Terry Fedele has been a vital part of the local health-care philanthropy scene since coming to Boca Raton with her husband, Jerry, seven years ago. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Her lengthy résumé might boggle the minds of some of the most avid volunteers in South County, and her monthly schedule might do the same.
She earned accolades for an even lengthier list of inspired accomplishments at this year’s Soroptimist International of Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach Women of Distinction breakfast, which honors female leaders making a difference in the lives of others.
“I feel very, very fortunate,” wife, mother, board member and community volunteer Terry Fedele said of the award. “There are many women in this community who give tirelessly of their time, talent and treasure, so I feel extremely blessed to have won.”
The 63-year-old coastal Boca Raton resident has lived in the area for seven years and is building a new home with husband Jerry, president and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
“We feel like we landed in paradise,” Fedele said.
Before moving to Boca Raton, she worked in the Pittsburgh area as a registered nurse at the Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus (then called Suburban General) and eventually landed a series of professional roles prior to retiring as executive vice president of hospital operations. Her success in — and passion for — the health-care industry led her to join a long list of boards and committees that share her vision.
Fedele serves on Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation’s Hospital Ball, Go Pink Luncheon and golf tournament committees and is coordinator and director of sales for the Allianz Championship’s Women’s Pro-Am, which benefits the hospital’s Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute. She is a member of the hospital’s Collaborative Care Council and helps its Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League auxiliary group.
She also serves as a board member of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, gives her time to the college’s Caring Hearts Auxiliary and co-chairs its Keep Memories Alive walk. She and Jerry will co-chair the American Heart Association’s Boca Raton Heart Ball in 2016.
Education is another one of Fedele’s passions, so she decided to get involved with the Boca Raton Children’s Museum (vice chairwoman of the board), Florence Fuller Child Development Centers (chairwoman of the Men With Caring Hearts Awards Luncheon and co-chairwoman of the Wee Dream Ball) and the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s Boca’s Ballroom Battle (committee member) and Caribbean Cowboy Ball (co-chairwoman).
“My calendar is full, but that’s the way I like it,” she said. “The busier I am, the happier I am.”
— Amy Woods
10 QUESTIONS
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A. I grew up in Pittsburgh, the daughter of blue-collar parents who instilled a strong work ethic in me and the value of education.
Q. In what professions have you worked, and which ones make you the proudest?
A. I have always been very proud of working in the nursing profession as I enjoy helping others and making a positive difference in their lives.
Q. What advice do you have for young adults selecting a career today?
A. Select a career that you are passionate about, and do not focus on how much money that choice affords you. Money is a short-term satisfier, and work is a significant part of your daily life.
Q. How did you choose to make your home in Boca Raton?
A. My husband, Jerry, took a job in Boca as the president and CEO of Boca Raton Community Hospital, which is now Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
Q. What is your favorite part about living in Boca Raton?
A. The people and how much they support their community and the organizations within the community. Every day in Boca is a perfect day, as this is truly paradise. For me, spending time helping others, being with friends and family, being at the beach and golf time makes life wonderful.
Q. What music do you listen to when you need inspiration or want to relax?
A. I like classic ’60s and ’70s music.
Q. Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
A. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Q. Have you had mentors in your life — individuals who have inspired your decisions?
A. My dad is my hero. Through his example, he taught me to always be positive and not to wallow in sorrow or problems but to move on to the solution.
Q. If your life story were made into a movie, who would you want to play you?
A. I would really want Katharine Hepburn, as she was strong, independent and the kind of person willing to give of herself to help and better others.
Q. Who/what makes you laugh?
A. My husband and my children, as they are the joys of my life.
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