Fort Wayne, Ind.  (WANE) – Amateur athletes from the Fort Wayne medical and business communities will suit up to support local medical students at a game at Parkview Field on Wednesday, August 24. It’s the annual Docs vs Suits softball game. It’s free to attend.  The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the first pitch is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. Concessions will be open.

Proceeds benefit the Indiana University School of Medicine-Fort Wayne, (IUSM-FW).  Players find sponsors to help underwrite the game and a silent auction will also support the school.  Since the first game in 2010, the school has raised over $365,000 to support student scholarships, research and program development.  Why is the support necessary?  Gina Bailey, Asst. Director of Program Development explains that “the scholarships that are funded by the game help alleviate student debt load at graduation and attract more students to our campus. The student scholarships are awarded based on three criteria: academic standing, financial need and community involvement.”  Bailey added that “the funding provided for program development enhances IUSM-Fort Wayne educational programs and student opportunities. Medical school programs have been proven to positively impact communities both economically and socially.  Communities with medical school programs attract more physicians and medical-related businesses.” The goal for the Docs vs Suits game this year is $75,000.

The school is located on the campus of IPFW.  For more information about the IU School of Medicine-Fort Wayne, call 260-481-6731 or visit fortwayne.medicine.iu.edu.