Community Members grabbed their top hats and sparkling dance shoes to step out on the red carpet. It was time to shine with the "reel" stars and have some Hollywood-style fun at the Annual Gala presented by Provena St. Mary's Foundation.

"Glitter, Glamour and Glitz" was an autograph-evening of entertainment where you could rub elbows with an academy of award-winners from the big screen and with their famous friends.

The Annual Gala was your big ticket to help Provena St. Mary's Foundation raise $60,000 for the Level II Trauma Center/Emergency Department and EMS System of Provena St. Mary's Hospital. The importance of these two entities is unprecedented and invaluable.

Provena St. Mary's Hospital also announced their 2009 Physician of the Year, Venkata L. G. Moparthi, at the event.   While he may be reserved to talk about himself, Dr. Moparthi is not at a loss for words when it comes to his dedication as a physician. And, it is that dedication to his patients and their families, to his career, and to the employees of Provena St. Mary's Hospital that sets him apart as our fifth Physician of the Year.

Our employees set two records in their nominations for the 2009 Physician of the Year: First, for the number of nominations for the award and, second, for the number of nominations for a specific physician. Dr. Moparthi was the inspiration behind both records.

In their nomination, some of our nurses wrote, "Time and again, Dr. Moparthi has displayed all of the values upon which Provena prides itself - dignity, compassion, patience, virtue, and respect. Without a doubt, he rises up to the Provena mission of healing and hope and to our pillars of People, Quality, Excellence, Finance, and Service. Dr. Moparthi has a spirit of giving and kindness unlike any other."

Dr. Moparthi is board-certified in internal medicine. He joined Provena St. Mary's Hospital and the practice of Dr. Abraham Thomas in 2004. Prior to his relocation to the Kankakee community, he led the internal medicine residency teams at Synergy Medical Education Alliance in Saginaw, Mich., and was affiliated with Lakeland Hospital and Great Lakes Heart & Vascular Institute, both in St. Joseph, Mich.

Dr. Moparthi received his medical degree from Guntur Medical College in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, and completed his residencies in internal medicine at SreeDevi Nursing Home, also in Guntur, and at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital and at Bassetlaw District General Hospital, both in the UK.

When asked to describe Dr. Moparthi, the two words that our employees used resoundingly in their nominations were "humble" and "dedicated." Another nomination from our nurses read, "He always has a beautiful smile to greet everyone he sees. Dr. Moparthi makes time to lend his ears and, most importantly, his heart to patients, their families, and staff. He never leaves a room until all questions are answered and the plan of care has been discussed thoroughly. He always tells us to 'Have a good day' before he leaves the floor, and we know that he means it."

Dr. Moparthi grew up in Guntur, India - a city with a population of close to 820,000 and which his grandfather mayored for over 20 years. In fact, his grandfather, also a self-made and well-respected businessman, was responsible for the construction of a canal that brought potable drinking water to Guntur's residents.

Dr. Moparthi and his twin sister are the youngest in a family of five. While Dr. Moparthi is academic, reserved, and quiet - the strong silent type - his twin is quite the opposite ¬¬¬¬- gregarious, outgoing, and feisty. Growing up, his extended family - aunts, uncles, and cousins - lived nearby, so family gatherings were regular events.

Upon entering high school, he chose medicine as his professional path and is the only doctor in his family. Among his med school friends, he's quite infamous as a motorcycle rider and is known for taking what he described as "little trips" - as in 500 miles ¬- to visit friends.

Dr. Moparthi and his wife, Haritha, were introduced by family members in 1999. They met in Wales and married in 2000. Both enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and love the English countryside.

The Moparthis came to America so that Dr. Moparthi could pursue advanced medical training. With Mrs. Moparthi working in Chicago, they saw Kankakee as a community similar to their home city in India and were pleased to join our area in 2004. 

Dr. Moparthi is a bit of a Renaissance man. His wife says that he has few acquaintances but "lots and lots" of true friends. "People love to be Giri's friend," she says, "because they know that it is a lifelong bond. He is very special in the way that he treats people."

Our employees agree wholeheartedly. In another nomination, an employee wrote, "You could not ask for a nicer person than Dr. Moparthi. His character is what keeps patients coming to Provena St. Mary's Hospital."

But, perhaps the best description of our Physician of the Year comes from one of his nominations. "Dr. Moparthi is the genuine deal," one of our employees wrote. "He doesn't change. He's the same person every day, all the way around. He wants to help people live healthier and better lives. There's just no better way to describe him."

At Provena St. Mary's Hospital, we are very honored and proud to have Dr. Moparthi as a member of our medical group, and we thank him for an unyielding dedication to his patients, their families, and our employees. He exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of Provena St. Mary's Hospital and truly deserves to be called Physician of the Year of 2009.