Among the crowd were Jay and Karen Garrett, honored guests whose lives have been intertwined with Adventist HealthCare for decades. At the event, the Garretts received the Patient Award for Outstanding Community Service.
For Karen, the connection began in childhood. Her family has trusted Adventist HealthCare through generations. Her grandmother stayed at Washington Adventist Hospital “back when there were rocking chairs on the front porch.” Later, that legacy of care continued as Karen and Jay relied on Shady Grove and White Oak Medical Centers and Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation.
Their bond with the system deepened through personal trials. Karen survived three battles with cancer, beginning at age 11. She credits her strength to what she calls a partnership with Kashif Firozvi, MD, medical director of Cancer Services at Adventist HealthCare. Jay also faced life-threatening illness, including a long recovery from pancreatitis, and later received pioneering treatment for atrial fibrillation at White Oak Medical Center.
Through every challenge, they found compassion, skill and hope in Adventist HealthCare’s caregivers.
“They treated us like family,” Karen said. “You can feel the mission in everything they do.”
Out of gratitude, the Garretts give generously to ensure that hospital teams have the tools and technology needed to deliver exceptional care.
“We like our gifts to go where they’ll make a real difference for patients,” they said.
Their recent gift to the Shady Grove Medical Center Forensic Medical Unit reflects their lifelong commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence: Karen as an advocate, educator and spokesperson, Jay as a lawyer providing pro bono services, as well as rides to safe houses.
They hope their story inspires others to give back.
“When you’ve been cared for with such kindness,” Jay shared, “you can’t help but want to help others experience that same care.”
Join the Garretts in making a difference. Large or small, your gift will help Adventist HealthCare continue to heal, uplift and transform lives.
