Party Watch
The horror of the Ebola virus is brought home to Houston amid cushy gala life
What:Medical Bridges "One People, One World" gala.
Where: Hilton Post Oak Hotel.
The 411: In a compelling evening focusing on the good works of Medical Bridges, chairs Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Barbara Van Postman along with honorary chair Margaret Alkek Williams helped raise more than $250,000. Proceeds will send medical supplies to areas in severe need due to the Ebola virus outbreak.
Sharing the podium as guest speakers were Cote d'Ivoire Deputy Gov. Samuel Mobio and photojournalist Catherine Clarke Murphy, who shared her two years working in Africa for Mercy Ships and the Huffington Post. (Murphy is a Kinkaid grad and University of Texas journalism major.) Dr. Bob Wilkins also spoke, sharing his story of a Medical Bridges trip years ago to Pakistan during which 2,000 people lined up for help from ophthalmologists.
Wilkins and his wife, Mary Ann Wilkins, were recognized as community honorees, accepting tributes along with volunteer of the year Dr. M. Fares Albitar and corporate honoree Chevron.
Who: Medical Bridges president and CEO Dorothy Bolettieri, Medical Bridges founder Dr. Patricia Brock Howard, Martin Fein, Joe Amberson, Beth Madison and Ralph Burch, Karla and Bill Lowerre and Pamela and Gary Halverson.