The American Austrian Foundation’s annual Music for Medicine Benefit took place on December 4, 2023, at the stunning Metropolitan Club in New York City. This very special evening honored the 30th Anniversary of the Open Medical Institute (OMI). Guests were warmly welcomed by Pablo Legorreta, who sits on the boards of both the AAF and OMI. Alexander Soros, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Open Society Foundations, could not attend in person but forwarded a video greeting. Dr. Wolfgang Aulitzky, CEO of the Open Medical Institute, shared updates from this year in Salzburg, Mexico, and Vietnam while reflecting on the past 30 years of the Open Medical Institute. We were honored to be joined by Robert A. Harrington, MD, the new Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, and appreciate his enthusiasm for the program.
An eclectic and wide-ranging concert was given by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including Paul Halwax (tuba & cimbasso), Thomas Eibinger (trombone), Florian Senft (trombone), Johann Ströcker (bass trombone), and Johannes Ettlinger (trombone & bass trumpet), who perform together as Das Philharmonische Posaunenquintett. Their performance included pieces from Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser and The Valkyre, Guiseppe Verdi’s Nabucco, Scott Joplin’s New Rag, and Henry Mancini’s The Great Mancini.
Over 250 guests joined us for dinner, including AAF board members, OMI faculty and friends, as well as committed individuals from business, law, medicine, and public service. The benefit was a resounding success, having raised over USD 670,000 to date. All funds raised go towards the Salzburg Medical Seminars of the Open Medical Institute.
We would like to thank all guests for spending the evening with us, and for believing in and investing in our mission to expand medical education beyond borders.
