LSU Health New Orleans hosts Camp Tiger Auction to benefit children with medical disabilities

Written By Alicia Vial

Proceeds benefit free summer camp experience for children with mental and physical disabilities

NEW ORLEANS – Medical students from LSU Health New Orleans will host the Camp Tiger Auction & Benefit Friday, March 8 at Club XLIV in Champions Square to raise money for the 38th annual Camp Tiger, a free weeklong summer camp for children with mental and medical disabilities.

Founded in 1985 by LSU Health New Orleans staff and first-year medical students, Camp Tiger provides a traditional camp experience for children with special needs in the Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, who otherwise might not be able to enjoy this experience.

“LSU Health New Orleans’ medical students look forward to the opportunity to work with these exceptional children and serve the community,” says LSU Health New Orleans Chancellor, Dr. Steve Nelson. “In addition to continuing the LSU Health New Orleans tradition of community outreach, Camp Tiger gives our first-year students an opportunity to begin to understand and work with some medical conditions they may encounter during their professional careers.”

During Camp Tiger, each camper is accompanied by at least two medical students and is given the opportunity to participate in a traditional summer camp experience. Campers will visit several uniquely New Orleans locations, including the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, Saints practice facility, City Park Carousel Gardens and Global Wildlife Center, to name a few.

“Since its inception, Camp Tiger has benefited more than 3,000 children, giving them a chance to socialize with one another in a supportive and nurturing environment,” says Camp Director, Michael Barkemeyer. “Campers enjoy a week all about them with the freedom to play, socialize and express themselves, provided entirely free of charge due to the fundraising efforts of our annual auction and benefit.”

The Camp Tiger Auction & Benefit will begin at 7 p.m. with live music from one of the Gulf South’s premier entertainers, Dat Band, as well as an open bar and food from multiple local restaurants, including Ruffino’s and Carter Plantation. A silent and live auction will include a variety of items like Taylor Swift VIP concert tickets, Pelican’s court side tickets, memberships to local gyms, family-friendly activities, artwork, jewelry and more.

Tickets to the Camp Tiger Auction & Benefit are $80. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor or bid from home, click here.

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About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment or cure disease.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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