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The History of 'Docs Who Rock'

In an effort to reach out to the medical community in Summit County and to encourage more involvement with United Way, the idea for Docs Who Rock was born. Michael Gaffney, Vice President of Marketing for United Way says the idea for Docs Who Rock originally came from SummaCare Health Plan President Marty Hauser. "He felt that reaching out to physicians and giving them an artistic venue would raise awareness that United Way is not just a fundraising agency. We want to have impact so that the community will realize that the Akron/Summit County area is a great place to raise a family," Gaffney says. "It raises the stature of the United Way within the medical community. We are all on the same team."

Dr. Terry Gordon, a cardiologist at Akron General Medical Center, was asked to help by showcasing music. "Patients and the community get a chance to see their physician in a different light, a more human light," says Gordon. As co-host of the event each year, Dr. Gordon has taken on the persona of a celebrity. In 2004, Gordon was a believable Rod Stewart, in 2005 he hosted as Austin Powers, in 2006 he took on Mick Jagger and Tina Turner (you had to see it to believe it!), and in 2007 he opened the show as Michael Jackson and came back after intermission as Barry Manilow.

The Docs Who Rock show quickly outgrew its first two venues -- the Main Library’s 430-seat auditorium in 2004 and the 800+ seat theatre at North High School in 2005. For 2006, The University of Akron agreed to host the event at the beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall, and attendance topped 1,600.  The 2007 show was again at E.J.Thomas Hall with over 1,900 attending.  All musical acts have at least one member who is a Doctor (M.D. or D.O.) and who lives or practices in Summit County.  Patients of the performing doctors and employees of the represented hospitals have made up much of the audience attracted to the event.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “The growth of Docs Who Rock has been extraordinary. We’ve trademarked the name and we’ve already licensed several other United Way's to produce similar shows in their communities. Our collaboration with Dr. Terry Gordon and the partnership with Dr. Luis Proenza, Dave Osterland and the University of Akron have produced a signature event for United Way of Summit County.”

For more information on 'Docs Who Rock' contact Michael Gaffney, Vice President of Marketing at 330.643.5532 or email mgaffney@uwsummit.org.
 

The Winning Act: ultrasound

Master of Ceremonies: Dick Russ, WKYC-TV 3 Anchor/Reporter

Co-Host: Dr. Terry Gordon

Judges: Carla Davis, T. K. O’Grady, Ed Schneider

Stage Manager: Charles Korecki

Ectopic Rhythms (The Docs Who Rock House Band) featuring Dr. Terry Gordon, Dr. Doug Drenth, Dr. Tom Javorsky, Dr. Preti Chaturved and Dr. Tim Newman

Dr. Georges Markarian

ultrasound featuring Dr. Akida Green, Dr. George Kefalas, Dr. Costas Kefalas, Dr. Michael Wells, Dr. Matt Taylor, Dr. Nick Papas and Dr. Edward Esber

Pelvis & the Rotators featuring Dr. Joe Kirk

Sound Advice featuring Dr. Tim Newman

The House Popes featuring Dr. Eric Jagar

Collideascope featuring Dr. Rob Hermanowski

Four Docs & a Piano featuring Dr. Jeff Bachtel, Dr. Todd Beyer, Dr. Dan Laszlo and Dr. Pete Laszlo

Accent featuring Dr. Fred Slezak and Dr. Joe Pietrolungo

Code Blues featuring Dr. Paul LeCat, Dr. Debbie Plate and Dr. Todd Kettering

Big Adventure featuring Dr. Andrew McIntosh

V-Tach featuring Dr. Tom Javorsky and Dr. Joe Pietrolungo

The 2007 Photos
 

The 2008 Line-Up

The Winning Act: ultrasound



Judges: T.K. O'Grady, Robin Parker, Ed Schneider

Master of Ceremonies: Michael Gaffney

Stage Managers: Charles Korecki, D.J. Jankura

ultrasound featuring Dr. Akida Green, Dr. George Kefalas, Dr. Michael Wells, Dr. Costas Kefalas, Dr. Matthew Taylor, Dr. Nicholas Papas and Dr. Edward Esber

Big Adventure featuring Dr. Andrew McIntosh

Code Blues and the Chameleon Quartet featuring Dr. Paul LeCat, Dr. Debbie Plate,
Dr. Todd Kettering and Dr. Elliot Davidson

Collideascope featuring Dr. Rob Hermanowski

V-taccent featuring Dr. Fred Slezak, Dr. Joe Pietrolungo and
Dr. Tom Javorsky

Brutus and the Reluctant Bystanders
featuring Dr. Joe Kirk, Dr. Jessica Folger and Dr. Stephen Waterbrook

Zobapago featuring Dr. Eric Jager and Dr. Tony Sterns

The HCC Café Band featuring Dr. Richard Brower and Dr. Troy Sand)

Get Back featuring Dr. Dan Cannone

Freez R Burn & the Cryonics featuring Dr. Dennis Wright

Jersey featuring Dr. Joe Pietrolungo

The 2008 Photos
 

View a video clip of the 2004 event

Judges
Congressman Sherrod Brown, Rev. Cathy Johnson, T.K. O'Grady, Magistrate Ed Schneider

The House Popes featuring Dr. Eric Jagar

The ADM Smashers featuring Dr. Rob Hermanowski

Southern Comfort featuring Dr. Terry Gordon, Dr. Doug Drenth and Dr. Preti Chaturvedi

Henry Lowe Resurrection & Ambu featuring Dr. Glenn Blankenhorn, Dr. Jack Baker, Dr. Larry Splojaric and Dr. Scott McDonough

Dr. Jeffrey Bachtel

V Tach featuring Dr. Tom Javorsky and Dr. Joe Pietrolungo

Dr. Andre Johnson

Sound Advice featuring Dr. Tim Newman

The Spirits of the Past featuring Dr. Todd Beyer

Rust & Honey featuring Dr. Dave Templin

Surgeon Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band featuring Dr. Joseph Kirk

View a video clip of the 2005 event

Collideascope featuring Dr. Rob Hermanowski

Listen to the 2006 Radio Ad

2006 Photos