Prominent Philadelphia Area Couple to be Honored at Main Line Health Heart Center Gala

WYNNEWOOD, PA., September 2008 – Bob Hall, retired publisher and chairman of Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., and his wife Ronna of Penn Valley were named recipients of the Main Line Health (MLH) HeartCenter’s 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award.This is the second time the Heart Center is honoring both husband and wife at its annual Sensations of the Heart galabeing held on Friday evening, September 26, at Independence Seaport Museum, Penn’s Landing, in Philadelphia.
 
“The Halls are being recognized for their years of dedicated service to the Heart Center, where Bob is founding chair of its Leadership Council, and for their compassion and commitment to numerous civic, cultural, and educational organizations throughout Greater Philadelphia,” said Peter R. Kowey, MD, president of the MLH Heart Center.
 
Married for 40 years, Bob and Ronna were both born in Philadelphia. The Halls attended Philadelphia public schools and met while in high school. Following high school, Ronna earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from TempleUniversity and went on to publish numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from DrexelUniversity and joined Ernst & Ernst as a certified public accountant (CPA). He later began a career in the newspaper industry where he spent the next 30 years until his retirement in 2003. They currently reside in PennValley.
 
“Bob and I feel so fortunate, and consider it a privilege to give back to the community we know and love,” said Ronna Hall.
 
The Halls have been recognized individually and jointly by numerous organizations, including City of Hope, Rock School of Dance, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and League of Women Voters, for their commitment to improving the community.
 
Judith and James “Skip” Oliver, Esq. of Norristown will serve as the Gala Presenting Sponsor for the second year in a row. The event Program Book sponsor for the third consecutive year is Trammell Crow, a provider of global commercial real estate services based in West Conshohocken. The Heart Center’s Golf Tournament, the companion fund-raiser, follows one-week later on Friday, October 3, at the White Manor Country Club in Malvern. For the fourth consecutive year, Vince Piazza and the Piazza Auto Group will serve as the Title Sponsor of the tournament.
 
For information on sponsorships and/or tickets to the Gala or Golf Tournament, please call the MLH Heart Center at 610-645-8135 or click here.
 
Proceeds from both events help support the MLH Heart Center’s cardiovascular research and education programs. Since 2001, the Sensations of the Heart Gala and Golf Tournament have generated contributions totaling more than $2 million.
 
The Main Line Health Heart Center, a partnership of Main Line Health physicians and hospitals, is dedicated to reducing the impact of heart disease and improving quality of life. The Center is nationally recognized for providing innovative, quality, patient-oriented heart care and leading-edge cardiovascular research and medical education. In fact, Lankenau Hospital’s heart program earned the distinction of being named a 100 Top Hospital for cardiovascular care by Thomson for a third year in a row; and as a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award™ for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades for a third consecutive year.

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Contact
Michele Stefan
Media Relations
Main Line Health
610-574-8878