Meet Lynda Gordon, founder of The Gordon Alliance and author of “Coogie, the Dumpster Cat”

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Dr. Gordon left such an incredible legacy: Can you share what exactly is the Gordon Alliance? 

The Gordon Alliance is a company I started in 2020 to honor the life and legacy of my late husband, Dr. Michael Gordon. He was a renowned cardiologist and the founder and director of the Michael S. Gordon Center for Simulation and    Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.  He is best known for his invention of    “Harvey”, the first Cardio-Pulmonary Patient Simulator ever completed. Harvey realistically simulates every cardiac disease by varying blood pressure, pulse, heart sounds, murmurs and breathing. The Gordon Alliance was intended to be a resource for anyone who wanted to learn more about how Harvey came into being and the man who invented him at a time when technology was not mainstream.  Today it has grown into a venue to continue the philanthropy that Michael and I were so passionate about. thegordonalliance.com

Your new book series has such an interesting story, can tell us about “Coogie, the Dumpster Cat” and how it came to life? 

About 2 months after Michael passed, a valet attendant in my building brought me a tiny black kitten that was found in the dumpster that morning.  I took the kitten to my vet and my intention was to put him in the foster system to find him a fur-ever home.  I asked for an approximate birthdate, and not knowing Michael had actually passed on July 7th, the vet chose that day.  Coincidence, maybe, but I adopted him myself and that kitten helped me in my grief.  I named him Coogie, which was Michael’s nickname, and had been the name of his imaginary friend in childhood.  I had been telling crazy Coogie stories to my family for 3 years.  When Covid-19 hit and we were all on lockdown, Coogie & his fur-sister Casey were my only companions. I watched as the world and especially charitable giving was struggling to stay afloat.  I knew I needed to come up with a unique and long-term plan to not only raise money but friends as well, since volunteering was also down during the pandemic.  So Coogie, the Dumpster Cat was born. Coogie will loosely mirror Michael’s life but as a cat.  The first book of the series is now on pre-sale on Amazon and will be in bookstores on March 29.  The second and third books are in the works, as is a kid’s game app, and more fun things to come as Coogie continues to have amazing adventures.  All profits will go to charity through the Gordon Alliance.  My hope is not only to raise funds but to have Coogie teach kids aged 3-8 a life lesson in each book.

It’s wonderful that you have been able to continue to   support Michaels work with the University. How do you think Michael would feel about your new book series    and all that you are doing today? 

I am certain Michael would find it odd, being depicted as a cat, but he would applaud my creativity.  I know he is proud of the work I do at the medical school especially the Gordon Center.  And I know he is proud of his successor, Dr. Barry Issenberg.  With leading edge, innovative programs and a bright, dedicated and multi-talented faculty and staff, the Center is reaching new heights.  Harvey is in his 9th generation now, and the first responder training programs that Michael started have evolved and now include an active shooter program. Today paramedics, firefighters, EMS, the U.S. Army medical detachment and special operations teams as well as students, nurses and physicians are trained in acute stroke, terrorism response, and active shooter events to prepare them to save lives in the field. However, the Gordon Center is just one of the many jewels in the crown of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.  The Miller School is one of Florida’s top National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded institutions, ranking #2 in NIH genetics funding, and just recently climbed seven spots into the rankings of the top 50 medical schools in the nation.  They are leading the way in stem cell research, advancing research and care at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, battling cancer at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, making inroads with Covid-19 care and vaccines, and providing care for our community thru UHealth, the University of Miami Health System.  I’m involved in as much as possible  and was honored to be asked by Dean Henri Ford to serve on his Advisory Council.  I’m honored to be a small part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and continue Michaels legacy with the Gordon Center.

You obviously stay quite busy, but I know health or fitness are important to you as well. How do you manage it all and stay healthy? 

I try to eat anything I’m craving, but in moderation and I avoid diets altogether.  That said: Physical health is often directly affected by our mental health, so it’s important to nurture good thoughts and feelings.  Helping others gives me peace of mind and a satisfaction that even a size 2 dress couldn’t.  It’s not how we look that makes us special, it’s who we are inside that is our defining value.  I think that Covid-19 has made us all more aware of one another and the challenges we all face. Although separated, it has brought us together. It’s been beautiful to watch so many people reaching out to help others.

“Coogie, the Dumpster Cat,” is available on Amazon.com or at lyndasgordon.com


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