2021 CMS FOUNDATION HOLIDAY AUCTION
20TH ANNUAL CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION HOLIDAY AUCTION EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS IN RAISING FUNDS FOR THE WE CARE NETWORK AND MEDICAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS By Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director After a two-year desert of social isolation, those who attended the 2021 Capital Medical Society Foundation Holiday Auction were thrilled to have the opportunity to mingle with 240 of their friends and colleagues. As one Capital Medical Society member shared, “I don’t know how much this event will bring in, but it will be a success just based on the energy and happiness in the room.” It was a festive evening that ended with the Live Auction, emceed by Dr. Scott Sellinger and Dr. John Mahoney. The two helped successfully raise funds to support the Foundation’s mission of improving access to healthcare through its esteemed We Care Network program and its robust scholarship program for FSU College of Medicine’s local students. The event is important to the community. The We Care Network coordinated over $8.6 million in donated, specialty medical care last year. Seventy-four FSU College of Medicine alumni are now practicing in the Tallahassee area. This annual event supports the
medical community, its patients, and medical students. Almost $80,000 was raised at the event. Many generous hearts helped make this fundraising event successful. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and bidders. The competitive spirit and creativity that goes into preparing themed auction baskets and in-kind donations is so deeply appreciated. The auction offered superb wines donated by our member wine connoisseurs, several beautiful original paintings, and photographs from local artists and photographers, several of whom are physicians. Spectacular dinners were auctioned including a new one hosted by Mayor and Mrs. John Dailey this year. A drawing for a group wine-tasting was offered for those who registered for the Live Auction and were present to win. Could that be why the Live Auction room was packed until the closing bell? Although most of us enjoy a festive holiday party, the enthusiastic support of sponsors, donors, and smartphonetoting bidders to raise essential funding for the We Care Network and medical school scholarships make it an extra special evening. A Thomasville get-away, sports memorabilia for diehard Seminole fans, paintings, photographs, and art pieces masterfully created by CMS physicians Dr. Borom, Dr. Manning, Dr. Reese, and Dr. Rosen were available. The guests did not lack something in their price range to get the bidding juices flowing. And bid, they did! Many were very competitive.
(L-r) Dr. Scott Sellinger, Pam Irwin, and Dr. John Mahoney.
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