July 16, 2026 – Wellington Regional Medical Center has achieved validation as a Gluten-Free Food Service program, one of few hospitals in the country to achieve this status. The Wellington Regional Medical Center nutrition team met the rigorous standards and expectations for safety required to achieve this honor.

The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) audits and validates restaurants and food businesses that serve gluten-free food. The Gluten-Free Food Service validation program is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of the gluten-free community for over 45 years. GIG is on a mission to make life easier for everyone living gluten-free and [Facility name] is proud to be a part of this program.

Wellington Regional Medical Center will be displaying the validated Gluten-Free Safe Spot logo throughout the facility to represent the independent verification of quality, integrity, and purity of businesses serving gluten-free food. Validation as a Gluten-Free Safe Spot establishes trust with gluten-free patrons in the ability of a facility to provide safe gluten-free food.

“Earning gluten-free facility recognition for the third year in a row demonstrates Wellington Regional Medical Center’s commitment to patient-centered care,” said Pam Tahan, CEO. “We are proud to create an environment where individuals with dietary restrictions can feel safe, supported, and cared for while receiving treatment or visiting our facility.”

Since the program was established in 2009, GFFS has always held its food service establishments to the highest standards. Consumers recognize locations that have been validated as Gluten-Free Safe Spots serve gluten-free food that meets the nonprofit GFFS’s rigorous standards and expectations for safety. GFFS validates participating establishments, from restaurants to college dining, senior living, hospitals and more, by visiting locations in-person to ensure they follow best practices for gluten-free food safety and ensure high-quality staff training.

 Facts about the Demand for Gluten-Free:

  • The demand for gluten-free options has surged in recent years, due in part to increased awareness and diagnosis of gluten-related disorders:
    • According to research at Gluten Intolerance Group, celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the global population, causing an autoimmune reaction to gluten ingestion.
    • Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) impacts up to 13% of the population. 

“It’s very exciting to award gluten-free validation to Wellington Regional Medical Center The commitment shown by Wellington Regional Medical Center in achieving our certification reflects their dedication to catering to individuals with gluten-related disorders. This certification not only recognizes their efforts but also highlights the commitment to ensuring safe gluten-free food at a time/place when the gluten-free individuals need it the most,” said Cynthia Kelly, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group.

 About Wellington Regional Medical Center 

Wellington Regional Medical Center is located in Wellington, Florida. It is a 235-bed, acute care hospital, owned by a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc., a highly respected healthcare management organization. Wellington Regional is proud to have provided high quality healthcare services to the residents of Palm Beach County since 1986. As a community hospital, accredited by The Joint Commission, Wellington Regional prides itself on its continued commitment to remain at the forefront of advanced technologies and expanding programs and services to meet the needs of the growing community it serves.

About the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)

The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association funded by private donations, sponsorship opportunities and food safety programs. It relies on tax-deductible contributions to support its many innovative industry, service, social and awareness programs. GIG has been a highly respected leader in the gluten-free community since it was founded in 1974. In addition to more than 80 local support groups across the United States, GIG has increased its presence internationally to 58 countries. GIG empowers the gluten-free community through consumer support, advocacy and education. The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) program is a proven model of established best practices for food service facilities offering gluten-free options. The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of GIG, is a leader in the verification of quality, integrity and purity of gluten-free products. GIG is committed to ongoing food safety research to assure customers and consumers the highest level of excellence in its gluten-free programs and services. For information, visit www.gluten.org.



July 20, 2026 – Lisbet at Wellington Bay, the premier luxury assisted living and memory care community operated by Liberty Senior Living, is proud to announce the appointment of Ketton Williams as its new Memory Care Director.

Ketton joins the team as a highly compassionate nursing professional and an experienced leader in senior living. With several years of specialized experience in assisted living and memory care, she is a dedicated advocate for older adults. Her extensive background includes overseeing memory care operations, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring that residents living with cognitive impairments receive dignified, person-centered support.

At Lisbet at Wellington Bay, Ketton will oversee the community’s secure memory care neighborhood, which features specialized, structured programming, including Liberty Senior Living’s exclusive GEMMS (Genuine, Engaging, and Meaningful Memory Support) program. The neighborhood is thoughtfully designed to promote safety, familiarity, and independence for individuals navigating Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive conditions.

