More than 200 community leaders and friends of St. Luke’s Allentown Campus gathered at The Americus Hotel, Allentown, for the St. Luke’s University Network 22nd annual “Dinner by Starlight” Nov. 10.

A record nearly $350,000 was raised to outfit a second operating room in St. Luke’s Allentown Women & Babies Pavilion, expected to open in February 2024.

The fundraising event provides an opportunity to recognize members of the Allentown community who make a difference through their gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Lauren Sokolski, Regional Director of Marketing & Public Relations for St. Luke’s, was emcee and recognized the St. Luke’s Allentown Women & Babies Team as this year’s “Honorary Star.”

“The best part of what we do is watching these babies be delivered and their families expanding,” said Kathy Edmond, St. Luke’s Allentown Labor and Delivery nurse.

“My team works incredibly hard each and every day, and it is so wonderful to recognize them for their dedication to our patients and our community,” said Betsy Schmeltzle, St. Luke’s Allentown Patient Care Manager, Labor and Delivery.

The event celebrated two individual “Shining Stars.”

Jenn Gora, Chief Communications Officer for GOLD Credit Union, was recognized for her role as a member of the Allentown Campus’ Board of Governors and Development Committee, generous donor and patient with the birth of her son, Tyler, 21 years ago.

Stacy Wereley was recognized as a patient at the St. Luke’s Allentown Campus. All three of Stacy’s children were delivered at the Campus, but it wasn’t until complications arose during the delivery of her youngest son, Wesley, that she became even more grateful to the team of physicians and nurses who ensured a safe and healthy outcome for her and her son.

The new Women & Babies Pavilion will enable up to 3,000 deliveries per year, doubling the capacity, and will include a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Cre Unit (NICU). This will allow babies born prematurely, or with critical needs, to remain close to their families in Allentown.

The significant investment in the Allentown community will ensure that mothers and babies in need can access the highest quality services from a world-class leader in health care in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility.

“Dinner by Starlight” sponsors included:

• Premier Sponsor: BSI Corporate Benefits

• Cosmic Sponsors: GOLD Credit Union and LEXUS of Lehigh Valley

• Presenting Sponsors: Lehigh Gas Foundation, NK Architects, and West Side Hammer Electric

• Starlight Sponsors: CMG of Easton

Donations to support the St. Luke’s Allentown Women & Babies Pavilion will be accepted through Dec. 31 at: www.sluhn.org/dinnerbystarlight

Information: Kelly Chando, Director of Development, kelly.chando@sluhn.org with any questions.