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remember

and a diminished capacity when she was
dance

to so vibrant and accomplished. Finding a
cure is not a wish; it is an imperative and
it is going to take tremendous financial

President and CEO of UM St. Joseph takes to the dance floor resources,” says Dr. Smyth.
to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association Maryland “I am so grateful for the support of so
many friends, family and colleagues
“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.” who contributed to our efforts, through
Hopi Indian Saying their kind gifts and their constant
encouragement. It has been both
Medical care is evolving at a rapid “In school, I competed in athletics but not humbling and gratifying to see so many
pace. New developments in technology in the creative arts. Dancing is definitely come together to fight this disease. The
and discovery are changing the face of not something that comes easy to me. phenomenal generosity of the human
medicine. To be successful in patient I thought this would be a great way to spirit is going to cure the devastation of
care and outcomes, Thomas Smyth, MD, show our staff that if I can go outside of Alzheimer’s and other memory diseases.
president and CEO of UM St. Joseph my comfort zone, they can, too.” Of this, I have no doubt.”
Medical Center, tells his team that “the The evening was celebratory but had a
way it’s always been is not necessarily serious side, too. “I chose the Memory Left: Catherine Noblitt and Tom Smyth, MD
the way it’s going to be.” Staff at Ball because my mother suffers from show off their dance moves.
St. Joe’s are encouraged to “think vascular dementia and I know the Right: Catherine and Tom Smyth, MD win the
outside the box,” and go beyond their heartbreak that patients and their families coveted Mirror Ball.
comfort zone in finding solutions to experience when any type of dementia Below, front row: Sam Smyth,
Patrick Daschbach, Tina Smyth,
challenging problems. becomes part of their life. My mom is Ann Marsh, John Smyth, Geri Smyth;
“I realized that I needed to ‘walk the such an important figure in my life and back row: Tom Smyth, MD, Cheryl Finney,
walk’ or more accurately, ‘dance the was a role model for my siblings and Leslie Huebeck, Autee Smyth, Dave Huebeck,
dance,’” he smiles. On the night of me growing up. It is hard to see her in Francis Smyth, Stewart Finney, MD,
April 28, Dr. Smyth and his professional Catherine Noblitt, Vicki Deyesu
dance instructor Catherine Noblitt,
took to the dance floor and competed
in front of more than 800 guests.
The occasion: The Memory Ball, the
Alzheimer’s Association Maryland
Chapter’s largest fundraising event.
Dr. Smyth and Catherine were
competing to win the coveted
Mirror Ball, achieved by meeting
fundraising goals and showing off
their dancing ability.

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