Transformational Gift

Houston 'power couple' gives $25 million to UTHealth School of Nursing

Texas could have a severe nursing shortage in the next 15 years as baby boomers retire and demand for health services grows, but Houston philanthropists Jane and Robert Cizik are aiming to do something about it. During a press conference at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston on National Philanthropy Day, officials announced that the couple has pledged $25 million to the UTHealth School of Nursing, which will be renamed in their honor.

Orange and white confetti rained down as UTHealth president Dr. Giuseppe N. Colasurdo made the announcement before a cheering crowd.

"Wise and discerning in their philanthropy, they make a tremendous difference, while remaining humble, happy, and visionary," Colasurdo said, in praising the couple. "Thank you for entrusting us with your legacy for generations to come....As I promise you, we will make you proud."

The gift, which is the largest the School of Nursing has received, will establish scholarships for students; endow chairs to recruit, reward and retain outstanding nursing faculty members; fund innovative research; and create a distinguished lecture series.

"Jane and Bob know that nurses are the beating heart of our health care system. As the saying goes, 'If you save one life you're a hero, and if you save 100 lives, you're a nurse' and that's certainly true," said UT regent Janiece Longoria.

Longoria praised the Ciziks as "Houston's power couple" who have made generous donations in a wide variety of areas. Robert Cizik chaired the $10 million philanthropic campaign to build a new $57 million home for the nursing school that opened in 2004 and the couple previously made a substantial gift to the Hermann Eye Fund, which was renamed the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, where UTHealth ophthalmologists practice.

They have also given generously to Harvard University, the University of Connecticut, the Wortham Theater Center, The Women’s Home, Citizens for Animal Protection, University of Houston, and the National Audubon Society.

Robert Cizik, who is known as Bob to his friends, served as chairman, CEO, and president at Cooper Industries from 1973-1996.

"We were drawn to this cause because the school is a top nursing school in the nation and we passionately believe in the power of education," said Jane Cizik. "Here at UTHealth patients come first."

The Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing becomes the second in the UTHealth system to be named for a generous couple. In 2015, the medical school was renamed in honor of philanthropists John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern after receiving a $75 million gift from the John P. McGovern Foundation.

After the announcement, Robert and Jane Cizik gathered with their family at a luncheon.

Robert and Jane Cizik with their family at a luncheon immediately following the announcement of UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing

Photo by J. Daniel Escareño

After the announcement, Robert and Jane Cizik gathered with their family at a luncheon.

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That's hot

State-of-the-art Dallas gym heats up Houston with power yoga poses

Courtesy Ritual One

Ritual One, a Dallas-based fitness center that's built a cult-like following, opens in Uptown Park in December.

Award-winning fitness phenomenon Ritual One is coming to Houston. The fitness center built a cult-like following in Dallas, and the Houston location represents its first expansion beyond the Metroplex.

Scheduled to open in December, the gym has claimed 3,400-square-feet in Uptown Park between Juiceland and The Rustic (1121 Uptown Park Blvd. Suite 9). The state-of-the-art studio will feature a mixture of power sculpt, hot pilates, power yoga, inferno flow, and inferno HIIT–all taking place in its infrared-heated studio. Guests can expect traditional yoga poses mixed with sculpt and HIIT to push them to their highest physical and mental potential.

First-class locker rooms, luxurious bathrooms with showers and bath products, and a finely curated retail section, with selections for men and women, round out the center’s amenities.

Ritual One will be open seven days a week, and the class schedule will be posted as the opening date nears. A limited number of founding memberships will be offered ahead of the opening.

Co-founders Kalene McGraner and Nicole Preston are excited to bring the brand to Houston, along with Houston owner Yagmur Griffin. Founded in 2020, the fitness center built on the duo's decades of education and practice of power yoga. Ritual One offers a next-generation approach to its wellness experience, using state-of-the-art technology to give movement additional health benefits. The classes bring the heat, ranging from 95 degrees to 102 degrees over the duration of the workout.

“We felt that Ritual One was exactly what the fitness industry was missing,” Preston said in a statement. “Infrared heat, which is a great way to detox toxins, combined with functional movements, creates the ideal environment to push individuals to their top performance and ideal health.”

“We spent several years researching heaters and ionization systems to create state-of-the-art systems in our rooms that promote and maximize detoxification and heat you from the inside out,” added McGraner “Our best-in-class instructors and rigorous training programs, combined with our customer service, make for a top-notch experience for every client from the time they walk in to when they leave.”

The infrared heating system helps to increase blood flow, raise heart rates, boost metabolism, burn calories, torch fat, and stimulate cardiovascular systems to promote detoxification, all while reducing pain and inflammation.

Those wishing to learn more about Ritual One’s Houston location can email info@ritualoneyogahtx.com.

Courtesy of Ritual One

Ritual One, a Dallas-based fitness center that's built a cult-like following, opens in Uptown Park in December.