Community leaders, philanthropists, alumni, and friends of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) are preparing once again for one of the institution’s most anticipated annual celebrations of generosity and fellowship.
The LECOM Student Scholarship Auction Gala and Dinner events will return beginning next month, bringing together supporters in Sarasota, Florida, and Erie, Pennsylvania, for memorable evenings devoted to an enduring cause: helping deserving students pursue their dreams of becoming physicians, pharmacists, dentists, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals.
The elegant evenings of camaraderie, celebration, and spirited bidding will welcome a distinguished gathering of LECOM supporters, all united in a shared commitment to the future of healthcare. This year, the events will be held at The Ora in Sarasota, Florida on October 3, 2026; and at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 14, 2026.
Guests will have the opportunity to vie for an impressive array of donated treasures while making a meaningful investment in the education of the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.
Behind the scenes, LECOM leadership and Gala committees are working diligently to create evenings that are as enjoyable as they are impactful. Their tireless efforts, careful coordination, and extraordinary attention to detail promise Gala celebrations that will be memorable for all who attend.
John M. Ferretti, D.O., LECOM President and CEO, and Silvia M. Ferretti, D.O., LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President, and Dean of Academic Affairs, will lead the events in welcoming guests and supporters to these special fundraising occasions.
At each Auction Gala, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet and thank those whose generosity has helped make their educational journeys possible. Their presence provides a deeply personal reminder of the purpose behind the festivities and the profound difference scholarship support can make in a student’s life.
A delightful cocktail reception will precede silent and live auctions at the black-tie-optional affairs, followed by an elegant dinner and an evening of fellowship and celebration.
Guests can anticipate an enticing collection of donated items and experiences, which may include tickets to theatrical productions and professional sporting events, original artwork, custom-designed jewelry, autographed sports memorabilia, exceptional dining experiences, hotel packages, getaways, and an assortment of imaginative gift baskets designed to appeal to a wide range of interests.
Yet the true value of the evening cannot be measured by the auction items alone.
The LECOM Student Scholarship Fund provides vital assistance to students facing the financial challenges associated with pursuing a professional healthcare education. Each sponsorship, donation, bid, and contribution represents an investment in students who will serve patients, families, and communities across the nation.
The spirit of the Gala is therefore one of sincere support for LECOM students and a shared understanding that building the future of healthcare begins with building the futures of those who will provide it.
To readers of the Pulse, LECOM extends a warm invitation to participate in the Gala in whatever manner is most meaningful; attend an event, sponsor a table, donate an auction item, become a supporter, or join fellow LECOM friends and members of the greater community in celebrating the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The generosity of the medical community, the LECOM family, and friends throughout the greater community has long been instrumental in making these annual gatherings such remarkable successes.
As LECOM continues its commitment to educating and preparing future healthcare professionals across its campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Bradenton and Jacksonville, Florida; and Elmira, New York, the Student Scholarship Auction Gala serves as a particularly palpable expression of that mission.
Indeed, the Auction Gala events are a celebration of possibility; a moment when administrators, alumni, students, benefactors, and friends come together in support of the future of medicine and healthcare: the LECOM scholars.
The pleasure of being part of such an occasion is priceless. Every guest, sponsor, donor, and bidder has the opportunity to champion a cause whose impact will extend far beyond the Gala itself, helping to transform the lives of students and, ultimately, the lives of the countless patients and communities they will serve for generations to come.
Together, we are building futures.