Believe Bash co-chairs Jim Coleman, president and CEO of Erlanger, Amy Walker Coleman, Sheila Boyington, chair of the Erlanger Health Board of Directors, and Dr. Dane Boyington with Jay Dale, market president of First Horizon Bank, and his wife Cynthia
Under a dazzling display of lights, color and Indian culture, Erlanger’s 2025 Believe Bash: Bollywood delivered an unforgettable night and set a new philanthropic record, raising more than $1.67 million, said officials. In addition, Iona Jones, president of the Erlanger Auxiliary, and Mac Hedges, past-president of Erlanger Auxiliary, presented a check, separate from monies raised during the Believe Bash, to Erlanger Health for over $690,000 for a total amount raised of $2.2 million for Erlanger’s initiatives.
During the evening’s program, co-chairs announced that funds raised from the 2025 Believe Bash will support projects for the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and Erlanger Trauma Services. Specifically, monies raised will complete the capital funding needed for the Angel Eye project at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, providing families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 24/7 real-time video access to their newborns. This technology will allow families to see, connect and communicate with their babies even when they cannot be at the bedside, strengthening family bonds during some of the most challenging times. Erlanger will continue fundraising to sustain the ongoing operational expenses needed for Angel Eye. Additionally, monies secured funding for the addition of new trauma bays to enhance Erlanger’s life-saving emergency care capabilities.
All those attending who were born at Erlanger or given birth at Erlanger were recognized during a special “First Breath” paddle raise held in their honor.
Held at the Chattanooga Convention Center, the Believe Bash celebrated the spirit of generosity and the power of community with a vibrant nod to Bollywood. Guests were immersed in Indian-inspired décor, cuisine, music and performances — all in support of Erlanger’s mission to compassionately care for people.
The event was co-chaired by Jim Coleman, president and CEO of Erlanger, and his wife Amy Walker Coleman, along with Dr. Dane and Sheila Boyington, chair of the Erlanger Health Board of Directors. Together, they led a blue-chip steering committee of civic leaders, healthcare champions and philanthropic visionaries who made the evening possible.
“The Believe Bash is so much more than a black-tie gala — it’s a celebration of Erlanger’s legacy and future,” said Mr. Coleman. “We have served our region for over 120 years and are putting into place what is needed to serve this community for decades to come. To do this, Erlanger prioritizes operating across all its locations as one Erlanger, focused on our mission. And likewise, we need the community we serve to make this our Erlanger with increased ownership and support.”
“It has been an honor to co-chair this year’s Bash and to honor and support Team Erlanger and the hard work they do every day for patients,” added Mrs. Walker Coleman.
“As Board Chair of Erlanger Health and co-chair of the Bollywood Believe Bash, it was a unique chance for me to share my heritage with the community I love; to benefit the organization I am deeply devoted to,” said Mrs. Boyington, chair of the Erlanger Health Board of Directors.
“From the first sparkle of the evening to the final dance, the energy in the room was electric,” said Dr. Boyington. “We’re thrilled to see our community come together in such a powerful way for a cause that touches every life in our region.”
The 2025 Believe Bash was presented by First Horizon, with leading support from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Millennium Bank. Dozens of corporate partners, philanthropic families, and community champions stepped forward to support the cause, including an esteemed group of Maharaja Sponsors: Dr. Channapa Chandra, Will and Sarah Clegg, Drs. Sarma and Prabha Kunda, Sharon and Jon Law, Less and Cindy Lee, Jerry and Nichole Lydon, Dr. Harish and Courtney Manyam, Matthew Ballard and Daisy Maurya-Ballard, Dr. Haresh and Sumi Patel, Mitch and Parul Patel, Monty and Kirti Rathi, Dr. Larry and Robin Shears, Drs. Anand and Rita Shridharani, Melissa Laffer and Mark Smith, Dr. Amar and Sujata Singh, Navin and Dr. Sushila Tejani, Paro and TK Venkatachalam, Taylor and Ross Vinson, SageView Advisory Group, and Streamline Health.
Dozens more supported the event as Prime+ Sponsors, Prime Sponsors, Major Sponsors, and Table Hosts, with over 80 tables filled with dedicated community members and leaders.
Prime+ Sponsors: Delta Dental, TVA, Group Savings Organizations, and DeRoyal.
