Shelby's Social Diary

From Vegas showgirls to red pjs: Rockin' and rollin' the dice at Health MuseumCasino Night

Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain

"Casino chic" as the Health Museum's Casino Night dress code command initially threw some partygoers. But from the looks of the 300 or so players at Hobby Center Saturday night, fashion savvy was less important than the blessings of lady luck.

In an interesting twist on the fashion note, the serious gamblers who paid an extra $100 to join the poker game on the fourth floor mezzanine were less dressed for partying than for comfort at the poker table. No ties, a few jackets and plenty of jeans and shirttails out.

The Health Museum's fourth annual night of blackjack, craps and poker began with cocktails for VIPs in Artista then moved on to the main foyer where gaming tables were complimented by a bountiful silent auction and tempting taste treats from Cordua Catering that had guests standing in line.

Hubba, hubba for those instrumental in the party — Health Museum president Jon Iszard, auction chairs Maidie Ryan and Drew Wilson and honorary chair Jared Lang, Momentum Audi honcho.

New to the fun this year was the high-roller Texas Hold 'Em tournament chaired by Eva Farha. Taking home top prize was Shawn O'Brien with second and third place going to Chris Smith and Rusty Sutphin, respectively.

Adding to the glamour beyond the duo of Las Vegas showgirl types was Urban Retreat make-up artist Edward Sanchez, who spent much of the night adding glittery color to luscious lips and dabbing on blush and eye shadow where needed.

Most notable among the guests was Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker — always the clever sport — who strolled in wearing red pajamas, white robe and shades, unlit cigar in hand. Others in the mix included Uchenna Agu, Trevor Eade and Stephen Hill, Lara Bell, Lisa and Kevin Morano, Nathalie and Jamie Stewart, Naji Ghorayeb, Nancy Perkins, Lori Freese, Jennifer Roosth, Dr. Roland Maldonado and Joel Bickley.

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Painted with Purpose

21 Houston doctors trade scrubs for canvases at Arts of Healing gala

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

Turns out, creativity isn’t just for the canvas. It pulses through the hands of healers, too.

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

That was the spirit of The Arts of Healing Eighth Annual Gala, where physicians traded lab coats for aprons and oils to showcase their artistic prowess at The Post Oak Hotel on November 8.

Guests — close to 500 — were greeted by a floral fantasia courtesy of Blooming Gallery. A grand circular bar anchored the room, while a curated silent auction, wine pull, and an ultra-chic Valobra raffle for a diamond necklace tempted attendees. The centerpiece? Art by 21 physician-artists being honored that evening lining the entire ballroom.

Among the physicians celebrated for their contributions both in hospitals and on canvas were Dr. Shetal Amin, Dr. Deepak Bedi, Dr. Mark Dannenbaum, Dr. Meshann Fitzgerald, Dr. Matthew Goldman, Dr. Brandon Goodwin, Dr. Mollie Gordon, Dr. Maysoon Hamed, Dr. Emily Jamea, Dr. Henry Kuerer,Dr. JP LeFave, Dr. Dean Moore, Dr. Marlene Morales, Dr. Sehar Najamus, Dr. Eric Powitzky, Dr. Terrence Wadley, Dr. Cindy Williams, Dr. Jose Miguel Yamal, Dr. Sarrah Zadeh, and Dr. Isaac Raijman, who, alongside his wife, Lori Raijman, founded the Arts of Healing Foundation.

Co-chaired by Rachel and Warren Ellsworth IV and Natalie and Mark Bordman, the evening marked a fundraising high, collecting more than $560,000 to support The Arts of Healing and its Sunshine Kids Summer Camp collaboration. The initiative brings children facing cancer from across Texas together for creativity, connection, and joy.

A special musical cameo brought the house down when honoree Dr. Jeff Ross took the stage, trumpet in hand, for a guest appearance with Dry Water Band. The dance floor stayed thumping well into the night, a tribute to the spirit of creativity as medicine.

Summoning their inner Picassos were Sarah Collins, Michele and Youval Meicler, Kristen Collins, Betsy and Jimmy Montgomery, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Kristen Cannon, Cathleen Fishel, Stephanie Wilcox, Alexis Rosales, Faith Majors, Bethany Buchanan, Susan and Steve Beatte, Larry Doty, Vanessa and Chuck Ames, Dana Barton and Robert Clay, Rita Shuma, Jennifer Wisler, Dr. Rukmini Rednam, Dr. Victoria Chang, Dr. Danielle Antosh, Katie Tsuru, and Dr. Kathy Nguyen.

fundraisers