Located in Northeast Florida

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation recently hosted the 21st annual Delicious Destinations event presented by Miller Electric on Sept. 8 and 9 at the AAA Five-Diamond-rated Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

Our premier event featured some of the region’s most celebrated chefs as they created a luxury tasting experience with freshly prepared “Salt and Fire” inspired plates and thoughtfully selected wine pairings.

Guests enjoyed two separate events: the Celebrity Chef by the Sea Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m., and the Delicious Destinations main event on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. A VIP Preview Reception was also held on Sept. 9.

We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s event raised more than $230,000 to benefit our community outreach programs, which connect those in need with quality, compassionate healthcare. 

Featured event chefs included:

Chef Dennis Chan
Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro  

Chef Nathan Beriau                    
Montage Palmetto Bluff 

Chef Bogdan Boerean 
The Mar-a-Lago Club 

Chef Garrett Gooch 
The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island 

Chef Tom Gray 
Prati Italia and Town Hall

Chef Daniel Zeal 
Sea Island Company

Chef Hermann Muller
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club 

Chef Paige Murray 
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club 

Chef Darin Sehnert 
Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table 

Chef Darek Stennes 
The River Club 

Chef Tim Turner 
Epping Forest Yacht Club 

Chef Cameron Walton 
The Lodge Ponte Vedra Inn & Club 

Chef Scott Maurer 
Ocean Key

Chef Steve Mengel 
The Greenbrier

Thank you to all who joined us for this exquisite event. We could not be more grateful to our guests, sponsors, volunteers, generous donors, and all who worked to make Delicious Destinations a huge success!

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of our new president, Patrick Henry II. Patrick began his new role at our organization in late June.

He brings more than 13 years of successful fundraising experience leading development campaigns for nonprofit and academic medical centers including UF Health Shands, the American Heart Association and the University of South Florida Foundation.

Most recently, Patrick spearheaded multiple fundraising programs at UF Health that resulted in millions of dollars raised. He helped secure the second-largest individual gift ever for UF Health’s cancer center. Prior to UF Health, Patrick worked with the University of South Florida and Morsani College of Medicine leading annual giving and major gift programs from 2011 until 2016. He also spent time with the American Heart Association as the association’s Heart Walk director in Tampa Bay. 

“I’m thrilled to join the Foundation and lead efforts to raise funds and awareness for the advanced medical treatment offered at Ascension St. Vincent facilities,” Patrick said. “Helping care for individuals and families who are impoverished or underinsured is an exciting aspect of our mission and our community outreach.”

Patrick’s wife of eight years, Lindsay, is an elementary school teacher and will be teaching 4th grade this fall at Assumption Catholic School where their three children will attend. The family lives in the San Marco/St. Nicholas area and attends Assumption Catholic Church.

Welcome to ASVF, Patrick!

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

2023 Delicious Destination Chairs: Cory and Brittany Darling with Theresa and Sean McAfee

Chairing Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation’s Delicious Destinations 2023 event is a special honor for two St. Johns County families - Cory Darling, Administrator of Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns and his wife Brittany of Ponte Vedra Florida, and Sean McAfee, Vice President of Nursing at the hospital, and his wife, Theresa of St. Augustine Florida.

“We’re thrilled to help continue the Delicious Destinations tradition and all the important support it generates for Ascension St. Vincent’s Mission,” said Cory Darling. “It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the role we hope Ascension St. Vincent’s will play as a leader in the St. Johns County community.”

This year’s event will once again be held in St. Johns County at the prestigious Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Presented by Miller Electric Company, the theme for the September 8-9 event is Salt & Fire. Now in its 21st year, Delicious Destinations showcases the region’s most celebrated chefs with marvelous tasting experiences featuring exquisite dishes and perfectly paired wines. Last year’s event raised more than $298,000, providing patients with essential medical services, medication management, and healthcare education.

“We hope you’ll join us for this important event,” said Sean McAfee. “It’s going to be a very special evening benefiting Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation’s essential community outreach programs.”

For information about sponsorship opportunities, tickets, or any other questions, please contact McKenna O’Neill at (904) 308-7306 or fljacfoundationevents@ascension.org We appreciate your love of this community and our Mission.

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Living as a homeless man with type 1 diabetes is tough, especially in Clay County where resources for the homeless are scarce. Ryan* was referred to our mobile health team for primary care and medication management following numerous, repeated admissions to the hospital for complications related to diabetes.

