The Chester County Hospital Gala at Longwood Gardens is an annual tradition at which friends of the hospital celebrate its mission and support community outreach programs.

Although COVID-19 has put a pause on festivities in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory, the Chester County Hospital Gala Committee has put together an equally exciting virtual event on May 12 that is filled with award-winning talent and all the familiar components that make the celebration so special each year.

Under the leadership of co-chairs Carol Duncan and Karen Flickinger, the Gala Committee has been hard at work to make 2021’s Virtual Gala a true gamechanger. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies and Chief of Staff for State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, Michael Hartman, and featuring musical performances from Grammy-winning jazz musicians John Patitucci and Sullivan Fortner, the Henderson High School Chamber Choir, and St. Paul’s Baptist Church Choir, the event takes a look back on all that transpired during the past year.

The hour-long virtual program will highlight the opening of the hospital’s new Pavilion in early 2020 and its role in the COVID-19 response; touching tributes to and from healthcare heroes; vaccine rollout efforts; social justice; and an exclusive interview with Dr. Robert H. Vonderheide, Director of Abramson Cancer Center, about what’s next for Chester County Hospital and the community it serves.

Of course, one essential part of the Gala could not be overlooked: the menu. The Committee has partnered with Artisan Exchange of West Chester to provide guests with specially curated, five- and six-course, boxed dinners filled with offerings from the finest local artisans. This culinary experience begins with hors d’oeuvres and appetizers from Flavors of Jalisco and Buenos Aires Empanada Bar, followed by Catherine’s Restaurant’s world-famous soup and choice of entrée: Beef Bourguignon over a bed of mashed potatoes, Grilled Chicken Breast with Fontina Cheese and Pesto Sauce, or JamOnIt’s Wild Mushroom Ragu and Spaetzle Dumplings. Assorted Peachela desserts, Golden Valley Farms coffee, and MoJo’s Pop Co. Gourmet Dark Chocolate Pretzel Toffee Popcorn cap off the meal.

Supporting the Gala allows the hospital to increase the number of lives it touches through its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Abramson Cancer Center, Emergency Department, Operating Suites, and additional patient rooms.

This year’s Gala is sponsored by Communications Test Design, Inc., The Medical Staff of Chester County Hospital, Cassatt Insured Group, LF Driscoll, A.T. Chadwick Company, Inc., and Penn Medicine at Home.

Tickets start at $100 each and are still available for purchase. For questions, contact Kate Pergolini at 610-570-5630 or Kate.Pergolini@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.