On Saturday, April 12, St. Anthony's Foundation hosted a 200 strong crowd for the first annual Melodies & Medicine fundraiser.  Foundation board members and committee volunteers, led by Co-Chairs Dr. Joel and Pam Milligan, transformed a 40 x 80 foot tent on the Medical Center parking lot into a vibrant jazz club, complete with jeweled chandeliers, oriental table drapes, and a zebra-print stage backdrop. 

Guests of the event were treated to a “taste of Morrilton” dinner with appetizers from Petit Jean Meats, Kroger Deli, Arkansas Valley Wholesale, El Pejamo and UACCM; a main course of either sausage and seafood gumbo from the Ozark Conference Center or smoked chicken and beef brisket from the River Rock Grill (Winthrop Rockefeller Conference Center on Petit Jean Mountain) with all the sides from Big Star Deli and Zimmerman Food Service; and homemade dessert from the St. Anthony's Auxiliary. 

MJ-4 provided live jazz music and the evening concluded with a competition wherein performers from five of the event sponsors took the stage.  Trio Dr. Wayne Biggs, Dr. Keith Lipsmeyer, and Dale Lipsmeyer, sponsored by Petit Jean State Bank, took the stage first, followed by Jessica Young (GFWC Century League), Lance Oden (Morrilton Respiratory Care), Jody Hurst (American Realty), and Drew Mitchell (Winthrop Rockefeller Institute).  The audience chose their favorite performance with dollar-donation voting and named Jody Hurst as second place and Drew Mitchell as the “Melodies Champion.”

In addition to the scheduled performers, audience members had the opportunity to challenge each other to perform.  Though some of those challenged chose to make a donation to the Foundation rather than perform, a few, including St. Anthony's Medical Center Board Members Charles Penick and Dr. Craig York, took the stage with guitars in hand.

"We were honored to be Co-Chairs of the first annual Melodies and Medicine.” said Co-Chairs Pam and Joel Milligan, M.D.   “We know that funds raised at this event will further support the mission of St. Anthony's.  Many thanks to the St. Anthony's Foundation for allowing us to be part of such a wonderful evening." 

Melodies & Medicine raised over $21,000, including in-kind support, for the St. Anthony's Foundation.  Funds raised will be designated for renovations to the Medical Center, which are scheduled to begin later this Spring.

For more information about the St. Anthony's Foundation, contact the Foundation office at 977-2394.