Creations by Rebecca
• The Hair Co.
• The Heights
• Special Events by Claire Hindes & Carla McDaniel

Thank you to these generous partners for their contributions and support of the Healthy Woman Program. The 5^th Anniversary Celebration was a wildly successful event! We look forward to 2010’s fun and educational monthly seminars.