It was a fun night that carried an Oscars theme, but the money raised for the Manatee County Medical Society Foundation was no joke.
A sellout crowd of 280 attended the Manatee County Medical Society Gala Sept. 13 at the Grove, and those who attended dressed to the hilt to walk the red carpet. The money raised from the event went to scholarships and the Physician's Wellness Program.
Dr. Kinga Porter, the president of the Manatee County Medical Society, said stress and burnout are real issues facing doctors and those in the health care industry, which are reasons the wellness program is important.
Porter also said the event acts as a networking opportunity because of the area's growth.
"We have a lot of new providers," Porter said. "People don't know each other."
Event Chair Cassandra Hafner helped set the tone with an Oscar's style red dress by Marchesa.
"I wanted something red and dramatic," she said. "I enjoy being a party planner."
Event Chair Cassandra Hafner and Manatee County Medical Society President Kinga Porter set the tone for the gala with dramatic red dresses.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sonia Espinel and Dr. Alfonso Espinel take some time to visit with Oscar before the gala.
Photo by Jay Heater
Dr. Connor Sweeney and Farrah Sweeney walk the red carpet at the Manatee County Medical Society Gala Sept. 13.
Photo by Jay Heater
Dr. Amanda Potkovac and her husband Joe Potkovac are looking sharp for the gala.
Photo by Jay Heater
Dr. Kiley Hurwit visits with Dr. Amanda Potkovac, who both work at Cooper Family Medical, during the Manatee County Medical Society Gala at the Grove Ballroom.
Photo by Jay Heater
Melissa and Bryan Boudreaux come to the gala to support the Manatee County Medical Society Foundation. Melissa is a physician's assistant.
Photo by Jay Heater
Is there a doctor in the house? The husband-wife team of Caroline and Jordan Jackson are both doctors.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarah Nonnemaker and Dr. Sean Nonnemaker were dressed to impress for the Manatee County Medical Society Gala Sept. 13 at the Grove Ballroom.
Photo by Jay Heater
Stars on the red carpet carried the name of event sponsors.
Photo by Jay Heater
Isven Chavez, Karen Chavez, Leigh Tesar, and Michael Tesar look forward to the night's activities at the Grove Ballroom Sept. 13.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CFO Renee Shopoff and Philip Smith support the Manatee County Medical Society Gala fundraiser Sept. 13 at the Grove Ballroom.
Photo by Jay Heater
Rob Tonova of Clearwater worked the Manatee County Medical Society Gala as the DJ.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
