Volunteers in Medicine of Jacksonville held its second annual Women With Heart Luncheon presented by Florida Blue Wednesday, Feb. 7, celebrating 11 local women for their leadership, advocacy and generosity, as well as their dedication to the nonprofit’s philanthropic cause.
Held at the Florida Blue Conference Center in Jacksonville, the luncheon was attended by Volunteers in Medicine staff, sponsors and past and present Women With Heart honorees. Hosted by actress Jayne Atkinson-Gill of the Netflix original series “House of Cards,” the program kicked off the 2018 honorees’ year-long campaign to raise awareness for the nonprofit’s mission to provide free outpatient medical services to Northeast Florida’s low-income and uninsured families and individuals.
“In light of the uncertainty surrounding healthcare, Volunteers in Medicine has never been more important than right now, which is why I am so thrilled and honored to be here today to join Volunteers in Medicine and you in celebrating these 11 Women With Heart,” said Atkinson-Gill, who is also the sister of Dany Atkinson, one of this year’s honorees.
Other 2018 honorees include Cheryl Barnett, Dr. Pam Chally, State Sen. Aubrey Gibson, Leslie Gordon, Shelley Morgan, Silvia Pulido, Dr. Diane Raines, Dr. Estrellita H. Redmon, Melissa Ross and Dr. Elana Schrader. Through December, each woman will spend one month serving as an ambassador for Volunteers in Medicine, raising funds and awareness throughout their local communities. Each honoree will also have the unique opportunity to wear “The Heart of Jacksonville,” a heart-shaped diamond necklace designed by Beard’s Jewelry specifically for the Women With Heart, which will be raffled off at the 2019 luncheon next February. Tickets to win the $7,000 necklace can be purchased at www.vim-jax.org.
“We thank our community’s partners, our sponsors today,” Volunteers in Medicine CEO Mary Pat Corrigan said. “I don’t think we can adequately express our gratitude to the companies, foundation, donors and individuals, many of whom are with us today and share our passion for Volunteers in Medicine’s mission.”