GCM Staff Report
More than 300 fans packed the Soul Kitchen downtown Thursday, Jan. 29, to cheer, sing and dance at the 5th annual Doc Rock, a battle-of-the-bands event benefiting USA Health.
Five local bands with connections to USA Health competed to raise money for their designated health system programs, with all proceeds supporting research and critical patient needs according to a news release.
“Doc Rock was an outstanding night made possible by our sponsors, supporters and an amazing crowd,” Shanna Thorpe, director of constituent engagement, medical affairs development at the University of South Alabama, said in the release. “Each band brought its own flavor and electric energy, creating a nonstop, unforgettable experience.”
Bands raised funds through voting donations and competed for awards, which were determined by a combination of crowd participation and a panel of judges.
Society Hill took home the Rock the Mission Award, sponsored by the USA Foundation, raising $5,000 for Project Inspire, a hospital-based injury prevention program at USA Health University Hospital. Sixth Sense, a band of Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine students, won the Fanatic Award for raising $4,000 for the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. The band also earned the Crowd-er Favorite Award, sponsored by CrowderGulf, adding $2,000 to their fundraising total. Sloth Racer captured the Technical Award, raising $3,000 for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
Lynn Batten, M.D., director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at USA Health, served as emcee. Judges included “Crash” from iHeart radio station TK101; Joe Jones, M.D., assistant professor of interdisciplinary oncology at the Mitchell Cancer Institute; Ryan “Pablo” Foster from 92 Zew and the Liberty Learning Foundation; Jamey Greer, executive director of support services for USA Health Providence Hospital; and Cami Marlowe from 97.5 WABD of Cumulus Media.
Sponsors included CrowderGulf for the Crowd Favorite Award, USA Foundation for the Rock the Mission Award, and Fabrication Specialists, Natalie Fox and Leah Nichols as encore sponsors. Media partners were Cumulus Media, FOX10, iHeart Media and Lagniappe Daily. In-kind support came from Panini Senior Bowl, Soul Kitchen and Sound Associates, with Band Groupie support from Infinx Healthcare.