Pre-medical student organization Phi Delta Epsilon raised $9,836 for local Nicklaus Children’s Hospital at its annual philanthropic event Sunday night.
The Anatomy Fashion Show, themed “Survival of the Phittest” drew inspiration from the hit reality show Survivor. Members selected as models were placed into 8 tribes, each tribe portraying a different organ system.
“There is nothing like the feeling of seeing all of my friends and other students working together to run a fun and beautiful event,” said Carolina Seixas, PhiDE’s vice president of finance. “By collaborating with the University and countless local and even international businesses, we are able to put together an entertaining show that people look forward to all year long to make a real difference.”
Phi Delta Epsilon is a co-ed, pre-professional medical fraternity at the University of Miami that trains future physicians of integrity through the founding principles of philanthropy, deity, education and equity.
All proceeds from the event went directly towards Children’s Miracle Network supporting Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, conveniently located just two miles from UM’s Coral Gables campus. Corey Silberglied, president of PhiDE, emphasized the meaningful connection between fundraising and service at the hospital, an important experience for training future doctors.
“Everything that we do in Phi Delta Epsilon is for the kids,” Silberglied said. “[In] our chapter we’re able to see the fruition of our work come 5-10 minutes down the road, and we’re able to send our members regularly over there to tour, volunteer and work with the kids at the hospital.”
Mira Sayegh, a member of PhiDE and a sophomore studying microbiology, says that modeling was an experience that helped put the importance of the event into perspective.
“It was something that was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it was very validating to see how much we were able to raise,” she said. “Participating in that way made it more fun and rewarding.”
She says that the near $10,000 total was surprising but ultimately a testament to the work of the event’s finance committee and the power of the cause.
“I did not realize we would raise that much,” she said. “Never in my life did I think we would raise almost $10,000. It just shows how hard the finance team worked on putting on such an impactful event.”
More than 20 businesses sponsored the event, including Chick-fil-A, Prime and SoulCycle. Donated items were distributed as raffles, silent auction items and giveaways, which played a key role in raising funds for the event’s overall total.
Ainsley Eckoff, a sophomore and financial outreach chair, worked tirelessly throughout the semester to secure sponsorships for the event. She says she is proud to lead these efforts, emphasizing how much local support contributed to the event’s success.
“This event would not have been possible without sponsorships from businesses across South Florida,” Eckoff said. “Many local businesses offered generous donations because it’s an impact that they can really see.”
The show also featured a performance by the University of Miami’s dance team, The Hurricanettes. The fashion show was judged by science professors Dr. Leslie Knecht, Dr. Cesar Gonzales, and Dr. Thomas Harris. The event was hosted by Dr. Carlos Pulido, president and CEO of EMS Advisor Inc., and Dr. Kristopher Paultre, team physician for the Miami Marlins and Miami Hurricanes.
Hannah Clyman, a sophomore majoring in marine biology and an attendee of the event, says that the atmosphere was the best part of her experience.
“It was my first time going to AFS, and everyone onstage and in the audience radiated positivity. It was such a wholesome event to go to that went towards a great cause.”
Sayegh ultimately won the People’s Choice award for her crowd-pleasing performance as the digestive system and her heartfelt connection to the cause. She says that the event reminded her that finding time to give back to the community is important, regardless of how busy her pre-medical studies may be.
“I think that we all kind of forget how easy it is to do something so impactful,” the sophomore said. “Spending just an hour of our Sunday night having a fun fashion show can have such a life-changing impact on treatment and the livelihood of kids.”
Eckoff hopes that her role as the leader of the philanthropy committee for newer members inspires the next generation of service-oriented leaders in the chapter and beyond.
“The committee allows the new class to reach out to businesses and contribute to the event,” Eckoff said. “I feel like the finance team and PhiDE in general is a platform for more leadership in the community if students find that they have a niche for this or that they really enjoy service.”
While pre-medical students are often worried about their next exam, AFS serves as a reminder that the future of medicine relies just as much on service as it does on knowledge.