Women’s Circle announces 2023 grant recipients, approaches decade of impactful women's health philanthropy
The Circle of Women's Health Philanthropists gathered for its Annual Holiday Celebration on December 5, 2023. Read the recap story and view the photo gallery shown below.
Capping off a meaningful ninth year, the Summa Foundation Circle of Women’s Health Philanthropists gathered for its annual Holiday Celebration on Tuesday, December 5, hosted by Founding Chair Julia Rea Bianchi at Portage Country Club.
Approaching its 10th anniversary, The Circle has awarded $961,515 in grants to many areas of Summa Health from the Family Medicine Center and Women’s Health Center to the Neuroscience Institute and Pastoral Care Services and more. With their collective gifts in 2023, Circle members awarded four grants for the very first time, totaling $98,287, in support of women’s health:
- The Summa Health Complex Care Clinic will introduce a caregiver stress and sensory room, specifically designed to accommodate autistic patients and their family members, providing a serene environment tailored to their needs.
- The Senior Health program at the Complex Care Institute is launching a new initiative to enhance communication and minimize stigma for patients suffering from dementia, ensuring they receive the compassion and understanding they deserve.
- Women Deserve to Smile, a program offering comprehensive dental restoration services such as implants, dental bridges, crowns, and dentures, is set to bring renewed confidence and health to women in need of these vital services.
- The Smart Start Medical Assistant Education Program is an empowering opportunity that enables women to pursue a career in healthcare, equipping them to support their families and contribute to the community's well-being.
"The Circle's mission is to ignite positive change in women's health, and with every grant we award, we see that mission come to life," said Ginnie Abell, chair of The Circle of Women's Health Philanthropists. "Our collective giving has a ripple effect by improving health outcomes today and empowering women for a better tomorrow. We are immensely proud of the difference we make and are excited for what the next decade holds."
Ginnie Abell recognized and thanked Founding Chair Julia Rea Bianchi and former chairs Ginger Marchetta and Colleen O’Connor Wernig for their service and leadership. She then introduced 11 new Circle members who joined in 2023. She also recognized the newest Patroness and Marie Lawson Society members who have demonstrated 4-year and 10-year commitments respectively to The Circle:
- Patroness members Kimberly Dean, Julie Ghoubrial, Robin Laskey-Jobkar and Swathi West
- Marie Lawson Society members Phylis Ferrara, Jean Foust, Tara Scott, Sally Shaffer and Lynn Yanke
All members were presented with a charm of a mother and child to symbolize how The Circle makes an impact on future generations for the healthcare of women in our community.
The Circle continues to demonstrate that when communities unite for a common cause, the impact is not just momentary—it's a legacy of health and empowerment for generations to come. As the group enters its 10th year of helping women in its community, members hope to surpass a target of $1 million in cumulative giving in 2024. For more information about The Circle and how to get involved, please visit www.summahealth.org/thecircle.
