Annual Dinner

2019 ANNUAL DINNER

April 9 | 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Kansas City Marriott Muehlebach

The Center will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a look at how genetic engineering is shaking up what it means to be human, from sex and war to love and death. Join us and technology futurist, sci-fi novelist and Kansas City native Jamie Metzl for a dinner discussion on his new book, “Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity.”

Jamie will show us how the genetic revolution will transform our healthcare in the short term, how we make babies and the nature of babies in the medium term, and how it will transform our species’ evolutionary trajectory long term. This is a unique opportunity to prepare for these massive changes. Guests will receive a complimentary copy of “Hacking Darwin,” scheduled for release April 23.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Richard Payne, MD, served as the John B. Francis Chair in Bioethics at CPB from January 2013 until his sudden and tragic death on January 3, 2019. We will honor his memory and life of service with a special tribute during our ceremonies. Guests of the dinner are also invited to a public memorial service on April 10, 2019 at Community Christian Church in Kansas City. 

 

 

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

Wayne and Julie Carter

Wayne Carter, DVM, PhD, recently stepped down as CEO of  BioNexus KC to move to Atlanta, where his wife, Julie Carter, JD, joined St. Mary’s Health Care System as vice president of mission services. A veterinarian by training, Wayne led BioNexus KC, formerly known as the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, for more than six years. Julie was previously a mission leader intern at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas.

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VISION TO ACTION HONOREES

James and Lisa Spigarelli

As President and CEO of MRI Global, Jim Spigarelli, PhD, was responsible for all aspects managing, operating, and developing the Institute in addition to holding many leadership positions in academic and business communities. Jim joined the Center’s board in 2011 and served as Board Chair in 2013 and 2014. “After experiencing the death of my daughter from cancer,” he said, “the Center’s long history of helping families with the most difficult medical decisions became personal.”

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ARTS ENCOUNTER

Robyn Nichols

Silversmith Robyn Nichols’ handcrafted jewelry, tableware and sculpture are collected and displayed in world-renowned museums, including the Smithsonian and the Nelson-Atkins. This year, Robyn is creating a custom piece in addition to her signature argentium sterling silver gingko leaf brooch.

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Marn Jensen and Andy Newcom

Marn has been part of the Hallmark Creative Community for over 30 years. As a mixed-media artist, she often incorporates found or antique objects in her work to add texture and story within each piece. Andy has been creating art since his debut as the youngest exhibitor in the Plaza Art Fair at age 16. At Hallmark, he has been a Senior Photo Stylist for the past 20 years and enjoys teaching macramé workshops at Hallmark and beyond. Andy and Marn shared Hallmark’s 2017 Barbara Marshall Award. The result was “Wishes for the World,” an exhibit inspired by conversations with more than 70 older adults and their 250 wishes for themselves, families and the world. Watch the “Wishes for the World” video on YouTube.
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