In an effort to raise awareness about men’s health, the Reading Hospital Foundation is hosting Beards & Brews with celebrity bartenders at BLDG 24 on Thursday, Nov. 2. At the event, participating bartenders will mix, shake, and pour drinks to earn tips that will help them meet their fundraising goals for the No Shave November campaign. The event is open to the public. 

Celebrity bartenders like Keegan Worley, Chief Financial Officer of The Standard Group, will serve exclusive themed drinks to guests with earned tips directly benefitting men’s health initiatives at McGlinn Cancer Institute. Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts, which will be available for purchase, will also go toward the cause.

“I hope the No Shave November campaign inspires our community to embrace empathy and solidarity, encouraging open conversations about men's cancer awareness,” said Worley, who will mix specially themed drinks, such as the Clean-Shaven Cream Ale from Oakbrook Brewing. Elders Cut Meadery is also sponsoring some libations, such as Mutton Chops which is a mead-based Manhattan, and The Soul Patch, a honey and lemon-infused mead cocktail.

“By cultivating compassion and support, stigmas can be erased, early detection increased, and, ultimately, lives saved. Working together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being of individuals and families affected by men's cancer," continued Worley.

28 Reading Hospital employees and 16 fellow businessmen will be participating in the event alongside Worley from 4 to 10:00 p.m. including:

  • 4:00 - Chris Cosce, Registered Dietitian.
  • 4:30 - Jason Roth, ED Inventory Coordinator; and Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO.
  • 5:00 - Michael Coveney, System Director Employee Health Wellness & Disability; and Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO.
  • 5:30 - Paul Cohn, Past Board Chair, Reading Hospital Foundation, Senior Wealth Advisor Director, Fulton Bank; and Julian Marz, Logistics Manager, League Logistics.
  • 6:00 - Mark McFadden, Professor of Mathematics, Immaculata University; and Keegan Worley, Chief Financial Officer of The Standard Group.
  • 6:30 - Chris Kehrli, Risk Manager; and Joe Ludwig, Nutrition Sr Supervisor.
  • 7:00 - Carmine Lenzi, Account Manager, Sobi Pharmaceuticals; and David Argentati, Commercial Loan Officer, MidPenn Bank.
  • 7:30 - Bernie Anton, Co-owner, Lords and Ladies Salon of Sinking Spring; and Michael Napolitano, MD, THMG Birdsboro Family Medicine.
  • 8:00 - George Ortiz, Owner, American Barber Academy.
  • 8:30 - David Smith, RN II, Reading Hospital Infusion Center.
  • 9:00 - Jeff Smith, Jr., Financial Advisor, MassMutual Eastern PA; and Jim Fowler, Keystone Maintenance Services.
  • 10:00 - Anthony Donato, Academic Hospitalist.

“We’re working to shed light on the importance of cancer screenings for men, and No Shave November is a perfect opportunity for us to do that," said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO. “This event has us putting our bartending skills to the test while raising money for an important cause. It’s an excellent reason for the community to gather.”

The purpose of No Shave November is to raise awareness for men's health by championing hair and letting it grow. We can help support the mission by donating money typically spent on haircare and grooming, to education about cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. By getting people thinking about hair and talking to others about their hair, crucial conversations can be had, cancers can be prevented, lives can be saved, and those fighting cancer have more support.

If you would like to contribute to the cause, but cannot attend the event, please consider donating here.

“Reading Hospital was built on the generosity of others and has been providing comfort and care to the community for more than 150 years,” Worley said. “The support of the Foundation further addresses the health challenges faced by residents and keeps the growth and development of the Hospital at its forefront, something significant to anyone lucky enough to live in Berks County and the surrounding areas."

 

About Reading Hospital

Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.