STEUBENVILLE — The Ohio Valley Health Center has unmasked the theme of its upcoming gala, which promises to be “an evening filled with elegance, inspiration and community spirit,” according to a release.
The OVHC’s 19th-annual gala will take place April 27 at the St. Florian Event Center, 286 Luray Drive, Wintersville. Attendees are recommended to don semi-formal attire, hats and — most important — stylish masks, to embrace this year’s masquerade theme: “Unveiling the Mask for Hope, Health and Healing.”
Tickets are priced at $65 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets must be purchased by April 21. Individuals can visit www.ovhealthcenter.org or call (740) 283-2856 to reserve their spot or inquire about a sponsorship.
“This year’s gala is about celebrating our progress and reaffirming our commitment to the community,” said OVHC Executive Director Ann Quillen. “We are dedicated to breaking down barriers in health care, expanding our team of providers, broadening patient access, enhancing our programs and upgrading our equipment to deliver even more comprehensive care. With each step forward, we bring hope, health and healing to those in need.”
A “rich Italian ambiance” will pervade the gala’s décor and cuisine to create a “truly enchanting experience,” gala planners explained. An Aperol Spritz Hour will open the evening at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, a recognition program and the live auction. The program will highlight individuals who’ve contributed to the OVHC and displayed a commitment to its mission.
Leading this year’s gala are event chairs James Lash and Deena Riley, with assistance from planning committee members Chris Orris of Valley Hospice, Susan Tarr of A&B Sunset Pharmacy, Alisa DelGuzzo of Capital Health Care Network and Betty Ferron.
“Their dedication and efforts have been instrumental in organizing what promises to be a memorable evening of generosity and celebration,” organizers added.
Although infused with entertainment, the gala serves as a critical fundraiser for the center, a nonprofit free clinic in Steubenville that serves medically uninsured or underinsured patients from the Ohio Valley, regardless of their ability to pay. Proceeds from the gala account for roughly a third of the clinic’s operational budget, according to Quillen.
In 2024, the OVHC provided $1,052,209 worth of free care out of its South Street clinic, according to its 2024 impact report.
The OVHC, which opened in 2006, provided $517,494 in total patient care in 2024, including $342,560 in medical care, $146,934 in lab services and $28,000 in medical supplies. With 4,604 prescriptions filled, the total value of prescriptions filled was $534,715 — adding in162 contributions from the Prescription Assistance Program, valued at $206,928.
Boasting an active patient base of 820, the OVHC saw 2,619 patient visits from 434 different patients in 2024.
Of the OVHC’s expenses, 73 percent contributed toward program services, while 17 percent went toward fundraising and the remaining 10 percent covered management and general expenditures. The clinic’s 10 percent administrative-management ratio places it among top rankings from the nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator, which reserves those spots for organizations with administrative overhead expenses below 15 percent.
Forty-nine volunteers donated a total of 3,449 hours to the clinic — valued at $195,650.
According to the impact report, 17.3 percent of Jefferson County residents experience poverty, 9 percent of local adults lack health insurance coverage and 15 percent of local residents report food insecurity.
Community support is indispensable for the OVHC, which remains “committed to transforming lives through hope and health,” Quillen stated in report.
“At OVHC, we serve your neighbors — real people facing real needs. Many of those we serve are among the most vulnerable in our society — individuals without health insurance who lack sufficient financial means to access support networks. The figures (in this report) may appear astounding, but they are from medical codes, actual insurance reimbursement rates and the average wholesale prices of medications. When it comes to making a genuine impact, real numbers matter.”
