Surgeon and Attorney Join City Lights Gallery Board of Directors

The City Lights Gallery has announced the addition of Camelia Lawrence, MD, FACS of Shelton and Courtney George, Esquire of Newtown to its board of directors. Lawrence is a Fellowship trained breast cancer surgeon at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. George is an attorney at Cohen & Wolf PC and is a principal and chair of the firm’s Employment and Labor Group. In their volunteer roles, Lawrence and George will join other board members to help guide the organization’s art programs and services in the community.

“Art is a powerful tool that can be used to bring about positive changes in our community that is why I am joining the City Lights Board, stated Camelia Lawrence, MD, FACS. “Art has the ability to transcend barriers and unite us around common interests, Lawernce added. “Importantly, it can be used to educate and empower so I look forward to collaborating with my peers through art to further enhance the growth and development of the Greater Bridgeport Region,” Lawrence stated.

Courtney George is a resident in Cohen & Wolf PC's Bridgeport office, Ms. George practices in the areas of employment and labor law and commercial litigation. She represents private and public employers in employment litigation, contract negotiations and counseling. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut and the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. In October 2011, Ms. George was sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court bar. Ms. George received her B.A., with distinction, in 1990, from McGill University and her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2001.

Dr. Lawrence is a board-certified surgeon specializing in benign and malignant breast disease at St. Vincent's Medical Center. She has a fellowship training in advance breast cancer surgery, including skin and nipple-sparing mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy and oncoplastic techniques. Dr. Lawrence’s own personal journey and commitment to providing outstanding medical care is passed on to each of her patients. Dr. Lawrence is a graduate of Fordham University, the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry and was a distinguished Fellow in Breast Surgical Oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.

“These two dynamic individuals will greatly enhance the expertise of City Lights Gallery,” stated Suzanne Kachmar, City Lights and Company Executive Director. “As we continue to expand our programming in the community, I am pleased to have people who can lend their professionalism to our organization,” Kachmar added.

Lawrence and George were nominated by Board President Kelly O’Donnell of Pullman & Comley and seconded by Treasurer Jeffrey Goldwaser. Their nomination was unanimously approved by the board of directors at its recent meeting. Other members of the City Lights Board of Directors include: Vice President John Brannelly, Secretary Elaine Carvahlo, Brad Berman, Jeff Block, James A. Connelly, Claribel Correano, George Dragone, Ann Franzen, Steve Gerber, Marge Hiller, Rev. Sara Smith, Preston Tisdale and Bruce Williams.

Now located at 265 Golden Hill Street in Downtown Bridgeport, City Lights Gallery presents local, regional and emerging artists to Bridgeport and its visitors. The gallery hosts various community-based exhibits and events such as: Artists’ Receptions, Arts/crafts classes, Open Studio Workshop, Lunch Time Art Demonstrations and other special events. In addition, the Gallery is a retail store for local artists to showcase and sell their works.

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