New Restaurant Gives "Tip" Worth Thousands to VCU Medical Center

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Sheri Bennington, general manager of Richmond's new Morton's, The SteakHouse, shows support for VCU Medical Center while presenting a check for $17,777 to Dr. Joseph P. Ornato, chairman of emergency medicine and Nancy Martin, trauma program manager. Morton's management decided to "give back to the community" by hosting a fundraiser to support the mission of the VCU Medical Center's Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center, after the two units were cast in the national spotlight last fall while providing superior care for one of the shooting victims of the Washington, D.C. area sniper.

Morton's raised the money as part of its Richmond grand opening during a strolling dinner party and cocktail reception called "A Night to Remember." Morton's teamed with the MCV Hospitals Auxiliary of the VCU Health System to create a list of patrons, who paid $100 per ticket to attend the event that would benefit the VCU Medical Center's Emergency Department and Trauma Center.