Gala Honors Contributions of Dr. Gibbs and Dr. Handler
June 30th, 2009
On June 13th, Adirondack Medical Center presented the Medical Center's Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Richard Handler and Dr. Charles Gibbs during the Crystal Gala celebration at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid.
The AMC Distinguished Service Award recognizes those individuals who have significantly contributed to the Medical Center's mission either through professional services or volunteerism.
Dr. Handler has been on staff at the Medical Center since 1975 as a partner of Medical Associates of Saranac Lake. Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Handler's has developed a subspecialty in rheumatology and is well known throughout the North Country's medical community as an expert in his field. Annually, he and his wife, Leslie, recognize an AMC nurse new to the field of nursing with the Meghan E. Handler Excellence in Nursing Award which they established ten years ago in memory of their daughter.
Dr. Gibbs joined the AMC Medical Staff in 1985 when he partnered with Dr. David Rowell to establish Adirondack Anesthesia Service. A board certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Gibbs was the first medical staff president of the newly organized Adirondack Medical Center when it was established in 1991. Currently the Chair of North Country Life Flight's Board, he was the founding secretary of Trudeau Health Systems, the hospital-physician organization, and past president of the Franklin County Medical Society. His wife, Rene, a registered nurse, has also been associated with AMC since 1989 and serves the Medical Center as Senior clinical Systems Analyst in the Information Systems Department.
AMC Foundation Board Chair, Bob Ohanesian, and his wife, Cheryl Moore, of Lake Placid & Saratoga Springs, served as this year's honorary chairs and welcomed guests as they arrived, greeting them with champagne butlers and hors d'oeuvres in the Resort's newly renovated Great Range room and deck area. Dinner was followed by dancing to the tunes of the Karen Lawrence Band, a variety dance band from the Albany area who has provided entertainment for some of the northeast's finest events.
The evening also featured a live auction with many lovely and discriminating items donated by local businesses and individuals for bid.
Winners of the Summer Fun Drawing were Barb Ryan & Madge Duprey of the AMC OR, Barrett Quinn of Saranac Lake, Sandi Palcic of AMC, Andrea Chamberlain and the Fit For Life Boys, and Foundation Board Member Terry Birdsong of Saranac Lake.
Proceeds from the gala will support the center's programs and services, namely the new multi-purpose angiography suite in Medical Imaging.
Dr. Charles Gibbs Dr. Richard Handler
Guests arrive through the Main Lobby of the High Peaks Resort.
Guests sign in as they arrive at the Gala.
There were several items offered at the silent auction, as well as the live auction.
AMC Foundation Board Chair, Bob Ohanesian, and his wife, Cheryl Moore, of Lake Placid & Saratoga Springs, served as this year's honorary chairs.
Dinner for the evening was a duet plate of beef filet mignon and mahi mahi.
Guests closed out the evening with dancing to the sounds of the Karen Lawrence Band.
AMC is accredited by the Healthcare Accreditation Facilities Program.
Adirondack Medical Center's Bariatric Program and Dr. Michael Hill have been designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
AMC is accredited by the Joint Commission.
