Speaker Series benefits Wolfson Children’s Hospital
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 16, 2024) – The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital proudly announces Randy DeFoor and Maxine McBride as co-chairs of the 2024-25 Florida Forum Speaker Series. The Florida Forum is responsible for bringing a world-class speaker series to the First Coast.
DeFoor is an attorney and businesswoman and served as a Jacksonville City Council member from 2019-23. A longtime member of The Women’s Board, DeFoor is the daughter of founding member Marian Poitevent.
McBride is President of Clockwork Marketing. She has been involved with The Women’s Board, the Florida Forum and the First Coast Design Show for many years.
“I am honored to be working with these women on the Florida Forum series, and our speaker schedule will be announced soon,” said Kendra McCrary, President of The Women’s Board. “As in past years, we anticipate welcoming tremendous speakers to our events who are inspiring and memorable. We are proud that the Florida Forum raises awareness and funds for Wolfson Children’s Hospital, supporting its mission to provide the highest quality of advanced pediatric healthcare and helping to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.”
Funds raised by the Florida Forum support The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s commitment to raise $1.5 million for two new Kids Kare Mobile Intensive Care Units (ICUs) by the end of 2024. The Mobile ICUs are part of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Transport fleet, which includes necessary life-support equipment for the transportation of critically ill and injured infants and children.
Since 1992, the Florida Forum has been honored to host renowned speakers from around the world, offering profound insights and discussions on a broad range of issues. In addition to enriching Jacksonville’s intellectual and cultural life, the Florida Forum has contributed more than $10 million to Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville.
The Florida Forum Speaker Series is made possible by longtime partners and generous sponsors Wells Fargo, Landstar and Florida Blue.
The Women’s Board is the largest volunteer-driven, community-supported source of philanthropy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit womensboardwch.com.
Photography:
- From left, Maxine McBride and Randy DeFoor, co-chairs of the 2024-25 Florida Forum Speaker Series
About The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital:
Established in 1973 by Ellen Cavert, the ongoing mission of the all-volunteer Women’s Board is to raise community awareness and fund state-of-the-art infrastructure, programming and services for Wolfson Children’s Hospital—the only dedicated children’s inpatient healthcare facility in the region. Since its inception, The Women’s Board has raised more than $36 million in support of Wolfson Children’s Hospital to ensure the advancement of first-rate medical care for all children. Two annual fundraisers, the First Coast Design Show (formerly the Art & Antiques Show) and the Florida Forum speaker series, enable The Women’s Board to donate almost $1 million a year to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Nonprofit Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life. Wolfson Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 281-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries, and more. Wolfson Children’s collaborates with pediatric organizations, including Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, the University of Florida College of Medicine — Jacksonville, Emergency Resources Group, and Mayo Clinic Florida. A Magnet™-designated hospital since 2010, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children’s Hospitals year after year, and in 2023, was selected as one of only eight children’s hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. For additional information, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.
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