Ketton is widely recognized for her strong leadership in staff development, clinical oversight, and regulatory compliance. She excels at guiding care teams to deliver structured, engaging, and therapeutic environments that enhance safety and quality of life for residents. Her collaborative and accountable leadership style fosters a deep culture of compassion and excellence among caregivers. With a strong commitment to supporting both residents and families, Ketton works diligently to ensure that programs provide robust clinical care alongside meaningful emotional well-being.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ketton to our leadership team,” said Gita Anderson, Executive Director of Lisbet Health Center at Wellington Bay. “Her extensive background in clinical oversight and her person-centered care make her the perfect fit for our community. I am looking forward to working together with Ketton and serving the memory care residents of Lisbet, ensuring they and their families receive the highest level of dignity, safety, and engagement every single day.”

When she is not dedicated to her professional role, Ketton enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time at the beach, where she loves to relax and watch the waves.

About Wellington Bay

Wellington Bay is a luxury rental retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, respite care, and advanced memory care at the Lisbet Health Center, located onsite in Wellington, Florida. The community is dedicated to supporting active aging and vibrant living, offering something for everyone.

Named one of the “Best Places to Retire” by Money Magazine, Wellington boasts a thriving equestrian community, premier golf courses, and scenic neighborhoods.

Wellington Bay is owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living, LLC, a division of Liberty Healthcare Management specializing in senior living communities. To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and its communities, visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com.



Funding granted to four local organizations — Florida International University Foundation, Urban Health Partnerships, The Health Council of South, and U.S. Hunger — with goal to reach up to 15,000 residents over a 2-year period

June 28, 2026 –– The Quest Diagnostics Foundation today announced it has awarded nearly $5 million in grant funding to four local non-profit organizations as part of an initiative to improve chronic and maternal health outcomes in Miami-Dade County. Quest Diagnostics is a leading national provider of diagnostic information services and provides laboratory testing for millions of Floridians each year from major laboratories in Miami and Tampa.

Over a two-year period, the Foundation’s initiative will focus on expanding access to healthcare and support services to 15,000 Miami-Dade County residents in vulnerable communities. As part of the grants, Quest Diagnostics will provide no-cost laboratory testing for up to 3,000 residents to help identify risks of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease, in early, often asymptomatic stages—the critical window when behavior changes or medical treatment can arrest disease progression. Using the grants from the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, four nonprofit organizations will provide access for high-risk individuals to training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) and doulas as well as to nutritious food, benefits enrollment support and other services through nearly 30 health education and community events, mobile clinics and other channels. Grantees also aim to improve shared data access to help communities measure health impacts and build a scalable, sustainable model.

“Miami-Dade is one of our nation’s most vibrant counties, and yet people across the community need support to improve their health proactively, not only during sickness,” said Subu Ramachandran, President, Southeast Region, for Quest Diagnostics. “This initiative empowers vulnerable Miami-Dade residents to identify their personal health risks and—supported by local partners and Quest donated testing—take proactive steps toward healthier lives.”

While Miami-Dade fares better overall than the average county in Florida and nationally for population health and wellbeing, conditions vary across the county. In some communities, nearly 30% of residents report they are in poor health and over 12% of mothers report receiving late to no prenatal care.

The funding from the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is part of a multi-year initiative to commit grants to non-profit organizations focused on investing in community health workforce and improving cardiometabolic and maternal health outcomes in select U.S. cities. In recent years, the Foundation has committed approximately $21.5 million in grants to local nonprofits for similar programs in Baltimore, Maryland, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois and Paterson, New Jersey.

“The Quest Diagnostics Foundation is honored to collaborate with organizations dedicated to tackling the root causes of health disparities across Miami-Dade County,” said Alicia E. Meadows, Executive Director, Programs, Quest Diagnostics Foundation. “Our goal for this initiative is to mitigate social drivers of complex health conditions, expand access to healthcare, and ultimately help more of the community of Miami-Dade transform their lives and health for the better.”