Following that first appointment, he faithfully returned each month for follow-up. In addition to physical exams and ongoing glucose monitoring, he received diabetes testing supplies as well as refills of this life saving insulin. He received hygiene kits, backpacks, soft sided coolers to carry his insulin, protein drinks and groceries. 

 Over the course of the next 2 years, we saw Ryan blossom.  “I remember the day he arrived at clinic on a new bicycle…a big smile on his face and full of hope for his future.” – Claudia Portell, Mobile Health Manager  

Unfortunately, his positive momentum stalled. At some point, he was let go from his job at McDonald’s. Some of his choices and actions distanced him from many of his usual community supporters.  He subsequently lost his housing and cell phone due to inability to pay. He returned to life on the streets, living in a tent behind one of the grocery stores in Middleburg. Through it all, he continued to come to his monthly appointments on our mobile unit where we would give him a month’s supply of insulin. Despite this, his health began to decline. Access to food was inconsistent and he began to lose weight. His blood glucose levels became erratic, requiring several emergent hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis. He was well known to the emergency department and ICU clinicians and Case Managers at the Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County hospital. We even had a system where the nurse would notify us if he was in the hospital after missing his monthly appointment. In those cases, we would deliver his insulin to the hospital, so he could take it with him after discharge.

On February 10, 2022, Ryan did not show up for his regular appointment. We checked the hospital EMR, expecting to see that he had been admitted. He had not. Our mobile health unit driver and Mobile Health Manager, Claudia Portell, decided to venture out and search for Ryan.  They checked his usual hangouts in the shopping plaza, asking several of the store managers.  However, he had not been seen in over a week. Behind the grocery store, they found a well-worn path into the woods.  They followed this for several hundred yards until they came upon an encampment with about 4 or 5 tents. After calling out his name, he answered. Ryan was lying in a tent, very thin, disheveled, lethargic and disoriented.  He stated that he had not had anything to eat or drink for 4 or 5 days.  He kept repeating, “I just want to go back to sleep.”  It was clear that if he went back to sleep, he would not wake up.  After much coaxing, they were able to get him to crawl out of the tent. They guided/carried him out of the woods and called 911.

Ryan was transported to Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County hospital where he was admitted to the ICU for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. He also received pain management for a fractured arm he sustained a week prior following a fall in the woods. Once stabilized, he was discharged on February 14, 2022 with a month's supply of insulin. 

We returned to clinic in Middleburg on March 10, 2022. Again, Ryan did not show up for his regular appointment nor was he admitted to the hospital. After a brief walk around the shopping plaza, Claudia ran into one of the “regulars” who informed her that Ryan had been found dead in his tent the previous Friday.

During the 4½ years we provided primary care services to Ryan, we never got a clear understanding of how he ended up living on the streets in the first place. We know that homelessness is complicated and it’s rarely attributable to an individual’s bad choices. Ryan was a man who, when given the proper tools and support, was able to make positive changes, albeit for a brief time. In the end, he lost hope and the will to live. We will always wonder if his outcome would have been different had he lived in a community with a coordinated support network to address homelessness.  

Our patient stories in Mobile Health don’t always have a happy ending. However, it was a privilege to be able to provide support for Ryan in his time of need. That is what we are called to do in the Mobile Health Outreach Ministry.

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*Patient identity changed to protect patient privacy

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Sponsors, attendees and golfers made Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation’s 14th Annual Mulligans for the Mission special raising more than $238,000 for our Mobile Health Outreach Ministry. Your participation and contributions in the event, presented this year by HNI Healthcare, directly impacts our uninsured and underserved neighbors by providing them with free healthcare and essential medical supplies.

This year’s two-day event, held at TPC Sawgrass, will help thousands of local patients next year. In 2021, our Mobile Health Outreach Ministry served more than 6,800 across five counties. That included 1,298 school physicals given to kids, 2,483 dental services performed, and 1,594 medications provided. These folks would likely not have had access to healthcare otherwise.

Did you know that for every $1 in donations we receive the Mobile Health Outreach Ministry provides $2.86 in medical services? Your generosity equips each of our five mobile units with essential supplies to serve folks like expectant mothers and the elderly in senior HUD housing apartments.

People like Isabel* benefit from events like Mulligans for the Mission. She recently moved to the U.S. from Argentina with her daughters and was in need for medication for her oldest daughter who has developmental disabilities. Our Mobile Health Outreach Ministry was able to help her daughter get medications she needed and we connected them with financial assistance resources as well.

We truly enjoyed teaming up with TPC Sawgrass, our presenting sponsor, HNI Healthcare, and our many other sponsors to host a fun, successful golf tournament and fundraiser this year. We hope your time on the green was filled with excitement and gratitude — the same gratitude we have for your support for our ministry. Our success now and in the future is all thanks to you.

