An Evening of Leadership, Legacy and Impact
Dr. Michael Riesberg, Founder of Riesberg Institute at the Haus of Hue. Photography by Joan Savage of Jai P Photography.
CityBox Magazine celebrates cover star Dr. Michael Riesberg and a distinguished gathering of medical, business and community leaders at The District Lounge
CityBox Magazine gathered an exceptional group of medical professionals, business leaders and community advocates at The District Lounge for a private celebration honoring cover star Dr. Michael Riesberg, founder of The Riesberg Institute. The evening also featured guest speaker Troy Rafferty, guest presenter Tabitha Christopher, the Practitioners Collective headlined by Dr. Marcos Ortega, and a charity spotlight recognizing Alicia Tappan and Survivor-Led Solutions.
Leadership is measured not only by professional achievement, but also by the trust we build, the people we serve and the legacy we create along the way.
That spirit defined an intimate evening at The District Lounge as CityBox Magazine brought together an exceptional group of medical professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and community advocates for a private, in-person celebration of leadership, service and meaningful connection.
At the heart of the evening was the presentation of CityBox Magazine cover star Dr. Michael Riesberg, founder of The Riesberg Institute. A board-certified ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. Riesberg has built a career shaped by medical excellence, military service, innovation and a deeply personal commitment to patient care.
His cover feature documents a leadership journey that extends far beyond the examination room. With 26 years of service as a United States Navy physician and flight surgeon, Dr. Riesberg brings discipline, precision and service-centered leadership to every dimension of his work. Through The Riesberg Institute, he continues to advance specialized care for hearing, sinus and voice conditions while helping patients feel heard, informed and supported throughout their health journeys.
The celebration offered guests an opportunity to experience the people, purpose and stories behind the pages of CityBox Magazine. Dr. Riesberg’s accompanying video reels brought his feature to life through a series of personal conversations exploring his professional journey, leadership philosophy, approach to patient relationships and vision for the future of care. Together, the magazine feature and video series created a multidimensional portrait of a physician whose work is grounded in expertise, trust and human connection.
A Conversation About Leadership and Legacy
The evening’s guest speaker, Troy Rafferty, trial attorney and shareholder at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, brought a compelling perspective shaped by advocacy, leadership and service. As a previous CityBox Magazine cover star, Rafferty understands the significance of documenting the individuals whose work influences industries, organizations and communities.
His participation connected two CityBox cover stories through a shared belief: enduring leadership is not defined by title alone, but by the courage to serve others, uphold meaningful standards and use influence with purpose.
Dr. Marcos Ortega, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon & Owner of Ortega Plastic Surgery. Photography by Ben Calloway at the Haus of Hue.
Tabitha Christopher, founder and CEO of Legacy Impact Co. and a CityBox Magazine cover star, served as guest presenter. In one of the evening’s most moving moments, Christopher delivered a heartfelt tribute as she presented Dr. Marcos Ortega, thoughtfully illuminating the achievements, defining milestones and leadership journey that have shaped his distinguished career.
With warmth and intention, Christopher honored not only Dr. Ortega’s accomplishments as a surgeon, but also the professional legacy, commitment to excellence and devotion to patient care represented by his work. Her presentation transformed the introduction into a meaningful reflection on the people, principles and years of service behind an enduring name in Pensacola medicine.
Known for helping leaders translate their vision into meaningful and sustainable impact, Christopher brought a deeply legacy-centered voice to the program. Her tribute reflected the collaborative spirit of the evening and the power of leaders gathering not simply to be recognized, but to recognize one another with authenticity and purpose.
The Practitioners Collective
A defining moment of the evening was the presentation of the Practitioners Collective, a distinguished group representing excellence across medicine, behavioral health, wellness, aesthetics and patient-centered care.
Presented by Tabitha Christopher, the collective was headlined by Dr. Marcos Ortega, a board-certified plastic surgeon carrying forward Ortega Plastic Surgery’s longstanding Pensacola legacy in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Her moving tribute provided a powerful introduction to a career defined by achievement, leadership and service. Dr. Ortega’s work reflects a continued commitment to surgical excellence, patient care and the enduring standards established through generations of practice in the community.
Joining the presentation were respected leaders from Lakeview Center: Shawn Salamida, president; Dr. David Josephs, clinical director; Dr. Terry Ptacek, addictionologist; and Sweneda McDonald, director of medication-assisted treatment. Their collective work represents the essential intersection of clinical expertise, behavioral healthcare, recovery services and compassionate community support.
The Practitioners Collective also recognized Hailey Vavao, Mary Alexander, founder of Hello Beauty, Faith Morgan and Alexis Bolin—leaders whose work contributes distinct perspectives to wellness, business, professional service and community life. Together, the participants demonstrated that care takes many forms and that meaningful impact often begins where professional expertise meets empathy, accessibility and human connection.
Rather than presenting healthcare and wellness as isolated disciplines, the Practitioners Collective illuminated the value of a connected professional community. Each participant brought a different area of knowledge, yet all shared a commitment to serving people with excellence and intention.
Shawn Salamida, President of Lakeview Center.
A Spotlight on Survivor-Led Service
The evening also placed purpose at the center of the program through a charity spotlight recognizing Survivor-Led Solutions, founded by Alicia Tappan.
Survivor-Led Solutions reflects the importance of informed advocacy and the transformative power of allowing lived experience to help shape meaningful support. By elevating the voices, needs and leadership of survivors, the organization brings visibility to work that demands courage, compassion and sustained community engagement.
The charity spotlight served as an important reminder that leadership is not always exercised from a stage or within an institution. It is also found in the decision to transform experience into service, create pathways for others and stand beside individuals as they rebuild their lives.
Alicia Tappan, Founder. Survivors-Led Solutions. Photography by Joan Savage of Jai P Photography at Mrs. Jones Cold Brew Coffee.
Where Meaningful Connections Begin
Hosted at The District Lounge in Pensacola, the private gathering created an atmosphere that was both elevated and personal. The setting encouraged genuine conversation among guests whose work spans medicine, law, behavioral health, beauty, real estate, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and community leadership.
This was not simply a cover unveiling. It was a living expression of the CityBox mission: to discover exceptional people, document their leadership and connect them through experiences that strengthen relationship capital.
Every element of the evening—from Dr. Riesberg’s cover presentation and leadership reels to the Practitioners Collective and the Survivor-Led Solutions spotlight—revealed a different dimension of influence. Some leaders heal. Some advocate. Some build. Some guide. Some create opportunities for others to be seen and supported. Together, they form the fabric of a stronger community.
CityBox Magazine is honored to document these stories and preserve the people, achievements and relationships shaping our cities. The evening at The District Lounge demonstrated what becomes possible when accomplished leaders gather with openness, generosity and a shared commitment to impact.
For Dr. Michael Riesberg, the cover marks an important professional milestone. More importantly, it preserves a story of service, innovation and trust—one that continues to influence patients, colleagues and the community he serves.
CityBox Magazine
Discover. Document. Connect.
Where Leadership Becomes Legacy.