Contact: Mary Cain Executive Director of Development and Campaign Programs University of Maryland School of Medicine Office of Development 100 N. Greene St., Suite 600 Baltimore, MD 21201 410-706-3901

Comedian Dennis Miller entertained the Gala crowd.

The past meets the future as Dean Davidge (Alan Wade) greets Dean Reece.

More than 1300 faculty, staff, students, alumni and other friends of the University of Maryland School of Medicine gathered at the Baltimore Convention Center May 18 for a black-tie gala to celebrate the school's bicentennial. Dean E. Albert Reece welcomed special guests that included Governor Martin O'Malley and former state senator Francis X. Kelly. There was even a special appearance by School of Medicine founder John Beale Davidge (portrayed by Alan Wade), who shared stories of what the school was like in his day. (Watch video from the gala showcasing the school's past and future.)

The stage featured the façade of Davidge's namesake building, Davidge Hall. From here, headliner Dennis Miller performed a comedy routine. After Miller's performance, it was time to hit the dance floor with Stevie V. and The Heart Attackers, led by Stephen A. Valenti, MD, class of '78. The band usually only plays once a year, but they couldn't turn down an invitation to perform for the School of Medicine, where half the band had earned their medical degrees or done their residencies and fellowships. Their mix of rock hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s got the crowd into the groove, so much so that the dance floor was still full when the gala sadly came to an end.

Special Events coordinator Mary Cain said in a recent Baltimore Sun article that the band agreed to perform pro bono for the event. Many generous sponsors assisted in covering other costs. These included the Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland, Inc, the presenting sponsor of the event; Whiting-Turner, platinum bicentennial sponsor; and gold sponsors Mercantile Bank; Provident Bank; Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; The University of Maryland Medical System; University Physicians, Inc.; and Dr. James Frenkil, Class of '37 and Mrs. Carolyn McGuire Frenkil. Profits from the event will help fund the Fund for Medicine, to assist the School of Medicine's missions in medical education, biomedical research, patient care and community service.

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Governor Martin O'Malley congratulated the School of Medicine on its rich history. He also thanked the school for educating more than half the physicians in Maryland.

Dr. Melvin Sharoky, Class of '76, and his wife Alexias were honorary co-chairs of the gala.