Surprise donor makes a splash at 2023 SIR Foundation Gala
Underneath a lovely Arizona sky, SIR Foundation volunteers, donors and corporate partners celebrated the science and innovation of interventional radiology.
The 2023 SIR Foundation Gala, held at the scenic Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, supports SIR Foundation’s ability to fund research that supports new procedures and therapies to improve patients’ lives.
Attendees enjoyed conversation, networking and a visit from two Arizona natives, Corona and Bonita. The burros greeted guests as they entered the gala and were gracious enough to pose for multiple selfies.
During the Gala, Erik N.K. Cressman, MD, PhD, FSIR, received the Frederick S. Keller, MD, Philanthropy Award, which honors an individual who, through exceptional generosity and through inspiring others to give, demonstrates outstanding commitment to SIR Foundation.
“Dr. Cressman is a valued volunteer, mentor and supporter, who has given generously of his time, talent and treasure to move IR research forward,” said SIR Foundation Board Chair Theresa M. Caridi, MD, FSIR. “This honor is well deserved and a tribute to his efforts and to deliver better treatments through innovation and evidence-based medicine.”
This year’s Gala also featured breaking news, with the announcement of a surprise donor and the creation of two new SIR Foundation programs. John Lipman, MD, FSIR, made a major gift to SIR Foundation which honors two IR luminaries and will drive uterine fibroid research forward.
The gift supports 4 years of funding for the new Dr. Scott C. Goodwin Uterine Artery Embolization Grant and 5 years of funding for the Dr. James B. Spies Global Summit on Uterine Fibroid and Adenomyosis Research.
The announcement was made during the Gala, and both Dr. Spies and Dr. Goodwin were unaware of the new programs being developed in their honor. Only their wives were aware of what was going to happen. After the surprise announcement, both Drs. Spies and Goodwin took to the stage to address attendees and spoke eloquently on the importance of fibroid research.
Both men are former SIR presidents and leaders in the field, having conducted research into uterine artery embolization as well as having led SIR Foundation’s Fibroid Registry. This resulted in the largest collection of data on uterine fibroids.
“Research into uterine fibroids and adenomyosis and the minimally invasive treatments that can address these conditions, such as uterine artery embolization, are invaluable in providing care to women,” said Dr. Caridi. “We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Lipman for his personal commitment to advancing the future of interventional radiology for patients and our colleagues in all practice settings.”
The Dr. Scott C. Goodwin Uterine Artery Embolization Grant, focused on advancing uterine fibroid and uterine artery embolization research, will launch in October 2023. The first Dr. James B. Spies Global Summit on Uterine Fibroid and Adenomyosis Research will be hosted in June 2023.
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