21st Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon Raises More Than $80,000

BOCA RATON, Fla. - April 1, 2019 - PRLog -- Raising funds of more than $80,000 for medical, nursing and health-related scholarships, this year's 21st Annual Honor Your Luncheon (HYDL) presented by the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton (RCDBR) recognized more than 130 physicians and medical professionals. Attended by 300 healthcare, community and civic leaders, the HYDL each year funds the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship that benefits medical, nursing and health-related students attending four local universities: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.

While each nominated physician and medical professional received an appreciation award, Internist Dr. Jeffrey Stein was recognized as the 2019 HYD Doctor of Distinction for generating the most nomination votes from patients and the community-at-large. He was presented with a brass and wood clock with an engraved plaque as City of Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers proclaimed March 27, 2019, as Dr. Jeffrey Stein Day in the city.

The program featured remarks from a medical and two nursing student scholarship recipients:
Emmanuel (Manny) McNeely, M.S., M.H.A. graduating medical student from FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; De-Shaunah Dixon, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; Matisse Swartz a senior at Lynn University; and key note speaker Eileen Tollefson, RN, CCM one of the first scholarship recipients 21 years ago.

This year's HYDL was again co-chaired by Alan Kaye and Janice Williams.  Honorary Chair was Dr. Ira and June Gelb and the Honorary Physician Advisor was Dr. Eli Cohen who was the 2018 Doctor of Distinction.  This year's "Honor Your Doctor" luncheon committee included; Ann Brown, Deborah Freudenberg, Ingrid Fulmer, Arlene Herson, Gary Hickory, Dr. Allen Konis, Lori-Ann Konis, Kris Mortensen, Linda Petrakis, Lana Rosenzweig, Diane Stevens,

Jennifer Thomason. Michael Walstrom, Gloria Wank, Dr. Linsey Willis, Marilyn Wilson, Diane Witt, as well as volunteers Amy Berger and Cydnie Staub.

"We are so pleased that the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton has again raised the bar for this very special event. The "Honor Your Doctor Luncheon" has become an annual tradition to celebrate many of Boca Raton's community leaders, medical community and philanthropists" said Event Co-Chair, Alan Kaye.  "It is so gratifying to see the wonderful physicians and medical professionals in our community recognized by their patients and peers."

The public was invited to nominate their favorite doctor via an online and mail-in nomination form. All nominees were invited to a wine and champagne pre-luncheon reception and the luncheon as a guest of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton.

"This event was the brainchild of Helen Babione 21 years ago when she was President of the GFWC Boca Raton Woman's Club. The luncheon raises funds for deserving students to attend our local universities, and at the same time, recognize the efforts of our growing medical community and encourages these students to remain in practice here in Boca Raton by engaging them from the very beginning in the community", said event Co-Chair Janice Williams. "We are so fortunate to have such a long roster of revered and respected healthcare professionals in our community who enhance and save lives every day of the year." Janice Williams has served as HYDL chair, co-chair and advisor for 19 years.

"In Boca Raton, we are privileged to have access to some of the best medical care.  The Honor Your Doctor Luncheon is an opportunity for us all to say thank you for being there when we are at our most vulnerable" noted Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton President Michael Walstrom.

The Award-Winning Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton founded July, 2012 (District 6930 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 Club of the year) is dedicated to impacting the Boca Raton community through the blended efforts that support Rotary International's philosophy of "Service Above Self" and the Club's main mission of health and wellness. For more information about the Club, including how to become a member, visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org or contact info@rotarydowntownbocaraton.org

Rotary International is a global network of community volunteers. The 1.3 million Rotary members are business, professional, and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are over 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas that initiate service projects to address today's challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns. For more information about Rotary International visit www.Rotary.org