The Quest Diagnostics Foundation selected the collaborators for the Miami-Dade County initiative based on several criteria, including commitment to the region, alignment with community health needs and proven ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare providers and local community organizations and coalitions focused on improving health outcomes.

Funding recipients:

Florida International University Foundation

FIU Foundation, through the Quest Diagnostics Foundation grant will enable critical staffing and additional mobile units to provide midwifery services across maternal health deserts in Miami-Dade County, expanding capacity and access to quality prenatal and postnatal care for the Black Mothers Care Plan.  A key goal is to decrease rates of cesarean birth to less than 30% of participating women.

“This Quest Diagnostics Foundation grant will empower us to work with community partners to implement practical solutions for maternity ward closures, transportation challenges and lack of insurance coverage, in Miami-Dade,” said M. Alexandra Cornelius, Ph. D. director with the School of Integrated Science and Humanity, College of Arts, Sciences and Education at Florida International University. “Through collaboration, we can expand our efforts to provide high-quality, mobile, community-based maternal health care, no-cost testing, and perinatal education to communities that need it the most.”

The Health Council of South Florida

The not-for-profit organization, which focuses on mitigating health disparities in Miami-Dade County, will use the Quest Diagnostics Foundation’s grant to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative to guide future investments to advance maternal outcomes and manage chronic cardiometabolic conditions across Miami-Dade County.

“The Health Council of South Florida is honored to serve as the evaluation partner for transformative community initiatives supported by the Quest Diagnostics Foundation,” said Nicole A. Marriott, President & CEO for HCSF. “Through rigorous, equity-focused analysis of food access, maternal health, chronic disease prevention, and diagnostic connectivity efforts, we will measure impact, strengthen coordination, and help ensure measurable improvements in health outcomes for residents across Miami-Dade County.”

Urban Health Partnerships

As the nonprofit coordinating agency of the Food and Nutrition for All Collaborative (FNFA) in Miami-Dade, Urban Health Partnerships actively works to improve not only food and nutrition access, but also health outcomes and living conditions across South Florida. With Quest Diagnostics Foundation funding, UHP will strengthen the governance and shared data infrastructure of FNFA, support mini-grants for up to 16 grassroots and community organizations that connect people to food and nutrition in Miami-Dade County, and develop 24 community wellness day events.

“Food access is not just about distribution; it’s about coordination, access, dignity, trust, and the environments where families live and thrive,” said Arely Lozano Cantú, Director of Health Access and Livability at Urban Health Partnerships. “With this Quest investment, we will strengthen the infrastructure that empowers communities across Southeast Florida to access nutritious, local, and affordable food options, which is so critical to improving health and wellbeing.”

U.S. Hunger

U.S. Hunger is a nonprofit leveraging data, technology, and community activation to address food insecurity and related health needs across the United States. With the Quest Diagnostics Foundation funding, U.S. Hunger will deploy its AI-powered Full Cart Connect Platform to identify and direct support across the initiative’s collaborating organizations to households in need throughout the region.

“U.S. Hunger believes that local community organizations are the backbone of a strong, connected care ecosystem. We look forward to deploying the Quest Diagnostics Foundation grant to enable our Full Cart Connect platform to use the power of data sharing to unlock opportunities to help families access food, health care, and diagnostics through trusted local partners,” said Rick Whitted, CEO of U.S. Hunger.

About the Quest Diagnostics Foundation  

The Quest Diagnostics Foundation is a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) corporation committed to improving health and well-being in the communities served by Quest Diagnostics. Since 2021 the Foundation has invested approximately $53 million in community initiatives across the United States and Puerto Rico spanning a broad range of evidence-based strategies, including community health worker care, expanded access to diagnostic testing, wellness and screening events, nutritious food access and education programs that promote long-term health and prevention.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We help connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, our insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three adult Americans each year, and our nearly 57,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives.

Quest Diagnostics provides a range of innovative testing services to patients and providers in Florida every day through its full-service laboratories in Miami and Tampa and a network of approximately 250 patient service centers across the state. The company is also a major state employer, with approximately 4,400 employees in Florida.



