Event Empowers Local Health Care at Baylor Waxahachie

The Party – 2011 Hosted by Texas Legislator

WAXAHACHIE, Texas, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For many, the ultimate party weekend is fast approaching: Texas-OU. Parties, football, parties and more parties fill the days and nights of Oct. 7, 8 and 9 in Dallas.

At the House of Blues, The Party – 2011 will raise fun and monies to benefit a local North Texas hospital, Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. Waxahachie resident and Texas State Representative Jim Pitts is the host of The Party – 2011, which features musical guests, The Blues Brothers. WFAA's Ron Corning will serve as the event's mc.

The funds from the event's corporate sponsorships go to The Empowerment Project, a 501(c) (3) organization, which over the years has contributed monies to several North Texas hospitals. The Baylor Health Care System Foundation received $100,000 from The Party – 2010, and directed the funds to Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie where they will be used for continuing education for staff and future expansion of health care services.

"Good, local health care is a critical service needed in every community," said Pitts. "I want to donate funds from the Empowerment Project to local health care organizations because people want their medical needs treated close to home."

"Chairman Pitts has been a great supporter of Baylor," said Joel Allison, president and chief executive officer, Baylor Health Care System. "He understands what hospitals like Baylor Waxahachie mean to the communities they serve. The hospital not only provides safe, quality health care to area residents, it is a major employer and a valuable community resource."

The Party started as the Big Bash during Texas – OU weekend by Rep. Brian McCall, now Chancellor of the Texas State University System. When McCall decided to leave office he wanted the tradition to continue, so he offered it to Shapiro and Pitts. This year's event is a solo effort by State Representative Pitts, aided by event planning company, Amy Shomer & Associates. In 2010, Pitts and Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro hosted The Party – 2010.

Pitts has served as state representative for District 10 since January of 1993. The district includes Ellis and Hill Counties which generally encompasses the area between Dallas and Waco. There are approximately 180,000 constituents in the district.

A native of Dallas, Pitts practiced law in Waxahachie for more than 25 years; he also owns the Ellis County Abstract and Title Company. Pitts serves of the boards of several local organizations including Citizens National Bank in Waxahachie, the Sims Library and Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. He is a past president of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce past president of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Children's Services.

Pitts currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, the third time he has held this prestigious position, and is a member of the House Committee on State Sovereignty, as well as the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency. He has also served on the House Committees on Transportation, Economic Development, State, Federal and International Relations, among many others.

About Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie

Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie provides acute medical care and has been serving the residents of Ellis County for more than 96 years. Baylor Waxahachie was recently named a 100 top hospital by Thomson Reuters based on their overall organizational performance in ten areas including: quality of care, patient satisfaction and financial performance. The hospital is part of Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System.

SOURCE Baylor Health Care System