In this episode of Spanning the Need, sits down with Dr. Farid Naffah, a renowned gastroenterologist, philanthropist, and visionary. Dr. Naffah shares his passion for the arts, his dedication to helping the elderly with prescription medication costs, and his ambitious project to create a cultural center in the heart of the Mahoning Valley. Join us as we explore the story behind the Avamar Foundation, the breathtaking Lady Kindness sculpture, and Dr. Naffah’s vision for a more compassionate and united community. More info at https://www.ladykindness.com/.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Naffah’s passion for the arts and his desire to give back to the community led him to establish the Avamar Foundation, which helps elderly people afford prescription medication.
- The Avamar Foundation’s annual fundraising event at Dr. Naffah’s estate, Cadoba, brings people together in a spirit of friendship and shared beauty.
- Lady Kindness, a 29.3-foot tall marble sculpture, is the tallest freestanding marble sculpture in America and represents the message of kindness and civility.
- Dr. Naffah plans to build a cultural center on his 168-acre property, which will serve as a museum, event space, and entertainment venue for the community.
Timestamps
[00:03:51] How Dr. Naffah discovered his passion for gastroenterology
[00:05:40] The power of fiber: Dr. Nafaa’s health advice
[00:07:38] The inspiration behind the Avamar Foundation and its mission
[00:11:13] Marrying the love for the arts with the need to provide prescription medication for the elderly
[00:16:06] Details about the upcoming event on August 17th, 2024, and the unveiling of Lady Kindness
[00:26:57] The scale and significance of the Lady Kindness sculpture
[00:29:26] Dr. Naffah’s vision for a cultural center and its impact on the community
[00:31:28] The message of kindness and civility that Dr. Naffah hopes people will remember
[00:32:56] Dr. Naffah’s best accomplishment and most memorable experience
Episode Highlights
The Avamar Foundation and Cadoba Estate
Dr. Naffah’s passion for the arts and his desire to give back to the community led him to establish the Avamar Foundation. By hosting annual fundraising events at his beautiful Cadoba estate, he brings people together in a spirit of friendship and shared beauty while raising money to help elderly individuals afford prescription medication. The estate, with its stunning lake and reception area, serves as a testament to Dr. Naffah’s vision and dedication to marrying art and philanthropy.
Lady Kindness: A Symbol of Unity and Compassion
The centerpiece of the upcoming event on August 17th, 2024, is the unveiling of Lady Kindness, a breathtaking 29.3-foot tall marble sculpture. Crafted by Italian artisans using robotic carving technology, Lady Kindness is the tallest freestanding marble sculpture in America. The sculpture represents the message of kindness, civility, and generosity that Dr. Naffah believes is essential in today’s divided world.
A Vision for a Cultural Center
Dr. Naffah’s ambitions extend beyond the Avamar Foundation and Lady Kindness. He plans to build a cultural center on his 168-acre property, which will serve as a museum, event space, and entertainment venue for the community. The center will host lectures, concerts, and other events featuring renowned individuals from various fields, providing opportunities for learning, growth, and enjoyment for the people of the Mahoning Valley.
Quotes
- “I discovered that the practice of gastroenterology entails the cognitive part, but also the procedural part, which is working with your hands and doing endoscopy. It’s a lot of fun and it is challenging and it’s, uh, it requires dexterity and precision.”
- “I wanted to do big gatherings, big parties, because one of my things in life is to bring people together, you know, in a spirit of cooperation, in a spirit of friendship, and sharing beautiful things in life, sharing the friendship.”
- “The message is kindness. The message is kindness and that our country, not only our country, the entire world is divided and at odds with each other. It’s sad to see. We can have different opinions and different ideas about how our society should go. But one thing that we should never lose is to be kind to each other, to be civil with each other, to be generous to each other.”
Tune in to the podcast to learn more about Dr. Farid Naffah’s inspiring journey, the Avamar Foundation, and his vision for a kinder, more united community in the Mahoning Valley.
