Providence, November 4, 2009 – Adopt a Doctor, the international non-profit based in Providence, is hosting its annual winter art auction on Thursday, December 10, 5:30pm at the Round Top Center in the Beneficent Church [300 Weybosset Street, Providence]. All proceeds go towards providing financial assistance to medical doctors in four of the world’s poorest countries.

Admission to the event is free, and scores of door prizes will be provided. Robb Dimmick, well-known actor, director, and educator, will serve as the event’s auctioneer.

Numerous galleries throughout the country have donated artwork to support Adopt a Doctor’s worthwhile initiative. Prominent artists from Rhode Island have provided art for auction-goers, as well.

Ray Rickman, president of Adopt a Doctor, stated, “As a rough estimate, nearly 5,000 lives are saved annually from the presence of our medical doctors practicing in four of the world’s poorest nations.”

Adopt a Doctor currently supports 17 doctors, two of whom are females. The roster includes: two doctors from Liberia, three doctors from Sierra Leone, seven doctors from Malawi, and five doctors from Mali. Adopt a Doctor doubles the salaries of physicians on the condition that they remain practicing in their countries for at least seven years.

Rickman continued, “Our intent is to reverse the brain-drain that is drawing doctors away in search of higher salaries. Adopt a Doctor affects lives in countries that need our assistance the most.”

“Our art auctions create goodwill and empower individuals to make positive global impact,” added Andrew Galli, chairman of Adopt a Doctor. “Not only will auction-goers have the opportunity of adding to their collections, they will have the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar spent translates to lives being saved.”

Adopt a Doctor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Providence, was established in 2003 to supplement the salaries of medical doctors in Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Malawi. These countries have fewer medical doctors than almost any other nation in the world.