Healthcare Heroes

Distinguished Physician Community Service Award

Dr. Neal Fischbach

Exemplary Medical Leadership Award

Dr. Karen Gibbs

Exemplary Medical Leadership Award

Dr. Shea Gregg

Nursing Excellence Award

Lara Sciongay, RN

St. Vincent's Medical Center

Hartford HealthCare

Nursing Excellence Award

Brittany Sendzik, RN

Bridgeport Hospital

Yale New Haven Health

May 7, 2026


Dear Friends,


We are excited to share that more than 150 guests are now registered for our Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner. Please consider joining us for what promises to be a wonderful evening.



The Awards & Scholarship Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 14 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford, now just one week away. Tickets are $75.


We are deeply grateful to everyone involved, including our Physician Council, Auxiliary Board, Host Committee, Benefactors, Corporate Sponsors, and Scholarship Underwriters.


This week we are highlighting our corporate sponsors:


  • AMR, A Global Medical Response Solution
  • Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital


  • Bridgeport Hospital
  • Mayor Joe Ganim, City of Bridgeport
  • Novo Nordisk
  • Rudy's Flower Shop
  • The Sleep Apnea Center of CT


  • Newtown Savings Bank
  • Omega Systems


Their support helps ensure these students are recognized and that these programs continue to grow.


Sincerely,


John Brannelly

Executive Director

Greater Bridgeport Medical Association

gbmedical.org

Scholarship Awards Dinner

 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

Susan Barrett

Mamata Bharucha, MD

Valerie Brutus, MD

David Chess, MD, Stratford Mayor

Jodyann Ferguson

State Senator Sujata Gadgar-Wilcox

Joe Ganim, Bridgeport Mayor

State Rep. Fred Gee

Emilia Genova, MD

State Rep. Joseph Gresko

John A. Harkins, Former Stratford Mayor

Charles Hemenway, MD

Daileann Hemmings DNP, RN, CLC, CCM

David Ivanko

Vincent Mase, MD

Bruce McDonald, MD

Maureen Collins Pelletier, BSN, RN, OCN

State Senator Jason Perillo

Edward Pinto, MD

Marguerite Pinto, MD

Elizabeth Rivera-Rodriguez, DNP, MPH, MSN, RN

State Rep. Christopher Rosario

Bob Scinto

State Rep. Kaitlyn Shake, BSN, RN

David Tisdale

Steven Valassis, MD

 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