February 12, 2019

PABC Planning Committee members Anisha Gopu, Ryan Williams and Christina Chen (all MS2)

The 26th Annual Drexel University College of Medicine Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert (PABC) had another successful year, raising more than $29,000 for children living with HIV and AIDS. Since its inception, PABC has raised over $603,000 for the patients of the Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

View photos from the event on Facebook

The January 26 concert featured students, faculty and guests providing entertainment with a variety of performances, from classical music to dance, rock music and more. There was also a silent auction and dinner buffet with food donations from restaurants around Philadelphia. PABC is organized annually by Drexel University College of Medicine students.

Second-year medical students Christina Chen and Ryan Williams co-chaired this year’s event. Williams explains why this event is special each year. “It is often all too easy for students to simply stick to their studies and push aside extracurriculars,” he says. “PABC is so meaningful because it exemplifies the passion and dedication that Drexel students bring to supporting those in our community.”

Chen, who also performed with the College of Medicine’s a cappella group, Doctor’s Note, says the highlight of her night was seeing everything come together. “Setting up was hectic and stressful, but it was really satisfying to watch the venue be transformed and have everything come to fruition after six months of planning.”

Williams echoed this sentiment. “My favorite part of this year’s event was right before we opened the door for the concert. Looking around, seeing everything set up, and thinking about how much work everyone had put in to get to that point was really special,” he says.

Of course, the concert wouldn’t be what it is without the performances. Chen says, “It’s awesome to see your teachers and classmates bust out a hidden talent on stage.” Her favorites of the night included Drexel Impulse’s Indian dance performance and the student bands. She adds, “You can’t mention PABC without bringing up the Dennis Novack Experience.” The perennial favorite, led by Associate Dean of Clinical Education Dennis Novack, MD, closed out the night.

The Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children is the largest of its kind in the tri-state area, and provides comprehensive care, including social services, to children infected with HIV and their families. The money raised by PABC through donations, ticket sales and an auction helps provide affected families with emergency funds for housing, utilities, food and rent, and helps to offset other expenses such as college application fees and supplies for summer camp.

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children is an academic campus of Drexel University College of Medicine.