Community Corner
Stratford to Host Historic "Meet the Ringmaster" at Vazzano's
Breast Surgeon, Dr. Camelia Lawrence, First Mom and First Physician to Lead the Barnum Festival
The Barnum Festival announced recently at Hartford Health Care Amphitheater in Bridgeport that Dr. Camelia Lawrence, the Director of Breast Surgery for Hartford HealthCare The Hospital of Central Connecticut & Midstate Medical Center, is the 74th Ringmaster.
The first event will be the "Meet the Ringmaster" dinner at Vazzano's Four Seasons in Stratford on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6 PM. Tickets are $50 each to the fundraiser. To purchase them, visit... https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-ringmaster-tickets-713897034247?aff=oddtdtcreator
A Shelton resident, Lawrence becomes the second woman Ringmaster in the 75-year history of the Festival. She is also the first physician Ringmaster and mother. Dr. Lawrence has two children, Ashley, 10, and Nathan 8.
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Lawrence has stepped up to the Ringmaster challenge as part of her long commitment to helping the community.
“I’ve always been interested in community service and community building,” Dr. Lawrence said. “I love the longstanding commitment of the Barnum Festival to serving the Greater Bridgeport Community. I have already had overwhelming support from area leaders that inspired me to become the Ringmaster. It’s a great honor.”
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As Dr. Lawrence begins to plan for 2024, she wants to stress the opportunity to include all Greater Bridgeport cultures in the Festival.
“P.T. Barnum’s circus tent was a big one, there was room for everyone and so let’s incorporate that idea; there’s plenty of room for all the cultures in our community to be included. Let’s offer assistance to those who may need assistance getting into the tent.”
Charlie Carroll, Festival Executive Director, is looking forward to working with Dr. Lawrence, who he believes will continue to expand the Festival appeal throughout the community.
“Dr. Lawrence is a well-respected member of the medical profession,” Carroll said. “She is involved in multiple organizations that touch every area of the community. She is a perfect fit for the role of Ringmaster.”
Lawrence was also a surgeon for St. Vincent’s Medical Center during two different periods from 2005-2010 (Surgical Residency) and 2015-2018 (Attending Surgeon). In addition, she has served as Grand Marshal of the Juneteenth Parade. She was also named the 100 Women of Color in Hartford and Southern Connecticut and the Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year Award.
She presently serves as the President of the Fairfield County Medical Association. Throughout her career, Dr. Lawrence has advocated strongly for women’s health in public speaking engagements, TV interviews, and articles.
