SAN FRANCISCO, CA — On Thursday, February 8th, the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation (The Foundation) hosted its 20th annual Hearts in SF Gala at the Conservatory at One Sansome. This year’s gala, emceed by local media personality Priya David Clemens, celebrated twenty years of coming together to make a profound impact on patient-centered care at our city’s public hospital, twenty years of civic pride in the beautiful Hearts in San Francisco sculptures, and twenty years of investing in health equity and innovation for all who live here.
“We were honored to host the Foundation and their Gala attendees this year at the Conservatory at One Sansome,” said Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Lillian Phan. “The Foundation has been an integral part of the San Francisco community for the past three decades, and we’re thrilled to support their critical work.”
With the support of its community and institutional supporters, the Foundation raised $1,824,000 during the gala. Many thanks to the 2024 Hearts in SF Health Care Hero Sponsors, Bank of America and BMO.
“This marks the 20th annual Gala that the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation has hosted in support of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, and it each year has brought so much pride to San Francisco,” Mayor London Breed said. “The San Francisco General Hospital Foundation and Zuckerberg San Francisco General have set the stage and model of equitable and innovative health care not only for our nation but also globally.”
ZSFG CEO Dr. Susan Ehrlich and Foundation CEO Kim Meredith presented awards highlighting essential ZSFG staff, partners, and Foundation leaders. The Hearts in SF Founders’ Award was presented for the first time this year to Lifetime Directors Pam Baer and Judy Guggenhime, who created the Hearts in SF gala 20 years ago.
“Pam Baer and Judy Guggenhime are incredibly deserving of the prestigious Founders’ Award for their role in creating Hearts in SF,” said Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. “Hearts in SF is an integral part of San Francisco, and the support the Foundation receives every year is emblematic of the love and care that the Foundation and ZSFG provide to our community.”
This year, the Hero & Heart Awards were given to leaders who have gone above and beyond to advance the work at ZSFG and make a difference in people’s lives. These honorable recipients are part of the Hearts in SF legacy to unite the community and celebrate San Francisco’s public hospital. This year’s recipients were:
Andre Campbell, MD, a renowned surgeon at ZSFG, is dedicated to excellence in trauma care, educating the next generation of surgeons, increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care, and advocating for gun safety.
Hali Hammer, MD, Director of Ambulatory Care for the San Francisco Health Network, works to ensure the best health care at each health clinic across the city while continuing to care for patients at the Family Health Center at ZSFG.
Rev. Claire Chuck Bohman, M.Div, BCC, tends to the spiritual needs of patients, family, and staff at ZSFG through their work with Sojourn Chaplaincy.
The Foundation also presented the Community Impact Award to the Bridge & Engagement Services Team (BEST). BEST was launched in March 2023 to address the behavioral healthcare needs of people experiencing homelessness in the community. BEST Neighborhoods team of behavioral health clinicians and peer counselors with lived experience are in the community six days a week to provide trauma-informed behavioral health assessments and services that promote healing, wellness, and positive community involvement.
“We are touched by the immense support shown at our 20th-anniversary gala and are reminded that our ongoing mission to invest in top-tier health care at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is invaluable to this community,” Kim Meredith, CEO of the Foundation, said. “Ranging from our dedicated supporters and sponsors to public officials on the local, state, and national level, we stand strong in bolstering our mission to provide equitable and quality health care for all.”
The event was well attended by local elected officials, including State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Matt Haney, State Controller Malia Cohen, Board President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Hillary Ronen, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, and City Attorney David Chiu, and the program featured remarks from San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
After the program’s conclusion, nearly 400 Foundation supporters attended the Hearts After Dark celebration headlined by The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff, a two-time Grammy Award winner with a music career spanning over three decades. Guests enjoyed live music and light refreshments while admiring the beautiful Heart in San Francisco sculptures that dotted the room.