Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon Raises over $140,000 for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Services at SMH

March 31, 2021 – Sarasota

Over 300 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 8th annual Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon on March 26. The event, held virtually, was themed “566 Things Women Should Know About Aging Gracefully.” The program focused on bone and joint health with paddle raise proceeds helping to fund a new bone density scanner at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. Audience participation included an online paddle raise, silent auction and live chat.

The program opened with a welcome from event co-chairs Deb Kabinoff, Chris Voelker and Angelia Wood. Lorrie Liang, President, Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota Campus, delivered an update on key initiatives at the Health System, including the new Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute and SMH – Venice Hospital, and the future Behavior Health Pavilion on the main campus. Liang also shared a segment recognizing that women are multitaskers—running households, caring for families, pursuing careers—and stressed the importance of self care. The segment was highlighted with photographs from 15 women in leadership positions at SMH showing how they balance work and home life.

The educational program, moderated by Stephanie Roberts, co-host and producer of Suncoast View ABC7 included a panel of bone and joint experts, including Julie Gladden Barré, M.D., Sports Medicine and General Orthopedics, Kelly J. Hamel, M.D., FACOG, Gynecology and Obstetrics and Sarah Wengert PT, DPT, CBIS, AIB-VR, Sarasota Memorial Rehabilitation Pavilion. The discussion primarily focused on the causes of bone loss in women, the importance of annual exams and bone density tests. The experts also shared tips on healthy habits that can prevent or lessen bone loss.

“Our Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon continued its mission of bringing women of our community important healthcare information, this time in a virtual environment,” said Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation president Mason Ayres. “Helping SMH fund an additional bone density scanner will expand the availability of appointments and help ensure that this important diagnostic test is readily available to all those who need it.”

Virtual eventgoers were also treated to an in-home lunch specially prepared and delivered by Michael’s on East.

Lead sponsors | Scientist: Amicus Foundation and Iberia Wealth Advisors – A Division of First Horizon Bank

Research Sponsors: Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Beverly Bartner and Janice Zarro, Deb Kabinoff, State Street Eating House + Cocktails, Jim and Charlie Ann Syprett, Take Care Private Duty Home Health Care and Robert and Angelia Wood.

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation is the philanthropic partner that helps Sarasota Memorial Health Care System bring world-class healthcare to our community. For over 45 years, the Healthcare Foundation has provided grants to enhance patient care, facilities, technology, and to support ongoing clinical education and medical research. smhf.org