ElevateMeD, a new national nonprofit committed to diversifying medicine and ending health disparities is proud to announce its annual philanthropy event, "Explosion of a Dream… Nothing Is Impossible", set to take place virtually on Saturday, October 3, 2020, beginning at 4:30 PM PDT / 7:30 PM EDT.

"Our success in 2019 is a testament to the power of the collective sharing a mission and vision for prioritizing diversity in medicine in pursuit of health equity in this country," shares Founder and Executive Director Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey. ElevateMeD launched in 2019 by Dr. Porter Umphrey and husband Dr. Gregory Umphrey, after conquering nearly half a million dollars in medical school debt. They envisioned creating the resources and support they wished they had as first-generation medical students and decided the time was now to encourage philanthropy as working physicians.

With alarming statistics regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color in tandem with less than 10% of practicing physicians representing these communities, this organization is on a mission to provide scholarships, mentoring, and support to medical students from African-American/Black, Latinx, and Native backgrounds.

The 2019 Explosion of Dream launch event was a huge success, tripling the set fundraising goal. In the setting of COVID-19, this year's event is virtual, and is anticipated to be yet another success, with much national conversation surrounding the importance of diversity and the need to end health disparities.

In addition to celebrating the organization's successful first year as a result of their generous donors, this year's attendees will be introduced to the organization's inaugural cohort of Scholars from partner institutions including University of Arizona and Mayo Clinic as well as the Historically Black Medical Schools Howard University School of Medicine and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. These 10 dynamic medical students will share the impact of being an ElevateMeD scholar on their journey towards careers in medicine. In order to raise scholarship funds for the upcoming academic year, there will be a live auction event featuring items and experiences ranging from a virtual private concert with Bruce the Violinist to luxury jewelry. The organization's goal is to raise $40,000, with all proceeds benefiting the ElevateMeD Scholars Program.

Featured sponsors include National Financial Group, Barrow Brain and Spine, Optum RX, Love, Tito's, and Drs. Gregory and Anita Mayer. Registration is FREE for this event, and attendees can register online at register.elevatemed.org. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and donations can be made by visiting http://www.elevatemed.org/donate.