ElevateMeD Raises More Than $200K Towards the Physician Workforce Diversity at "Explosion Of A Dream" Fundraiser
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Highlights
Current ElevateMeD Scholars participated in professional development at the first ElevateMeD Scholars Summit.
More than 180 supporters of ElevateMeD joined together to raise over $200,000 for the ElevateMeD Scholars Program at its signature fundraising event.
ElevateMeD Scholar Caylan Moore, a Black male Phoenician from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, was presented with a $50,000 award towards his medical school tuition.
Scottsdale, Arizona- Founded in 2019, Scottsdale-based nonprofit, ElevateMeD, celebrated a weekend of events to support diversity in medicine. On the morning of October 2, 2021, they hosted the first Scholars Summit, sponsored by Mayo Clinic, Bristol Myers Squibb, and NovoCure, providing the current ElevateMeD Scholars an opportunity to participate in professional development workshops. The evening, beginning at 5 pm PDT, featured the organization’s Explosion of a Dream: Hybrid Fundraiser, held at the Scottsdale Hangar One- Red Room (14988 N 78th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85260).
ElevateMeD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization managed by a diverse Board of Directors committed to elevating medicine by providing scholarships, leadership training, mentorship, and financial management education to medical students from Black, Latinx, and Native underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. The organization is founded by physician couple Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey and Dr. Gregory Umphrey, who together combated over $500,000 in medical school debt and saw the opportunity to create an organization that removes the barriers many face along their journey to medicine.
Through the Scholars Program, ElevateMeD currently provides its recipients with a $10,000 scholarship for each year remaining of medical school. The program is in partnership with 14 institutions across the country including the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Howard University College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and U.T. Southwestern Medical School. Proceeds raised from Explosion of A Dream: Hybrid Fundraiser supports the scholarships and programs that support these future physicians.
The first Scholars Summit featured four elements: a storytelling session with storytelling coach Doug Stevenson, a wellness and balance session with wellness expert Keith Jones, a lunch and learn session with Reuben Lewis of National Financial Group, as well as the opportunity to take professional headshots with The Social Photog. This was the first in-person programming held for Scholars since the organization's launch. This presented the opportunity for the Board Members and Scholars to network and meet.
The Explosion of A Dream: Hybrid Fundraiser was hosted with more than 180 guests in attendance with virtual streaming for guests. The program included remarks from Scholars Caylan Moore and Shannon Coombs, a video presentation of 2020-2021 Scholar Dr. Aaron Bia, as well as statistics and testimonials shared by Scholars about their challenges and how the support of ElevateMeD has impacted their journey. Guests enjoyed live entertainment by violinist Bruce Kirkwood, a live DJ, and family-style dining by The Good Food Table.
Through the live and silent auctions led by auctioneer Subyn Novelle, as well as the pledges made by guests, the organization successfully raised over $200,000 for the future of medicine. The event was hosted by ElevateMeD Board Member, Dr. Bert Vargas with a keynote delivered by Founder and Executive Director Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey, where she revealed a new donor level titled “Securing the Future of Medicine”, in honor of the late Diana ‘DeeDee’ Issacs Sturr. The organization presented its first Breaking Barriers Award to diversity trailblazer Dr. Dale Okorodudu, founder of Black Men In White Coats and Diverse Medicine. In addition, a special presentation was made by video to award University of Arizona Scholar Caylan Moore, a Black male Phoenix native, with $50,000 on behalf of Dr. Tim and Alisa Gooding of Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation.
This year’s Explosion Of A Dream was sponsored by Mayo Clinic, Bristol Myers Squibb, Council and Associates, Global Medical Response, Petsmart, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, OptumRx, Barrow Brain and Spine, National Financial Group, and Martelle Chapittal-Smith and Family.
Watch the replay of the fundraiser by visiting dream.elevatemed.org. To learn more about how to get involved with the organization and to make a tax-deductible donation, visit elevatemed.org/contribute.
ABOUT ELEVATEMED:
ElevateMeD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to elevating medicine by providing scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, and financial management education to future physicians from African-American/Black, Latinx, and Native American backgrounds. Through our Scholars Program, we aim to increase physician workforce diversity and improve cultural competence among physicians to reduce health disparities. Learn more about our mission and vision by visiting elevatemed.org and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @elevatemedinc.
Media Contact:
Keiona Eady
843-312-1027 | keiona@theauthenticmessenger.com
