[flickr-gallery id=”72157627332991886″]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Calling it “a winning night” and “a tremendous success,” Dr. Cato T. Laurencin<\/a>, vice president for health affairs and medical school dean, says this year\u2019s White Coat Gala was one of the top UConn Health Center fundraising events on record.<\/p>\n More than 800 people attended this year\u2019s Gala, held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. They were able to get a close look at the 2011 NCAA Division I men\u2019s basketball championship trophy, which accompanied one of the evening\u2019s honorees: Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun<\/a>, who earlier this year led UConn to its third national title.<\/p>\n But the theme for the second annual White Coat Gala, organized for the Health Center by the University of Connecticut Foundation<\/a>, was not about basketball. It was \u201ccelebrating generations of caring,\u201d in the year marking the 50th anniversary of the Health Center\u2019s founding.<\/p>\n All three of the 2011 White Coat Gala honorees have been with the university for at least half of those 50 years and, says Laurencin, \u201chave played integral roles in the success of the UConn Health Center\u2019s first half century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll three have given their time and talent to help shape successful programs within the UConn Health Center and their work has inspired all of us,\u201d Laurencin says.<\/p>\n Gala proceeds, which are still being tallied, will support faculty and researchers in areas throughout the Health Center.<\/p>\n\n