Hundreds of pediatric patients are receiving something very special to make their time at the hospital a little easier: brand new toys. Broward Health Chris Evert Children’s Hospital is the proud recipient of Kids Wish Network’s unique Gift Bank program. Kids Wish Network, a national charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children, is honored to be able to provide toys with a retail value of over $60,000 to the hospital to be given to its young patients. This exciting event is being sponsored by the Arnold & Joy Gottlieb Family Foundation.

The hospital and Kids Wish Network recently held a special ‘kick off’ event for the kids. During the festivities, representatives on both ends, along with their honorary sponsor, gave toys out to the children.

Pictured is Andrew Gottlieb, Administrator/Trustee of the Arnold and Joy Gottlieb Family Foundation and the sponsor for the event, with pediatric patients.



Doug Williams, Chief Executive Officer of The Doug Williams Group, recently announced the appointment of Michael Kuryla as Vice President of Operations of the firm.

Kuryla has over ten years of business experience in a variety of industries (domestic and international), having held positions in engineering, sales support, financial management, operations management, and retail operations. His capabilities include project management, cost analysis, business development, market research/analysis, strategic planning, import/export distribution, financial forecasting, advertising/marketing and purchasing. His broad experience gives Michael the knowledge to help improve the operational efficiency of any organization.



Mehmet Oz, M.D., M.B.A., an internationally known cardiac surgeon and bestselling author, received the 2008 Lois Pope LIFE International Research award during a special ceremony at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.

(l-r) Dr. Pascal J. Goldschmidt, senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School of Medicine; Lois Pope, philanthropist; and Dr. Mehmet Oz, award winner.

Oz is vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University. He also directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and his research interests include minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine and health care policy.

Oz has authored more than 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books and performs over 300 cardiac surgeries every year. He helped develop the LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, which helps keep a patient’s failing heart beating while they wait for a donor heart to become available for transplant. Oz is considered a “Renaissance” man of cardiac care as his practice combines traditional medicine with holistic approaches such as hypnosis, music therapy and acupuncture.



Amy Whitlock, grant writer for Broward Health, has earned a nationally recognized credential in the grants field with the first cohort ever to do so. The recognition is conferred by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, Inc. (GPCI, pronounced “gypsy”), an affiliate of the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP). Whitlock is one of 170 certified grant designers and managers who were conferred the “GPC” title as Grant Professional Certified after the history-making first offering of the GPC exam. The credential recognizes proficiency in standards that include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated achievement and a commitment to service for public and private philanthropy.



Lee Mental Health Center, Inc. announced that Todd Cordisco, the agency’s Director of Development, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Planned Giving Council of Lee County.

Todd was named Director of Development for Lee Mental Health in May 2007. Prior to working at Lee Mental Health, Todd was the Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement/Director of Communications at Bishop Verot High School in Ft. Myers. He has also worked previously as the Director of Development at the Calusa Nature Center, and as Director of Alumni Relations at The Columbus Academy in Columbus, OH.