Ray Brook – More than 500 guests gathered on Saturday, July 11, at McKenzie Wilderness Estates for the Adirondack Health Foundation's annual Summer Gala honoring Dr. Christopher Hyson. The evening celebrated Dr. Hyson's extraordinary career in primary care while raising more than $460,000 to strengthen healthcare across the Adirondack region.
The program recognized Dr. Hyson's more than three decades of compassionate service through heartfelt tributes from longtime physician partners, Dr. Beth Bartos and Dr. Woods McCahill, as well as former patient Devon McCabe, now a nurse practitioner at Adirondack Health. Together, they reflected on Dr. Hyson's unwavering commitment to his patients, colleagues, and the communities he faithfully served.
One of the evening's most memorable moments came when Dr. Bartos presented Dr. Hyson with a commemorative white coat. She shared that receiving a white coat was something he had always hoped for during his career, but it had never been part of Adirondack Health's tradition.
"Tonight, that changes," Dr. Bartos said as she helped Dr. Hyson into the white coat. "Because if anyone has earned this, it is you."
The audience responded with a standing ovation before Dr. Hyson was presented with the Dr. Edward L. Trudeau Award, the Adirondack Health Foundation's highest honor. Named for Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, founder of the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium and a pioneer in tuberculosis treatment, the award recognizes individuals whose lifetime of leadership, compassion, and service has made an enduring impact on healthcare throughout the Adirondack region.
Accepting the award, Dr. Hyson reflected on the relationships that defined his career.
"I realized that as mundane as primary care can seem, it is the foundation of our healthcare system," he said. He later added, "I cannot claim to have done this alone. Our nursing, technical, and office staff have been my eyes and ears, my right and left hands, and my heart to help find the best paths for our patients."
Jen Balog, executive director of the Adirondack Health Foundation, thanked the attendees, volunteers, donors, physicians, and staff whose generosity made the evening one of the Foundation's most successful fundraising events.
"Dr. Hyson's career reminds us that healthcare begins with relationships built on trust, compassion, and service," Balog said. "The incredible generosity shown by our community will ensure that future generations continue to receive exceptional care close to home."
The Adirondack Health Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who supported this year's Summer Gala and looks forward to celebrating its 30th Anniversary Summer Gala on Saturday, July 10, 2027, continuing its tradition of honoring individuals whose leadership, compassion, and service have strengthened healthcare throughout the Adirondack region. For more information on the Adirondack Health Foundation visit https://www.adirondackhealthfoundation.org/.