We’ll see you next year on Oct. 1 and 2 for the 15th Annual Mulligans for the Mission.

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Andrea Laliberte launched the Oncology Support Services Fund

A normal day going to chemotherapy turned life-changing for Andrea Laliberte. In 2020, Laliberte was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It was a second-hand story from an Ascension St. Vincent’s oncology nurse that inspired her to take on a new challenge in life.

This nurse told Laliberte about one of her former patients, an older gentleman, who had been going through extensive chemo treatments. One of his appointments was scheduled on his birthday. On that day, she said he arrived at the hospital’s chemotherapy center with 20 $50 gift cards. He handed the cards to the nurse and asked her to give them to patients who needed help.

Laliberte thought to herself: what can $50 do?

The nurse explained to Laliberte that often she hears patients waiting to go in for chemotherapy ask about smaller monetary items, such as validated parking. To some patients, that $3 ticket adds up. Laliberte realized those gift cards would go a long way for someone living paycheck to paycheck while fighting a deadly disease.

That small conversation led to a big idea, and Laliberte reached out to the hospital’s CFO to learn what she could do to help patients—even in a small way.

Laliberte ended up assisting on a much bigger front – donating $50,000, with $10,000 earmarked for the Foundation’s mobile mammography unit, and $40,000 dedicated to developing a new Oncology Support Services fund to help oncology patients pay non-medical bills so they could fully focus on healing. Then in 2022, she donated another $400,000 that allowed us to formally launch the Oncology Support Services Program. She hopes the  Oncology Support Services Program will inspire others and continue to grow years down the road.

Recent research shows that about 20% of cancer patients end up with medical debt that gets referred to collection agencies. Almost 10% of patients file for bankruptcy.

“I wanted to help develop this idea into something long-term,” Laliberte said. “I wanted to provide seed funding to create a program that would be ongoing – a program that others will want to give to.”

This new fund will help cancer patients with everyday costs that may get neglected while they undergo treatment. These costs range from rent to childcare to transportation.

Cancer care can be financially toxic, and Laliberte hopes her philanthropy will end the vicious cycle for patients struggling to make ends meet. Just as the story about the gift card inspired her, she hopes her gift will inspire others to give what they can.

For more information about the Oncology Support Services Program at Ascension St. Vincent’s, please visit our community outreach page, or to make a direct donation to the Oncology Support Services Fund, please do so here.

Andrea Laliberte while in treatment for breast cancer in 2020.

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

After a two-year hiatus, Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation once again hosted Delicious Destinations in person. It was very special to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary in the presence of our lovely supporters and donors. This year’s premier food and wine event, presented by Miller Electric, raised more than $298,000 in critical funds for our community outreach programs, which connect those in need with quality, compassionate healthcare.

Over the course of two days, event attendees enjoyed a voyage across the historic Spice Route. Guiding the way was Chef Tom Gray, Executive Chef and Owner at Prati Italia and Town Hall Restaurant, who wowed our taste buds at the Celebrity Chef by the Sea Luncheon. We’re honored to have had a Jacksonville local create such a memorable dining experience for our community partners.

We also can’t forget the brilliant wine educator Julie Pepi who worked alongside Chef Gray to bring delicious wine pairings to the table. Pepi is currently the Managing Director of the Heritage Collection for Trinchero Family Estates in the Southeast.

At Saturday’s event, Chef Gray was joined by nine other prestigious chefs who prepared dishes inspired by regions from Japan and Indonesia to India and the Mediterranean. Local wine experts joined the ranks to carefully select refined wines to pair with each exceptional dish.

Virginia Hall, President and Chief Development Officer at Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, said events like these are crucial in keeping the Foundation’s many community outreach programs up and running. “By supporting this one event, sponsors and attendees are essentially providing access to healthcare to hundreds of vulnerable Northeast Florida residents all year long,” Hall said.

Thank you to our sponsors, the 2021 and 2022 event committees, and our staff for making our 20th Delicious Destinations so successful. We also appreciate the ongoing partnerships with Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and Southern Glazers who were founding partners in this event and continue to support us.

Through ongoing initiatives, we can continue our mission of helping the underserved and underinsured community. We look forward to seeing you next year!

 

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

At Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, care is given to everyone in need. That’s why we’ve partnered with local nonprofits like Catholic Charities Jacksonville and Lutheran Services of Northeast Florida to provide critical medical care to Afghan refugee children. Through the Foundation’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry, a total of 70 children from Afghanistan were helped since January 2022 in addition to 13 refugee children from other countries.
 
