The Fund for Medicine Gala: Development

The Fund for Medicine Gala

The Bicentennial Gala was held May 18, 2007 at the Baltimore Convention Center to Great Success!

Entertainment by Comedian Dennis Miller and the Heart Attackers

Dennis Miller Throughout 2007, the School of Medicine is observing the bicentennial of its founding as America’s oldest public medical school. One of the premier events during this year long celebration was the Bicentennial Gala on Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

More than 1300 faculty, staff, students, alumni and other friends of the University of Maryland School of Medicine gathered at the Baltimore Convention Center for the black-tie affair. Dean E. Albert Reece welcomed special guests that included Governor Martin O'Malley and former state senator Francis X. Kelly. There was even a special appearance by School of Medicine founder John Beale Davidge (portrayed by Alan Wade), who shared stories of what the school was like in his day.

The stage featured the façade of Davidge's namesake building, Davidge Hall. From here, headliner Dennis Miller performed a comedy routine. After Miller's performance, it was time to hit the dance floor with Stevie V. and The Heart Attackers, led by Stephen A. Valenti, MD, class of '78. The band usually only plays once a year, but they couldn't turn down an invitation to perform for the School of Medicine, where half the band had earned their medical degrees or done their residencies and fellowships. Their mix of rock hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s got the crowd into the groove, so much so that the dance floor was still full when the gala sadly came to an end. (Watch videos from this year's gala showcasing the medical school's past and future.)

Stephen Valenti of the Heart Attackers The School of Medicine Gala, which began in 2004, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Fund for Medicine to support education, research and patient care while elevating the School’s stature among community and business leaders.

Though the theme of the event changes each year, the underlying message of the gala always remains the same: We are a medical school first and foremost, and our number one priority is to educate the next generation of physicians. In fact, more than two-thirds of School of Medicine graduates remain in Maryland to practice medicine.

“All of the things the University of Maryland is delivering — better education, better medicine and better research — makes it a big part of our city and our region,” says Gary Geisel, Chairman and CEO of Provident Bank, and one of the sponsors of the gala.