Thank you for making the 8th Annual Canes Gala a success!

Our 8th Annual Canes Gala, held on October 26, 2025, was a big hit! This family-friendly Halloween celebration at Creekside Commons was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, sharing good food, laughter, and community spirit. Guests mingled over a festive buffet and delicious non-alcoholic drinks, browsed the silent auction table, and enjoyed reconnecting with friends old and new.

The event program was filled with inspiration and insight. Our emcee Tim Hart opened the program with introductions and reflections on JOF’s 27-year journey. Elisabeth Andreason shared a heartfelt donor’s perspective, followed by Kathleen Geier, Rachel Chen, and Sheila Teker, who shone a spotlight on our incredible students.

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A highlight of the afternoon was the panel discussion on musculoskeletal (MSK) education, featuring Catherine Tanner, DNP, FNP-C; J. Theodore Schwartz, MD; and Angela Traverso Ruthnick, DPT, OCS, moderated by Michaela Hayes. Guests also enjoyed viewing and voting on JOF student videos that brought our mission to life.

As always, the silent auction was a crowd favorite, closing with more than 120% of our fundraising goal achieved!

Relive the fun!

We captured some wonderful moments from the day, from colorful costumes to candid smiles and heartfelt conversations. Browse the photo gallery below to see the highlights, thanks to our talented volunteer photographer, Lisa Duncan.

You can also watch the student videos that premiered at the event – showcasing how our programs inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. View the student videos on YouTube.

Watch the videos

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Why Canes matters

More than just a party, Canes is our most important fundraiser of the year. The event supports our educational programs and helps provide scholarships for students with financial need. Every dollar raised helps us empower clinicians with essential nonsurgical skills – bridging critical knowledge gaps in musculoskeletal (MSK) care and improving outcomes for patients everywhere.

Every clinician trained through JOF’s programs is like the proverbial pebble in a pond, creating ripples that touch countless lives.

Thank you to our sponsors

A heartfelt thank-you goes to our sponsors: The Andreason Group at Morgan Stanley, Dr. Peter and Jacqueline Slabaugh, Ash Creek Vineyards, Social Change Consulting, Patricia Heffernan-Bourke, and Kate Raiford and Matt Sturtevant.

Your generosity made Canes possible and helps us continue training the next generation of musculoskeletal care providers.

How your support helps

Funds raised at Canes directly support JOF’s nationally accredited, flagship education program, Orthopedic Primary Care (OPC),  a growing suite of online, live, and hybrid courses offering clinicians flexible and affordable ways to gain the skills they need.

Canes also helps sustain our Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP), which provides college students with a hands-on, month-long summer experience shadowing healthcare professionals and inspiring future careers in musculoskeletal care.

Missed the event? You can still make a difference

If you couldn’t attend or didn’t get a chance to bid in the auction, you can still support our mission. Your contribution fuels education, strengthens patient care, and creates a healthier future for us all.

make a donation

Thank you for being part of the JOF community – and for everything you do to advance musculoskeletal health education. We’re so grateful for your continued support and look forward to what’s ahead together.

Yours in good health,
The Jackson Orthopedic Foundation Team