Denver Comes Together at Promenade

More than 750 guests gathered at Denver Botanic Gardens on Thursday, October 1, for the inaugural Denver Health Foundation Promenade. The new signature event raised nearly $900,000 in support of Denver Health and the patients and communities it serves.

Promenade traded the familiar sequence of reception, seated dinner, and formal program for an evening in motion. Guests followed the garden paths, stopping for food, music, conversation, and stories from across Denver Health.

As daylight faded over the late-season gardens, music carried from one setting to the next. Along the way, guests paused to meet Denver Health caregivers and staff, hear about their work, and see how philanthropy strengthens care across the health system.

Across the Gardens

José Avila, the James Beard Award-nominated Denver chef behind La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, and his team created six tasting experiences served throughout the gardens. Music surfaced along the paths through performances by Palladio String Quartet, harpist Mary Keener, and Spanish guitarist El Javi.

Each stop brought a different part of Denver Health into view. Guests learned how school-based health centers bring care to students, how behavioral health and oncology teams support patients, and how the Sam Sandos Westside Family Health Center rebuild expand access to care on Denver’s west side. Elsewhere, paramedics, nurses, pediatric care teams, and Child Life shared what their work looks like day to day and what it means for the people who rely on Denver Health.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to share how Child Life helps children and families navigate healthcare through play, preparation, and emotional support,” said Amanda Roper, Child Life Manager at Denver Health, who volunteered at the program’s station. “Seeing guests understand how that work helps children feel safe, supported, and empowered was truly special.”

Those encounters also gave guests a chance to act on what they had learned. At donation kiosks throughout the gardens, they could make a gift to support Denver Health and the patients and families who rely on it.

A Shared Commitment to Denver Health

Guests later gathered for dessert and a brief program featuring remarks from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne, DrPH; and Denver Health Foundation Executive Director Sean VanBerschot. Together, their remarks brought the evening back to the reason everyone had gathered: Denver Health’s enduring role in the life of the city and state, from emergency and trauma care to neighborhood health centers, school-based services, and programs that meet needs beyond hospital walls.

Mayor Johnston described Denver Health as the kind of safety net any successful civilization must maintain. Lynne spoke about the breadth of Denver Health’s impact, from delivering babies and providing emergency care to responding to calls across the city through Denver Health Paramedics. She also underscored the essential role of philanthropy in sustaining that work amid challenging political headwinds.

“I’m so proud of the exceptional care we provide,” said Lynne. “These are some of the toughest times I’ve known in healthcare, but Denver Health will — and must — continue to meet the evolving needs of our patients. Our community deserves nothing less.”

Colorado singer-songwriter Daniel Rodriguez then took the stage for the headline performance, closing the night with music beneath the open sky.

“Promenade was created to bring people closer to Denver Health’s work and to one another,” said VanBerschot, reflecting on the evening. “The warmth of the conversations throughout the gardens reminded us how deeply this community cares for Denver Health and the people we serve.”

With Gratitude

Denver Health Foundation gratefully recognizes Presenting Sponsor Thiry-O’Leary Foundation and more than 100 sponsors whose partnership made the inaugural Promenade possible.

View the complete list of Promenade sponsors.

Denver Health Foundation also thanks event co-chairs Susan and Lee McIntire; Sue and Doug Seserman; Auna Jornayvaz and Jack DeGrave; and Ann S. Lynch and Charles R. Cook. The Foundation extends its gratitude to the volunteers, community partners, participating Denver Health teams, and everyone who helped bring the evening to life.

Promenade also welcomed former Denver mayors Wellington Webb and Federico Peña and their wives, former state Rep. Wilma Webb and Cindy Peña. Together, the two couples have supported Denver Health across decades of public service and civic leadership. They joined other public officials and civic leaders from across Colorado.

Denver Health Foundation plans to alternate its signature fundraising events, with the Gala held in odd-numbered years and Promenade in even-numbered years. The Gala will return September 25, 2027.

Since 1860, Denver Health has cared for everyone who turns to it, regardless of their ability to pay, while educating the next generation of health professionals and advancing research and community partnerships that strengthen Denver’s well-being.

Learn how your support can help Denver Health provide exceptional care for patients and families across the region.

Your support helps Denver Health provide exceptional care for patients and families across our region.

These are some of the toughest times I’ve known in healthcare, but Denver Health will — and must — continue to meet the evolving needs of our patients.

Donna Lynne, DrPH

CEO, Denver Health

Denver Comes Together at Promenade

In this Story:

Across the Gardens

A Shared Commitment to Denver Health

With Gratitude

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