Charity art auction raises money for health and wellness programs and clinical services

People bidding at the art auction

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC), a member of Dartmouth Health, hosted a successful charity art auction featuring work from prolific artist Deborah K. Ellis, which was originally gifted to the hospital by Ellis’ spouse, Sarwar Kashmeri.

The auction, led by auctioneer Bill Smith, raised proceeds that will go toward health and wellness programs and clinical services at MAHHC.

Prior to the auction, a reception was held to remember and celebrate Ellis’ life and work. It was well attended by Ellis’ and Kashmeri’s friends, family, neighbors, and associates.

“We are grateful for the organizations who through their sponsorships provided the gift of healing with the art they selected from the collection for display in our public spaces and who helped offset the expenses for the event. Thank you, also to the attendees of the auction, who were generous with their bids, and to Bill Smith, who provided his expertise and time to help us make this fundraiser as successful as possible,” said CEO and Chief Medical Officer Joseph L. Perras, MD.

Sponsors of the event were Hall Art Foundation, Woodstock Terrace Communities, Mt. Ascutney Hospital Medical Staff, Dr. Joseph Perras, New England Air Systems, LaValley Building Supply, Communicators Group, Great Eastern Radio, The Framery of Vermont and the Valley News.

About Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center

Founded in 1933, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) is a not-for-profit community hospital network in Vermont, including the critical access-designated Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Historic Homes of Runnemede, a senior residential care campus, in Windsor, as well as the Ottauquechee Health Center in Woodstock. A member of the Dartmouth Health system, MAHHC provides primary care and a comprehensive suite of specialty services, along with 25 inpatient beds, a therapeutic pool and an acclaimed, fully modernized 10-bed Acute Rehabilitation Center. Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is dedicated to improving the lives of those it serves and is at the hub of a wide network of community resources that have partnered to cover gaps in services and improve overall population health. One of the largest employers in the area, MAHHC acknowledges its employees as its greatest asset and has been recognized by the Governor's Office with an Excellence in Worksite Wellness award.
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), is a recent recipient of Best Practice recognition by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for health care quality, and is recognized by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as one of the "Most Wired" hospitals for integration of technology to boost clinical performance. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded MAHHC with Level 3 status, the highest level of medical home designation.