The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation celebrated a record-breaking evening at the 2025 Luminosity Gala, presented by EMPact Medical, raising $122,558.05 — surpassing the Foundation’s ambitious $80,000 goal and crossing the $100,000 milestone for the first time in the event’s history.

Held at LockRidge Park, overlooking Lake Herrington with a sold-out crowd of 285 guests, the Gala marked the largest attendance to date and underscored the growing culture of philanthropy throughout our region.

“This evening is about more than a wonderful dinner and music — it’s about building and sustaining a culture of philanthropy right here in our community,” said Dan McKay, President and CEO of Ephraim McDowell Health. “The generosity shown tonight directly impacts the care we provide for thousands of patients across central Kentucky.”

Honoring Legacy and Leadership

A highlight of this year’s Gala was the introduction of Foundation awards, designed to recognize outstanding contributions from donors, physicians, and community leaders. Among them was the inaugural Jeffrey Thornton Legacy Award, created to celebrate individuals and families whose commitment to planned giving ensures the long-term sustainability of the Foundation. The award is named in memory of Jeffrey Thornton, who passed away earlier this year and whose vision was instrumental in the creation of the Foundation itself.

As one of the founding board members, Thornton recognized the importance of establishing a philanthropic arm dedicated to supporting the healing environment at Ephraim McDowell Health. His foresight and leadership helped lay the groundwork for everything the Foundation accomplishes today. From this year forward, the award will permanently carry his name — a lasting tribute to his extraordinary impact. The 2025 award was accepted on his behalf by his wife, Mrs. Karen Thornton.

“It is important that we honor and preserve the work of those who came before us, while embracing the responsibility that lies ahead,” said Laura Richard, Director of the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation.

Award recipients included:

• Loyalty Award – Cheryl Stearman, for 32 years of consecutive giving.

• Volunteer of the Year – Stephen Cline, for countless hours served at the foundation to enhance its mission.

• Physician Champion Award – Drs. Justin and Katrina Kolasa, for their philanthropic leadership and advocacy.

• Corporate Partner Award – Farmers National Bank, celebrating 30 years of giving with a lifetime contribution of $463,400.

• Philanthropist of the Year – Scott Bottoms, owner and CEO of Danville Office Equipment, for his extraordinary leadership and generosity.

• Legacy Award – The late Jeffrey Thornton, one of the Foundation’s original founding board members, accepted by his wife, Karen Thornton.

• Physician Support at Historic Levels

Another milestone of the evening was the record-setting show of physician support, with 27 active and retired physicians represented. Their visible commitment stands as a powerful endorsement of the Foundation’s mission and highlights the vital role that philanthropy plays in advancing community health initiatives.

Impact for the Future

The generosity shown during the Gala will directly fund life-changing programs, including:

• The River Fund, a new initiative that raised $1,200 to provide life-saving swim lessons for 12 children with autism. Each child will receive six lessons at McDowell Wellness Center to help prevent drowning during elopement — the leading cause of death among children with autism.

• Kids Can Do Program, which received $6,000 to purchase six adaptive bicycles. These custom-fitted bikes give children with disabilities the opportunity to experience the freedom of riding alongside their peers enhancing both their quality of life and improved physical development.

Funds raised will also continue to support community health needs, emergency support for healthcare associates, scholarships for future healthcare professionals, and other vital Foundation programs.

“As a community, we came together tonight to make history — not just by surpassing our financial goal, but by investing in hope, healing, and a brighter future for every patient who walks through our doors,” McKay said.

The Foundation expressed deep gratitude to presenting sponsor EMPact Medical, along with the many corporate sponsors including Farmers National Bank, WealthSouth, Danville Office Equipment, Kentucky Trust Company, Trim Masters Charitable Foundation, Messer Construction, Community Trust Bank & Wealth Management, Northwestern Mutual, and UK Healthcare, individual donors, and volunteers who made the evening possible.

For more information about the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation or to get involved, visit https://emhealth.org/health-care-foundation/.