MILESTONES, MEDICINE, AND MAKING AN IMPACT:
16th Annual White Coats-4-Care to Celebrate Education, Innovation and Legacy Thursday, August 20^th

White Coats-4-Care Reception Honors Healthcare Advocate June Gelb’s 100th Birthday and Champions the Future of Medicine in Palm Beach County

BOCA RATON, Fla. (April 6, 2026) -- Milestones, medicine, and hometown impact will take center stage at the 16th Annual White Coats-4-Care reception, set for Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Club at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton. The evening will bring together healthcare, business, university, and civic leaders to welcome, dress, equip, and support the incoming class of 80 future physicians while celebrating visionary philanthropy advancing the future of Palm Beach County’s only medical school -- the Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine (CoM).

This annual campaign increases scholarship support, strengthens medical education, fuels research, and expands community health initiatives. This year’s theme captures the spirit of donor impact and regional pride: “Invest. Innovate. Champion. Together, We Can Shape the Future of Healthcare.” By investing in students and innovation today, each donor becomes a champion of progress, making a lasting imprint on the community they call home.

From Vision to Vitality: Celebrating a Legacy That Advances Medicine

At the heart of this year’s celebration -- as she marks her 100th birthday -- is Ms. June Gelb, a steadfast champion of medical education and passionate advocate for mentorship and philanthropy. Alongside her husband, the late Ira J. Gelb, M.D., a respected cardiologist and educator who played a key role in establishing the CoM, June shared a vision rooted in opportunity, compassion, and service, grounded in the belief that investing in people strengthens the culture and growth of the CoM. As part of this year’s WC4C efforts, 25% of funds raised will support The June and Ira J. Gelb, M.D. Endowed Medical Scholarship Fund, helping reduce financial barriers so students can focus on their academic studies and clinical training while preparing to serve their communities.

Since its inception, White Coats-4-Care has demonstrated the tangible connection between donor support and community health, raising $2.7 million. With tuition and fees totaling $31,830 (in-state) and $73,394 (out-of-state) more than 80% of students need financial aid or loans to cover tuition, materials, housing and living expenses, each donor gift fuels hands-on medical education, breakthrough research -- from opioid addiction and brain health to precision medicine and community-based care -- and strengthens a physician pipeline that remains local, keeping talent, applied discovery, and care in the region. WC4C investment illustrates how philanthropy compounds over time: students supported today become tomorrow’s physicians, researchers, and mentors, giving back to educate future generations.

No Better Time to Invest in the Next Generation

“This milestone year is extraordinary,” said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs, CoM. “As our hometown university celebrates 65 years, Boca Raton just marked its centennial, and June turns 100, there is no better time to invest in the next generation. Donor support helps fill critical gaps in the healthcare landscape, ensuring that Florida’s southeast region receives the high-quality care it deserves now and well into the future.”

According to Nelson, 53% of the medical school’s 2026 graduates will remain in Florida for residency training, playing a vital role in bridging critical voids to the state’s healthcare workforce. Notably, 33% of the class of 2026 are pursuing careers in primary care, including internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics.

Nelson emphasized that community remains at the forefront of CoM’s mission. Students actively participate in clinical outreach efforts, including patient care at Caridad Clinic, Mission Medical Center, and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

As Co-Chairs Maurice and Margie Plough shared, “White Coats-4-Care is more than a fundraiser. It is a statement of pride, partnership, and responsibility -- a community coming together to ensure that the College of Medicine – which will have graduated 733 new physicians as of May 2026 – continues to educate exceptional physicians, advance innovation, and secure a healing legacy that endures far beyond this milestone year.”

Meaningful Ways to Make an Impact: Donors are the Heroes in This Story

There are many ways to support the WC4C initiative -- from underwriting a student’s first white coat to participating at various donor, corporate, and legacy gift levels. In recognition of each supporter advancing a student’s dream of becoming a physician, each individual donor, family, company, or foundation will be matched with an incoming student. All gifts of $1,000 or more will be recognized in the lobby of the CoM.

The WC4C Co-Chairs and Honorary Chair Mark Swillinger are supported by a distinguished committee of community leaders: Patricia Anastasio, M.D. and Thomas Mersch, Esq.; Vicki and Anthony Barbar; Florida State Senator Lori Berman and Jeffrey Ganeles, DMD; Donna and Joseph Biase, M.D.; Alisa and G. Richard Cohen, M.D.; Michael Dennis, M.D.; Diane Frank; Emily and Stephen Grabelsky, M.D.; Maged Habib, M.D.; Bonnie Halperin and Hilly Dubin, M.D.; Jennifer and Gary Lesser, Esq.; Marcia and Doug Mithun; Fran and Nathan Nachlas, M.D.; Anitha Patel, M.D.; Sharon and Moshe Peress, M.D.; Leah Roberts, M.D. '16; Constance Scott; Robin Trompeter; Howard Weiner, M.D.; Janice Williams; Ilene and Peter Wohlgemuth, DMD, and WC4C Founding Co-Chairs Emeritus: Bonnie and Jon Kaye.

WC4C reception tickets ($300 early bird purchase, $350 after July 1^st), donor opportunities and corporate sponsorships are available at https://www.fau.edu/medicine/white-coats-4-care/. For more information about major giving engagement opportunities and customized sponsorships (from $1,000 to $25,000), contact Sara Greene, associate director of development, at 561.297.2984 or greenes@health.fau.edu. For corporate sponsorships, contact Haley Barnes, events manager, at 561-297-2371 or barnesh@health.fau.edu.