What: Circle of Life “Above & Beyond” Gala
Where: The Hilton Americas-Houston
The scoop: More than 1,300 guests celebrated the lifesaving work undertaken daily at one of the nation’s busiest Level I adult trauma centers and the longest standing pediatric trauma center at the Memorial Hermann Circle of Life “Above & Beyond” Gala.
Garnering a massive $8.25 million to benefit Memorial Hermann Trauma and Critical Care Services, the gala was chaired by well-known Houston community leaders Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout and Lisa and Jerry Simon. Longtime health system champions Ann and Clarence Cazalot were honored at the gala for their continued leadership and generosity to Memorial Hermann through the years.
Honorees Ann and Clarence Cazalot were recognized for their legacy of support of Memorial Hermann. Clarence currently serves on the Memorial Hermann System Board and as chair of the Finance Committee, while Ann co-chaired the inaugural Memorial Hermann Razzle Dazzle luncheon, which has become a signature Houston event and has raised more than $2.5 million for the Bobetta Lindig Breast Cancer Center at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. Ann is a passionate advocate of early detection of breast cancer, being a survivor herself.
A riveting video — produced by Ward and Ames Special Events and shown on a 72-foot video screen — brought attendees along for the ride in a “day in the life” of Memorial Hermann Life Flight and the trauma and critical care services teams, powerfully illustrating the lasting effect on families who have been positively touched by Memorial Hermann.
As the evening progressed, the celebrating did too, as the impressive video wall opened like a theater curtain to reveal a 48-foot multilevel stage for an exciting musical performance by the Atlanta-based dance band Simply Irresistible.
Among the after-dinner crowd were partygoers in the “Sundown Lounge,” a late-night lounge housed within the ballroom with light bites, cocktails, dancing, and party favors. The wildly successful “party in progress” element was first introduced in 2017 and has quickly become a guest favorite.
Who: Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Philamena and Arthur Baird, Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, Deborah Cannon, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Bobbie Nau, Yvonne and Walter Johnson, Christine Falgout-Gutknecht and Bill Gutknecht, Nina and Edd Hendee, Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Dr. Michelle McNutt and Dr. Billy Gill, Alice and Keith Mosing, Anne E. Neeson and Craig Janies, Lisa and Jerry Simon, Ann and Clarence Cazalot, Barbara and Bill Easter, Susan Sarofim, Beverly and Jim Postl, Judy and Chuck Stokes, Donna and Tony Vallone, Hallie Vanderhider, Bill King, Kimberly and Evan Scheele, Michelle and Stephen Fraga, Zhanna and Vitaly Golodryga, Kathleen and Martin Beirne, Alison and Greg Haralson, Melinda and Mike Perrin, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniels.
