By Joanne Davidson, Special to The Denver Post
The Inner City Health Center celebrated its 30th year by hosting a gala where the entertainment featured one of its most grateful patients.
One of Denver’s most beloved vocalists, Hazel Miller, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation during a routine visit relating to her diabetes and high blood pressure.
Atrial fibrillation, commonly referred to as a-fib, is a condition where the heart’s two upper chambers beat chaotically and irregularly, causing heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness.
If left untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart failure or other heart-related complications.
“Inner City Health Center saved my life,” Miller said in a video shown at Jazzed, the dinner and dance party chaired by Maureen Tarrant and Ruth Benton and held at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.
Tarrant is president/CEO of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children; Benton is the CEO of New West Physicians.
Had her condition gone undiscovered, Miller added, it could have rendered her unable to continue as an entertainer, or ended her life.
And that would have impacted the lives of her bandmates, whose livelihoods depend on keeping up with a seeming nonstop series of gigs.
Miller and her band headlined the 30th anniversary celebration, and alternated sets with Chris Daniels and the Kings.
The evening began with silent auction bidding and a buffet supper provided by members of the Rocky Mountain chapter of the United States Personal Chef Association and chefs from Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, GrowHaus, Footers Catering, Georgia Boys BBQ and the Chocolate Therapist.
Guests included founders Jan and Dr. Bob Williams; chief executive officer Kraig Burleson, and his wife, Autherine; board chair Todd Krapf, first vice president at Alliant/Mesirow Insurance Services, and his wife, Kristen; Dr. Reginald Washington, chief medical officer at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, his wife, Faye, and their daughter, Danielle LaCabe; Alan Qualls, the chief operating officer at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, and his wife, Ellen; and Christy Maraone, director of marketing, public relations and communications for Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Inner City Health Center provides medical, dental and counseling services on a sliding scale fee basis. Eighty percent of its clients do not have insurance.
Its first location opened on Dec. 3, 1983, in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, which at the time had the city’s highest rate of infant mortality, the lowest income level and the least access to affordable health.
It has since moved to 3800 York St., where doctors, dentists and other health care professionals serve approximately 25,000 patients annually from throughout the state.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
