Shelby's Social Diary

Membership in Methodist Hospital's new "society" has its rewards and the docs love it

With Estela and David Cockrell at the helm as chairs and with Dr. Marc Boom as the charming pitch man, who wouldn't be inspired to join Methodist Hospital Systems' Society for Leading Medicine? The new leadership giving program launched into reality at a cocktail gathering at the Houston Ballet Center for Dance.

Boom, CEO of Methodist Hospital Systems, inspired with commentary on the system's three areas of focus —clinical care, the research institute and the system's educational mission.

In addition to the social heavyweights, a number of doctors from Methodist joined the evening, including three who spoke briefly — Dr. Patrick McCulloch, physician for Houston Ballet specializing in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine and physician for Houston Ballet; Dr. Ennio Tasciotti, co-chair of the nanomedicine department; and Dr. David Baskin in the neurosurgery department.

Benefits of membership (starting at $1,000) include educational and social events, tours of the hospital with Methodist experts, events in private homes featuring information on the latest breakthroughs and the opportunity to support the work of Methodist physicians, researchers and faculty. In only a few weeks since the initial membership drive began, the Society for Leading Medicine already has more than 100 members.

Lending an ear to the proceedings were Janet and Ernie Cockrell, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Julie Boom, Laura and William Wheless, Ashley and John Stevens, Todd Frazier, Sara Jane and Ross Canion, Michelle and Jeffrey Foutch, Patti and Richard Everett, Neda Ladjevardian and Bill King.

02, The Methodist Society party, February 2013, David Cockrell, Estela Cockrell, Julie Boom, Dr. Marc Boom

Photo by © Chinh Phan CultureMapSNAP.com

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Paws and Purpose

Lavish brunch party raises nearly $1M for Houston’s homeless animals

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Tena Faust, Major John Whitmire, Tama Lundquist, and Kirby Metocha.

Brunch with a purpose? Count Houston PetSet in.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Tena Faust, Major John Whitmire, Tama Lundquist, and Kirby Metocha.

The beloved nonprofit swapped its traditional evening gala for a sunshine-filled fête, and the crowd clearly approved. Held September 28 at chic social hub Le Tesserae, “Le Brunch” shimmered with mimosas, music, and energy, all to support Houston’s fight against animal homelessness.

The inaugural daytime event, co-chaired by Kirby Matocha Edmund alongside PetSet co-presidents Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust, drew a who’s who of Houston’s philanthropic set. Special guest Billy Bob Thornton and his band The Boxmasters delivered a rollicking set that had guests trading polite applause for full-on toe-tapping. Emcee Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston, kept spirits bright and the program flowing with her signature warmth and wit.

From classic brunch couture to photo-ready smiles, the scene blended laid-back glam with serious fundraising muscle.

And that muscle made an impact. Nearly $1 million was raised to fund PetSet’s critical grant program, which supports rescue groups and shelters across Texas. Last year, the nonprofit distributed more than $400,000 to nearly 100 local partners.

With its lively new format and near seven-figure success, “Le Brunch” might just become Houston’s next great giving tradition, with a side of croissants and good company.

Among the crowd of animal advocates were Mayor John Whitmire and Senator Joan Huffman, joined by Jan Duncan, Courtney Hopson, Mario Castillo, Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Devinder and Gina Bhatia, Rachelle and Jeff Ball, Honorable Lyndon and Marilyn Rose, Baily Dalton-Binion, Nancy Mathe, Ellen Weitz, Brittany Shattuck, Mary Doughtie, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Marge Lundquist, Sandra Smith, Shima Zangeneh, and Sue Smith.

fundraisers