The Dorothy Mangurian Women’s Center welcomed more than 100 attendees in-person and virtually for the 3rd Annual Food Is Medicine Symposium, an engaging gathering focused on advancing health through nutrition. Sponsored by Holy Cross Community Health & Well-Being, the South Florida Hunger Coalition and the Florida Health & Nutrition Coalition, the event brought together leading voices in food policy, nutrition science and community health.

The day began with a warm welcome from Oakland Park Mayor Tim Lonergan. Attendees heard from keynote speaker cardiologist Dariush Mozaffaria, MD, DrPH, Director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, who shared powerful insights on the intersection of food and public health. Holly Freishtat, Senior Director of Feeding Change at the Milken Institute, and more than 30 other experts, including leaders in food sourcing, offered strategies to improve access to nutritious food and reshape food systems.

A highlight of the symposium was the Culinary Medicine Masterclass, opened by Oakland Park Vice Mayor Aisha Gordon and led by Olivia Thomas, RD, Director of Nutrition Innovation and Implementation at Boston Medical Center. 

Attendees enjoyed learning how to prepare healthy food, avoid the temptation of less ideal choices and make healthier decisions for their children. The symposium was a powerful reminder that food is not just medicine—it’s a pathway to equity, resilience and well-being.

To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com.

For more Good News, read the GOOD NEWS January 2026 Issue at: https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2026/january/