Women's Health Luncheon
Create a Brighter Future
Stay tuned for the date of our 2027 event.
Kim DeGiulio
Thomas & Chelsea Carballo
An Event to Inspire, Support, and Transform
The Women’s Health Luncheon is a special event that brings together medical experts, researchers, and advocates to discuss new innovations and pressing concerns in women’s health.
Kim DeGiulio, WDIV “Live in the D” host, emceed our 2026 luncheon at the new Department at Hudson’s in the heart of Detroit. Special guests Thomas Carballo, radio host of “Mojo in the Morning,” and his wife, Chelsea shared their perspectives on her very recent journey with ovarian cancer. Attendees also heard from our medical experts on the forefront of women’s health.
It was an incredible day of coming together to support the Women’s Health Innovation Fund and to address the wellness challenges women face globally — thanks to our incredible honorary event host Regent Denise Ilitch and our event co-chairs Gayle Burstein, Zina Kramer, and Lois Shaevsky. We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors, who made this event possible.
For more information on the Women’s Health Innovation Fund, and how you can make a difference, please visit our Women’s Health Month webpage.
Event Details
Spring Chic
2025 Women's Health Luncheon photos
Coming Soon
Valet parking will be provided.
Why Your Support Matters
Too often, there is a one-size-fits-all approach to research and treatment. But women have unique physiology that deserves specialized attention. Historically, female-focused research has been underfunded, and obtaining support at the beginning phases of research is often the most difficult.
To bridge that gap, this luncheon raises money for the Women’s Health Innovation Fund, which supports researchers and physicians in the early stage of important medical studies focused on women. Money from this fund ensures that the brightest ideas can move forward. When promising studies get off the ground, they also have a good chance of receiving further funding from bigger organizations to continue their work.
The Results
To date, the Women’s Health Innovation Fund has awarded $1.5 million to 50 projects led by researchers from University of Michigan Health for female-focused studies in areas such as cancer, cardiology, infertility, mental health, and preterm birth.
Several of the researchers that received funding went on to obtain support for their research from the National Institutes of Health. The research awards have also led to:
- One patent
- Two medical devices in development
- 16 published peer-reviewed papers and more under review
Who We Are
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Health is nationally recognized for research excellence. We have a robust portfolio of multidisciplinary, world-class programs focused on driving transformative advances in women’s health and improving the well-being of individuals and families locally and globally.
