Grape Escape Raises Funds For Heart & Vascular Suite

By Space Coast Daily // November 16, 2014

hosted by the Health First Foundation

Health First Foundation Grape Escape 2014 Committee (from left) Rita Moreno; Larry Bishop, MD, underwriting co-chair; Christine Lance; Laurel Rector; Melissa Flammio Clark, underwriting co-chair; Jeanne Farmer, honorary chair; Stephanie Brown; Anita Weaver; John Gallo, co-chair; Susan Thompson; Joseph Grutta; Darcia Francey, auction co-chair; Pam Gatto, co-chair; Valerie Karas; Dick Beagley; Jerri Figueroa, auction co-chair; and Dan Gizinski. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com) — The Health First Foundation Grape Escape 2014 Committee, from left, include Rita Moreno; Larry Bishop, MD, underwriting co-chair; Christine Lance; Laurel Rector; Melissa Flammio Clark, underwriting co-chair; Jeanne Farmer, honorary chair; Stephanie Brown; Anita Weaver; John Gallo, co-chair; Susan Thompson; Joseph Grutta; Darcia Francey, auction co-chair; Pam Gatto, co-chair; Valerie Karas; Dick Beagley; Jerri Figueroa, auction co-chair; and Dan Gizinski. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

13th Annual Grape Escape Raises More Than $310,000 For Heart & Vascular Hybrid Suite At Holmes Regional Medical Center

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – About 230 guests attended the 13th Annual Grape Escape hosted by the Health First Foundation and helped raise more than $310,000 for a Heart and Vascular Hybrid Suite at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey (from left) and his wife, Susan, served as guest auctioneers at Health First Foundation's annual Grape Escape event, which was co-chaired by Pam Gatto, owner of Gatto’s Tires and Auto Service, and John Gallo of Raymond James and Associates. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com) — Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and his wife, Susan, left, served as guest auctioneers at Health First Foundation’s annual Grape Escape event, which was co-chaired by Pam Gatto, owner of Gatto’s Tires and Auto Service, and John Gallo of Raymond James and Associates. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

The hybrid suite will be dedicated to performing both minimally invasive procedures and open surgery during the same scheduled procedure.

Since its inception in 2002, the annual event has raised more than $3.4 million for various world-class medical equipment and facilities to serve Brevard County.

The theme of this year’s 2014 Grape Escape was La Dolce Vita – The Sweet Life, and guests celebrated the night with Italian food, culture and wines, including live and silent auctions of wines, a one-of-a-kind necklace from Wesche Jewelers and vacation packages.

Top sponsors were Harris Corp., Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne and Florida Today. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Susan Ivey and Brandon Snyder, Wine & Spirits Consultant for Opici Family Distributors, served as auctioneers.

Pam Gatto, owner of Gatto’s Tires and Auto Service, and John Gallo of Raymond James and Associates, were co-chairs of the event.

Serving as Underwriting Chairs are Larry Bishop, MD, Health First Medical Group; and Melissa Flammio Clark, CFP, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Silent Auction Co-Chairs are Jerri Figueora, wife of trauma surgeon Dr. Edgar Figueroa; and Darcia Francey Jones, community volunteer.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey and his wife Susan served as auctioneers for the live auction of valuable wines, a one-of-a-kind necklace from Wesche Jewelers, vacation packages and more.

Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando hosted the 13th Annual Grape Escape, which featured a multi-course gourmet dinner, with each course specially paired with a premier wine.

For more information about the Health First Foundation call 321-434-7353 or visit www.Health-First.org/Foundation

FULLY INTEGRATED DELIVERY NETWORK

Founded in 1995, Health First is Central Florida’s only fully integrated delivery network (IDN) and employs more than 7,800 people.

Founded in 1995, Health First is Central Florida’s only fully integrated health system and employs more than 7,500 people and has four hospitals, including Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, Cape Canaveral Hospital and Viera Hospital. (Images For SpaceCoastDaily.com)

The integrator of its IDN is Health First Health Plans offering a wide variety of health insurance options across Central Florida.

In addition it operates four hospitals (Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital and Viera Hospital) and is home to Brevard County’s only Trauma Center.

Health First Medical Group is the largest multi-specialty physician group on the Space Coast.

Health First also offers numerous outpatient and wellness services, including Health First Aging Services, four Health First Pro-Health and Fitness Centers and Home and Hospice care.

Visit www.myHEALTHFIRST.org for more information.