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Coronavirus Concerns Affect Meridian’s Charity Gala Rialzo

In order to reduce the possible spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana, Meridian Health Services is rescheduling Rialzo, its charity benefit gala, on April 18, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

“While Rialzo is our signature event and fundraiser, our mission is to make our communities healthier, and we need to lead by example in actions that reflect that priority,” said Hank Milius, President/CEO of Meridian. “Every day over 1,200 Meridian employees provide a wide array of healthcare services to over 40,000 patients per year. We need to take whatever actions possible to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.”

Even though Rialzo again had a “sold out” event with nearly 1000 scheduled attendees, Meridian executives believe that rescheduling is in the best interest of the communities it serves.

Meridian recently announced at its Rialzo Preview Party located at First Merchants Bank that proceeds of the event were intended for its Maternal Treatment Program and a new Women’s Recovery Home as a part of its expanding continuum of addictions services. These programs will continue and many of the sponsors and attendees have continued to make donations to these programs.

For the last three years, Rialzo has funded the establishment and expansion of its Maternal Treatment Program serving addicted mothers and their newborns. The program has now served over 125 women and seen the birth of 26 babies, none of whom have had extended stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as a result of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, at a tremendous savings to families and the community.
Plans for Rialzo’s ancillary fundraising activities, such as its auction, will be announced in the coming days, as will more details for next year’s Rialzo planned for April 10, 2021.