The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center hosted its 27th Annual Spring Luncheon on Monday, May 9 at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago.
Headlining the luncheon: Ali Wentworth, actor, comedian and New York Times best-selling author, known for her roles on shows such as In Living Color and Seinfeld and in the films Jerry Maguire, Office Space and It’s Complicated, plus her connection to George Stephanopoulos, her equally famous husband.
Wentworth had the audience of more than 400 guests in stitches as she shared hilarious stories about her mother Muffie Cabot (Washington, DC socialite, friend of Jackie Kennedy and social secretary to First Lady Nancy Reagan) and Stephanopoulos (host of Good Morning America and ABC’s This Week). Wentworth read a brief passage from her new book, Ali’s Well That Ends Well, offering guests an exclusive and comic-laden peek into her pandemic-era trials and tribulations, including her obsession with baking multiple versions of chocolate cake. After she spoke, Wentworth sat down with event chair Gillian Stoettner for a question and answer session.
The event opened with Cindy Mancillas, president of the Woman’s Board, who greeted guests and shared information about the customized cancer treatment at Rush University Medical Center that the luncheon was designed to support. Dr. Omar Lateef, president and CEO of Rush University Medical Center, spoke about the historic and unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare industry and how Rush rose to the challenge. Notable guests included event chair Gillian Stoettner plus Wendy Herb, Bridget C. Coughlin, Micah Materre and Jay Krehbiel.
The funds raised by the 2022 Spring Luncheon will be directed to research, education, and community engagement programs supported by The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center, as well as the board’s 2022 principal project, The Woman’s Board Fund for Excellence in Cellular Therapy.
The Ritz-Carlton served a fabulous lunch of chilled English pea soup with citrus crème fraiche and bacon, roasted Patagonian salmon with baby arugula, watermelon radish and citrus segments, along with a dessert trio of dark chocolate ganache, pistachio dacquoise, and strawberry cheesecake.
The Book Stall of Winnetka offered copies of Ali’s Well That Ends Well for sale, donating 20 percent of sales back to the Woman’s Board. Event sponsors included Hindman Auctions, ITW, Northern Trust and Make it Better Media Group.
How to Help:
Donate to support research, education, and community engagement programs supported by The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center, as well as the board’s 2022 principal project, The Woman’s Board Fund for Excellence in Cellular Therapy.
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Donna Berry Glass is a freelance writer in Marin County who writes mostly about family and kid-oriented topics. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family exploring the natural beauty of Marin, snuggling with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel while reading a good book or whipping up something delicious in her space-challenged kitchen. Donna is a supporter of the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to seniors and disabled individuals.
