Plaza Health Network Honors the 2015 Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon

Over 350 community leaders gathered together to celebrate and honor the volunteer service, professional achievements, and philanthropy of five exceptional women at the recent 2015 Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon. Held in the Jungle Island Tree Top Ballroom, the day’s festivities included a silent auction and art to wear boutiques, a lavish lunch and a surprise musical performance by the budding opera star, Roberto Iarussi. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the Foundation’s ongoing effort to deliver life-improving and innovative experiences for residents and patients of the Plaza Health Network’s award winning rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, as well as the H.E.L.P (Health Education Learning Program) for seniors living in the community.
The 2015 Honorees were:
- Toby Ansin, Founder of Miami City Ballet
- Trish Bell, Chair Emeritus Chapman Partnership and Co-Chair Patricia and Phillip Frost Frost Museum of Science
- Roberta Orlen Chaplin, ardent supporter of the Roberta Orlen Chaplin Digital Breast Imaging Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Marile Lopez, Board Chair of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Dr. Ora Lea Strickland, Ph.D, RN, Dean and Professor at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Florida International University
About Plaza Health Network
Plaza Health Network is the largest not-for-profit network of rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities in Miami-Dade County. Services include but are not limited to, post-operative care and rehabilitation, stroke care and rehabilitation, diabetes care and management, Alzheimer’s care, wound care, and orthopedic rehabilitation therapy.
The Plaza Health Network Foundation plays a critical role in the South Florida community. For the network, the Foundation supports innovative experiences for residents and patients beyond the primary needs covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Through outreach and health education programs, the Foundation answers the questions that so many families have about care for their aging loved ones.
“A civilization is judged by how it cares for its elderly.”
Deborah Posner, Josephine Baker, Linda Gibb, Kathy Simkins, former Honoree Thelma Gibson; Seated: former Honoree Sonja Zuckerman
Former Honorees Rosy Cancela and Thelma Gibson
Elaine Bloom, Russell & Ronalee Galbut and Marissa Galbut
Dan & Trish Bell
Rachel Schuster, Candace & David Muhlrad, and Gracy Weberman
Joanna Barusch and Joann Silva
Alejandro Elies with Dr. Diane Sanders
Toby Ansin, Sanford Evans and Stephanie Ansin
Jennifer Boin and Melanie Cohen
Former Honoree Raphael Bastian, Rosy Cancela, Sallie Byrd and Joanna Barusch
Rita Wilder, Dan & Trish Bell and Gillian Thomas
Trish Bell with Nancy Batchelor
Lorraine Greenberg and David Greenberg
Mary Rosenberg, Ivette Mortino, Marlene Berg, Anna Britti and Donna Lyons
Doctors Toby and Frances Berman
Alice Fisher with Gilka Kay
Ronald Lowy, Elizabeth Cook and Elissa Cook
Risa Ruvin, Ronalee Galbut and Joan Brent
Maria Elena Fuentes, Jorge Luis & Marile Lopez
Valerie De Rocca, Dr. Ann-Lynn Denker, Chief Clinical Officer of Plaza Health Network, and Rabbi Marc Phillipe
Althea Peck, Judy Welsh, Helen Briggle and Celia Wallace
Josephine Baker, Sonja Zuckerman, Harvey Ruvin and Marlene Berg
John Quinn, Elaine Bloom, Dorothy St. Jean, former Honoree Bunny Bastian and Guest
Dan & Trish Bell, Joy Wallace and Rolando Rodriguez
Hildine Potashnick, Harriet Shapiro, Barbara Rubin and Betty Brandt
ECCOLAB Group
Plaza Health Network Administrators: Rachel Schuster, South Pointe Plaza; Heidi Tucker, Sinai Plaza; Desiree Sebastian, Ponce Plaza; Lury Ow, Jackson Plaza; Barry Preter, Arch Plaza; Nelly Nunez, University Plaza; and Renee Lebon, Aventura Plaza.
Dan & Trish Bell and Guests
Jorge & Marile Lopez and Guests
Seated: Peggy Armaly, Josephine Baker, Sonja Zuckerman, Ellie Trotter and Barbara Rubin; Standing: Marilyn Fellman, Betty Brandt, Martha, and Hildine Postashnick
Bloom family and Guests