Oswego Health Foundation’s ‘License to Heal’ Gala to Celebrate Community, Support Local Healthcare

OSWEGO – Last year, the community showed just how powerful generosity can be, helping the Oswego Health Foundation Gala raise more than $132,000 to support local healthcare. This year, the Foundation is raising the bar with an evening designed to celebrate the people, partnerships and community support that help make exceptional care possible close to home.

The 7th Annual Oswego Health Foundation Gala, themed “License to Heal: A Night of Elegance. A Mission of Care,”will take place Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center.

The black-tie optional evening will bring together community leaders, healthcare advocates, physicians, employees, and friends of Oswego Health for an inspiring evening of celebration and philanthropy. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will support enhancements to critical care services, a cornerstone of community hospital medicine and one of the most vital services provided to the region.

Among the investments funded through Gala proceeds is the acquisition of a Sonosite point-of-care ultrasound system, an advanced diagnostic tool that enables intensivists and hospitalists to make real-time clinical decisions at the bedside. The technology can be used to rapidly assess critical organs, including the heart and lungs, and identify potentially life-threatening conditions such as internal bleeding, infection, or significant fluid imbalances.

Support from the event will also help fund a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) machine, a specialized technology used to treat critically ill patients experiencing acute kidney failure. Unlike traditional dialysis, CRRT operates continuously over a 24-hour period, allowing for the gradual removal of toxins, management of fluid levels, and stabilization of electrolytes in patients with severe infections, multi-organ failure, and other complex conditions. This investment will enhance Oswego Hospital’s ability to provide advanced critical care treatment locally, reducing the need for patients to be transferred outside the community for specialized services.

In addition, Gala proceeds will support ongoing efforts to expand and modernize critical care services, including the recruitment of pulmonary and critical care specialists. Funds will also be used to update cabinetry and countertops in patient rooms, enhancing the care environment and overall patient experience. Together, these investments will strengthen Oswego Health’s ability to deliver exceptional care to residents throughout the community.

Guests will be welcomed at 6 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music by Tim Forbes, followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. The evening will include recognition of Oswego Health’s Physician of the Year, Community Partner and DAISY Award recipients, celebrating individuals whose dedication makes a difference for patients and the community.

The night will continue with desserts, dancing to Ron Gray from Millennium Music, a wine wall and a selection of exclusive high-end auction packages.

The 2026 Gala is made possible, in part, through the generous support of Facilitator Sponsor National Grid.

Tickets are $125 per person, or $1,000 for a table of eight. In addition to attending the Gala, community members can support the Foundation through sponsorship opportunities, auction participation or a gift to the Foundation endowment.

“Every dollar raised through the Gala is an investment in the future of healthcare in our community,” said Michele Hourigan, Director of Business & Community Development. “The generosity we see from our community allows Oswego Health to continue expanding services, strengthening care and ensuring our patients have access to the care they need.”

The Oswego Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of Oswego Health through philanthropy and community partnerships.

To purchase tickets, reserve a table or learn more about sponsorship and giving opportunities, contact the Oswego Health Foundation at 315-326-3788 or visit Foundation Gala | Oswego Health.

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About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Central New York. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be one of Oswego County’s largest private employers. More than 1,500+ employees spread throughout its 25 campuses, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County, as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 300+ physicians and advanced practice providers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, pulmonology, and bariatrics; for more information about Oswego Health, visit www.oswegohealth.org.