8th Annual Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon

Plaza Health Network Foundation celebrated the Eighth Annual Women of Distinction & Caring luncheon honoring seven community leaders at the Hilton Miami Downtown. Guests were treated to a champagne reception upon arrival during which they were able to shop at various boutiques as well as purchase a mystery Sunburst Society Yellow box donated by Kendra Scott jewelry. A silent auction allowed attendees to bid on a variety of donated items such as trips, hotel stays, clothing, and art work.

Director of Communications at the City of Miami, Diana Gonzalez, a 2008 Honoree, welcomed guests joined by Ilene Zweig, Executive Director of Plaza Health Network Foundation along with Ron S. Lowy, Esq., Plaza Health Network Board Chair. Introduced with a moving video tribute that celebrated their leadership, volunteer service and philanthropy, the 2017 honorees were Terry Buoniconti, Community Leader, Philanthropist to The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis/The Miami Project; Dorothy JenkinsFields, Educator, Historian, Journalist and Founder of the Black Archives; Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, First Hispanic Congresswoman, Prominent Educator, State of Florida Senator and Representative; Ana VeigaMilton, Past Chair, Zoo Miami, Jackson Foundation Board Member, President of Jose Milton Foundation and Philanthropist; Terri Shikany, Executive Vice President, Health Coalition, Inc., Women of Tomorrow Mentor; Grace Wang, MD, Oncologist and Breast Cancer Advocate, Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute; 2017 BESSIE Award Recipient, Shelley Niceley Groff, Esq., Jewish Community Leader, Past Chair Jewish Community Relations Council of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Proceeds from the luncheon support Plaza Health Network patient focused innovative programs and services that go above and beyond the basics covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances.