College of Medicine Students to Host 2016 Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert

Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert

College of Medicine students perform at the 2015 Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert, which raises money for the Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV.

Valentine’s Day may have passed, but Drexel University’s Main Building will be filled with love Saturday, Feb. 20, when the College of Medicine hosts its 23rd annual Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert.

The student-run concert will showcase the musical talents of College of Medicine students, faculty and staff, as they sing, dance and raise proceeds for the Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV, based at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.

The Dorothy Mann Center provides a “one stop shop” for HIV-positive children, adolescents and their families to receive medical and psychosocial support services at the same site. It also provides care for newly infected teenagers — many of whom live in poverty, have experienced homelessness or have been victims of violence. The center is the largest of its kind in the Tri-State area.

“Being born with HIV and having grown up with this now chronic disease is challenging, and these kids need support in so many ways,” said Dennis Novack, MD, associate dean of medical education and lead singer of the Dennis Novack Experience — a lively staple of the benefit concert.

Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert

Saturday’s event will include a live variety show (with performances ranging from classical music to rock and roll), a silent auction and a buffet dinner. Tickets are $30 for Drexel students and residents, and $35 for non-students and faculty.

To date, the annual benefit has raised more than $500,000 to aid the Dorothy Mann Center and its patients.

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is a teaching affiliate of Drexel University College of Medicine. Most of the hospital-based physicians also hold faculty positions in the Department of Pediatrics at the College.

When: Saturday, Feb. 20; Doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 6 p.m.

Where: The Main Building, 3141 Chestnut Street

Tickets: Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.

More Information: Visit the PABC website or email DrexelmedPABC@gmail.com.