E.J. Thomas Hall at the University of Akron was rocking Saturday night for the ninth annual Docs Who Rock.
Dr. Terry Gordon, founder of the event that features musically talented doctors, said the event has raised more than $100,000 in nine years for the United Way.
Mike Gaffney, vice president of United Way, was master of ceremonies. Kari Mancuso, talent coordinator, kept busy shepherding eleven acts between the Green Room and the stage of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
The show opened with a rendition of hit songs by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Charlene DeJournett portrayed Knight, and the Pips were aptly portrayed by Tom Strauss, Dr. Titus Sheers and Gordon.
“The Pips are a collaboration between three area hospitals,” said Strauss, president and chief executive of Summa Health System. Gordon represented Akron General Medical Center, and Sheers also represented Akron General and Akron Children’s Hospital.
“I’m just their roadie,” said Robert DeJournett, “I carry their bags, and help out wherever I’m needed.”
Before the show began, Joyce Justice, Jay Johnson, Emily Baxter and Missie Campano enjoyed refreshments, while Katie Rennard and Margaret Palisin distributed glow necklaces to the audience with Devoe Johnson, Beth Curley and her grandson, Joseph.
Just like any rock concert, Andi Reed, Paul Lamphier and Janet Fashbaugh sold T-shirts, DVDs and posters. Natalie Dreier, Pat Porpora and Marion Montabone said they come every year to see the rockers.
Judging the rockers were Carla Davis of Akron-Summit County Public Library, T.K. O’Grady of WONE (97.5-FM), and Ed Schneider, magistrate of Summit County Courts.
Audience members were invited to vote for their favorite band by texting.
Stephen and Karen Bakita, Tina Maroon, Nancy Goodson, Becky McCaskey and Carol Eddy took seats in the “Surgical Section” of the theater to get a better view of the docs. Cynthia Sheers took photos and shared texts from her husband, Titus, as he prepared for his role as one of the Pips.
The winners of this year’s competition were Drs. Fred Slezak, Joe Pietrolungo and Tom Javorsky, who performed together as the Rhythm Method.
Drs. Debbie Plate, Paul LeCat, Eric Panzner, Kyle Hunter, Dan Hyatt and Jay Grandhi, along with David and Nate Arnott and Wade Branard of Code Blues, who were crowned champions in the 2011 show, returned for an encore engagement. Dr. Andrew McIntosh, Frank Caprio, Tom “Zeppa” Pace and DeeDee Reish of the Big Adventure saluted Akron’s own Chrissie Hynde.