Published on November 6, 2025
Milestone celebration raises over $1 million: honors first ever Susan Simons Enduring Legacy Award recipient
Alive Hospice celebrated its upcoming 50th anniversary at its Golden Gala on November 4 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. More than 400 supporters gathered to honor the organization’s legacy ahead of its official anniversary on November 14, raising over $1 million and counting, to sustain its mission of caring for patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses. The largest fundraising event in its 50-year history.
The inspirational evening featured intimate musical performances by Grammy Award-winning artists Amy Grant and Vince Gill, whose heartfelt songs paid tribute to Alive’s 50 years of unwavering service to the Middle Tennessee community. Among those in attendance was Dr. David Barton and his wife Lynn, who co-founded Alive with the late Dr. John Flexner in 1975. Their revolutionary vision was to offer dignified care for patients with terminal illnesses a way to live comfortably and completely until their final breath.
“For half a century, Alive has been a beacon of comfort and hope for thousands of patients and families during life’s most challenging moments,” said Amir Hamad, CEO of Alive. “This Golden Gala celebration not only honors our storied past but strengthens our commitment to the future of compassionate care in our community.”
A highlight of the evening was long-standing board member and supporter, Susan Simons, receiving the first ever Susan Simons Enduring Legacy Award, presented by her grandson, Lucas Hagerty and Alive advisory board chair, Mary Falls. This recognition, notably named in her honor, acknowledged Susan’s unwavering support of Alive for the last three decades. Most recently, she led efforts to establish the Alive Board Endowment—a permanent fund designed to ensure the sustainability of Alive’s mission for generations to come. During the ceremony, Susan announced a personal contribution to the endowment, along with a $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor to support AI and technology initiatives.
The Golden Gala was made possible through the dedication of the Gala Committee, led by Liz Schatzlein (Event Chair), Lisa Campbell (Patron Co-Chair), Paula Lovell (Patron Co-Chair), Libby Page (Logistics Chair), Susan Simons (Honoree), Denise Alper, Nick Birren, Donna Eskind, Jeanmarie Hill, Maggie McGraw, Kim Plyler, Jared Porter, Mary Jo Shankle, Betsy Wills, and Heather Wills, whose tireless efforts brought together Nashville’s philanthropic community for this historic milestone. Sponsors for the evening include Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®), Galante Foundation and Sandra Schatten Foundation.
Since its founding in 1975, Alive Hospice has served patients and families across 12 Middle Tennessee counties, providing hospice care, palliative care, and grief support services. The organization continues to set the standard for compassionate end-of-life care in Tennessee through its comprehensive programs and commitment to treating every patient with dignity and respect.
As a nonprofit organization, Alive sustains its mission through the generous support of donors and volunteers. Those interested in learning more about Alive can visit alivehospice.org
CONTACT: Abby Lemons Stevens | (615) 351-0084
About Alive
Alive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. Through hospice care, palliative care, and grief support services, Alive serves patients in their homes, nursing facilities, and at its inpatient facilities, with service to 12 Middle Tennessee counties. This includes in-home and inpatient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education about the end of life, financial assistance, a robust volunteer program, and clinician training. For 50 years, Alive Hospice has remained true to its founding vision: offering dignified care that enables patients with life-limiting illnesses to live fully until their final breath. Alive sustains its mission through the generous support of community donors and volunteers.
