An OUWB student organization recently raised nearly $5,000 for a local nonprofit as part of an annual fundraiser that’s always full of laughter and cheer.

The OUWB Pediatric Interest Group (PIG) raised $4,597 through its 2025 PIG Roast. Proceeds go to Care House of Oakland County. The event was held Feb. 19 in Oakland University’s Oakland Center.

About 150 people attended with ticket sales accounting for $2,220 of the total amount raised. The rest of the money was raised via a silent auction, volleyball fundraiser, and a pie-throwing event.

Meghna Iyer, M2, president, PIG, said she was “excited to see how it all came together.”

“We not only raise funds for Care House, but the roast really brings OUWB’s M1s and M2s together,” she said. “They get to share in the experience of being a medical student and also give back to the local community.”

Noora Neiroukh, M2, served as coordinator of the roast. She said students never forget the event is all about supporting Care House and the important role the organization has in the local community.

Care House aims “to be a leading resource in the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the protection of children through advocacy, education, intervention, research, training, and treatment, in collaboration with the community. Our vision is to impact the safety of every child in Oakland County through intervention, prevention and treatment.”

“The mission (of the roast) has always been consistent…raising money for an incredible cause that aligns with the mission and values of OUWB,” said Neiroukh.

Planning the roast essentially begins right at the start of the school year. About a dozen students volunteer to make it happen. They coordinate the roast acts, reach out to about 100 local businesses on the silent auction, handle public relations and marketing, and secure plans for the different events that lead up to the roast.

This year, a volleyball fundraiser was added. Participants and spectators paid to be part of a small tournament held at Oakland University’s recreation center.

Also held was the annual Pie-A-PIG event, where participants paid for pies made of whipped cream that they smeared in the faces of faculty and friends.

“It’s definitely a big undertaking, but one where I think everyone was extremely grateful and happy to be part of,” said Neiroukh.

Two of those participants were the hosts of the roast: Thea Wilkens-Reed, M2, and Jared Gong, M1.

Together, they served as MCs and introduced acts such as, “Students Vs. Faculty – Dad Jokes,” OUWB-themed games of Jeopardy and Family Feud, and more. As the name of the event indicates, roasting of just about all-things OUWB was fair game, too.

“As someone who is interested in going into pediatrics and working with kids in the emergency department…I could not have thought of a better way to end my M2 year than getting to host this, be here with my class, and contribute to such a big, wonderful, experience,” said Wilkens-Reed.

Participating faculty shared similar sentiments.

Claudio Cortes, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, kicked off the event by performing a dance with a partner.  

Cortes said supporting the effort “shows these children (at Care House) that they are not alone, and it aligns with values of compassion and community responsibility, making a meaningful difference in their lives.”

“The primary takeaway of participating in supporting our students in events like this is the sense of building an environment of community, where we come together to care for those in need and make a lasting difference,” he said. “I also appreciate the passion of our students for initiatives like (Care House).”

Other participating faculty from the department were Stefanie Attardi, Ph.D.; Anna Karamyan, M.Pharm, Ph.D.; Paul Megee, Ph.D.; Abe Brummett, Ph.D.; Kesava Mandalaneni, MBBS; and Dwayne Baxa, Ph.D.

Baxa said he tries to be part of the roast annually.

“It’s important for faculty to support students in their extracurricular activities just as we want to support them in their academic pursuits,” he said. “Anytime we can take the opportunity to interact with students in this manner, I think it is a good thing, especially when their interest matches ours.”

For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at [email protected].

To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.

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