Honoring Heroes, a Night to Remember
2025 Mosaic Gala attendees said “Oui” to an evening of celebration, giving, and honoring heroes at TUC
The 2025 Mosaic Gala, Touro University California’s signature fundraising event, is more than just a celebration. It’s a lifeline, a promise, a patchwork of generosity stitched together to support scholarships and programs that shape the next generation of healthcare heroes.
The Cocktail Reception
This year, over 200 guests gathered at Farragut Inn, dressed in their finest with hearts open and spirits high. The evening began with an elegant reception, where attendees mingled with hors d’oeuvres and the hum of conversation. A table full of silent auction items beckoned bidders with everything from weekend getaways to handcrafted treasures. What truly anchored the room were the displays of TUC Heroes. Alumni who have gone out into the world and done the kind of work that doesn’t just make headlines, but makes a difference.
The Breaking of Bread
Guests were then ushered out to the grand tent, where the real magic began. Dr. Tami Hendriksz welcomed the crowd as everyone found their seats and started off the rest of the evening by introducing President Alan Kadish. Dr. Kadish’s vision and warm remarks were followed by Congressman John Garamendi, who spoke with conviction about the importance of the Mosaic Gala during times of uncertainty. His wordswere rich with urgency and hope.
Crafted by TUC’s own Chef Ray Nottie, dinner was a masterpiece. Each course paired with wine selections curated by Rabbi Elchonon Tenenbaum, whose pairings were so beloved they became a conversation topic at nearly every table. A moment of joy, shared taste, and the tradition of breaking bread together brought the room closer.
The Impact of the Mosaic Gala
Then came the heart of the evening: the scholarships.
Destany Habte Michael received the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship, a $10,000 award that will help her continue her journey in medicine. Deirdre Jones was honored with the NorthBay Health Primary Care Scholarship, also $10,000, recognizing her commitment to serving communities in need of primary care. To date, since the first Mosaic in 2017, $1,046,824 has been awarded to 188 Mosaic Scholarship recipients.
The live auction that followed was spirited, with guests bidding and outbidding each other in good-natured competition. Laughter echoed through the tent as paddles flew up and one-of-a-kind experiences were won.
The night closed with the presentation of the Mosaic Achievement Award to Dr. Richard Riemer, DO, whose career has been a testament to service, leadership, and compassion. As he stood beneath the lights, surrounded by friends and colleagues, the room rose in a standing ovation.
The Mosaic Gala had once again done what it does best: bring people together, lift others up, and remind us all that when we give, we build something beautiful.
The Community Sponsors
Partnerships are a fundamental part of the Mosaic Gala.
Lamplighter sponsors who contributed $10,000 or more were the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kaiser Permanente, NorthBay Health, Sutter Health, Medic Ambulance Services, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and California Bank & Trust.
Gold sponsors who donated $5,000 were Valley Strong Credit Union, and TUC Faculty & Staff.
Silver sponsors who gave $2,500 were Mare Island Company, Recology, Twilight Rotary Club, Travis Credit Union, Napa Solano Medical Society, Nixon Peabody, Pierce Inc., and PG&E.
Bronze sponsors with a donation of $1,500 included AT&T, Lori Wilson for Assembly 2026, Partnership HealthPlan of California, Solano Community College, and Solano Transportation Authority.