Nia Bowers
Grief is a powerful and often debilitating emotion, understandably making it challenging to see how the world could ever get better after the loss of a loved one. This was initially the case for philanthropist Lynda Gordon following her husband, Dr. Michael S. Gordon’s passing. Still, with the help of her beloved cat Coogie, she saw how the intense feelings that fuel grief could be used to foster hope and resilience instead.
Inspired by her late husband’s dedication to humanitarian work, Lynda wrote her first children’s book, Coogie, the Dumpster Cat, to teach the values of empathy, kindness, and charity. She continues to advocate for animal rescue and women’s and children’s welfare to carry on Michael’s legacy of medical education and philanthropy.
A Tale of Love and Philanthropy
Born in 1956, Lynda grew up loving books, though she had no plans to become a writer then. After college, she became involved in several charities in Miami, Florida, particularly those that sought to help children and animals in need.
Soon thereafter, Lynda met and married Dr. Michael S. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist and fellow philanthropist. Michael made history in 1968 when he invented the first medical simulator ever completed, marking the beginning of his impact on medical education. In the 1980s, he developed the UMedic Multimedia Computer Curriculum in Cardiology.
The effects of Michael’s inventions can still be felt today, as the medical simulator, dubbed “Harvey,” now trains more than 20,000 physicians, nurses, clinicians, first responders and the US Army Trauma Training Detachment teams.. He also founded what would eventually be known as the Michael S. Gordon Center for Simulation and Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Lynda and Michael started the Michael S. Gordon Family Foundation in 2010 to further the reach of their philanthropic efforts. Much of the foundation’s funding goes to providing financial assistance and scholarships to animal rescue initiatives, children’s organizations, and departments at the University of Miami.
Finding Hope in Loss
Michael sadly passed away in 2017, leaving Lynda distraught and alone in carrying on their charitable work. Ten weeks after his passing, however, she found hope in the form of a cat.
A friend had found a small black kitten in a dumpster and, recalling Lynda’s animal foundation, brought the kitten to her. A wellness check with her veterinarian estimated the kitten was about 10 weeks old possibly born July 7th not knowing the significance of that date to Lynda. Seeing this moment as a sign from Michael, she adopted the cat that would soon become known as Coogie, named after Michael’s imaginary childhood friend, and became his moniker through adulthood.
Coogie served as a source of hope and comfort for Lynda, eventually inspiring her to start a children’s book series based on Coogie’s similarities to Michael. Though it took longer than expected, she ultimately published Coogie, the Dumpster Cat, on Michael’s birthday, March 29th, 2022. She credits her exceptional illustrator, Gus Duenas, for capturing the essence of the real-life Coogie in the book.
This book will be the first series that follows Michael’s life and career in a way that young children can appreciate and understand. In keeping with Michael’s storied journey of philanthropy and compassion, the books will be filled with tales of dedication, resilience, dreams, and making dreams come true. These values embody Lynda’s slogan: “Dream Big, Work Hard, and Help Others.”
Lynda continues to work on her books today, with plans to release Books 2 and 3 in 2026. She maintains her dedication to lending a helping hand wherever she can, both in her everyday life and through her books.
“For Coogie, the Dumpster Cat, I see him becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration for young children,” Lynda explains. “His adventures and wisdom will encourage them to reach for the stars and live life to the fullest, always remembering to ‘pay it forward’.”