Prime Sponsors: Ace Anesthesia, Acumen Wealth Advisors, Bass, Berry and Sims, Charter Construction, EPB, Global Medical Response, Kaufman Hall, McGriff, University Surgical Associates, and Noon Development.
Major Sponsors: AHEAD, Atomic Transportation, Baker Donelson, Benwood Foundation, Brickyard, Linda Brock and Lee Brock Luxury Edition Real Estate Partners, Caldwell Paving, Cempa Community Care, Coca-Cola, The Double Cola Company, Incentives, HealthTrust Performance Group, Finks Jewelry, The Gibson Group, Journey Health Foundation, Kaleen, Metz Culinary Management, Morgan Stanley – Walnut Street Group, Nephrology Associates, Patten and Patten, Inc., PEMA, Riley & Jacobson, PLC, Shields Health Solutions, Sodexo, and Tennessee Oncology.
Organizers also recognized the dedicated Table Hosts, whose commitment to gathering and inspiring others helped make this year’s Believe Bash a true community celebration: Rachel Allred and Dr. Rachael Tindell, Dr. Jeb Raulston and Dr. Chris Bell, The Bacon Family and PatPat, Dr. Megan Sticher and Dr. Jeremy Bruce, Dr. Kevin and Lynn Bryant, Dr. Mark and Jayne Brzezienski, Dr. Jesse and Cristin Doty, Wendy and John Fournet, Kevin and Julia Friedman, Vicky and Dr. Fred Gregg, Rachel Harris-Riden and Jessica Holladay, Indian Association of Chattanooga, Shashi and Narendra Madan, Marcus Rafiee and Ward Petty, Harshad and Ulka Shah, Kelly H. Smith, CRNA, LLC and Tyler and Libby Winks.
Table Host corporate sponsors included ABC Ortho, Advanced Center for Sleep Disorders, Athens Distributing Company, BEAM Pediatric Dental Group, Blue CPA Advisors, Bridge Public Affairs, CarePayment, Chattanooga Allergy Group, Chattanooga State, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, Cannon Oral Surgery, Davis Moore, Erlanger Medical Staff Office, Erlanger Gastroenterology, Erlanger Neurosurgery and Spine, Food City, Forvis Mazars, FreightWaves, Gale Medical Group, Grace, Harry’s Wine & Spirits, Holland & Knight, Hospice of Chattanooga, Husch Blackwell, Jeffan International, JHM Certified Public Accountants, J & J Med Tech, The Johnson Group, KF, Krish Accounting & Tax Management, Labcorp, L Squared Construction, Lynz Logistics, Market Street Partners, MBI, McCarthy, Miller & Martin, Northshore Financial Strategies, OnPoint Healthcare Solution, Patriot Insurance Solutions, Inc., Pinnacle Financial Partners, Pointer Management, Regional Obstetric Consultants, Rock Point Bank, Ronald McDonald House Charities, RTG, The Scout Guide Chattanooga, Shire Facial Plastic Surgery, Siskin Children’s Institute, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, Stanley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Steam Logistics, Steris, Tennessee Interventional & Imaging Associates, Tinker Ma, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga, Unum, Urban Story Ventures, Walden Security, Warbird Healthcare Advisors, and WesBanco.
The event’s success was made possible by an exceptional steering committee, including: Former Congressman Zach Wamp, Sponsorship Chair; Nicole Watson, Auction Chair; Lynn Mosier Bryant, Erlanger Foundation Advancement Council Representative; Sarah Cantrell, Cleveland Outreach & Pre-Event Coordinator; Emily Corker, Jay Dale, Hiren Desai, Bob and Shelly Elliott, Wendy Fournet, Employee Engagement Lead; Lynda Minks Hood, Volunteer Coordinator; Linda Moss Mines, Erlanger Alumni Committee Chair; and Ward Petty.
As Mr. Coleman reminded guests, “Erlanger’s story began with a single gift of $5,000 more than 120 years ago. The generosity we saw tonight continues that tradition of giving — and investing in life.”
Visit erlanger.org to learn more about the impact Erlanger is making in the region. Visit erlangerfoundation.org to find ways to support and participate in the tradition of giving.
Believe Bash co-chairs Jim Coleman, president and CEO of Erlanger, Amy Walker Coleman, Sheila Boyington, chair of the Erlanger Health Board of Directors, and Dr. Dane Boyington