How you will make your impact?
The Galen Society
The Galen Society is a group of community leaders who value having an independent, non-profit health system in the Washington-D.C. metropolitan region. They support the best patient care for all through their philanthropic giving to VHC Health. They build visibility, outreach, and engagement for Virginia Hospital Center and its programs. The Galen Society was created in 1992; its original members established an endowment that provides ongoing support to the VHC Health's Greatest Need Fund.
This distinctive recognition society is managed by the VHC Health Foundation and named in honor of Galen (130-200 AD,) a Greek physician renowned for his understanding of anatomy and physiology far ahead of his time.

Drs. Denise Bruner and Paul Schipper,
Galen Society members since 2013.
"The Virginia Hospital Center's membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, its caliber of nurses, and its new Level II Trauma designation are just three reasons why we put the care of our families in its capable hands."
- Allison Blake and Justin Miller, 2020 Co-Chairs, Galen Society Leadership Committee
Recognition and Benefits
- Name recognition on the Wall of Philanthropy in VHC Health's Waterfall Atrium
- An invitation to exclusive Galen Society events with VHC Health's President & CEO.
- Complimentary parking at VHC Health
- 25% off VHC Health fitness and wellness classes
- Special amenities during hospital stays, such as enhanced meal options
Eligibility
To become a member of The Galen Society, an individual or family makes a one-time gift or pledge of at least $25,000. Current donors can also reach Galen Society member status through their cumulative giving of $25,000 or more to VHC Health. All Galen Society members who committed to a pledge of $10,000 or reached the $10,000 cumulative giving threshold before 2019 are considered lifetime Galen Society members.
Galen Society members maintain their philanthropic support of VHC Health with an annual gift of $1,000 or more.
The Galen Society Leadership Committee
- Allison Blake, Co-Chair
- Justin Miller, Co-Chair
- Suzanne Griesmer
- Suzanne Hanas, RN, BSN
- Barbara Lewis
- Kris Motz
- Susan Pascocello
- Allan Plumley, III
- Gwendolyn (Gigi) Sutton

Galen Society members Nancy Popovich and
Greg Hamilton at the Outpatient Pavilion Groundbreaking

(Left to right) Amanda Henneberg, Blair Holmes, Zack and Marybeth Fraser.

(Left to right) Donna Scott, Kay Nassetta, Mary Ellen Gannon, Robin Norman Depaoli at the annual Friends of Nursing Awards Ceremony
Interested in joining the Galen Society? Email us to learn more.