2nd Annual Healthier Memphis Gala Fundraiser for School Based Health Centers March 8

By Jeff Hulett 

LifeDoc Health is gearing up for The Second Annual Healthier Memphis Gala being held Friday, March 8 at 5:30 pm at the Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. 

The chefs alone are reason enough to attend and make you salivate but even better, it’s for a great cause – to raise funds to provide more accessible healthcare to students and families susceptible to chronic diseases at Green Dot Schools.  

The incredible list blue-ribbon and community-oriented chefs at the Gala will be: 

River Oaks- Jose Gutierrez

The Lobbyist- Jimmy Gentry

Sweet Magnolia- Hugh Balthrop

Tamboli’s- Myles Tambolin and Becky Githinji

Juniper’s- Zach Parks

Elite Catering- Ana Gonzalez

Capital Grille- Michael Patrick

Erling Jensen- Ehrling Jensen and Zach Thomason

117 Prime and Sunrise Breakfast- Ryan Trimm

Flight Restaurant Group- Frank Oysel

Dory- Dave Krog as Experience and Food Director  

Out of the 20,000 patients LifeDoc serves, 56 percent are children who are at risk of developing issues with obesity, prediabetes, diabetes and potentially cardiovascular disease. Since 2019 and in an effort to create better healthcare outcomes, LifeDoc Health has partnered with Green Dot Public Schools and developed School Based Health Centers within their system. 

LifeDoc Health Executive Director Pedro Velasquez and his team are committed to making and serving a healthier Memphis. Check out the following Q & A with Pedro to learn more about LifeDoc Health, the Gala and more.

Q: What is the Gala all about? 

A: Pedro Velasquez – Each year, our gala supports a specific initiative that is geared at having a transformative impact in Memphis. Last year we supported the construction of our new 30,000 square-foot clinic which opened in June 2023 and thanks to everyone’s support we are now able to serve more patients each year. This year the gala is supporting our school-based health services which is a partnership with Green Dot Charter Schools where we are creating a way for students and families to get access to the care they need for them to be able to “Thrive and not just Survive” which is the theme of this year’s gala. 

Q: What is a School Based Health Center? 

A: Since 2019, we have been running school-based programs where we have an opportunity to learn what’s going on in these under resourced communities, and what can we do about it. We learned that the rates of diabetes, obesity and depression taking place has disproportionately impacted low-income households. We have been working with Green Dot and key stakeholders to develop solutions to their health and social needs. Our school-based health services therefore are focused on giving the students and families access to the services and resources they need.   

Q: How long have you been partnering with Green Dot Schools? 

A: This is our fifth year, and while we have done so much already, we are just getting started. It’s a great system but we are still not where we want to be in terms of what services we are able to provide. Therefore, we need more support while we continue to work with key stakeholders to implement the changes needed to have a truly transformative impact.  

Q: Why is it important for the community to support this work? 

A: This initiative is important because it is paving the way for industry and systems level change. Our focus is not just to treat the students in the schools we serve but to develop the model and framework for others to follow our lead and be able to do the same within their own communities in a self-sustainable way that does not depend on donations and grants. 

Q: Anything else? 

A: I encourage everyone to come out and eat to your hearts content at the Second Annual Gala. There will be great fellowship, food and more and it’s all for a great cause. The chefs who put this on are truly amazing and the auction items you will not want to miss. 

Use this QR Code to buy tickets: