What: After more than a decade of planning, Sherman Health will celebrate the opening of its new 255-bed, 645,000 square-foot  hospital during a Grand Opening Gala taking place 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the new facility, 1425 N. Randall Road in Elgin.  The invitation-only event will feature an Elgin Symphony Orchestra brass quintet original fanfare specially commissioned for Sherman Hospital.

At 7 p.m., a short ceremony will take place in the new hospital atrium under the Tree of Life.  The program for the evening will include:

• Welcome, Rick Jakle, Sherman Health Systems Board Chair
• Invocation, Neris Diaz-Cabello, Sherman Heath Director of Chaplaincy Services
• The Board Reflection on the New Sherman Hospital, Terry Dunning, Sherman Hospital Board Chair
• Campaign for the New Sherman Hospital, Lane Hoffman, Sherman Health Foundation Board Chair
• A New Day in Healthcare in Elgin, Ed Schock, Mayor, City of Elgin
• The Future of Sherman, Rick Floyd, President & CEO, Sherman Health

When: 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009

Where: New Sherman Hospital, 1425 Randall Road in Elgin

Who: Members of the media are welcome. Event is cocktail attire-black tie optional. Please contact Michelle Howe, marketing specialist, Sherman Health, 224-783-8427 if you plan to attend.

Resulting coverage:

Daily Herald -- Dec. 6, 2009