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2011 Gala

Annual Fund for Medicine Gala Raises More Than $500,000 for the School of Medicine

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Dennis Narango with gala hosts and co-chairs Patrick and Jill McCuan
Dennis Narango with gala hosts and co-chairs Patrick and Jill McCuan.

Horizons of Discovery was the theme of this year’s Fund for Medicine Gala, held March 12, 2011 at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel. “The School of Medicine has become a national leader in the creation of multidisciplinary, specialized research entities that are housed within its departments, programs, centers, and institutes,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of the School of Medicine. “Such efforts have the tremendous potential to improve the health and well-being of populations locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.”

A video highlighting some of this research was presented during dinner to the more than 700 community leaders, alumni, faculty, students and staff in attendance. It presented a new initiative to bring together the research and clinical expertise of our faculty in a multidisciplinary effort to discover breakthroughs that will help treat and maybe someday prevent diabetes.

After the program, which was hosted by Gala Co-Chairs, Patrick and Jill McCuan, guests couldn’t resist hitting the dance floor thanks to a vibrant performance by Mood Swings, featuring alumnus Jack Vaeth, MD, Class of 1992.

The gala raised more than $500,000 for the School of Medicine, money that will provide critical funding for both translational research and clinical initiatives. “Even though we’re a state institution, less than four percent of our operating budget is supported by state funds. Our grant funding is restricted to specific projects and programs,” said Dennis Narango, Associate Dean for Development. “The School of Medicine is fortunate that alumni, grateful patients and friends are contributing such generous gifts to help support our mission, along with our corporate and foundation donors. Your philanthropy is helping us to advance medical knowledge and clinical care, and to educate tomorrow’s doctors and scientists in the most effective ways possible.”

Special thanks goes to the sponsors of this year’s gala. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company was once again the presenting sponsor of the event. Platinum Sponsors were PNC Bank, the University of Maryland Medical System and the Law Offices of Peter Angelos. Gold sponsors were Joseph Farda and Family. Silver sponsors were Baker Hostetler, LLP; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carlucci; Kelly Benefit Strategies; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Mercy Medical Health Services; M&T Bank; and University Physicians, Inc. Bronze sponsors were the Banks Contracting Company, Inc. ; BD Diagnostics; Bevel Design; Mahogany, Inc.; MedStar Health; Roche/454 Sequencing; the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc.; and the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc. Gordon Feinblatt sponsored the entertainment.

To make your own gift to the School of Medicine, click here.

2012 Photo Gallery

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Kenneth Banks, a Board of Visitors member, and his guests turned out in all their finest.

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Dean Reece introduced the hosts for the evening.

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UMB President Dr. Jay Perman; UMMC President & CEO Jeffrey Rivest; and Dr. Steve Bartlett, the Peter Angelos Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery.

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Dr. Harry Knipp, Class of 1976; his wife Nora; his son David, Class of 2014; and David's girlfriend Linda.

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Mood Swings has an impressive horn section, and they gave it all they had to get the crowd up on the dance floor.

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 Former Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Donald Wilson, with Michael Cryor, chair of the Board of Visitors.