9th Annual Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon
Benefiting Plaza Health Network
The Plaza Health Network Foundation celebrated the Ninth Annual Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon honoring nine outstanding community leaders at the Hilton Miami Downtown on November 15th. Louis Aguirre, WPLG Local 10 anchor, served as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed guests along with Norma Jean Abraham, Luncheon Chairman; Thelma Gibson, RN, Josefina Carbonell, & Linda Levy Goldberg served as Co-Chairs. Elaine Bloom, PHN President & CEO, along with Ronald Lowy Esq., Chairman of the PHN Board recognized Joan Brent for her 18 years of service on the PHN Board as well as Captain Marvin Greenwald for his many years of service as Director of Professional Services.
Introduced with a moving video tribute that celebrated their leadership, volunteer service and philanthropy, the 2018 honorees were:
- Maria Alonso – President and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade
- Gabriela Rachadell de Delgado – Attorney, Philanthropist supporting Boys & Girls Club/Miami
- Swanee DiMare – Philanthropist and Community Leader
- Barbara Black Goldfarb – Past Chair of Greater Miami Jewish Federation; Chair of the 2018 Federation Mission to Israel; 2018 BESSIE Award Recipient
- Cindy Hutson – Chef/Owner, Ortanique on the Mile and Zest Restaurants; Culinary Ambassador of Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health
- Virginia Jacko – President and CEO, Lighthouse for the Blind
- Laurie Jennings – WPLG Local 10 Anchor and Community Volunteer
- Annie Neasman, RN, MS – President and CEO, Jessie Trice Community Health Centers; Former Deputy Secretary, Florida Department of Health
- Darlene Boytell-Perez, ARPN – Healthcare Advocate and Philanthropist
Awards were presented by Ilene Zweig, PHN Foundation Executive Director and Kristyn Schwartz, PHN Foundation Director of Development. Proceeds from the luncheon support Plaza Health Network patient focused innovative programs and services that go above and beyond what is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and insurances.
Sunburst Society Members: Dorothy Jenkins Fields, 2017, and Pam Garrison, 2016 Women of Distinction & Caring
Ron Lowy, Esq. PHN Board Chairman, Joan Brent, Marvin Greenwald and Elaine Bloom, PHN President & CEO
Ilene Zweig, PHN Foundation Executive Director, Abraham Galbut, Trish & Dan Bell
orma Jean Abraham and Mary Louise Young
David Van Sky, Cindy Hutson, Lisa Weiner and Delius Shirley
Louis Aguirre, Master of Ceremonies
Swanee DiMare and Darlene Boytell-Perez
Patricia Fuller, Laura Buccellati, Minerva Arboleya and Marile Lopez, Luncheon Co-Chair
Robin Jacobs, 2016 BESSIE Award Recipient, and Bernice Schwartz
Standing: Charisse Grant, Norma Jean Abraham, Luncheon Chairman, and Merline Barton; Seated: Thelma Gibson, Luncheon Co-Chair, and Dr. Ora Strickland, 2015 Woman of Distinction & Caring
Bonnie Reiter, Abbey Feinberg, Elinor Ganz, Barbara Black Goldfarb, Jessalyn Goldfarb, Norma Kipnis Wilson, Offi Osin-Cohen and Robin Jacobs
Magic City Opera's Rebekah Diaz and Graham Fandrei
The Art & Beauty of Aging Photography Exhibit with Photographer Ryan Troy
YPO Ladies, 2018 Women of Distinction Honorees and other guests
Violeta Cepeda, Terri Shikany, 2017 Woman of Distinction & Caring, and Barbara Waters
Kristyn Schwartz, PHN Foundation Director of Development, and Nancy Schwartz
Carla Landeo McQuide, Mirtha Boytell, Darlene Boytell-Perez and Diana Boytell
Virgina Jacko and her service dog
Trish and Dan Bell
Britni Garcia, Jennifer Boin-Getz, Isa Mendez and Katie Repici
Gracy Weberman and Christine Nunzio
Jessica Vega, Amantha Prophete and Jennifer Solis
Ramona Busot and Laurie Jennings
Ana Munoz and Kristen Vallejo from Kendra Scott
Charlene Villalba, Helena Ulloa and Norma Jean Abraham
Josefina Carbonell and Annie Neasman
Nancy Gold and Leslie Munsell
Linda Levy Goldberg, Elaine Bloom, Josefina Carbonell and Norma Jean Abraham
Past and Present Women of Distinction & Caring Honorees
