Riezl and Ted Baker, with children Stu and Remi. The Bakers are longtime Lake Oconee residents and have been supporters of Good Samaritan Hospital since its opening.
Riezl and Ted Baker, founders and owners of Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, have stepped up to support St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital’s $3 million capital campaign to purchase a 640-slice CT scanner, permanent MRI system, and to build space for a Cardiac Stress Lab and the new MRI system.
Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate is a Gold Gift Level ($20,000 to $49,999) donor to Good Samaritan Foundation’s Business Partners Society.
The Baker family has volunteered and advocated for the hospital since its inception. Riezl was part of the original Foundation Board that raised $8 million for the hospital’s opening. She is the Past Chair of the Foundation Board (2018-2019) and remains active as a Board Member. She and Ted co-chaired the first Heart and Soul Gala at the Ritz Carlton, and Riezl chaired the Gala for three years. Ted has served as volunteer auctioneer for every event raising money for the hospital.
“The pandemic magnified the critical role of Good Samaritan Hospital in our community,” said Riezl. “We need to ensure that we have the best facilities and keep up with medical advances and latest technology that can save lives.”
Ted and Riezl moved to Lake Oconee in 1997 and are proud parents of Stuart (18), and Remi (15). They have been part of the many positive changes in the area through the years.
“We are thankful to live in this wonderful community and believe that we have the responsibility to give back,” Ted said. “We are fortunate to serve alongside great leaders and are grateful for the chance to play a small role when called upon.”
The award-winning realtors have over 40 years of combined experience and formed Luxury Lake Oconee in January 2020 with a mission to deliver superior value and unparalleled professional service to real estate clients. The group had a successful launch year closing over 150 transactions to date and was recently awarded affiliate status to The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.
“St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital transformed health care in our community, enhanced our quality of life, and made this area more attractive to many families,” said Riezl. “Beyond treating illness and saving lives, it is a critical component to the economic viability of our area,” she added.
About Good Samaritan Foundation’s Capital Campaign:
St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital’s 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment found that cardiovascular health is the number one health need in our community. In response, Good Samaritan Hospital created a plan to provide enhanced cardiac diagnostic services that were not then available in our community. In September 2019, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Foundation launched the “Expanding Technology, Elevating Care” Capital Campaign to raise $3 million with which to purchase a 640-slice CT scanner, permanent MRI system, and build space for a Cardiac Stress Lab and the new MRI system. After the first $1 million was raised in late 2020, the CT scanner was installed and has been operational since January 2021. Once the remainder of the $3 million is raised, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital will begin planning for the building expansion that will house a new MRI system and Cardiac Stress Lab.
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