Each year, Care Ring brings together our top supporters from across the private, civic, faith, medical and corporate sectors to "Hob Nob" with us and celebrate the difference they are making in reducing disparities for, and improving the health and vitality of, underserved neighbors in our Charlotte community. Guests are treated to delicious local food and beverages, music, and a short program highlighting the work we've been able to accomplish thanks to their contributions.
This year's event was held on October 20, 2022 at D9 Brewing and was presented by Atrium Health. Here are some highlights, thank-yous, and photos.
This year's theme was "Seasons of Change," to reflect how so much has changed in our lives and in our community since we last gathered in-person for Hob Nob in 2019. Thanks to our donors' support, Care Ring has remained nimble and has evolved to meet those changes.
Care Ring's Chair of the Board of Directors, Phil Poley, welcomed our guests, acknowledged our elected officials in attendance, and thanked our top supporters, sponsors, funders and Physicians Reach Out partners.
Care Ring's Executive Director, Tchernavia Montgomery then shared with guests about some of the new initiatives that their support has made possible, like providing care for those who are experiencing homelessness and for individuals who are formerly justice-involved, and the formation of our new maternal-child health program in partnership with Mecklenburg County, A Guided Journey.
Tchernavia then invited one of Care Ring's Nurse-Family Partnership graduates, and Board of Directors member Felicia Barnes to share her story about receiving services from the program and how her NFP nurse helped her get through a difficult pregnancy and empowered her to become a great mother to her daughter, Willow.
Next, Physicians Reach Out patient and self-employed business owner Joe Cannamela shared his story about receiving life-saving prostate cancer treatment at no cost from providers at Atrium Health.
AWARD WINNERS
We invited our guests to nominate a deserving individual or medical/dental practice for 2 different awards, with the winners being announced at the event.
The Maribelle Connerat Award: This award, named after our founder, recognized an individual who has worked to
advance healthcare access and equity for our underserved communities. The winner was Akshay Pendyal, MD of Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute. Dr. Pendyal is a volunteer provider with our Physicians Reach Out network, and was nominated by Carla Gomez, who works as a Specialist Referral Coordinator for PRO. She said that, “Dr. Pendyal and his team do a wonderful job assisting, scheduling and seeing ALL our Novant Health Cardiology PRO patients. He shows that he truly and genuinely cares about his patients, no matter their background. He also sees our patients in 2 locations – making his patients accessible to him in a nearby office to their home address. He has gone far above and beyond the usual number of patients a single PRO provider will agree to see in a year, providing care for 125 patients each year with conditions such as hypertension, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, and coronary artery disease, which if left untreated could have disastrous health consequences."
PRO Practice of the Year Award: A new award, this award was given to a medical or dental practice that is a participant in Care Ring's Physicians Reach Out network whose staff has shown an exceptional commitment to improving healthcare access and equity for all in the past year. The winner was
Atrium Health Urology Kenilworth, and the practice was nominated by Care Ring’s Nabora McAvoy, who works as a PRO Access Coordinator.
She said in her nomination: “This practice has been working hard to see unlimited patients, even during COVID, through staffing changes, and while switching EMR systems. Our patients have never been turned away. They’ve also been with us a long time, since 2009, and have seen nearly 600 of our patients over the years for conditions such as kidney stones, recurrent UTIs, urinary incontinence, and renal masses." Don Jonas with Atrium Health accepted the award on behalf of the practice as they were unable to attend.
THE BIG REVEAL
A surprise wrapped up the event's program. Care Ring staff unveiled a banner that showed the Physicians Reach Out (PRO) network has donated $341 million in medical care since the program's inception in 2004!
Pictured: PRO provider and Care Ring Board member Jewel Greywoode, MD of CEENTA; PRO provider Leslie Ware, PA-C of Alpha Health & Wellness; John Klimas, MD (retired from Carolina Asthma & Allergy), founder of PRO; PRO provider Akshay Pendyal, MD of Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute; James Roberts, MD of Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute; and PRO provider Jonathan Wilson, MD of Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic.
AUCTION & RAFFLE
Every guest received one free raffle ticket for a fabulous door prize to be given away during the festivities. Guests also vied for unique and high-end silent auction items. Congratulations to raffle winner Nicole Stanfield from NC MedAssist on winning a piece from Hot Glass Alley. Thank you to our auction winners - the auction raised $1,970!
THANK YOU CORPORATE CHAMPIONS
Thank you to the representatives from some of our top Corporate Champions Atrium Health (Don Jonas), Novant Health (James Roberts MD), and Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina (Chasty Underwood) for making remarks at Hob Nob about why your organization supports Care Ring's mission, and how you have increased your positive impact on the community's health through this support.
Our events are made possible thanks to the support of our Corporate Champions. Our top investors are below.
Check out the full list here.
Thank you to our civic partner:
THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND DONORS
Thank you to Connie Bonebrake with Humana for providing bottled waters with koozies for the event. Thank you to Novant Health for providing the plates.
Thank you to the vendors below who gave a discount on their services. Hover over their logo to learn more.
Thank you to George Washington Carver Food Institute Research for sponsoring our cupcakes from Sweet Pavilion, who also gave a discount.
THANK YOU TO OUR AUCTION DONORS
EVENT PHOTOS BY DANIEL COSTON
Thank you to our staff as well as the volunteers from BDO accounting and advisory firm who helped us set up, manage, and break down for Hob Nob. And a big shout out to Care Ring staff member "DJ Sunday" Sunday Shobowale for providing a great mix of music and the sound system for the evening.
Thank you to all who attended. If you are a "new friend" to Care Ring who was invited who hasn't become a supporter yet, now's a great time to invest in our life-saving mission!