Local physicians rocked out for more than 400 community members during the recent Doctor Idol talent contest at Innisbrook. 

The charity event was held Nov. 10 to benefit skin cancer prevention efforts and was hosted by Florida Hospital North Pinellas and the Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation.

Throughout the night, six bands, each featuring one local physician, took the stage for 15 minutes with hopes of winning the title of Doctor Idol Tampa Bay. Nathalie Hernandez, a Dunedin resident who recently appeared on NBC’s The Voice, also joined one of the bands as a guest singer. 

Expert critiques were provided by celebrity judges including Eric Deggans, Tampa Bay Times TV/media critic; Ron Diaz, 620 WDEA The Sports Animal radio host; and Shannon Magrane, American Idol Season 11 finalist.

Local Fox 13 reporter, Charley Belcher emceed the event and presented the coveted title of Doctor Idol Tampa Bay to the best band of the night – Doyle’s Revenge. Dr. Brian Maiocco, an orthopedic surgeon for Florida Hospital North Pinellas shined as the lead vocalist during the band’s performance of several popular rock hits.

Doctor Idol was held to benefit Operation Sunshine, a program for early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers. Because of the generosity of Sun Toyota, a mobile unit named The Mole Patrol will provide screening and information to residents throughout northern Pinellas and western Pasco counties.

“We couldn’t be happier with the success of our first year of Doctor Idol Tampa Bay,” said Terry Smither, Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation Director. “Operation Sunshine will launch officially in the next two months, and I personally cannot wait to see the impact this mobile skin cancer screening initiative will have on our community.”

Related-

• Doctors to Rock Out for Charity