Who would have thought that partying could be so good for your health?

But this wasn’t just any party — it was Beaufort Memorial’s fifth annual Girls Night Out, and The Island News’ October Island Girls Night Out. A capacity crowd of almost 700 women joined us for a women’s wellness celebration with dozens of the hospital’s physicians and health care professionals available to answer questions and provide advice and tips for healthy living — all in a fun and festive environment complete with music, munchies, activities and prizes.

[caption id="attachment_19528" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/grand-prize-winner.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19528" alt="Tiffany Cuylear won a Kate Spade handbag, the grand prize of the event." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/grand-prize-winner-300x273.jpg" width="300" height="273" /></a> Tiffany Cuylear won a Kate Spade handbag, the grand prize of the event.[/caption]

Guests checked in outside the hospital’s Administrative and Medical Center, a typical hospital-style building. But once inside, the women found themselves in an unexpected environment — the entire second floor of the facility had been transformed into a “ballroom” style venue, complete with bar, stage and red carpet area for photos. In keeping with the Hollywood theme, guests were issued a “ticket” to all of the interactive displays and demonstrations.

Some women were playing the “Ta Ta Toss,” a cornhole game with a twist — pink (of course) bean bags and true/false questions about breast health — while others chatted with one of the physicians (a chance to get answers to those questions you never get to ask).Several guests attended one of the informal mini-seminars (The most popular one of the evening? “Hot and Flashy,” a discussion about menopause led by Dr. Eve Ashby of Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group.)

“We try to make it entertaining so women will be engaged in learning how to improve their wellness and live healthy lives,” said Beaufort Memorial marketing director Courtney McDermott. “You can pick up a lot of good information playing games, participating in interactive exhibits — and just having fun.”

Of course, there were fabulous door prizes, too. A lot of great gifts from local merchants  as well as two special grand prizes — a series of Botox treatments by Dr. Audrey Klenke and a Kate Spade handbag, a gift from the hospital.

Other prizes included:

[caption id="attachment_19529" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/nurnberg_141016_07331_2758.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19529" alt="All photos by Paul Nurnberg" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/nurnberg_141016_07331_2758-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a> All photos by Paul Nurnberg[/caption]

• Piace Pizza: Gift Certificate

• Beaufort Lands End Tours: Gift Certificate

• Greenfish: Mug

• The Kitchen: Gift Certificate

• Guys and Dolls: Gift Certificate

• Low Country Store: Gift Certificates

• What’s In Store: Gift Certificate

• Fordham Market: Scarf

• Sugarbelle: Prosthetic Bra

• Moon Doggies: Gift Certificate

• Craftseller: Gift Certificate

• Nuances: Gift Certificate

• Hot Heads Salon: Gift Certificate

• Beaufort Film Society: Film Society Membership and Pendant

• Her Favorite Store: Gift Certificate.

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