Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Gala Recipient St. Luke's Announces Pediatric Service Expansion

February 12, 2019 - The Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association today hosted a press conference to provide a first look at nine of the new models to be displayed at the 2019 Lehigh Valley Auto Show, “Driving the Valley.” 2019 vehicles on display:

-Audi Q 8, provided by Audi Allentown;
-Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport Edition, provided by Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac;
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, presented by Fiat Alfa Romeo of the Lehigh Valley;
-Jaguar I Pace, presented by Jaguar Land Rover of the Lehigh Valley;
-Land Rover Range Rover, presented by Jaguar Land Rover of the Lehigh Valley;
-Infiniti QX 50, presented by Bennett Infiniti;
-Maserati Levante, presented by Bennett Maserati of Allentown;
-Mercedes Benz S560V4, presented by Mercedes Benz of the LehighValley; and
-Porsche 911GTS, presented by Porsche of the Lehigh Valley.

The show is a four-day event featuring over 150,000 square feet of new cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, vans and cycles. This year’s show will mark its 22^nd anniversary. It will again be held at Lehigh University’s Goodman Campus and will run from Thursday, March 21 through Sunday, March 26.

The chair of this year’s auto show is Tom Daub, president of the Brown-Daub Dealerships.

Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association president, Sam Borrelli, president of Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac, Bethlehem, welcomed everyone to the press conference.

Tom Kwiatek, executive director of the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, presented some of the show’s highlights including the largest show floor ever: 150,000 square feet in four venues. The show will also include Ride and Drive programs on site. It will include an expanded Auto Show Marketplace. With a focus on safe driving, a new highlight in the Auto Show Marketplace will be the GEICO_® sponsored distracted driving simulator. This interactive feature is designed to illustrate the effects of distracted, drunk or buzzed driving, and will be accompanied by the famous GEICO gecko. Also focusing on safety, a St. Luke’s University Health Network display will showcase child safety seats and how to properly install them. Classic cars will be featured and the association is also in discussions to display IndyCars on site.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is free. Ticket costs are $10 for adults, $7 for Senior Citizens (55 +) and children (6-14), and $25 for a family four-pack. Children under five receive free admission. Tickets may be purchased online at glvada.org [glvada.org] or onsite.

Representatives from St. Luke’s University Health Network, this year’s auto show preview gala beneficiary, were introduced: Carol Kuplen, president, St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem, and chief nursing office; and Jessika Haynos, service line manager, children’s services. They announced an expansion of inpatient pediatric capabilities at St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem to include a new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in conjunction with a renovation of the inpatient pediatric unit by early 2020.

According to Samuel Kennedy, Director of Corporate Communications, St. Luke’s University Health Network, St. Luke’s pediatricians treat children at the Network’s primary care pediatric practices located throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Over the past few years St. Luke's has invested greatly in expanding pediatric services throughout its service areas:

- Increased the number of pediatric providers and extended the geographic area to give patients access to pediatricians in their neighborhood.

-Grown pediatric specialty services to include neurology, nephrology, endocrinology, developmental pediatrics, radiology, anesthesia, dermatology and behavioral health, recruiting new specialists to keep care close to home.

-Invested in providing 24/7 inpatient hospitalist coverage for the Network’s youngest patients. 

-Opened the St. Luke’s Baby & Me Support Center, which provides lactation postpartum support and prenatal education to expectant moms all in one convenient location.

In line with St. Luke’s mission to become the region's leader in providing high quality, easily accessible and cost efficient pediatric services today, the Network is announcing the next phase of its investment in pediatric services.

St. Luke’s will be expanding inpatient capabilities to include a new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (or a PICU) at St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem and to open a PICU at St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem by early 2020 in conjunction with a renovation of the inpatient pediatrics unit.

Having a PICU will elevate the level of care provided to children at St. Luke’s.  The Network pediatric service will recruit additional specialists who will manage more complex conditions.  Families will not have to leave the area or be transferred out of the Network when their children require specialty care follow up. 

This year’s preview gala, “Main Streets of the Lehigh Valley,” will be held Wednesday, March 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to be among the first members of the public to preview the 2019 auto show while enjoying food, music and cocktails showcasing three of the Lehigh Valley’s main streets: Hamilton Street in Allentown; Main Street in Bethlehem; and Northampton Street in Easton. The event is open to the public with free valet parking.

All proceeds benefit St. Luke’s University Health Network. Tickets are $100 per person and $160 per couple. Tickets can be purchased online at glvada.org [glvada.org]. Thursday and Friday, March 21 and 22, are Community Days at the auto show. Participating nonprofits (list at glvada.org [glvada.org] and included in press packet) sell discounted advance tickets as a fundraiser for their organizations.

Thursday evening is St. Luke’s University Health Network appreciation night. Also on Thursday evening, the Women’s Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce will host their annual scholarship fundraiser. This year the event is being held for the first time at the auto show, in Stabler Athletic and Convocation Center. Entitled, “Top Chef of the Valley,” the 5 to 7 p.m. event will feature winetasting and samples of feature dishes from chefs around the valley. Attendees will have the opportunity to win restaurant gift cards. Tickets are $35 for chamber members and $70 for nonmembers.

Friday, March 22^nd is military and first responder appreciation day. Admission is free with a valid ID. Accompanying family members, up to 4 people, may attend at half price.

Volunteers are needed to staff this year’s show. Volunteers will have four-hour shifts, receive a free t-shirt and get a meal if their shift falls over lunch or dinner. To volunteer, contact Tom Kwiatek, executive director, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association at tkwiatek@ptd.net or 610-758-9691.

For more information on the auto show, including directions, please visit www.glvada.org [glvada.org].

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