Bestselling Author and Local News Anchor Lead Event to Support Nation’s Leading Respiratory Hospital

New Directions for Women’s Health Luncheon Raises More Than $60,000 for National Jewish Health

New York Times bestselling author Heidi Hanna, PhD, and Felicia Rodriguez, news anchor for WPBF 25, teamed up March 4 at the New Directions for Women’s Health Luncheon to help raise more than $60,000 for National Jewish Health, the nation’s leading respiratory hospital. Rodriguez, the event’s emcee, introduced Dr. Hanna, who offered tips for improving health by controlling stress. Nearly 200 people attended the luncheon at the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club. 

“I have been involved with National Jewish Health for over a decade, and I am committed to telling others about the great work taking place at National Jewish Health,” said Event Chair Elaine H. Weinberg, vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley.

The world-class physicians and researchers at National Jewish Health are experts in heart and lung diseases that affect women. Funds raised at the New Directions for Women’s Health Luncheon support the institution’s work to deliver compassionate care and conduct cutting-edge research into heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, adult-onset asthma, and other diseases affecting millions of women worldwide.

Last year, Floridians traveled to the National Jewish Health campus in Denver for care more than 1,000 times. The institution provided more than $253,000 in charity care to Florida residents during that time.

The New Directions for Women’s Health Luncheon is hosted by the Southeastern Regional Office of National Jewish Health located in Boca Raton. In just its first three years, the luncheon has raised nearly $200,000 to support women’s heart and lung health programs at National Jewish Health.

The Benefactor Donor for New Directions for Women’s Health Luncheon was the Fine and Greenwald Foundation. Silent auction items and raffle prizes were donated by a number of local and national organizations, including Regency Jewels and the Regency Collection, Neiman Marcus Boca Raton, Turnberry Isle Miami and Bourbon Steak, Saks Fifth Avenue Boca Raton, Jane and Charles Mandell, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt Regency Denver and The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera. The event committee, chaired by Elaine H. Weinberg, vice president at Morgan Stanley, included: