DETAILS: More than 50 women gathered for the Friends of Nursing Annual Fall Coffee to learn about heart disease in women from a leading cardiologist. Roberta Bogaev, MD, Director of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Outreach Program at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center is a passionate advocate for women's heart health and she stressed the importance of a heart-healthy, balanced diet rich with lean proteins and healthy fats, while low in refined sugars and carbohydrates. Noting her own shock when her mother was diagnosed with heart failure, she urged attendees to pay particular attention to the unique symptoms women can experience when they have heart disease. Friends of Nursing scholarship recipient Nicholas Loos, RN, also spoke to the guests, thanking the giving society for helping him to succeed in his nursing career. Loos was inspired to pursue nursing by his aunt, who earned her nursing degree while battling lymphoma. Guests enjoyed light morning snacks—sparkling water, coffee, tea sandwiches, cookies, artisanal cheeses, and fresh fruit. The coffee is the first of two annual events for the philanthropic group that raises funds to support nursing education and research at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. The Friends of Nursing Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held on March 29, 2017 at the River Oaks Country Club chaired by Tracy Levit Larner and Judy E. Levin.

WHY: Friends of Nursing recognizes the nurse as the front-line caregiver and raises funds to support nursing scholarships, fellowships and research opportunities. Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center is a three time recipient of the prestigious American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence.

GUESTS: Christie Sullivan, Chair of Friends of Nursing; Sandy Barrett; Donna Vallone; Barbara Robertson; Shirley Dannenbaum; Nancy Dunlap; Diane Farb; Kim Tutcher; Susan Hansen; Suzanne Levin, Co-Founder of Friends of Nursing; Ginya Trier; Judy Levin; Jennifer Nitschmann, MSN, RN, Vice President of Patient Care, Baylor St. Luke&'s Medical Center; Rachel Frazier; Leisa Holland-Nelson; Kristina Somerville.

PHOTO CREDIT: Priscilla Dickson