The annual MCV Foundation Discovery Society reception connected Williamsburg donors with expert VCU Health physicians.
An audience of VCU Health physicians and Williamsburg Discovery Society members listened attentively to opening remarks from Brian Thomas, interim president and CEO of the MCV Foundation, and Marlon Levy, M.D., senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences and CEO of VCU Health System.
Discovery Society member Deborah Rathke with Keyur Shah, M.D., interim chair of the Department of Cardiology, Marlon Levy, M.D., a transplant surgeon and CEO of VCU Health.
Cardiologist Hem Bhardwaj, M.D., engaged with several Discovery Society members throughout the evening.
Saïd Sebti, Ph.D., associate director for basic research and the Lacy Family Chair in Cancer Research at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, enjoyed the reception with colleagues Khalid Matin, M.D., Massey’s associate director for global oncology.
Alex Kenigsberg, M.D. (center), director of Urologic Oncology at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and an assistant professor in the department of urology, with Adam Klausner, M.D. (right), Endeavour Legacy Foundation Distinguished Chair in Urology and interim department chair, engaging with a Discovery Society member.
Doug Boardman, M.D., an orthopaedic physician with Discovery Society member Kerry Mellette.
Williamsburg Connects with VCU Health Experts
Written by Zaynah Qutubuddin | Photos by Tyler Trumbo
The annual Discovery Society Reception in late April was well attended with more than 150 of the MCV Foundation’s close friends at The Maine of Williamsburg.
During the evening, society members had the opportunity to connect with more than 20 expert VCU Health physicians and researchers across 12 specialties, including cardiology, pulmonology, urology, orthopaedics and geriatric medicine.
The Discovery Society was established in 2016 and brings together people from greater Williamsburg who share an interest in both saving and improving lives through philanthropy at VCU Health.
Since July 1, members have contributed more than $2.42 million in new gifts and pledges, and membership is expected to exceed 300 individuals this year. Since 2016, collective giving from society members totals more than $17.5 million.
This group of supporters grew out of the similarly named Discovery Series, an ongoing educational and outreach program that features panel discussions with VCU Health researchers and care providers.
The evening opened with a warm welcome from Brian Thomas, interim president and CEO of the MCV Foundation, followed by Marlon Levy, M.D., senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences and CEO of VCU Health System, who echoed Thomas’ sentiments of gratitude for all the donors who continue to support VCU Health and VCU Health Sciences.
“Philanthropy is what allows VCU Health to go beyond what is expected, fueling early-stage research, recruiting and retaining world-class talent, and supporting our patients and their families,” Dr. Levy said.
Last year, VCU Health had more than 1.3 million patient visits and over 50,000 hospital discharges. Generous gifts and pledges are the bricks of support to ensure that patient care is a top priority for VCU Health, not only at the main hospital, but at the 50 clinic sites across 300 square miles of Virginia.
To learn more about the Discovery Society or the Discovery Series, contact Brian Thomas interim president and CEO of the MCV Foundation.
