Judy A. Beal, DNSc, RN, of the South End is serving on the Host Committee for the 11th annual Heroes in Health Care Gala on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, 776 Boylston St., Boston, to benefit VNA of Boston's Maternal Child Health Program and Charitable Care Fund.

VNA of Boston, the oldest organized visiting nurse association in the United States, is celebrating 130 years of caring for the community. The nonprofit provides vital, home-based health care to Greater Boston residents, including infants with acute, chronic or terminal illnesses and mothers with at-risk pregnancies.

Judy A. Beal, D.N.Sc., R.N., is professor of nursing and dean of the Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences. She also serves in various leadership roles for organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and previously as a member of the VNA Hospice & Palliative Care board of directors.

Each year, the VNA of Boston celebrates the work of a few very special honorees. This year's Heroes in Health Care are Diane Bergeron, RN, former vice president of hospice and advanced illness management for VNA Hospice & Palliative Care; Michael Minogue, CEO, president and chairman of Abiomed; and Mutual of America (to be accept by John R. Greed, president and CEO).

The Gala is VNA of Boston's largest fundraising event and has raised nearly $2.5 million in essential funding for VNA of Boston's direct patient care and support for vulnerable, underserved populations through the nonprofit's Maternal Child Health Program and Charitable Care Fund.

"We are so grateful to have Judy giving her time and expertise to our cause," said Laura Wise, manager of fund development for VNA of Boston. "Her dedication to improving health care in Greater Boston and beyond is remarkable, and her commitment to VNA of Boston will help us serve some of the area's most vulnerable residents."

For sponsorship inquiries and more information, please contact Laura Wise, manager of fund development, at 617-886-6460 or visit http://www.vnacare.org/gala.