SMHF’s Women & Medicine Luncheon Raises Over $210,000

March 28, 2023 – Sarasota

On March 24, 2023, over 400 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 10th annual Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon held at Michael’s on East. The program featured a panel discussion from leading behavioral health experts. Over $210,000 was raised. Proceeds will help support patient care services at the Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion scheduled to open late this year on the SMH-Sarasota campus. 

The program opened with a welcome from returning event co-chairs and Healthcare Foundation board members, Gwen MacKenzie and Sandi Stuart. Lorrie Liang, President, Sarasota Memorial Hospital–Sarasota Campus presented key mental health statistics and shared Sarasota Memorial’s approach to behavioral health care. The educational program, moderated by Stephanie Roberts, executive producer and co-host of Suncoast View on ABC7, included a panel of behavioral health experts: Robinder Bhangoo, M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, First Physicians Group; Terry Cassidy, Executive Director, Behavioral Health Services, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System; and Dana Gau, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The discussion primarily focused on the stressors affecting women as the primary caregivers of their families, the adverse impact of the pandemic on mental health, and how and when to seek help. An audience Q&A session followed.

“The Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon is a one-of-a-kind experience where the women in Sarasota come together to learn about healthcare issues affecting them and their families,” said Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation president Stacey Corley. “We are so grateful for their support, which is critical to making help available for anyone who is struggling—without having to leave home.”

2023 Women & Medicine Lead Sponsors

Scientist: First Horizon Advisors; Researcher: Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Deb Kabinoff Fund; Charmaine Downie and Angelia Wood; Keiser University; Barbara Rodkin and Audrey Stewart; Sarasota Emergency Associates; Sandi Stuart and Mike Murray; and Jim and Charlie Ann Syprett