Care Ring's HOB NOB 2025

HOB NOB

Bringing stakeholders together

Each year, Care Ring brings together our top supporters from across the private, civic, faith, nonprofit, 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.

This year's Hob Nob was extra special as we celebrated Care Ring's 70th Anniversary and honored those throughout our past and present who make us what we are today.

Held on October 16, 2025 at The Terrace at Cedar Hill, with 160 guests in attendance, it was an unforgettable evening filled with music, great food, fun and fellowship. Learn more with our Highlights video, summary, and photo gallery below. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Novant Health!

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:

Highlights Video

Event highlights video created by Duvale Murchison Videography.

Jump to Photo Gallery

Cocktail Hour

Guests arrived on the top floor of the Cedar West building to find energetic jazz being played live by local Charlotte band, Groove 8.

After checking in, they headed over to the bar to enjoy beer, wine or a specialty wine spritzer, the "70 & Shimmering," a glittery concoction in "Care Ring blue."

Guests also enjoyed a delicious buffet, courtesy of Best Impressions Catering.

For a bit of fun, guests could have their photo taken in our 360 degree photo booth by Oh Snap! Photos, or in front of our branded backdrop.

There was also a special memories table that catalogued photos and mementos from the last 70 years of our history.

70 Years of Care Ring Video

Throughout the evening, segments from our 70th Anniversary retrospective video, featuring messages from various stakeholders and leaders from throughout our history, were shown to guests. Video by Duvale Murchison Videography.

The Program

The program was kicked off by Care Ring Board Chair Andrea Wages, who welcomed our guests, and various elected officials who were present, and thanked our various sponsors and top funding partners for their strong support over the past year.

After that, a brief video message from the current Secretary of the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) - Dev Sangvai, MD, JD, MBA - was shown, congratulating us on our 70 years of service.

That was followed by Care Ring CEO Tchernavia Montgomery, who talked about the 70 year history of our organization and its unique ability to constantly evolve to meet the ever-changing - and growing - needs of the community over the past seven decades. She emphasized that while many strides have been made, there is still much work to do to further close gaps in health outcome disparities and access to care, particularly for those with limited resources and in vulnerable groups.

Truist Bank surprised the audience and there was much excitement when they revealed that they have made a gift of $350,000 to close out the capital campaign for our new home. Pictured, l to r: Anthony Weekly, Tchernavia Montgomery, Scenario Abedesin, and Mitch Gibson.

The Maribelle Connerat Award, named after our founder, was presented to nonprofit LISC Charlotte for their incredible multi-million dollar investment and commitment to improving the social determinants of health in our community. Accepting the award was Ralphine Caldwell, Senior Executive Director (photo center), and Hiba Salih, Senior Program Officer (photo right). Tchernavia Montgomery presented the award (photo left).

The Physicians Reach Out Practice of the Year Award, which is chosen by the staff in our Physicians Reach Out program, is given to a practice that has shown outstanding commitment and enthusiasm for serving our PRO patients. The winner this year was Meaningful Movement physical therapy. Accepting the award was owner and founder, Crystal Myers, DPT (photo left). Presenting the award was Stephanie Malloy, Care Ring's Director of Programs (photo right).

As part of the annual tradition at Hob Nob, we invited our Physicians Reach Out staff and any PRO providers and their staff in the room to join us on stage as we revealed how much in donated medical charges had been donated this past fiscal year, and the grand total that's been donated since the program's inception in 2004. There was $77.1 million donated this past year, bringing the grand total to $557 million!

Throughout the evening, we heard from our various top-tier sponsors, who also pulled winners for our fabulous door prizes.

Heather R. White, MD, (photo right) who also serves on our Board, spoke first on behalf of presenting sponsor Novant Health. She then drew for a private balloon ride for two, courtesy of Big Oh! Balloons. The winner was Scenario Adebesin with Truist Bank (photo center). Also pictured: Care Ring's Jennifer Frey (photo left).

Keva Womble with Bank of America, (photo right) spoke next. She then drew for a handwoven pine needle basket, courtesy of Handworks by Shakeeka. The winner was Aimee Greeter, who serves as Chair of our Nurse-Family Partnership Community Advisory Board (photo center). Also pictured: Care Ring's Jennifer Frey (photo left).

Yalonda Herndon, DO who also serves on our Board, spoke on behalf of Atrium Health (photo right). She then drew for a package containing tickets to the Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker performance along with a gift basket and gift card to Sea Level NC. The winner was Alex Labrec, with WFAE (photo center). Also pictured: Care Ring's Jennifer Frey (photo left).

Shelita Lee (photo left) spoke on behalf of UnitedHealthcare. She then drew for the prize of a photography session for up to six people, courtesy of Michelle Murchison Photography. The winner was Irvine Sloane, with Navigating Gray (photo center). Also pictured: Care Ring's Jennifer Frey (photo right).

Our final sponsor speaker of the evening was David Head with Grant Thornton (photo right). He drew for a wine tasting and education session for 20 people, courtesy of Total Wine & More. The winner was Mitch Gibson, with Truist Bank (photo center). Also pictured: Care Ring's Jennifer Frey (photo left).