Gala affair

As the auctioneer rattled off ever-increasing prices at a rapid-fire rate Saturday night, hundreds of guests sitting around tables inside the dimly lit conference center at the Des Moines Area Community College Newton Campus raised their numbered pamphlets high into the air to signify their bid.

Energy in the room was high. Everyone was dressed to impress. Smiles stretched from cheek to cheek. And a cash bar certainly got its money’s worth during the pre-auction social hour. Spirits have a tendency to lighten any mood and loosen lips, allowing anyone to spark up conversations with total strangers at a moment’s notice.

Indeed, it is safe to say The Gala was a successful fundraiser for MercyOne Newton Medical Center and its corresponding projects. Laurie Conner, president of MercyOne Newton, said the event attracted more than 300 registered attendees, an all-time high for the hospital’s annual event. The Gala also brought in a record number of desserts up for bidding.

“That probably brings in about a third of the funds,” Conner said, noting the equipment MercyOne Newton has its sights on were on display for guests that evening: an anesthesia-related item and obstetric ultrasound.

Every year, she added, the hospital identifies pieces of equipment “that are necessary to continue to provide the most state-of-the-art care.” Having the items and their information on display helps visitors know exactly what their dollars are going toward that night. Hence why purchasing a $500 dessert or auction item seems all the more reasonable.

"People can actually see the benefits of the piece of the equipment and how we might use it," Conner said.

On Feb. 1, the formerly known Skiff Medical Center was renamed to MercyOne Newton Medical Center, a change that no doubt caused a stir in the community; regardless, the Newton-based hospital has been a member of the Mercy Health Network since July 2015.

In a January press release Conner said, “We look forward to serving Newton and Jasper County for many years to come as part of MercyOne. Although our name is changing, we will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the Newton community, anchored by a caring team providing the best health services close to home.”

Maintaining care has been a top priority for the ever-growing hospital during its rebranding transition.

“Mercy has owned the facility for three years,” Conner said. “Every year we continue to grow in volume, grow in the number of physicians and providers we have here and financially perform and be a fiscally sound hospital for the future.”

Keeping fundraising events like The Gala in place for townsfolk and the hospital’s local partners is “great for the community,” City of Newton Development Specialist Craig Armstrong said.

“Everybody dresses to the nines and there’s a big outpouring of support for an iconic institution in our community — one that I see as foundational to our growth as a community,” Armstrong said. “Having an outstanding medical center is key to having the ability to grow your community and maintain that growth.”

This gala, Armstrong added, is the reason why the hospital can acquire new medical specialty equipment on a regular basis, which is wholly supported by the community funds.

“Even though it’s not called Skiff anymore, the way Skiff history will always be with us — kind of like how the Maytag history will always be with us,” Armstrong said. “What the Skiff family ultimately started and then, through the years, what the community hospital gave us was a great institution that was worthy of an even bigger institution like Mercy coming to Newton and maintaining it and growing it.

“So let’s celebrate our past and look forward to the future.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com