Thomas and Chelsea Carballo to headline Michigan Medicine Women’s Health Luncheon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Thomas Carballo, iHeartMedia radio host of “Mojo in the Morning,” and his wife, Chelsea, will be the keynote speakers for Michigan Medicine’s fifth annual Women’s Health Luncheon: Creating a Brighter Future Together.

“I’m honored to share my journey with ovarian cancer and be a part of an event that’s drawing attention to women’s health,” said Chelsea Carballo. “I was so thankful to have a world-class medical institution right in my own backyard when I needed it most. But the work being done here reaches far beyond our own county or state — it has the potential to impact women around the world.”

The event will be held at The Department at Hudson’s in Detroit on Thursday, May 7, at 11 a.m. Individual tickets are $250. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Health Innovation Fund, which fuels early-stage, female-focused medical studies in areas such as cancer, cardiology, infertility, mental health and preterm birth at Michigan Medicine.

“We are honored to welcome Chelsea and Tom to this year’s event to share their family’s story,” said Luanne Thomas Ewald, M.H.A., FACHE, chief operating officer of University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital.

“Chelsea’s experience with ovarian cancer is a powerful testament to resilience, courage and hope. Her strength shines a light for other women navigating similar paths. Her story not only inspires others facing this disease but also underscores the urgency of our mission to advance groundbreaking research and deliver exceptional care that saves and transforms the lives of women everywhere.”

Since its inception five years ago, the Women’s Health Innovation Fund has awarded $1.5 million to launch 50 pioneering research projects. Researchers have achieved remarkable results with one patent granted, two medical devices in development and 16 peer-reviewed papers published.

“Several of these early-stage studies have gone on to secure further funding from the National Institutes of Health and other major grantors only because we were able to give them the initial support they needed to launch their research. That’s how we turn bold ideas into breakthroughs,” said Dee Fenner, M.D., chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Michigan Medicine.

For every dollar of support the fund has awarded, about $3 of funding has been received from the National Institutes of Health. In addition to research, the fund also supports innovative clinical programs such as group pregnancy care, video visits for monitoring chemotherapy in cancer patients, and music therapy for pregnant patients with long hospital stays.

At the luncheon emceed by Kim DeGiulio, WDIV “Live in the D” host, Michigan Medicine experts provide insights into the needs, challenges, and opportunities that exist to advance women’s health.

“In our most vulnerable moments, Michigan Medicine has been there for Chelsea and me,” said Thomas Carballo. “When we needed answers, they had them. When we were scared, they were confident. So I can’t tell you how much it means to us to be able to play a part in their mission to know more and do more for women everywhere.”

For more information and to purchase tickets for the luncheon, visit the Women’s Health Luncheon website.

About the Women’s Health Luncheon 

Held annually, the Women’s Health Luncheon gathers a community of medical professionals, researchers, and advocates in pursuit of advancements in women’s health. By raising funds for the Women’s Health Innovation Fund, the event plays a pivotal role in kickstarting early-stage medical studies focused on female-specific health concerns, from cancer to cardiology and beyond. Past celebrity speakers have included Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and Jill Martin.

For more information, visit Michiganmedicine.org/giving/fundraising-events/womens-health-luncheon