What We Do

Several times a year, the Forum hosts an event called Girls’ Night! at which esteemed members of the Miller faculty speak on topics related to women’s health. The events are by invitation only and take place in private homes. Past speakers include Dr. Leo B. Twiggs, who gave a talk titled “Sex, Lies, and HPV,” Medical School Dean Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, who discussed “Women and Heart Disease,” and Dr. Wendy Lee, who spoke about “Women and Aesthetics.” Speakers scheduled for 2007-08 include Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance, who will present “Human Genomics and Genomic Medicine: Why it’s Worth the Hype,” and Dr. Ralph Sacco, who will present “Women and Stroke.” In addition, Medical School Dean Dr. Pascal J. Goldschmidt and Dr. Leo B. Twiggs will speak to the Forum members in Boca Raton in the Spring of 2008.

Last April, the Forum hosted the first annual Girls’ Lunch Bunch! at the Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Twiggs was the guest speaker at this event which raised $46,000 in support of cervical cancer research and treatment for womenat the Miller School of Medicine. The Forum chose to support this effort, because the HPV vaccine is the only available vaccine for any kind of women’s cancer. The Forum will continue its support of cervical cancer research and treatment with funds raised at the 2008 luncheon.

Finally, the Forum is committed to a community partnership with the Jack and Jill Children’s Center in Fort Lauderdale. The Center serves underserved families in Broward County. Last spring, the Miller School’s Department of Community Service (DOCS), an organization of committed student volunteers who provide health care under the supervision of faculty physicians through community health fairs and weekly clinics, hosted a Health Fair for mothers at the Jack and Jill Children's Center. In addition, Dr. Twiggs has spoken to the mothers about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer. More speakers from the Miller School are planned for 2007-08. Topics to be presented include issues in reproductive health including contraception and STDs.

For more information about the Forum on Women's Health, or if you would like to receive an invitation to the 2008 Girls' Lunch Bunch! , kindly contact Patty Kearns at prkearns121@aol.com or Beatriz Carrazana at bcarrazana@med.miami.edu.  Tickets to the luncheon are $250 and $100.

Forum members at a Girls' Night!

From left, Forum members Elizabeth Miller (also a
board member), Christine Pujara, and Natalie Sessa.

From left: Tricia Rutsis, Mimi Bauer, Deanna Wheeler,
and Lucille Fannin pose with paintings auctioned off
during the Girls' Lunch Bunch! event.