Gala celebrates medical center

Harrisburg Medical Center hosted its second annual Holiday Gala at the Southeastern Illinois College, George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center on Nov. 14.

The gala has become one of the medical center's most celebrated fundraisers for the hospital. This year, those who bought tickets enjoyed appetizers, drinks, and a performance of the second act of the Nutcracker suite preformed by the students of Touch of Class Dance Studio.

"We performed act 1 last year and followed up with act 2 this year," said Melonie Motsinger dance instructor and owner of Touch of Class. "I hope to put both acts together next year."

Motsinger has been planning the choreography and stage set up since the beginning of the summer. The 40 dancers were put to work, learning the steps in early September. Motsinger is also involved in the choreography for the Harrisburg high school's upcoming production of Mary Poppins to hit the stage in March.

"These kids (dancers) worked really hard, they take pride in what they do," Motsinger said. "All of them did an awesome job, I just love my dancers."

The medical center also seized this opportunity to unveil their concept of updating and remodeling the hospital.

"We have the concept together, but we don't have the final details completed just yet," said Rodney Smith, president and CEO of the hospital. "We hope to have the finalized plan done in January of next year (2016)."

More information on the updates and renovations of the Harrisburg Medical Center will be available after the first of the year.