Legends of Atlanta Gala Raises More Than $625,000 to Support Nation’s Leading Respiratory Hospital


DENVER - On Sept. 2, 2026, National Jewish Health, the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, held the Legends of Atlanta Gala “A Breath of Fresh Air – A Tribute to Pat Mitchell.” Community, business and philanthropic leaders celebrated the media icon and activist’s contributions to Atlanta and the world at the Woodruff Arts Center. They raised more than $625,000 to support the pioneering research and treatment of National Jewish Health — the nation’s leading respiratory hospital and a destination for excellence in collaborative multispecialty care. 

As the special honoree of the evening, Mitchell received the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award, in recognition of her extraordinary legacy of inspiring action on global health, women’s issues and the environment. The event celebrated the many high points of her life as a leader in her industry and the world and as a champion for journalism and advocacy. 
“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, I want to do for it whatever I can,” Mitchell said. “My life is not some brief candle to me but a burning torch that I have in my hands for a brief moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before passing it to the next generation. Tonight my torch is burning more brightly than ever … because I have shared a breath of fresh air and feel deeply inspired by your support for National Jewish Health.” 
 
Greg Downey, MD, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, provost and The Drs. Harold & Mary Zirin Chair in Pulmonary Biology at National Jewish Health, delivered the keynote remarks for the institution. “More than 126 years ago, Frances Wisebart Jacobs mobilized influential business, civic and faith leaders in Denver to open National Jewish Health, a free hospital for impoverished people struggling to breathe during the tuberculosis pandemic. Frances — like Pat — was a change maker,” Dr. Downey said. “Whether you are in Atlanta, Denver, New York — or anywhere in the world — you or someone you know with lung, heart and immune conditions has benefited from the work of National Jewish Health.” Dr. Downey also shared how National Jewish Health is changing the paradigm for many debilitating diseases, and how as a research institute, it is home to pioneers in medical science. 
 
Special guests throughout the evening offered inspiring tributes to Mitchell. Media executives Tom Johnson and Frank Bennack Jr. lauded her historic role in broadcasting. While Bennack was not in attendance, his message was shared with the audience. 
Several of Mitchell’s friends paid homage to her memoir “Becoming a Dangerous Woman,” including actress and philanthropist Lynda Carter, who exclaimed of Mitchell, “She always shows up! For communities and people in need and always for those she loves … like all of you who showed up tonight for her.” 
 
Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent and former anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, served as master of ceremonies for the event. Guests were treated to music created for this special evening. Entertainment included the University of Georgia Hodgson Singers, The Will Scruggs Quartet and The Dissenters.     
 
Mitchell’s husband, Scott Seydel, was the gala’s honorary chair. Co-chairs of the event were Rubye Lucas, Mitchell’s longtime friend; former media executive Wonya Lucas; Mitchell’s son, Mark Mitchell; and Mitchell’s stepson Clark Seydel. The event’s national leadership committee included media and entertainment giants such as Christiane Amanpour, Lynda Carter, Glenn Close, Jane Fonda and Judy Woodruff, among others. View a full list of event leaders.

The Presenting Sponsors for the event were Lynda Carter as well as Hearst. Dr. Mary Lake Polan & Frank A. Bennack Jr. were the Changemaker Sponsor. Visionary Sponsors included The Liz Blake Giving Fund, Edwina & Tom Johnson and an anonymous donor. Scott Anderson supported as a Pioneer Sponsor. See the full list of sponsors who generously supported this event.

This was the third Legends of Atlanta Gala that National Jewish Health has presented. The first event honored Fay Gold, an icon of contemporary arts, a famed gallerist and a philanthropist. The second honored former Ambassador, U.S. Rep. and Atlanta Mayor Andrew J. Young.

Background for Pat Mitchell

Throughout her career as an award-winning journalist, producer and media executive, Pat Mitchell broke new ground for women as the first woman president of both PBS and CNN Productions. Today, Mitchell is a co-founder, host and curator for TEDWomen and a co-founder and managing partner of Connected Women Leaders, a cohort of global women leaders across generations and geography who have launched a global, women-led campaign for climate justice titled Project Dandelion. She serves on the boards of the Sundance Institute, The Skoll Foundation, Participant Media, The Woodruff Arts Center and the VDAY movement to end violence. She’s also a member of CARE’s Global Advisory Council and chair emerita of the Women’s Media Center, which established an annual award in her name. In her memoir, “Becoming a Dangerous Woman: Embracing Risk to Change the World,” Mitchell shares her journey as a frontline advocate for a just, equitable and sustainable world. 
 

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.


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