LECOM Raises the Highest Amount in Scholarship Auction History
Rhyan Maditz (OMS2), displays a watch during the live auction in Erie.
LECOM Erie Scholarship Auction
Paola Ferretti, wife of Anthony Ferretti, DO, places her bid during the live auction in Erie.
The always eagerly anticipated LECOM Student Scholarship Fund Dinner and Auction Gala in Bradenton garnered an impressive $215,000 this year making it the most money raised in the event’s eight-year philanthropic history. Leaders in the fields of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy gathered with community leaders and notables to dine and to bid during an evening benefitting the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund. Most medical, pharmacy, and dental students graduate with excessive amounts of student loan indebtedness that can approach $250,000. The challenges of a new climate in the medical field coupled with uncertainty and instability in the economic forecast make the monies raised at the yearly event even more welcome and necessary for these deserving students as all proceeds from the event benefit the Scholarship Fund. The gala was held at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota on October 27th and the grand assembly boasted a record 430 14 lecom connection | winter 2013 | lecom.edu
LECOM Pharmacy students (L-R) Joseph Conte (P2), Ashley Ramp (P1), Santina Scotti (P2) display jewelry before the live auction in Erie.
in attendance with 43 tables purchased by Auction Gala sponsors. Willis A. Smith Construction, Incorporated and Benco Dental were among the 55 generous sponsors who magnanimously support the future of health care with their charitable donations. As is ever the trend at the LECOM Auction Gala, many interesting and unusual items drew the attention of the bidders. The top items this year included travel destinations with holidays to Vail, Colorado; Oahu, Hawaii; and Charleston, SC. as the prized getaway locales. A stunningly hand-crafted violin built by LECOM Associate Dean of Pre-Clinical Education, Mark Coty, PhD proved to be an exceptional auction item. As violinist and first-year dental student, Jean Kim filled the air with the magical music of the amazing instrument; her captivating violin solo drew nearly $3,000 to win the prize. All told, the Bradenton Auction Gala boasted 16 live auction