FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Contact: Leah C. Payne, Director of Public Affairs, Schools of Medicine & Pharmacy, 304-691-1713

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (JCESOM) hosted a scholarship fundraiser Saturday, June 7 that featured a med school alumnus and her musical group, a professionally-trained chef turned medical student, a school of medicine dean who served as celebrity sous chef for the evening and hundreds of community members who attended the benefit.

Outstanding in Our Field was the brain child of Linda S. Holmes, the School of Medicine’s director of development and alumni affairs.

“This event was something I’ve wanted to do since discovering our student Steven Nakano had trained as a professional chef at the Culinary Institute of America before coming to medical school,” Holmes said. “He developed the menu which was paired with wines chosen by retired circuit judge Dan O’Hanlon who is a local sommelier, and together they created an outstanding culinary treat. Additionally, with the help of many outstanding community partners and a hardworking group of medical student volunteers we were able to host a truly, outstanding collaborative event to help generate scholarship support.”

Though a final total of the scholarship support hasn’t been calculated, Holmes says she expects more than $50,000 was generated by the event which attracted more than 200 plus people.

“My chef’s hat is off to Ms. Holmes and her team for their fantastic work on this inaugural event,” said Joseph I. Shapiro, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine. “The support of community and alumni is absolutely essential to the sustained growth of our school and I can’t stress enough how grateful I am for this amazing effort.”

Assisting Holmes with coordination of the benefit were Marshall University and School of Medicine first ladies, Jane Kopp and Mary Shapiro. The evening’s event was hosted by Dr. Bobby Miller, Class of 1997 and vice dean for medical education and his spouse, Eric Hardin- Miller, at their farm located just outside Huntington. Entertainment was provided by “The Jillettes,” a musical group from northeastern Ohio featuring Dr. Donnah Wolodkin Whitaker, JCESOM Class of 1984.

Date Posted: Wednesday, June 11, 2014