May/June 2025

Your Source for Foundation News and Information

One Day, Big Impact:

More Than $1 Million Raised for Jackson

On April 3, we celebrated our second annual One Day for Jackson—a day of giving exclusively dedicated to raising funds for Jackson Health System. We're deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in this inspiring day. Your unwavering support proved that when we come together with purpose, we can create meaningful, lasting change. With the incredible generosity of the Miami-Dade County community, we proudly exceeded our $1 million fundraising goal!

A heartfelt thank you to our loyal supporters, community sponsors, and retail partners. Your dedication and collaboration made the day unforgettable, filled with joy, hope, and powerful connections.

Together, we did more than raise funds—we raised hope for countless patients and families across South Florida.

One Day for Jackson was made possible due to the support of partners like: Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc., Evolutions Treatment Center, Florida National University, Miami-Dade County, Miami Marlins, and many more!

Make sure to mark your calendars for next year's

One Day for Jackson on April 16, 2026!

A Night of Gratitude: Golden Angels

Recognition Dinner at Joe's Stone Crab

Jackson Health Foundation Chief Executive Officer Flavia Llizo, Ileana Rionda, Amy Federman - Ryder System Inc., Grand Seraphim, and Jackson Health Foundation Board Chair, Edward J. Joyce - Platinum Angel

Gratitude filled the room during our annual Golden Angels Recognition Dinner at Joe's Stone Crab on May 19. The evening honored Golden Angel Society donors, and showcased the tremendous impact they’ve made by supporting Jackson. More than 120 donors were in attendance and more than 30 new Golden Angels were welcomed into the Jackson family!

During the dinner, the J. Weiss Humanitarian Award was awarded to Mary Spencer. This honor celebrates Mary’s exceptional commitment to humanitarian causes and her pivotal role in advancing programs that expand access to critical care for the most vulnerable members of our community.

The Rainmaker Award was presented to Sammy Gordon in recognition of his role as a catalyst for positive change. A long-time member of the Golden Angel Society, Sammy has offered unwavering support to the health system’s projects and programs, with influence spanning from cultivating donor relationships to championing key fundraising initiatives.

Special thanks to all of our Golden Angels, Joe's Stone Crab, and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits for your generous support. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Click here to view photo gallery.

Gladys Ambruster; Sammy Gordon – Rainmaker Award recipient, Silver Seraphim; Darya and Dr. Handel Robinson; Dr. Juan Zambrano

Flavia Llizo, Renier Casanova and Joey Almeida – Silver Seraphims; Jackson Health Foundation Board Member Silvia Rios – Golden Seraphim

Fedy Pierre, Airline Pierre, Zahra Haghayegh, Dr. O'Neil Pyke – chief medical officer, Jackson North, Sandra Severe – CEO, Jackson North; Michelle Jean-Gilles, Tatiana Pierre, and Dr. Larry Pierre – Silver Seraphim

Georgeta Railic and Sharon Richardson – West Coast University, Platinum Seraphim

Jackson Health Foundation Board Member Matthew Grosack and Sabrina Grosack

Michelle Anseeuw, Amneris Monteagudo – Golden Angel, and Carmen Villamañan – Platinum Angel

Philanthropy and Impact Shine Bright at

Golden Angels Gala

Jackson Health Foundation Board Members: Russell Benford, Sergio Abreu, Jr., John Diez, Gregory Irizarry – Golden Angel, Board Chair Edward J. Joyce, Platinum Angel, Jackson Health Foundation CEO Flavia Llizo, Ana VeigaMilton - Diamond Seraphim, David Barbeito, Gonzalo de Quesada, Matthew Grosack, David A. Coulson, Esq. – Silver Seraphim, and Dr. Rudolph Moise – Silver Seraphim

Edward J. Joyce and Jackson Health System CEO Carlos A. Migoya – Silver Seraphim

Christopher Columbus High School senior and miracle patient, Matthew Nuñez (center), with parents Carlos and Anna Nuñez.

John Diez, Ryder president and chief operating officer; Amy Federman, vice president, corporate communications and president of the Ryder Charitable Foundation; Flavia Llizo, chief executive officer Jackson Health Foundation; and Ed Joyce, Jackson Health Foundation Board Chair.

On April 26, the Foundation hosted its annual Golden Angels Gala at Ice Palace Studios in Miami. The Gala honored Jackson Health System's dedicated caregivers and celebrated the Golden Angel Society, the Foundation’s premier giving group, whose members advance Jackson’s mission through their philanthropic efforts.

The event brought together more than 650 philanthropists and community leaders for a spectacular evening of generosity, raising $4 million. The event featured many Golden Angels who shared the inspiration behind their generosity, including Edward J. Joyce, Ana VeigaMilton, John Diez of Ryder Systems and the Claman family.

Carlos A. Migoya, Jackson's CEO, emphasized, "The Golden Angels are the heartbeat of Jackson. Their vision and commitment have helped transform our health system."

A transcendent moment at the gala was a video patient testimonial featuring Matthew Nunez, a Christopher Columbus High School senior whose life was saved at Jackson following a severe brain bleed. Read Matthew's full story here.

The Golden Angels Gala owes its success to the generous support of its sponsors: Platinum Level by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and THE COLLECTION; Gold Level by G City and the Guiribitey Family Foundation; Silver Level by Florida National University; Bronze Level by the Gorson Family, GreenbergTraurig, Dr. Ino Halegua, the José Milton Foundation, and Winston & Strawn LLP; Event support from Acqua Panna | S. Pellegrino, Buckner Shifrin, Constellation, E11EVEN Miami, First Horizon, Knight Parking Systems, Perry Ellis International, Univision Miami Contigo/Amor 107.5, and West Coast University; and media partners including Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Miami Kids Magazine, and S Revista.

