More than 400 guests attended Sacred Heart Hospital's Centennial Celebration Gala at Lehigh Country Club in celebration of Sacred Heart Hospital's 100 years of dedicated, compassionate, personalized care to the Lehigh Valley community.

Congressman Charlie Dent (R- 15th) presented John Nespoli, Sacred Heart HealthCare System President-CEO, with a copy of the remarks he made on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, commemorating Sacred Heart Hospital's 100th anniversary.

Nespoli noted, "In all my years in health care leadership, I have not found a place that compares to Sacred Heart. From the day I entered the doors a few short years ago, through today, I knew Sacred Heart was special.

"Together, we can continue to accomplish many things. Our combined talents will carry this hospital into the next century and continue the very care and dedication to our community which started in 1912 when six nursing sisters came to the Sacred Heart Parish because of a diphtheria outbreak.

"Since that time, Sacred Heart has answered each and every call from the community."

The formal gala began at 6:30 p.m. May 11 with a cocktail hour where guests enjoyed "A Historical Walk Down Memory Lane," an historical display of vintage uniforms from the Sacred Heart School of Nursing, documents, photographs and medical equipment used by hospital staff, dating back to 1890.

Valerie Downing, Sacred Heart HealthCare System Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations and Foundation, welcomed a full room of guests.

Brent Peters, Chairman of the Board at Sacred Heart HealthCare System, recognized event sponsors Air Products, The Straccia Family, XODE and The Seitzinger Family and dinner sponsor, Grant Facility Management.

The Most Reverend Bishop John O. Barres delivered the Invocation.

After a dinner featuring Tenderloin Beef, Grilled Salmon or Rosemary Chicken as entrees, guests were up on their feet dancing to the music of Chatterband, an area nine-piece band playing songs by Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Adele and Justin Timberlake, among others.

A champagne toast followed by fireworks was a highlight of the event.

Sacred Heart Hospital is a 215-bed Catholic medical center in central Allentown. Sacred Heart Hospital offers medical services ranging from obstetrics to bariatric surgery, vascular surgery, cardiology, rehabilitation and behavioral health services. A network of physician practices throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties provide primary and pediatric medical care.

Sacred Heart Hospital is nationally-recognized in case management, as a Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, and its Transitional Care Facility was granted a Five-Star rating by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Sacred Heart Hospital received Primary Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission and the Silver Plus Performance Achievement Award from the American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines Stroke program.