Deana and Andrew Koenig

Goo Goo Dolls Headline Benefit for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation

July 20, 2026 – Goo Goo Dolls will headline the 2026 Red Gala benefiting Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, presented by Robins & Morton, on Saturday, October 24 at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale.

This year’s Red Gala chairs are longtime hospital supporters Deana and Andrew Koenig. Andrew Koenig is CEO of CITY Home, the recently rebranded CITY Furniture.

One of South Florida’s premier philanthropic events, the Red Gala brings together community and business leaders, healthcare champions and generous supporters for an unforgettable evening benefiting the patients and families of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, elegant dinner, inspiring patient stories, live and silent auctions, a special donation moment and an exclusive concert by Goo Goo Dolls, the multi-platinum, four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated band whose chart-topping hits have resonated with audiences around the world for decades.

The Koenigs have been dedicated advocates for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for many years through philanthropic giving, event leadership and hands-on involvement with patients and families. One of their significant contributions is the CITY HOME Family Lounge inside the hospital, which is a special place for families to gather, rest, and find comfort during their child’s hospital stay.  The Koenigs have championed initiatives such as the annual Mother’s Day and Pink Pumpkins events, inspired by the memory of Andrew’s late mother, Doreen Koenig. CITY HOME team members visit the hospital to spend time with patients, host activities and help create a festive experience for children receiving care at the hospital.

“Deana and Andrew are extraordinary partners to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and our Foundation,” said Kelley Morris, President of Memorial Foundation and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We appreciate their passion and their ability to rally the community in support of our mission.  We are incredibly grateful for their leadership as Gala chairs. With the philanthropic support of the Koenigs, our presenting sponsor, Robins & Morton, and all of our Gala sponsors and attendees, we can continue to provide the highest level of quality care for our patients and support for their families.”

During last year’s Red Gala, more than $3 million was raised to advance life-saving care for children in our community, surpassing its fundraising goal and demonstrating the community’s commitment to pediatric healthcare.

“We are honored to chair the 2026 Red Gala,” said Deana and Andrew Koenig. “This hospital has touched the lives of so many children, and we have seen firsthand the difference compassionate, world-class care can make. We look forward to bringing our community together to raise the funds that will transform what is possible for these children and their families.”

Funds raised through the Red Gala support advanced technology, innovative research, family-centered programs and other initiatives that enhance care for children and families served by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

To reserve a table or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Abbie Beltz at ABeltz@mhs.net or 954-265-7224.

About Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. The level one pediatric trauma center combines advanced technology, the expertise of some of the region’s most diverse, board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered focus to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Part of Memorial Healthcare System, the pediatric hospital in Hollywood, Florida, recently doubled in size, adding four floors, including a comprehensive cardiac care floor, an intraoperative MRI, an inpatient rehabilitation gym, family and staff support areas, and the 14th Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone, among other offerings.



Members of the Holy Cross Health community outreach team at the 2026 Stonewall Pride event in Wilton Manors, Florida

Holy Cross Health is one of just three health care organizations in Florida to earn a top-tier 2026 Healthcare Equality Index designation

July 20, 2026 – Holy Cross Health announced it earned the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The honor was awarded as part of HRC’s 2026 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the industry standard benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity practices in the healthcare field, conducted every two years.

Nearly 750 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2026 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 343 received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation.

Holy Cross Health is one of only three health care organizations statewide to receive a top-tier HEI 2026 designation, and the only acute care hospital in Florida to do so — underscoring the health system’s distinct role in delivering LGBTQ+-inclusive, full-service acute care to South Florida.

“At Holy Cross Health, we are committed to providing every patient with access to safe, respectful, compassionate and dignified care,” said Pierre Monice, MBA, FACHE, President and CEO of Holy Cross Health. “We are proud, once again, to have earned the High Performer designation from HRC.”

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.

“It’s vital for all LGBTQ+ people to get the most accurate information we have on access to care across the country, and we are proud of the ways in which the HEI helps the community understand this,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

For more information, visit holy-cross.com.

ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH

A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospital rankings, was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek and selected as a Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals in 2025. Holy Cross has also been designated as a 2026 High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ health care access and Holy Cross Health Foundation is designated as a High Performer from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as the community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also includes Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect with Holy Cross Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.