Published On: Thu, Aug 16th, 2018

Eighth Annual White Coats-4-Care Reception Raises $132,000 in Scholarships for FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

8th Annual White Coats-4-Care Committee
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

More than 225 donors along with students and faculty from FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine gathered to celebrate at the eighth annual White Coats-4-Care (WC4C) Donor Appreciation Reception that raised more than $132,000 to “dress and equip” the incoming class and fund scholarships. The event preceded the formal Annual White Coat Ceremony held the same week when each of the incoming students walked the stage to receive their first White Coat that represents integrity, compassion and trust, and symbolizes their commitment to serve patients.  Serving as a warm community welcome from WC4C donors, personal notes from the donors were inserted into each student’s coat pocket.

Patricia Carpenter, Skeets Friedkin, Dr. David Levinson, Robin Smollar, Rick & Pat Howard
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

 

In addition to celebrating the strides of its prior seven classes and embracing the incoming class of Florida’s future physicians, this year’s WC4C donor appreciation reception had an emphasis on scholarship funding for the first and only medical school in Palm Beach County. With the average cost of medical school education and living expenses reaching $247,224 for students in-state to $391,792 for students out-of-state, 80-85 percent of students require financial assistance. Often this heavy debt impacts a student’s choice of medical schools as well as their medical specialty based on its income potential to repay loans.

Carl Schacter, Dr. Phillip Boiselle, Constance Scott, Linda Petrakis, Lewis Fogel
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

 

Ilene Wohglemuth, Bonnie & Jon Kaye, Lynda Palmer, Dr. Ron Rubin, Randy Colman
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

Penny Shaffer, Dr. Phillip Boiselle, Beth Johnston Photo credit: Downtown Photography

Through the years the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine scholarship needs have increased. Thus, this year White Coats-4-Care has evolved to support the students where it is most needed.
In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other expenses including cost of books, living, food and equipment.

Dr. Ron Rubin, Bonnie Halperin, Dr. John Kelly, Thomas & Eugenia Tzikas,
Dr. Alan Bauman
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

As Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine continues to seek, recruit and secure the “best and brightest”, this year’s eighth annual White Coats-4-Care (WC4C) Reception advances from its traditional “new class” community welcome to becoming the college’s principal scholarship fundraiser.  To propel this heightened mission, new contribution options have been added: College of Medicine Lobby Tribute sponsorship and “White Coats Society” named four-year scholarship pledges.

Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister, Chris Sapp, Arlene Herson, Shaheer Hosh, Bonnie Halperin
Photo credit: Downtown Photography

 

Developed eight years ago and co-chaired each year by Kaye Communications (KCOM-PR) principals Bonnie and Jon Kaye, the total funds raised since inception is more than $410,000.  This WC4C was supported with a diverse planning committee of community and medical school leaders. This year, the committee members included: Doreen and Robert Alrod, Joan and Milton Bagley, Michelle Buttitta, Phyllis and Dr. Michael Dennis, Dr. Malcolm Dorman, Dr. Joanna and Bryan Drowos, Beth Garrod, June and Dr. Ira J. Gelb, Bonnie Halperin, Beverly and Dr. Lee Learman, Deborah Leising, Elizabeth and Dr. Stuart Markowitz, Lynn and Dr. Joseph Ouslander, Dr. Mark Rubenstein, Constance Scott, Marnique Sparago, JoAnne Williams and Dr. Sarah Wood.

 

FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is one of approximately 151 accredited medical schools in the U.S. The college was launched in 2010, when the Florida Board of Governors made a landmark decision authorizing FAU to award the M.D. degree. After receiving approval from the Florida legislature and the governor, it became the 134th allopathic medical school in North America.

 

For more information about the 2018 “White Coats-4-Care”, pledging a gift or making a contribution, contact Yael Matan at the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, at ymatan@health.fau.edu or 561.297.4452. Online donations can also be made at https://fauf.fau.edu/WhiteCoats.

 

About the Author

Discover more from The Boca Raton Tribune

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading