London’s Intergenerational Gala celebrates its 10th anniversary

London’s most unusual prom celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.  The Intergenerational Gala pairs up students from Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry with seniors from Grand Wood Park Apartments & Retirement Residence for an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment.   The 2014 Intergenerational Gala will be held on Sunday, May 4th starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre.

 

From the outset, the event was designed to entice medical students to consider going into Geriatric Medicine.  With our aging population, there remains a serious shortage of geriatricians.  The Gala promotes intergenerational understanding and friendships.  It lets these future doctors see their “dates” as vibrant adults, full of life’s stories, rather than as sick patients.  And it’s a concept that is catching on.  This year, medical students at the University of Calgary are holding a similar event.

 

“As someone interested in pursuing a career in Geriatric Medicine, I understand the benefits of working with the older population and hope to help other students understand why working with this group is so rewarding. The Intergenerational Gala is a great way to do this by bringing students and seniors together for a night of great food and entertainment. The event helps breaks down stereotypes students hold about aging and helps them to see what life is like for an older person,” says Jasmine Davies, a second-year medical student. “The stories that are shared throughout the evening help the students to see that seniors have had many interesting life experiences and that there are similarities between themselves and the seniors that they may not have realized before.”  Jasmine and fellow second year medical student, Laura Wade are co-organizers of the event.

  
“This is an important event,” says Simon Nyilassy, CEO of Regal Lifestyle Communities.  “It truly represents our core values: Authenticity, Growth, Ownership and Respect. We actively encourage our residents to explore new and unique ways to enhance their quality of life and we are constantly seeking opportunities to make their experience better and more meaningful. This event exemplifies that to the fullest.”

 
The Gala has fifty couples attending, and will feature live entertainment by the Schulich Choir and Orchestra, and the Goldies –a seniors’ band and dance group.

  

Media contacts: Jasmine Davies, jdavies2016@meds.uwo.ca , 519-330-5318, or Laura Wade, lwade2016@meds.uwo.ca, 226-688-4409

 

Tanis Siddique, General Manager, Grand Wood Park Apartments & Retirement Residences,
519- 432-1162, tsiddique@clmi.ca

 

Kathy Wallis, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Ph: 519-661-2111 ext. 81136, cell: 519-777-1573, Kathy.wallis@schulich.uwo.ca