FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Contact: Leah C. Payne, Director of Public Affairs, Schools of Medicine & Pharmacy, 304-691-1713 or
              Sheanna Spence, Assistant Director, Alumni Affairs and Community Outreach, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, 304-691-1639

Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine hosts scholarship fundraiser with Brazilian twist

Approximately $100,000 raised for medical student scholarships

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (JCESOM) hosted its second annual Outstanding in Our Field scholarship fundraiser Saturday, June 6, successfully garnering funds totaling nearly $100,000 for medical school scholarships.

“Creating scholarships for our medical students is imperative as we seek to educate and train physicians for our region,” said Joseph I. Shapiro, M.D., dean of the school of medicine. “By defraying some of what has become enormous cost of medical education, we are able to lower barriers for our students and allow them to choose fields of practice based on their interests rather than financial considerations.”

Linda S. Holmes, director of alumni affairs and development, said the generous community support is amazing.

“This is the second year for this particular scholarship effort, and we more than doubled our attendance and proceeds,” said Holmes.  “I’m extremely appreciative of our sponsors, volunteers and guests for their commitment to helping our students.”

Upwards of 350 people attended the event, which was hosted by Bobby Miller, M.D., Class of 1997 and vice dean for medical education, and Eric Hardin-Miller, at their farm located just outside Huntington.

Outstanding in Our Field 2 featured a Brazilian steakhouse theme during which guests were served grilled meats on sword-like skewers taken directly off the grill and supplemented by an array of salads, fried bananas, garlic mashed potatoes and desserts.  Nearly two dozen medical students volunteered as servers.

“The evening allowed me and my classmates the opportunity to see the people who support and help us as students,” said Matthew Snyder, president of the class of 2016 and volunteer for the evening.  “Medical school tuition is not inexpensive and scholarships are an essential part of the equation for most students.”

Assisting Holmes with coordinating the benefit were event community chair Terry L. Deppner Hardin and her team of volunteers including Mike Farrell, Joe McDonie and Tammy White. In addition to event co-sponsors Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center, other sponsors included BrickStreet Insurance; Valley Health; Maxor National Pharmacy Services Company; Radiology Inc.; Retina Consultants; Thomas Health System; Galaxy Distributing of West Virginia; King’s Daughters Medical Center; Pleasant Valley Hospital; West Virginia Mutual Insurance Company; Edward Tucker Architects Inc.; Marshall OB/GYN; Dr. and Mrs. Maurice A. Mufson; Joseph P. Assaley, M.D.; Farrell, White & Legg PLLC; Highmark West Virginia; and Marshall Health. In-kind sponsors were Atomic Distributing Company, Holiday Inn & Suites, Kroger, Proctorville FoodFair and WoodmenLife.

A public photo gallery from the event can be found at http://jcesom.smugmug.com/2015-Events/OIOF2/. 

Next year’s Outstanding in Our Field 3 has been scheduled for Saturday, June 4, with Jimmy and Julie Todd serving as community co-chairs.

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Date Posted: Tuesday, June 9, 2015