These children often come to the Jacksonville area fleeing war and unrest in their home country. Adjusting to life in a brand-new community is difficult, especially for children who may have trouble understanding the gravity of their family’s situation. With limited resources and endless paperwork to manage, these families are often unable to get the medical care they need without further assistance from local nonprofits – which is where we’ve stepped in.
 
Much of the care provided to these children comes in the form of immunizations and physicals that are required for children to be enrolled in school. On November 30 of last year, Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation worked with Lutheran Social Services to provide school-entry physicals and immunization records for 20 Afghan refugee children. On December 8, we did the same for 12 more.
 
The Foundation also worked with Catholic Charities Jacksonville, a nonprofit focused on putting faith into action to serve the most vulnerable in the community. When they needed school-entry physicals for refugee children under their care, the Foundation stepped up to help.
 
Physicals were provided for 24 Afghan refugee children and seven refugee children from other countries. These physicals allowed the children to quickly enroll in school, in turn preventing them from falling behind academically.
 
The Mobile Health Outreach Ministry team also expects to help an influx of Ukrainian refugees in addition to more Afghan families resettling in our community in the coming months.
 
For Ascension St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Coordinator Catha Jones, helping refugee children start their new lives is incredibly rewarding.
 
“We are humbled to play a role in helping to aid these families as they adjust to their new home, especially as so many of them have faced unimaginable terror in their home countries. Efforts like this truly illustrate our core values in action, and we’re proud to have partnered with Catholic Charities Jacksonville and Lutheran Social Services to provide this important resource.”
 
The Foundation’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry also provides services to local children who may be new to the area and need physicals done to be enrolled in school. This is in addition to the many other services we provide to poor and vulnerable citizens in the Jacksonville area.
 
Human connection makes community outreach impactful, and for children in a new country with limited resources, that outreach might be just what they need to get ahead. Through ongoing initiatives like this one, we’re able to provide quality care to those who need it most. 

 

 

Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

October 9, 2023

Dear Friends of the Foundation,

Out of abundance of caution for the safety of our donors, sponsors, associates and community, we have made the decision to postpone Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation Red Rose Ball, originally scheduled for February 25. As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our community, it is of upmost importance that we do everything we can to protect our healthcare workers, patients, supporters and friends. As disappointing as this decision is, we know it is the best decision for our community at this time.

To all those who have worked tirelessly to prepare for this event, we want to sincerely thank you for your dedication to making our events as safe, fun and successful as possible.

To those who have already purchased event sponsorships, we invite you to SAVE THE DATE for our new date: Friday, May 6, 2022.

If you are unable to join us on May 6, we kindly ask that you convert your event contributions into fully tax-deductible donations that will allow Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to underserved individuals and their families.

As our healthcare heroes continue to take on the everchanging health challenges in our community, please know that we will continue the critical work of ensuring our outreach programs reach all who need it most. Your continued support of our Mission sustains these efforts, and we could not do it without you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions or concerns and thank you again for your understanding. We look forward to the to seeing you at the 40th Anniversary Red Rose Ball on May 6, 2022, 7 p.m. at The River Club.

All my best, 

Virginia Hall, CFRE
President and CDO
Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation

 
 
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Toasting to a Successful Signature Event: Delicious Destinations 2023

 
 

October 9, 2023

It is with immense disappointment that we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Delicious Destinations event scheduled for January 14 & 15, 2022. As cases of COVID-19 once again rise in our community, the safety of our donors, associates, supporters and fellow neighbors remains our number one priority.


This disheartening development does not overshadow the incredible efforts made by all those on our team, our co-chairs and our committee members who worked to bring Delicious Destinations to life amid countless uncertainties. We are deeply grateful for your flexibility and resilience.


To those who have already purchased event tickets, thank you for your support. We kindly ask you to consider gifting the cost of your ticket as a 100% tax-deductible donation during this critical time.


To our generous sponsors, we cannot thank you enough. We hope you will also consider converting your event contributions into fully tax-deductible donations that will allow Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to underserved individuals and their families.


As we forge ahead and turn our focus to the ongoing health challenges in our community, please know that we will continue to ensure our critical programs reach those who need it most. Your continued support sustains these efforts, and we could not do it without you.


Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions or concerns and thank you again for your understanding. We look forward to the 2022 Delicious Destinations event currently scheduled for September 9 & 10, 2022.

 

All my best, 

 

Virginia Hall, CFRE

President and CDO

Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation