Foundation to honor Ruth Kullman for service to Touro Infirmary

On Nov. 10, the Judah Touro Infirmary Foundation’s Judah Touro Society will honor Ruth Kullman as this year’s recipient of the Judah Touro Society Award.

The award has been given each year for the past 32 years to a member of the Touro family who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and support of the hospital. Kullman was nominated by members of the society and selected by past award recipients.

After earning her master’s in social work from Tulane University, Ruth spent several years of her professional career at Jewish Family Services, where she developed the teen suicide prevention program, and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, where she was campaign director. In 2002, she developed Kullman Consulting.

Kullman has served as board chair for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana, Touro Synagogue, and Touro Infirmary. She also dedicated her time to the Institute of Mental Hygiene, New Schools for New Orleans, and Live Oak Wilderness Camp, where she was an active member of their boards.

She currently serves as the board chair of E Pluribus Unum, an organization focused on cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are advancing racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change.

Kullman joined the Touro Governing Board in 2007, playing an integral role in supporting the hospital as it joined Children’s Hospital to become a member of LCMC Health in 2009. During her tenure as board chair from 2012 to 2013, Touro accomplished numerous achievements, including extensive renovations and a new infusion center expanding cancer services. In 2012, Touro reached a milestone in maternity services, delivering more than 3,000 babies, the second highest delivery hospital in the state, leading to the expansion of the NICU.

In 2009, Kullman joined the LCMC Health Board, where she has supported the health system’s growth from a two-hospital health system serving Uptown New Orleans, to a six-hospital health system serving the Gulf Coast region and beyond.

In 2013 she received the Hannah G. Solomon Award from the National Council of Jewish Women’s New Orleans Section.

Nursing Nests

This year’s event will tie in with Touro’s 100th anniversary of being “Where Babies Come From.” Proceeds will benefit a new “Nursing Nests” program which will provide safe, clean and comfortable spaces around New Orleans for mothers to breastfeed.

Aside from creating locations at local businesses and venues, Touro has created a Mobile Nursing Nest to be available at events, parades and more.

The award dinner will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Audubon Tea Room. The event is chaired by Susan and Lou Good, and Jan and Steven Yellin.

Tickets are $200. Judah Touro Society membership is $1,500, which includes two tickets.