On May 19, it was just another Saturday night in Western Pennsylvania, but for the 600 guests who attended Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Twenty-Fourth Annual Gala, “An Evening in Camelot,” it was truly an enchanting evening. The ballroom of the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh was transformed into a medieval festival complete with a castle, knights and jesters.
The event, which was sponsored by the Mon-Vale Health Resources Fund Development Committee and MVH’s Office of Fund Development, recognized four exemplary individuals and the MVH Medical Staff for their commitment to excellence with Dimensions In Performance Awards.
Charles F. Muia was the recipient of the 2012 Rose Award for Dimensions in Philanthropy. For nearly 50 years, this long-time Donora resident and businessman has been involved with community, civic, industrial and economic development organizations throughout the Monongahela Valley.
“Chuck has always looked out for the community,” said Louis J. Panza Jr., president and CEO of MVH. “Whenever there is a need, he asks us what he can do to help.”
Durga Malepati, M.D., whose specialty is pediatrics, and her husband, Vasu N. Malepati, M.D., who is an otorhinolaryngologist, were the recipients of 2012 Gibbons Award for Dimensions in Community Service. For more than 15 years, the Malepatis and their children participated in extended missions to provide health care and supplies to people of all ages in all parts of the world. Residents of McMurray, Pa., they have traveled to impoverished areas in 12 countries on four continents.
“They give of their time,” said Chito M. Crudo, M.D., who as an MVH-affiliated surgeon is a colleague of the Malepatis. He also has joined them on mission trips. “Vasu has an inner feeling. He not only provides medical care to the people, but he brings suitcases filled with candy and toys for the children.”
Gala 24 marks the second time that the MVH Medical Staff received a Dimensions Award. This year, the Sickman-Levin Award for Dimensions in Medicine was awarded to the Medical Staff. This group of dedicated physicians are leaders among leaders. In addition to providing their talents and expertise in a variety of specialties in the hospital and at affiliated sites, many MVH physicians volunteer their time out in the community.
“I am so proud and honored to be president of Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Medical Staff,” said R.G. Krishnan, M.D. who accepted the award on behalf of physicians. “We have a dynamic relationship between the medical staff, administration and the board. We work together to provide the best care for our patients.”
Aldo L. Bartolotta of Monongahela was the 2012 recipient of the Pallone Award for Dimensions in Board Leadership. Mr. Bartolotta, who owned and operated supermarkets throughout the Valley and surrounding areas, enjoys a reputation throughout the area for his community and civic dedication. In 2000, a Resolution of Appreciation was adopted to honor Mr. Bartolotta on his retirement from active service on the Mon-Vale Health Resources’ (MVHR) Board of Directors and the Monongahela Hospital’s Board of Trustees. The resolution called attention to his “many years of distinguished service and dedication of time, thought and energy” to the health care system as a board member. He then transitioned to emeritus status.
“Aldo is a leader in business and in the community,” said John D. Fry, chairman of the MVH Board of Trustees and the MVHR Board of Directors. “He’s very close to the community and able to relate to both the board and the hospital.”
The Mon Vale Health Resources Fund Development Committee was formed in 1988 and the Office of Fund Development was established in 2011. Approximately $122,000 was raised from an “Evening in Camelot,” bringing proceeds from the 24 Galas to more than $2.4 million.
Gala 24 began at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner at
7 p.m. with entertainment by Return to Zero, direct from performances in Orlando, Florida at Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. “An Evening in Camelot” concluded with a coffee bar and dancing by Pure Gold.
VIPs in attendance included:
Awardees and their guests:
- Aldo L. Bartolotta and Mrs. Joan Bartolotta
- Durga Malepati, M.D., and Vasu N. Malepati, M.D. (both are awardees)
- Charles F. Muia and his daughter, Miss Pamela Muia
- Medical Staff represented by R.G. Krishnan, M.D. and Jyothi
Other VIPs and their guests:
- Congressman Tim Murphy and Mrs. Nanette Missig-Murphy
- Chairman of Washington County Commissioners Larry Maggi and Mary Jeane Maggi
- Washington County Commissioner Diana L. Irey Vaughan and LTC Robert Vaughan
- Washington County Commissioner Harlan Shober and Jackie Shober
- MVH President and CEO Louis J. Panza Jr. and Cheryl Timko
- Board Chairman John “Jack” D. Fry and Karen Fry
- Fund Development Committee Chairperson S.P. Hewie, M.D.
- Chesapeake Energy Director, Corporate Development Stacey Brodak and Joseph Brodak
- Consol Energy Senior Vice President – CNX Land Resources James Grech and Sandy Grech
- Limbach Company Vice President Mike Balistreri and Anna Balistreri
- Range Resources Director, Corporate Communications Matt Pitzarella and Samantha Pitzarella
- Rose Plastic President Ken Donahue and Sue Donahue
Mon-Vale Health Resources Fund Development Committee — Chairperson S.P. Hewie, M.D.; James Grech, David T. Hunter, Jeff M. Kotula, R.G. Krishnan, M.D.; Charles F. Muia, Louis J. Panza Jr. and Daniel F. Simmons. Committee members not at attendance: Ruth Antonelli, Lillian C. Beattie, Carol A. Doman, William D. Hope Jr. V.M.D.; nthony M. Lombardi, Maureen Lusk, Karen L. Quinto, and Steven J. Sukal.
Board Members and their guests — Chairman John D. Fry and Karen, Richard Barcelona and Sherry, Mrs. Carlyn Belczyk and Gene, S.P. Hewie, M.D., David T. Hunter and Leslie Kirkland, Jeff Imbrescia and Carrie Holman, Jeff Kotula and Michelle, William J. Miller Jr. and Joyce.
Medical Staff and their guests — Dr. Estuardo Aguilar and Cherie Hnatow, Dr. Scott Baron and Nadine, Dr. Dan Bursick and Michelle, Dr. Adil Chaudry and Amee, Dr. Ambaram Chauhan and Kiran, Dr. Chito Crudo and Josie, Dr. Hung-Chi Ho and Shiow Jian Ho, Dr. William DeCarbo, Dr. Judith Figura and Dr. Thomas Figura, Dr. Natalie Furgiuele-Iracki and Dr. Daniel Iracki,Dr. Elaine Gelb, Dr. John Holets and Miss Makensie Holets, Dr. Mohsen Isaac and Nevine, Dr. Alex Kandabarow and Dr. Lori Cherup, Dr. Nirmal Kotwal and Deepak, Dr. Ronald Lutes and Cheryl, Dr. Dennis Mateya and Terry, Dr. Victor Onufrey and Natalia, Dr. Thad Osowski and Vivian, Dr. Douglas Pepper and Maria, Dr. Elizabeth Pepper, Dr. Ari Pressman and Stacey, Dr. Amanda Rush and John Hartman, Dr. Tuan Ung and Lisa Hillaird, Dr. Oscar Urrea and Diana, Dr. Brenda Walther and Jeff, Dr. Joseph Young and Margaret, and Dr. Andrew Zahalsky.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