Click here to view photo gallery.

In March, Jackson Health Foundation was proud to be the beneficiary of the 25th Annual Miami HEAT Family Festival—continuing a long tradition of partnership with the Miami HEAT, who have been dedicated supporters of our mission for many years.

The event was a vibrant celebration alongside Miami HEAT players, Foundation donors, and friends. Guests enjoyed a lively mix of activities, delicious food, performances by the Miami HEAT dancers and Miami HEAT Golden Oldies, and interactive moments with HEAT mascot, Burnie.

Click here to view photo gallery.

Nathalie Manzano Caplow

Dr. Maya Ghaemmaghami

Join us in welcoming Nathalie Manzano Caplow and Dr. Maya Ghaemmaghami.

Nathalie is the principal at Manzano Caplow, a design consultancy known for its creative solutions. Her journey through the world of health care and design has seen her take on significant roles, including serving as the chief operations officer for CappSci, a foundation focused on merging science and engineering to tackle real-world issues. Additionally, her time as executive director for the National Hispanic Health Foundation highlights her commitment to advancing health initiatives in diverse communities. Nathalie's expertise and leadership will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives to our board.

Dr. Maya Ghaemmaghami is a retired hematologist and oncologist with more than two decades of experience. She has dedicated her career to advancing patient care and supporting community health initiatives. Dr. Ghaemmaghami has served on the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation Board and the Hospice of the Piedmont Board, bringing a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership. Her commitment to healthcare excellence and philanthropy aligns seamlessly with our mission to support Jackson Health System. We look forward to her invaluable contributions as we continue to enhance the health and well-being of our community.

We warmly welcome Nathalie Manzano Caplow and Dr. Maya Ghaemmaghami to the board. They're set to inspire change and progress at Jackson Health Foundation.

From May 6 through 12, we celebrated Nursing Teams Week and expressed our heartfelt gratitude to the more than 7,000 Jackson Health System nursing professionals who dedicate themselves to our well-being every day. Nursing is more than a profession—it's a calling that inspires compassion and resilience in the face of long hours, inherent risks, and challenging moments.

Jackson Health Foundation is proud to support and contribute directly to the essential tools and programs our nurses rely on to provide the best and most compassionate care to our community.

Thank you for standing with us in support of our outstanding nursing staff.

Donor Spotlight: William Allen

We are honored to spotlight a deeply meaningful tribute at Jackson South Medical Center. In memory of his beloved wife, Joyce Allen — a spirited triathlete whose legacy continues to inspire — William Allen made a generous donation that led to the renaming of an ICU room in her honor.

His heartfelt gift also recognizes the extraordinary care provided by nurses Yamile Cruz and Jordayn White, whose compassion brought comfort during a difficult time. Join us in celebrating Joyce Allen’s enduring legacy and the dedicated healthcare heroes at Jackson who make a difference every day.

Man Saved at Jackson Memorial Hospital After Suffering Life-Threatening Sepsis

Nevin Dunn, a devoted husband, father, musician, and real estate manager from Canada, was known for his boundless energy. However, a vacation to Miami in December 2023 took a critical turn when a tickle in his throat spiraled into a life-threatening condition. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of strep throat that led to sepsis and toxic shock, Nevin found himself fighting for his life at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

With the infection attacking his arms and legs, the expert team at Jackson. The Lung Center placed Nevin on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support machine that kept him alive for three weeks. Nevin lost both legs, parts of his fingers, and 70% of his hearing following 16 surgeries.

Throughout his recovery, Nevin's unbreakable spirit shone through. He worked closely with therapists at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial and the hematology, orthopedics, and infection control teams at Jackson. Despite losing parts of his hands, he found solace in music, playing the saxophone at his annual holiday party on prosthetic legs.

Thanks to the dedicated medical team, he can now look forward to a new chapter. Nevin turned his experience into purpose, advocating for accessibility in real estate development. “I’m forever grateful to the teams at Jackson,” Nevin shared. “They’re my family now. They saved my life.”

Read Nevin's full story here.

Upcoming Events

We invite you to secure your tickets or table for this year’s 26th Annual Guardians of the Children's Luncheon and Fashion Show benefiting Holtz Children's Hospital. This cherished event offers a blend of fashion, community, and philanthropy, and is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of children in South Florida.

Purchase your tickets or reserve an entire table today.

A message from our CEO

Dear friends,

My heart is filled with deep gratitude and renewed purpose as I reflect on all we’ve accomplished together. Thanks to your generosity, our second annual One Day for Jackson campaign was a resounding success. Not only did we meet our ambitious $1 million goal — we exceeded it. That’s more than a milestone; it’s a powerful reminder of what we can do when our community comes together with compassion and conviction.

Your support brings hope, and every dollar raised fuels life-saving programs, cutting-edge technology, and essential care for the patients and families who rely on Jackson every day.

As we look to the future, we are focused on bold, transformative goals — expanding access, investing in innovation, and strengthening the services that make Jackson a lifeline for so many. Together, we’re not just funding care — we’re shaping the future of health care in Miami-Dade and beyond.

And that future is brighter because of you.

With heartfelt thanks,

Flavia Llizo,

Chief Executive Officer, Jackson Health Foundation

Jackson Health Foundation.org | #MakingMiraclesHappen

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