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Katie Woodcock expected to leave the Cleveland Clinic Women's Health Forum in 2025 with new and useful information. Instead, she left with something much more powerful: a renewed sense of purpose.
The inaugural event brought together nationally recognized advocate Maria Shriver and Cleveland Clinic physicians to explore the future of women's health, research and advocacy. Throughout the day, speakers highlighted both the progress that has been made and the work still needed to ensure women have access to comprehensive, research-driven care throughout their lives.
"After the event, I felt a sense of urgency and inspiration about the state of women's health," says Katie. "Maria Shriver's commitment to elevating women's health, paired with the expertise of the Cleveland Clinic team, made me reflect on how meaningful it would be to help bring this level of care and research to Florida."
That inspiration became action when Katie and her husband, Donald Woodcock, recently made a generous gift to support the new Women's Health Center at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The center will be housed in a new medical office building on the hospital campus and will expand access to primary care, gynecology, obstetrics and maternity care, and women's imaging services, including mammography, ultrasound and bone densitometry.
As residents of both Palm City, Florida, and Solon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, the couple has donated to Cleveland Clinic many times over the years. “But this is our first significant gift," says Donald.
Because of their generosity, the Woodcocks were welcomed into the Cornerstone Society, a donor recognition group honoring individuals whose charitable gifts of $100,000 or more advance Cleveland Clinic’s mission.
Supporting women and families has been a consistent thread throughout Katie's volunteer and philanthropic work, making the Women's Health Center a natural focus for the couple's latest gift.
Katie served as Clerk of Council for the City of Medina, Ohio, for 32 years before retiring in 2010. She also served as president and chairman of the board of United Way of Medina County and was a founding member of the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund. Donald, a retired corporate attorney, has shared her commitment to giving back throughout their 15-year marriage.
After spending years as seasonal residents in Florida, the couple made Palm City their permanent home in 2023, settling in Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club. Katie describes it as a small, tight-knit community that reminds her of Medina. “The community here is very philanthropic,” she adds.
As a hands-on volunteer, Katie continues to contribute both her time and talents to many local organizations in Florida. She also currently serves on the Grants Committee for the Harbour Ridge Family Foundation and is a member of Impact100 Martin, a women's philanthropy organization that awards grants to local nonprofits.
The Woodcocks' decision to support Cleveland Clinic in Florida was shaped not only by Katie's experience at the Women's Health Forum, but also by their own experiences as patients.
Donald was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018 and has received care at multiple Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio and Florida, including Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital.
"I've been in remission for three years, and I am very grateful for the quality of care I've received," he says. "Having access to Cleveland Clinic near both our homes gave me continuity throughout my treatment.”
More recently, Katie found herself hospitalized for the first time in more than four decades after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a new medication. During a week-long stay at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Ohio, she too developed a deeper appreciation for quality care.
"The care was excellent, and I was highly impressed by the nursing staff," she says.
Today, the Woodcocks view philanthropy as a way to transform gratitude into opportunity for others. By supporting the Women's Health Center, they hope more women in their community will have access to exceptional care close to home, not only today, but for generations to come.
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