The 2016 Avicenna Community Health Center Benefit Dinner was held on July 23rd at the iHotel featuring Rami Nashashibi as the keynote speaker who spoke on health, wellness and healing. The turnout was amongst highest attended events in ACHC"s history with over 200 supports present. The iHotel was beautifully decorated, the food was delicious and the staff treated our guests and speaker with respect and care. Volunteers supported the dinner by helping prepare for guests and displaying academic posters.
Our evening began with an introduction from the night's MC, Katheryn Magerko, MD PhD Scholar and ACHC Board Member followed by remarks from the ACHC President, Ahmed Irfan, PhD.
Illinois State Senator Scott Bennet, left, in attendance.
The team was proud to welcome Geri Wirth, NP, and ACHC Executive Director to the stage to talk about where the clinic is heading in terms of goals.
Democratic Congressional Candidate Mark Wicklund, left, in attendance.
Volunteer physician Toufic Abdo, MD of the curative healthcare team and Hani Youssef of the preventative healthcare team reflection on their time with ACHC and encouraged other professionals to join.
Kareem Al-Qadi and Amogh Kambalyal reflected on how ACHC has influenced their success as students.
ACHC was also very excited to award Dawn Blackman of the Randolph Street Community Garden for her services to help the people of north Champaign grow and eat healthy foods.
Dawn pictured in the green shirt teaching local children gardening skills.
Dinner was served and everyone had their fill of the deliciously prepared dinner by University Catering.
After dinner ACHC's board member Sam Logan NP announced the night's keynote speaker: Rami Nashashibi who delivered a speach that touched the hearts of everyone in the crowd. Rami's ability to tell a story, one of struggle and open hearts, was a perfect match for ACHC's mission of serving humanity one person at a time.
ACHC's Treasurer, Imad Rahman thanked Rami for his moving keynote and gave the crowd an overview of how much of a difference donations make in the lives of patients and volunteers.
As the night concluded attendees enjoyed dessert, fellowship, handshakes, hugs and conversation with volunteers and speakers.
From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank everyone who came out to our dinner. We also want to thank those who could not make it but committed to supporting us by making a donation. We are also thankful for those who could not make it but still keep us in their thoughts. See you next year and thank you so much for all of your support!
See more photos in the gallery below:
