Distinguished Physician Community Service Award

Dr. Neal Fischbach

Exemplary Medical Leadership Award

Dr. Karen Gibbs

Exemplary Medical Leadership Award

Dr. Shea Gregg

April 4, 2026

Dear Friends,

I invite you to support the 2026 Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Scholarship Awards Program. This event honors distinguished physicians who strengthen our medical community, including Drs. Karen Gibbs, Shea Gregg, and Neal Fischbach, while raising critical funds for Bridgeport public school students pursuing careers in healthcare.

As President of the Auxiliary Board and owner of Rudy’s Flower Shop, I am proud to personally support this important program and invite fellow businesses and community organizations to join us. Sponsorship opportunities range from $25 for a program listing to $5,000 as the event’s Title Sponsor, making it possible for individuals, businesses, and organizations to participate at every level of support.

You can also support the scholarship program by attending the dinner on May 14 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons. Tickets are $60, but the price increases after May 1, so I encourage you to reserve your seats today.

Together, we can honor outstanding physicians while investing in the future of healthcare in our community.

Sincerely,

Liz Gilbert DeFeo

President, GBMA Auxiliary Board

Owner, Rudy’s Flower Shop

Scholarship Awards Dinner

Nursing Excellence Awards

presented to nurses from Bridgeport Hospital Yale New Haven Health

and Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Future Physician Scholarship Awards

presented to graduating seniors and recent graduates of Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, and the University of Bridgeport who plan to attend medical school.



College Scholarship Awards

presented to graduating seniors from Bassick, Bridge Academy, Bullard Havens, Capital Prep, Central, Central Magnet, and Warren Harding High Schools who are pursuing higher education in healthcare.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Reception 5:30 PM - Award Ceremony & Dinner 6:30 PM

Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 337 Kenyon Street, Stratford, CT 06614

Host Committee

Susasn Barrett

Mamata Bharucha, MD

Valerie Brutus, MD

David Chess, MD, Stratford Mayor

Jodyann Ferguson

State Senator Sujata Gadgar-Wilcox

Charles Hemenway, MD

State Rep. Joseph Gresko

Daileann Hemmings DNP, RN, CLC, CCM



David Ivanko

Vincent Mase, MD

Bruce McDonald, MD

Scott Nickel

Maureen Collins Pelletier, BSN, RN, OCN

Marguerite Pinto, MD & Edward Pinto, MD

State Rep. Christopher Rosario

Bob Scinto

State Rep. Kaitlyn Shake, BSN, RN

 Sponsored by

City of Bridgeport

Mayor Joe Ganim

GBMA Council Members

• Dennis J. Williams, MD, Chairman
• Milton F. Armm, MD, Secretary/Treasurer

• David Bindelglass, MD
• Pamela B. Hoffman, MD
• Camelia Lawrence, MD
• Felix B. Mpuku, MD
• Ryan T. O’Connell, MD
• Michael J. Smith, MD
• Listy Thomas, MD

GBMA Auxiliary Board

• President: Liz Gilbert DeFeo, Owner, Rudy’s Flower Shop
• Vice President: Bill Schietinger, Regional Director, AMR, A Global Response Company

• Mary Donnelly, MPH, LPN, Consultant
• Gina Malheiro, Executive Director, Port Authority, City of Bridgeport
• Michael J. Murray, DDS, Owner, The Sleep Apnea Center of CT

• Executive Director: John Brannelly

GBMA Business Partners