AMC Gala To Honor Two

SARANAC LAKE - Adirondack Medical Center is pleased to announce they will present the hospital's distinguished service award to Dr. David Merkel and Jeremiah (Jerry) Hayes during the Crystal Gala celebration at the Lake Placid Club Golf House on Saturday, June 10th.  The AMC distinguished service award recognizes those individuals who have significantly contributed to the hospital's mission either through professional services or volunteerism.

      Dr. Merkel is the second generation of his family to provide surgical services to the Tri-Lakes Community when he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the AMC Medical Staff in 1969.  Board certified in General Surgery; he has served on many medical staff committees through the years including President and Chief of the Surgical Service.  Currently, he also serves on the hospital's Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Executive and Governance Committees.  With an abiding interest in palliative care, he, along with his wife, Ann, and Dr. Richard Kasulke, founded High Peaks Hospice in 1986 where he presently serves as Medical Director.

      Jerry Hayes is an attorney and resident of Tupper Lake where he has practiced law since 1977, and also served as the Franklin County Assistant District Attorney from 1978 to 1994.  Committed to health care in the Tri-Lakes region, Hayes has served on both the Uihlein-Mercy Board of Directors for 22 years ending in 2000, and on the Adirondack Medical Center Board of Trustees from 1997-2005 including a two-year stint as the Board Chair.  During his tenure at AMC, the hospital underwent a major renovation and expansion, and voted to purchase the two area nursing homes.

      Dr. David & Lynn Johnson are serving as this year's Honorary Chairs and will be welcoming guests as they arrive where they will be greeted with champagne butlers, hors d'oeuvres, and the music of a strolling violinist, Joel Perkins.  At 7:30, guests will adjourn to the clubhouse to dine on filet mignon and stuffed sole.  This will be followed by an "extreme" gala auction and dancing under the tent to the tunes of Capital Soul Revue, a high energy seven-piece group from the Albany area offering a wide selection of soul, R&B, smooth jazz, country, rock, disco and pop.  The beautiful Lake Placid Club Golf House overlooks the Adirondack Sentinel Mountain Range, one of the most breathtaking and spectacular views the Tri-Lakes has to offer.

      Proceeds from the gala will support the $5.4 million renovations planned for AMC's Uihlein-Mercy nursing homes.  Tickets are $100 per person, $180 per couple or $720 to reserve a table for eight; cash, check or credit card payments are welcome.  Other sponsorships are also available.