On The Circuit: Ruby Gala 2024

It was a rainy evening, but it didn’t stop the nearly 300 attendees dressed to the nines from filling the music hall of Marathon Music Works for this year’s Ruby Gala benefiting the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic (VCCC). With a mission to raise funds and awareness needed to support people with HIV to overcome barriers to receiving treatment, and to imprint sustainable HIV care onto our future through the recruitment and training of HIV practitioners, the annual event proved to be an inspiration for all in attendance. 

Sean Kelly who is the medical director of the VCCC co-chaired this year’s gala with Margaret Wiles. As an infectious disease doctor, Sean said “Caring for people living with HIV can be pretty challenging because it takes much more than medical care and social services. If people can’t access these services, we aren’t really helping anybody. What we’ve done with the Ruby Gala is that we’ve started a specific fund for patient assistance to get patients to their appointments and feed them so they don’t end up going hungry, and to support their ability to live healthfully outside the walls of our clinic.” He explained that there are two arms to the clinic’s mission: HIV prevention and access to treatment. “If you are living with HIV and take your medication the virus can no longer be detectable in your blood and you cannot transmit the virus to anyone else. That’s where it ends,” he confirms how once and for all the HIV epidemic will be eradicated. 

This year’s Raffanti Award which goes to someone who makes substantial contributions to people living with HIV was presented to Lashanda Salinas. Sean told the audience that Lashanda has “worked tirelessly to undo antiquated laws criminalizing people living with HIV starting with people living in Tennessee.” Lashanda’s personal story which compelled her efforts brought the crowd to their feet in ovation. “Don’t worry about what people think of you. You’re going to be ok,” Lashanda urged others who are living with HIV. 

Presented by NPS Pharmacy, the event was planned by Kelse Beeri of Konrad Company and   kicked off with a VIP cocktail reception sponsored by Lipman Brothers featuring passed hors d’oeuvres such as Nashville Hot Chicken cones, margarita flatbreads, and stuffed mushrooms. Catered by Chef’s Market, the event continued with a seated dinner featuring a ruby red grapefruit salad followed by a dual-plated entree of chicken piccata and grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce along with scalloped potatoes and charred broccolini, or a vegan option of Gobi Manchurian with jasmine rice, and concluded with a dessert medley of macarons, flourless chocolate torte bites, key lime bites, and Jack Daniel’s apple crumb bites. 

The gorgeous ruby red floral designs were by Bobb Honaker of Walker Wyatt florals.  Entertainment included the string quartet, Corwin Trio, during the reception and dinner, followed by a full band, Burning Las Vegas, for after-dinner dancing. Emcee and auctioneer Shane McCarroll of Trey Morris Auctioneers led the live auction featuring items such as a ruby pendant, and trips to bourbon country and Palm Springs, while the silent auction featured various European excursions. 

An after-party was held at L27 Rooftop Lounge atop Westin Nashville.