SMHF’s Women & Medicine Raises Over $260,000

April 4, 2025 | Sarasota

On Friday, March 28, 2025, a record 465 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 12^th annual Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon. The event was held for the first time at The ORA to accommodate the growing number of attendees each year. The program featured an interactive panel discussion on women’s heart health raising over $260,000 net. Proceeds help SMH bring world-class healthcare to our community.

The program opened with a welcome from event co-chairs Barbara Rodkin, Healthcare Foundation board member, and Audrey Stewart. Lisa Baumgardner, Chief Nursing Officer, Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota, provided an overview of SMH’s cardiac care program. The educational portion of the program, moderated by Stephanie Roberts, executive producer and co-host of Suncoast View on ABC7, included a panel of female healthcare experts: Kristen Walker, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgery, First Physicians Group; Laura McLeroy, RD, LD, N, Clinical Dietitian; and Meredith Cleveland, BS, CCRP, ACSM/NPAS, Supervisor, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services/Program Director – Ornish Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation. The discussion primarily focused on heart disease and steps women can take to lower their risk. Guests participated in a Q&A session to conclude the program.

“We’re so grateful to the women of Sarasota who year after year make our Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon so successful,” said Healthcare Foundation president Stacey Corley. “It’s a unique event for our community where guests take away important and actionable information about their health.”

2025 Women & Medicine-Sarasota Lead Sponsors

Physician:  Gidget’s Coastal Provisions
Scientist:  Cheryl Gorelick and Jake Zeigler; and Barbara Rodkin and Audrey Stewart

Researcher:  Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Veronica Brady and Kathy Brown; First Horizon Advisors; Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute; Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Lorraine and Richard Schwarz Family Foundation; Jon and Libby Soderberg Family Fund; Sandi Stuart and Mike Murray; Take Care Home Health; and Bob and Angelia Wood