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Home News Committee Announced for Prestigious Gala to Benefit Education, Research and Patient Care

Committee Announced for Prestigious Gala to Benefit Education, Research and Patient Care

Published: Sunday, April 13, 2008

The University of Tennessee Medical Center and UT Graduate School of Medicine announced that Leslie Klein, of West Knoxville, and Kim Reid, of South Knoxville, will serve as committee co-chairs for the 2008 An Evening in Orange, Starlight Ball. The annual black-tie gala and benefit auction supports programs and projects at the medical center and graduate school of medicine, including this year’s proceeds that will benefit the medical center’s Brain and Spine Institute.

“An Evening in Orange is important to me because I have seen the excellent work done by the staff at UT Medical Center and by the Brain and Spine Institute,” Klein said. “I have witnessed the success stories of those patients with neurologic disorders, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, and strokes. I know how very vital this institute is to our community and to the patients, and I want everyone in our area to know of the fine work being done here.”

Other committee members include Sharon Bailey, Beverly Bell, Carolyn S. Burkhart, Rev. George E. Doebler, Beth Giecek, Samia Hanna, M.D., Edna Heird, J.E. Henry, Emily Hildreth, Heath Hildreth, John Hildreth, Ashleigh Jenkins, Ronda Landsman, Pat Lay Majors, Ed Mobley, M.D., Mary Neutens, Laurie Stevens, Deborah P. Watkins and Carol Wilson, D.M.D.

“I have personally experienced the evolution of the UT Medical Center Brain and Spine Institute through the professional activities of my husband, Dr. Bill Reid, administrative chief of neurosurgery and co-chairman of the Brain and Spine Institute,” Reid said. “I believe the medical center and the Brain and Spine Institute can even accomplish much more with the support of our community leaders. I view An Evening in Orange as not only a fundraising opportunity but, more importantly as an opportunity to educate the public about the services offered by the Brain and Spine Institute.”

Introduced to the community last year, An Evening in Orange immediately became recognized as one of Knoxville’s premier events and as the signature fundraising event to help UT Medical Center and the UT Graduate School of Medicine meet their mission for the community. This year’s An Evening In Orange, Star Light Ball, will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville Tennessee. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities or more information about the event, call the Office of Development at 865.305.6611.

“An Evening in Orange raised more than $280,000 last year toward the purchase of a medical simulation center that will be used by physicians, residents, nurses and other clinically trained professionals throughout the region,” said Rick Giecek, chief development officer for UT Medical Center and the UT Graduate School of Medicine. “Leslie and Kim are very well respected in this community, and we’re so fortunate to have them volunteering their time, along with all of the incredibly talented committee members, to help advance patient care, medical education and clinical research in this community.”

The medical experts from the Brain and Spine Institute at UT Medical Center offer patient-centered care for injuries and diseases such as trauma (brain injury and spinal cord injury), vascular disorders (stroke and aneurysms), degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease), brain tumors and degenerative diseases of the spine. In 2006, the work of the experts at the Brain and Spine Institute earned UT Medical Center the region’s first certification as a Primary Stroke Center. The Brain and Spine Institute also includes the Cole Neuroscience Center and Rehabilitation Services at UT Medical Center.

For more information, visit An Evening in Orange.