Think Pink Luncheon Focused on Women’s Health

By JACQUELINE PRIMO | Reporter

More than 200 women with the Irene Dunne Guild in support of Providence Saint John’s Health Center, dressed in various shades of pink, gathered for the Think Pink for Women’s Wellness Luncheon at the Bel-Air Bay Club on Wednesday, May 13.

“The event is the annual educational event for the Irene Dunne Guild of Saint John’s Health Center. With a Mother’s Day theme, members invite their mothers, daughters, sisters and best friends to hear physicians from Saint John’s teach us about prevention and awareness of disease that impacts women and their families,” said Think Pink founder and co-chair Fran Flanagan.

In addition to enjoying a day of shopping at the Mother’s Day boutique with specially selected vendors, guests heard from morning session speakers from Saint John’s on a variety of topics concerning women’s health.

Over a lunch of grilled chicken, orzo pasta salad and red wine, attendees heard keynote speaker Chloe Bird, Phd of the RAND Corporation who talked about assessing and addressing the gender gap in women’s health care.

“Self-care is not selfish,” Bird told the crowd, noting that many women forego taking care of their own health concerns because they prioritize the health of their children and families.

“She discussed the small changes we can make in our lives to have a big change in our health, adding small increments of exercise, cutting large portions to small and developing coping mechanisms for stress,” Flanagan elaborated.

“We are so proud of the thousands of lives that Think Pink has touched, through the educational programs at the event but also in support of programs and services the Irene Dunne Guild provides to further the mission of Saint John’s Health Center,” she said.