Recap: Explosion of a Dream 2026 Annual Scholarship Event
We are ElevateMeD, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2019 who is increasing representation in medicine, closing the gap of financial inequity in medical education, and empowering the next generation of physician leaders!
The 2026 Explosion of a Dream weekend (September 18-20) featured our sixth annual Scholars Summit and our eighth signature fundraising event, Explosion of a Dream in support of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program. Guests and ElevateMeD Scholars gathered from across the country at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona!
On behalf of the ElevateMeD Scholars and our committed Board of Directors and Advisory Board, we are grateful for your ongoing support in elevating the field of medicine!
Please enjoy the official recap of our event.
Thanks to our sponsors and donors the 2026 Explosion of a Dream event was an inspiring and unforgettable success!
Celebrating 7 years of elevating medicine, Explosion of a Dream was opened by Cactus Canyon High School’s drumline, setting the energy for an evening centered on our 2026 theme, We Stand Together. Drumline: Areceli Delgado, Jonathan Gonzalez, Anthony Hernandez, Francisco Ramirez, Charlie Nysether, Gohan Delgado, Desi Vigil, Brandon Diaz, Gloria Del Carmen Pacheco Romero, Vyanna Villalobos, Ethan Escalante, Roberto Penuelas, Jocelyn Hernandez, and Shadia Mbaju.
We were welcomed by our emcee, Arizona’s Family and 3TV host, Susan Casper, who introduced the evening’s theme, recognized our ElevateMeD Scholars past and present, and invited guests to invest in the next generation of physician leaders and the communities they will serve.
ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar, Dr. Jaylyn Thompson reflected on her journey from medical student to resident and the impact of having a community that encourages, supports, and invests in the next generation of physicians. She then introduced ElevateMeD Founder, Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey, who reminded us why ElevateMeD exists and shared what is possible when we stand together.
ElevateMeD Executive Director, Jeffrey Armstrong highlighted the organization’s growth including expanded pathways from K-12 through residency and beyond, deeper investments in mentorship, leadership development, financial literacy and education-related support, and the partnerships making that growth possible.
ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar, Dr. Marin Cabrera reflected on the importance of mentorship throughout his journey in medicine and recognized our 2026 Breaking Barriers Award honoree, Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Carmona’s career has spanned medicine, public health, prevention, emergency response, and improving health outcomes for communities.
Rylan and Makena Umphrey presented the Diane Porter Memorial Award, celebrating their grandmother’s legacy as a connector of people and communities and recognizing the launch of ElevateMeD Connect. With support from the Diane Porter Memorial Award and Drs. Amit and Nisha Shah, ElevateMeD expanded its medical school cohort by 17 additional students this year.
Danielle Frost, Executive Director of The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, presented an additional special scholarship to 2026 ElevateMeD Scholar, GaResia Woods of Meharry Medical College, recognizing her dedication to medicine and the impact she will make through the communities she serves.
ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar, Dr. Abigail Solorio reflected on her journey from Scholar to practicing family medicine physician and her commitment to giving back through mentorship and continued involvement with future ElevateMeD Scholars.
ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar, Dr. Christian Freeman reflected on the lasting impact of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program and what it means to build a legacy by investing in those who follow. In a powerful demonstration of paying it forward, she announced a collective $1,125 pledge from ElevateMeD Legacy physicians in support of the organization and the next generation of physician leaders.
ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar, Dr. Elizette Rodriguez introduced 2026 Trailblazer Award recipient, Pedro Cons, recognizing his leadership at Adelante Healthcare and his work expanding access to care and strengthening communities through healthcare and human services.
Dr. Toiya Turknett, welcomed the 2026 ElevateMeD Explosion of a Dream Keynote Speaker, Dr. Naomi Coles Strickland. Dr. Coles-Strickland is a 2025 ElevateMeD Legacy Scholar. She shared her deeply personal journey to medicine, from the family experiences that first inspired her calling to becoming an Internal Medicine resident at Emory University. She reflected on perseverance, the importance of representation in medicine, and the mentorship and support she received through ElevateMeD. Drawing on her grandmother’s tradition of always setting an extra plate for someone else, she challenged Scholars to continue paying that investment forward, reminding us that one dream can set off the next, and the next.
Finally, our auctioneer Subyn Novelle brought energy and excitement to the room, leading the live auction and Fund-A-Need, including an anonymous $10,000 matching gift in honor of Legacy Scholar Dr. Shane Scott.
Together we were able to raise over $300,000 from Explosion of a Dream weekend, and we’re not going to stop!
*photography courtesy Focus First Photography & The Social Photog
*photobooth courtesy The Turn Up Booth
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
If you missed Explosion of a Dream there are multiple ways you can still help support our mission and celebrate six years of elevating medicine with us! Learn more at give.elevatemed.org.
THE EXPLOSION OF A DREAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS.
White Coat Sponsors: Truist and The Cagnolatti Daniels Family Foundation
Stethoscope Sponsors: Northwestern Mutual, Gilead, Desert Institute for Spine Care, Rizing Tide Foundation, BOK Financial, Tom and MB Thomas
On-Call Sponsors: Creighton University, A.T. Still University, Adelante Healthcare, Adam J. Milam, Love, Titos, Adelayo Law Firm, RPM Global Holdings, LLC, McRae Specialty Services
Bar Sponsors: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Vino Stache Winery
And the many auction sponsors that contributed to make Explosion of a Dream 2026 a success.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2026 SPONSORS:
White Coat
Sponsors
Stethoscope
Sponsors
On Call
Sponsors
