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Women’s Guild Pays it Forward at Annual Luncheon

With more than 500 Women’s Guild members and guests looking on, Women’s Guild President Gina Furth showed how to flex some financial muscle.

“This is my first time to have this honor,” Furth said with delight as Arthur J. Ochoa, Cedars-Sinai senior vice president for Community Relations and Development, joined her onstage at the Women’s Guild annual spring luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. “Art, I’m proud to give you $1 million as part of our pledge to the simulation center.”

That check makes Women’s Guild on target to complete its $10 million pledge next year to the Women’s Guild Simulation Center for Advanced Clinical Skills at Cedars-Sinai. “It’s quite remarkable when you consider that we’re an all-volunteer organization,” Furth noted.

The bucks didn’t stop there. Furth also presented Ochoa with a check for $500,000 to fully fund its newest project, The Women’s Guild Chair in Gastroenterology, awarded to Shelly Lu, MD, director of the Division of Gastroenterology. “She is an amazing doctor, a nationally recognized, high-caliber scientist, and an exceptional woman,” Furth said.

Co-chaired by Lynne Bookman, Caryl Golden and Julie Solnit, the annual event also honored a trio of exceptional women including NBC News’ Today host Natalie Morales, who received the Woman of Achievement Award. A new resident of Los Angeles, Morales said the accolade felt like a tremendous welcome to the community. “I’m in awe of the work that Women’s Guild does,” she remarked. “Gina told me that they were going to raise $10 million for the simulation center. To see that money in action, and the incredible facility, is truly remarkable.”

Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis was presented with the group’s Trailblazer Award. “I toured the Women’s Guild Simulation Center and I was blown away,” she said. “It’s my hope that every single woman here will take the opportunity to visit this incredible teaching facility. Once experienced, you’ll agree that a simulation center should be a requirement of every single medical center.”

Board member Lynn Beyer received the Evelyn Clayburgh (Evie) Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership, service and dedication to Women’s Guild. “I am so proud to honor a member who is not only an extraordinary and long-term member of Women’s Guild, but also a special friend of mine — a woman I’ve admired for decades,” Furth said. “Today, we honor her for her commitment to Women’s Guild and her dedication to our current project.”

Beyer was unable to attend the event but her friend and fellow board member Barbara Belzberg accepted on her behalf. “It means so much to Lynn to be part of an organization that is not only incredibly effective but also full of warmth and heart,” said Belzberg. “She’s deeply proud of the work all of you do throughout the year and is honored to be a part of our team effort to help Cedars-Sinai reach even greater heights as a pillar of reliability, innovation and health in Los Angeles. She’s overwhelmed and humbled by this award and sends you her deep thanks and love.”

Thanking all members, past and present, Furth pointed out that Women’s Guild has donated more than $50 million to the medical center through the years. “It’s humbling to lead this extraordinary group of women and represent an organization with such a rich history as Women’s Guild’s for projects that ensure that Cedars-Sinai remains one of the best health centers in medical research and patient care,” she said.

Bloomingdale’s Century City was a luncheon benefactor. Raffle prizes were donated by the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Bobbe Joy Cosmetics, The Core Center Pilates Studio, Duff Goldman, Koi, Lalique, Deborah Landis, Marco Bicego, M’attias, the Montage Hotel, Nelson J Salon, Spago, Swarovski, and XIV Karats and Jackie Applebaum.