Shelley Stuven and Kim Hanlon PHOTO BY STEPHANIE LABAFF

Members of the Indian River County Medical Society went through a time warp at its annual Meeting and Celebration, held this year at the Moorings at Hawk’s Nest Golf Club, where they said goodbye to its outgoing officers and welcomed in the new ones.

“This year has been a big transition year. We’re trying to get the medical society to be a society where we support each other regardless of where you come from as physicians,” said Dr. Daniela Shapiro, outgoing board president before passing the torch to Dr. Erin Forest.

The physicians gathered for cocktails overlooking the golf course before heading into dinner under the brilliant light of the disco ball, where costumes, hot pants and platform shoes, spandex and sparkles, were all the rage at the disco-themed party.

Once the business of the evening was completed, attendees vied for the title of best ’70s and ’80s costume, and participated in a disco dancing contest, showing off their best classic moves, such as the Disco Finger and the Moonwalk, the Hustle and the Funky Chicken, and also tried their luck with the Hula Hoop.

Established in 1947, the nonprofit IRCMS was founded by eight physicians and today is comprised of more than 100 medical professionals.

“The purpose of the Medical Society is for the doctors to be able to network with one another and to learn what’s going on in the rest of the county,” said Shelley Stuven, IRCMS executive director, adding that the organization also provides continuing medical education opportunities for local doctors.

Additionally, she explained, the Medical Society supports the We Care Foundation through volunteerism and fundraising. The We Care program was founded in 1991 and provides free medical services for uninsured and low-income residents of Indian River County over the age of 18.

To learn more about the IRC Medical Society, visit ircms.org.

Photos by Stephanie LaBaff