On April 14th, the brothers of Tennessee Alpha at Vanderbilt University hosted the 15th Annual Vann Webb Memorial Pig Roast, a benefit that honors the memory of their brother Vann Webb who tragically died from pancreatic cancer during his sophomore year at
Vanderbilt University. The benefit raised $19,000+ for the Siloam Family Health Center, a Nashville organization that provides medical service to those who cannot afford health insurance. The event, held at the Tennessee Alpha chapter house, featured a performance by Mockingbird Sun, a large pig roast, barbeque and a gathering of good friends.

Vann Webb’s story is a deeply sad and heartrending one. Vann was an outstanding student and leader on campus; however in only the two short years knowing him, most everyone at Vanderbilt and within Phi Delta Theta could agree that greater than his intellect or courage, was his enormous heart and personality. Vann was a loyal brother of Phi Delt and a tremendous friend that brightened the lives of everyone around him. During his sophomore year at Vanderbilt University Vann was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and in a far too swift and tragic fashion, he passed away the same year. His kindness and enthusiasm was inspiring and his memory is dearly missed.

The Annual Vann Webb Pig Roast was started by Vann’s father Billy Webb (Tennessee Alpha ’74) to celebrate his life and raise money for great causes. The Siloam Family Health Center greatly improves the lives of those most in need within the Nashville community. In 2012, they provided medical services to 21,757 patients, whose average income was just above the poverty level. Further, in addition to its medical staff, as a part of their “whole-person healthcare” model, the center also has a pastoral counselor, a behavioral health consultant and a social worker that provide psychological and spiritual counseling to support and encourage their patients’ well being. This healthcare model is both necessary and proven. 100% of the Siloam Center’s patients are uninsured or functionally uninsured and 86% of them are foreign-born coming from 77 different countries and speaking 69 different languages. The work the center has accomplished has set the bar for cultural sensitivity to immigrants and refugees in the Nashville area and has led them to become the overseer for the Tennessee Refugee Medical Screening Program since 2003.

Vann Webb was a compassionate and dynamic individual, his personality lit up rooms and his energy for life positively affected everyone around him. Vann would have thrown his full weight and support behind the Siloam Center’s great cause.