Women of Joy

#FeelTheJoy: “Really it has turned into my therapy,” said Steven D’Achille, president of the Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation. His wife, Alexis, suffered severe postpartum depression following the birth of their daughter and took her own life in 2013. He channeled his grief into creating this foundation to help women. Mr. D’Achille spoke at the Women of Joy luncheon held at Slate Studio in the Strip DistrictThursday.

“The foundation lets me know, and her family know that the loss was not in vain,” he said. Michelle Sager chaired the event, which featured a video and silent auction. Guest speaker Dr. Sarah Homitsky, a psychiatrist, spoke about the progress in treating postpartum depression and how serious it is. Allegheny Health Network teamed with the foundation to create the Alexis Joy Center for Women’s Brain Health at West Penn Hospital. Kim Holmberg, wife of David Holmberg — the CEO of Highmark Health — was honored with the Women of Joy Award for all of her support. “I am very proud that AHN stepped up to create this opportunity for women,” she said.

#SEEN: AHN Women’s Health Program director Deb McDonald, Nitalia Manilla with her 2-month-old daughter Nikki, Jessica Wiggins with her 1-month-old son Leo, Alexis Allen, owner of Slate Studio, Deb Linhart, Courtney Williams, Mr. D’Achille’s mother Carol, his 4-year-old daughter Adriana, and his sisters Christie Taggart and Natalie Price. “I want to make sure my daughter has all the programs and services available if she would need them,” said Mr. D’Achille. —