Ross Gallabrese HONOREES — Among those who will be recognized at the April 26 Ohio Valley Health Center Gala are, from left, front, Susan Rayl, representing Henry Schein; Diann Schmitt, volunteer medical providing, representing the Franciscan University of Steubenville; Ann Quillen, the center's executive director; Dan McBane, McBane Insurance and Financial Services; and Tom Timmons, the center's treasurer and representative of the Steubenville Kiwanis Club; middle, Suzanne Brown, gala committee member and past gala chair; Laurie Labishak of Trinity Health System; Betty Ferron, longtime gala volunteer; Carolyn and Jody Glaub, initial center funders, representing the Center Music and Art; and Tara Mougianis, gala committee member and past gala chair, representing Apollo Pro Cleaning; back, Bob Gribben, representing GraeCon Construction; Curt Virtue, representing Value Leader Pharmacy; the Rev. Clint Quillen of Wintersville Methodist Church; Dr. Tom Brown, center volunteer dental director, board member and past gala chair; Dr. Charn Nandra, center medical director; Dave D’Anniballe, representing D'Anniballe and Co.; and Tony Mougianis, center board president and past gala chair, representing Apollo Pro Cleaning. Also scheduled to be recognized are Pat Fletcher; Huberta Schiappa Siciliano; Blance Babela; Borden Office Equipment; Dumbaugh, Oklok and Criss; the Herald-Star; Empire Community Church; and WTOV-TV.

When you talk with everyone who will be honored during this year’s Ohio Valley Health Center Gala, one phrase comes up again and again:

“It’s been a privilege to have been involved with the work the center does.”

That sentiment is shared by more than 20 individuals and organizations who will be recognized during the April 26 dinner at the St. Florian Event Center.

“It’s been a privilege to have been a part of this,” said Susan Rayl, a clinical lab specialist with medical supplies distributor Henry Schein and a longtime supporter of the center.

Rayl, a Steubenville resident, said she became involved after discussing the center’s work with the Rev. Bruce Hitchcock, whose efforts helped launch the center in 2006.

“It’s what I always wanted to do — to help somebody. So for me, it was a continuation of that. It was just a privilege — it’s been an honor,” she said.

This year’s honorees are part of a special group recognized during the dinner, which celebrates the center’s two decades of providing quality medical care to uninsured and underinsured residents of the region. The gala’s theme, A Roaring 20 Years of Hope, Health and Healing, reflects that milestone.

Ann Quillen, the center’s executive director, said many of the honorees were excited when she called to inform them of their selection.

“I think it’s amazing that all of you are here,” Quillen said. “I was touched that you felt honored to be a part of our history, a part of our story. I can see every one of you and your partnership from the time our doors opened.”

Quillen, who has been executive director since 2020, is preparing to step down for a second time. She also served as the center’s second executive director from 2008 to 2015, following Diann Schmitt.

“When it started, it was a new idea,” Schmitt said, recalling her time as the center’s first director. “It had a lot of community support. There was a group of 20 or so people at a table meeting every week, just trying to get it off the ground and getting all of the procedures in place.”

Schmitt credited support from Drs. Carolyn Miller and Richard Antinone of the nursing education department at Franciscan University of Steubenville for encouraging her to apply.

“I really prayed about it,” she said. “I drove past the center a couple of times. Then, when I finished the interview, I literally walked out of the building and said, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ And then I got a phone call, and they said they wanted to hire me.”

She singled out the late Dr. Frank J. Petrola for helping her through a difficult time shortly after being hired.

“After I accepted the position, my own dad passed away suddenly, and it was awful, absolutely terrible, and Dr. Petrola was so kind,” she said.

Petrola helped get what was then known as the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center up and running and served as its medical director. Among his many accolades was the Champion of Free Clinics Award presented by the Ohio Association of Free Clinics.

Since opening in 2006, the center has grown, providing $1,755,957 in free care in 2025.

“Where we are right now, compared with 2006 and 2007, is amazing,” Schmitt said. “It has happened because you have people with ideas, people who support it, and people who say, ‘Let’s give it a whirl.'”

She praised local pharmacies, hospitals, and volunteers who have contributed to the center’s success.

While the center is thriving today, it took time to get started under Hitchcock, then executive director of Urban Mission Ministries. Early support came in the form of two $25,000 donations.

“Bruce had thought about doing this for a while and was struggling to get it off the ground,” said local businessman Jody Glaub, who, with his wife, Carolyn, operates the Center of Music and Art in Wintersville.

Glaub called Hitchcock with his donation, shortly before Jim McBane of McBane Insurance and Financial Services called with a similar gift.

“Hitchcock tells the story that he was leaving a meeting with no money, and before he got back to Urban Mission, Jody had called with $25,000 and Jim had called with $25,000,” Quillen said. “Then they got a donation from Trinity Health System, and things just started going from there. Bruce talks all the time about what an answer to a prayer it was.”

Dan McBane, Jim’s son, said contributing was an easy decision for their family.

“My dad believes in supporting a lot of charities and nonprofits in the Valley,” he said. “When he sees someone with a driven purpose who’s willing to do something good, he’s willing to get behind it.”

The center operated at its original location until the roof collapsed. Operations moved to Trinity Medical Center East before fundraising enabled the acquisition and remodeling of the South Street building.

Laurie Labishak, market director of marketing and communications for Trinity Health System, said supporting the health center aligns with the system’s long-standing mission of serving the community’s health needs.

“This is another extension of that, being able to partner with the health center to make sure the underserved are served and to provide a high level of care,” she said.

Chairs for the gala are the Judy family of Richmond — Mark, his wife Gina, and daughters Kimberly Sherretts and Stephanie Presutti — longtime supporters of the center. The cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. April 26. Tickets are $65 each, and guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s-era attire. For information or to order tickets, visit ovhealthcenter.org.

All money raised will help the center continue serving area residents, made possible through local volunteers committed to its mission.

“It’s been a privilege for me to be involved,” said Tom Timmons, the health center’s treasurer. “When you think about all the services we provide and the stories Ann tells about people and how we saved their lives, that is huge. It’s been a privilege.”