Foundation Gala
2026 Academy of Medicine Foundation Gala
Join Us
The Academy Foundation Gala is more than just an evening of celebration. It brings together physicians, healthcare leaders, businesses and community partners to recognize extraordinary physician leadership while investing in initiatives that strengthen the health of Greater Cincinnati.
This year, we proudly honor William L. Barrett, MD, recipient of the 2026 Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award, while raising support for physician-led initiatives that improve emergency response, expand access to care, strengthen the physician workforce, and advance community health.
Why Attend?
Whether you attend as a physician, sponsor, community leader, or supporter, your participation helps celebrate physician leadership while investing in healthier communities.
2026 Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award
Advancing Service. Strengthening Community.
The Academy Foundation Gala celebrates physician leaders who recognize needs, step forward, and strengthen the health of our community. By attending, sponsoring, or supporting the Foundation, you help transform physician leadership into lasting community impact.
Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • Tax ID: 31-0623960 • Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award
A Legacy of Service
For more than 170 years, the Academy of Medicine has brought physicians together in service to our community. For the past 40 years, one of the Academy's highest honors—the Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award—has recognized physicians whose leadership, compassion, and service exemplify that enduring tradition.
Established by the Academy Foundation in 1986, the Award honors living physician members whose careers reflect an enduring commitment to their patients, their profession, and the communities they serve. While each recipient's journey is unique, they share a common characteristic: they recognized a need, stepped forward, and created lasting impact.
Today, the Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award remains the Academy Foundation's highest recognition of physician service to community health. More than celebrating individual achievement, it honors a tradition of physician leadership that continues to inspire future generations and strengthen the health of Greater Cincinnati.
Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award Recipients
The physicians recognized through the Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award represent more than four decades of leadership, compassion, and service to Greater Cincinnati.
William L. Barrett, MD
This year's Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award recognizes William L. Barrett, MD, whose career reflects the very qualities the Award was created to honor.
For decades, Dr. Barrett has advanced cancer care, medical education, mentorship, and research throughout Greater Cincinnati. Yet what distinguishes his career is not simply what he has accomplished—it is how he has approached his work.
Throughout his career, he has consistently recognized needs beyond the exam room, stepping forward to improve how patients, families, physicians, and communities experience cancer care. Colleagues describe him as deeply compassionate, generous with his time, and unwavering in his commitment to helping others.
That same philosophy inspired the creation of Cincinnati Cancer Advisors, providing no-cost expert guidance and second opinions for individuals facing complex cancer diagnoses. The organization reflects his belief that exceptional healthcare extends beyond treatment alone—requiring trust, education, compassion, and the time to help patients navigate uncertainty.
The Academy Foundation is proud to recognize Dr. Barrett not only for a lifetime of achievement, but for a lifetime of leadership through service—a physician who saw unmet needs, stepped forward, and created lasting impact for patients, future physicians, and our community.
Continuing the Legacy
The Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award celebrates a lifetime of service. The Academy Foundation ensures that legacy continues.
Through physician-led initiatives that strengthen emergency response, expand access to care, support future medical professionals, and improve community health, the Foundation carries forward the same spirit of leadership and service represented by every Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award recipient.
By attending the Gala or supporting the Academy Foundation, you help ensure that this tradition of physician leadership continues to strengthen our community for generations to come.
Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • Tax ID: 31-0623960 • Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Service in Action
The Academy Foundation Gala celebrates physician leadership. Through the Foundation, that leadership becomes action throughout the year.
Through collaboration, innovation, and service, the Academy Foundation brings physicians together to strengthen emergency response, improve access to care, support future medical professionals, and advance the health of our communities.
Help Sustain this Work
Your support helps ensure physicians can continue recognizing needs, stepping forward, and creating solutions that strengthen health across Greater Cincinnati.
Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • Tax ID: 31-0623960 • Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the Mission Behind the Gala
The Academy Foundation Gala celebrates physician leadership while raising support for initiatives that strengthen emergency response, expand access to care, support future physicians, and improve health across our region. Every sponsorship helps turn that mission into measurable community impact.
Whether your goal is community engagement, brand visibility, employee involvement, or support for physician leadership, sponsorship provides a meaningful opportunity to make an impact while connecting with healthcare leaders from across Greater Cincinnati.
A variety of sponsorship and recognition opportunities are available, and we welcome the opportunity to tailor a package that aligns with your organization's goals, interests, and budget.
Why Sponsor?
Gala attendees include:
Sponsorship Levels
Explore sponsorship opportunities that support the Academy Foundation's mission while providing meaningful recognition for your organization's commitment to community health.
Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • Tax ID: 31-0623960 • Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
