Wellstar Foundation raised more than $1.3 million to support innovation, access and excellence across Wellstar Heart Care during its 27th Annual Wellstar Grand Gala, held April 25 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead.

Sponsored by Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, ApolloMD and Luminare Health, the sold-out black‑tie event welcomed more than 600 corporate and community partners from across Georgia. The evening was emceed by Linda Stouffer of WSB‑TV, with auctioneer Tom Riles, who spent more than 16 years opening for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel, highlighted Wellstar’s vision to become a destination for care — a place people seek out because they know they will find exceptional quality, uncompromising safety and an unmatched patient experience.

“Tonight is about more than a celebration — it’s about what becomes possible when purpose and generosity come together,” said Patel. “Wellstar is powered by extraordinary people delivering nationally recognized care every single day. At the center of that excellence is Heart Care — care that restores hope in the most critical moments and ensures patients and families never face their hardest days alone.”

The evening began with a celebration of Wellstar’s clinical excellence with the presentation of the Caregiver Team of the Year Award to the cardiac surgery team at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, led by Dr. Ryan Burke, Dr. Theresa Luu and Dr. Richard Myung. The program has earned the highest possible three‑star ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons across five major cardiac surgery categories, placing it among the top two percent of cardiac surgery programs in North America.

“This achievement reflects what’s possible when extraordinary talent, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to quality come together,” said Dr. Barry Mangel, Wellstar Chief of Clinical Services. “They exemplify the highest standard of care for patients from across the southeast when it matters most.”

Powerful patient stories underscored the impact of Heart Care at Wellstar. Amanda Lowman was sidelined in middle school from participating in musical theater, sports and everyday life by a complex autonomic disorder. She shared her story of how specialized heart care at Wellstar — along with the support of her service dog, Charlie — helped her reclaim her life.

Patients like Amanda benefit from Wellstar’s nationally recognized Autonomic Disorders Center, part of Wellstar’s Heart Care services. Led by Dr. Howard Snapper, the center focuses on conditions that are often underdiagnosed, difficult to treat and profoundly disruptive, drawing patients from across Georgia and beyond.

“Many of the patients we see arrive at Wellstar after years of searching for answers,” said Snapper. “This level of expertise is rare, and the demand far exceeds our capacity. Philanthropic support helps us expand access, advance research and ensure more patients don’t have to wait years for the care they urgently need.”

Wellstar also honored Dr. Harvey Sacks with the Physician of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award. For more than 45 years, Dr. Sacks has been a cornerstone of cardiovascular care in Paulding County, helping expand access to expert heart care close to home and playing a pivotal role in establishing the cardiac catheterization lab at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center.

“He has made such a lasting impact on so many lives,” said his son, Jeffrey Sacks, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at Wellstar. “To live a life devoted to caring for patients and improving access — while building something that will outlast you — is a legacy worth celebrating.”

The evening ended with a celebratory presentation of The Philanthropist of the Year Award honoring Tom Golisano for a lifetime of generosity through the Golisano Foundation, including a recent $50 million transformational gift supporting the Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia.