Methodist Hospitals Foundation’s 14th annual golf outing helps promote quality healthcare services in the Region

On Monday, September 22, Methodist Hospitals Foundation held its 14th annual golf outing at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. Over 140 golfers participated, ultimately raising over $123,000 in funds for the Foundation. A special thank you to the outing’s Gold Sponsors: Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP, Fairchild Communication Systems, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, INFOR, Michuda Construction, Pulmonary Specialists of NW Indiana, Shepherd Insurance, and United States Steel Gary Works.

All funds that the Foundation raises are used to purchase vital equipment for Methodist Hospitals’ two locations in Merrillville and Gary, such as bassinets and car seats for the neonatal wards. In most cases, the Foundation provides Methodist Hospitals with money for items that are needed but that the hospitals don’t receive funding to procure. These funds also support Methodist Hospitals’ satellite facilities like the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Recovery (STAR) Center.

“This is such a fun day,” said Heather McCarthy, chair of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation board and a Methodist Hospitals board member. “We get to celebrate the many vendors, doctors, and colleagues who help support Methodist Hospitals. As a true safety net hospital as well as the only hospital in Gary, it is very important for the public to understand that we must maintain Methodist’s ability to continue to fulfill its mission to provide high-quality health care services to all those in need. We can’t do that without the help and support of our communities. They always show up to help us continue our mission. It’s easy to get discouraged by the challenges of modern healthcare, but days like this remind us that we are strong and that the people of our local communities care.”

The shotgun start-style outing saw teams of two, three, and four take to the course to enjoy a casual round of golf. Golfers could also participate in a number of course games, including skins, a game during which players can bet on their performance at each hole, and a putting contest, where each player pays for three attempts to putt. For each successful putt, they earn a ticket that can be entered into a drawing for a 55-inch TV. The event also featured a silent auction featuring prizes like a cooler filled with local craft beers, a foursome round of golf at Wicker Park, and a portable fire pit, complete with ingredients for s’mores.

Gary Miller, co-chair of the golf outing planning committee and a Methodist Hospitals Foundation board member, is a founding member and former president of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation.

“The resources we provide have a big impact on Methodist Hospitals,” Miller said. “I’m really impressed that we were able to build the Foundation up from nothing into what it is today. This golf outing is our next most-popular fundraising event after the annual gala. People like the cause and they want to support it. Ours is also one of the last golf outings of the year before winter sets in, so people enjoy attending for that reason as well. While our main objective is to show everyone a good time today, we also want to maintain and further develop goodwill between the hospital and the community.”

The event featured vendor stations throughout the course, including Maha Alzeidan – Chicago Real Estate, Aperion Care, Brickyard Healthcare, Colonial Nursing & Rehab, Ignite Medical Resorts, Northwest Indiana Breast Care Center, Net Par, The MED Spa at Randolph, The Waters of Hobart, and Traditions Healthcare.

“Methodist Hospitals helps anyone who needs it whether they’re insured or not,” said Niall McShane, co-chair of the golf outing planning committee and a recently retired Methodist Hospitals Foundation board member. “They have great values. I’ve lived in Lake County, Indiana for all my life, so I’ve seen firsthand how Methodist Hospitals provides health care for people throughout the Region. The golf outing is for a great cause and gives doctors, vendors, and community members the opportunity to support this great hospital. This is a great event to enjoy the company of friends. It’s a good time all around.”

Before taking to the course, the golfers enjoyed a meal of hot dogs, brats, burgers, chips, macaroni salad, fudge, coffee, and tea. They also helped themselves to beverages from the open bar. Each golfer was given a Methodist Hospitals Foundation-branded bag at the start of the day. After completing their round, they returned to the clubhouse for dinner and the outing award ceremony.

John Lowenstine, vice chairman of the Methodist Hospital board, is also a Methodist Hospitals Foundation board member.

“Our goal is to provide Northwest Indiana with the best healthcare possible,” Lowenstine said. “We’ve been doing that for over 100 years now. Golf is fun and the golf outing is a great way to raise funds for the equipment that is sorely needed in the community. Whether they’ve been a golfer for years or they’ve never played golf before, everyone here wants to help support Methodist Hospitals.”

Please visit methodisthospitals.org to learn more about the healthcare services that Methodist Hospitals offers Northwest Indiana residents.