Stoughton resident contributes to success of VNA Care’s annual Gala

VNA Care, the first organized visiting nurse association in the United States, raised $220,000 for patient care services during the sold-out annual Heroes in Health Care Gala at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston.

Heroes in Health Care is VNA Care’s signature fundraising event and has raised nearly $4.5 million in essential funding for home health and hospice care in Massachusetts. Presenting Sponsors included Corridor and Mutual of America. Trustee Sponsors included Drs. Joshua and Amy Boger and the Boger Family Foundation.

“Home-based health care is a critical part of our health care system, enabling some of the most vulnerable in our community to remain independent at home while facing complex and chronic conditions or to live with dignity when an illness is terminal. We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s support of VNA Care and for making this vital care possible,” said Laura Wise, manager of fund development.

Dr. Mallika Marshall, medical director for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV emceed the event. The Hero in Health Care Awards were presented to Vin Gupta, MD, MPA, chief medical officer for Amazon Pharmacy and new initiatives and NBC News and MSNBC medical analyst, for his accomplishments as a public health expert, tech innovator, and highly skilled pulmonologist, and Nancy Oriol, MD, co-founder of The Family Van and faculty associate dean for community engagement at Harvard Medical School, for her groundbreaking work to increase access to health care and improve the health of Boston’s underserved communities and pioneering breakthroughs as a renowned anesthesiologist.

Stoughton resident Michelle Sofi serves on the committee of the Heroes in Health Care Gala, helping to ensure the success of this important fundraiser. “Knowing that we have the backing of so many dedicated volunteer leaders like Michelle, we are inspired to do great things,” said Wise.

This year’s Gala featured David Brown who led the inspiring Mission Moment and outstanding musical performances by the Boston Arts Academy’s The Spirituals, Sugar & the Essential Spice, and the Michele Zimmerman Trio. The event also featured a silent auction where attendees bid on everything from original artwork from Paul Goodnight to a three-day VIP excursion in Chicago as part of the fundraising effort for VNA Care.

VNA Care has a 138-year history of providing health care in patients’ homes and the community. The nonprofit provides a comprehensive range of home health, palliative, and hospice care in more than 200 Eastern and Central Massachusetts communities. VNA Care is able to provide its numerous nursing and patient care services through the generous support of individual and corporate supporters. To learn about sponsoring the 2025 Gala, please contact Laura Wise, manager of fund development, at 617-886-6460 or Laura_Wise@vnacare.org.