Extending a helping hand — via medical equipment — across international waters was the focus of the Medical Bridges "One People, One World" gala at the Hilton Post Oak.
With Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Barbara Van Postman as chairs and Margaret Alkek Williams as honorary chair, the dinner raised more than $210,000 for the non-profit that recovers medical surplus that would otherwise be discarded and redistributes it to hospitals, clinics and health care providers in less fortunate countries.
Dr. James Makinde, president and vice chancellor of Babcock University in Nigeria, and a host of his associates flew all the way in from Nigeria to participate in the fundraising, presenting a video highlighting the impact that Medical Bridges has had in his community. Makinde is regular visitor to Medical Bridges events, the connection established through the non-profit's infusion of medical and surgical equipment and supplies to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital and to the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. School of Medicine in Nigeria.
A host of awards were presented at the dinner including Volunteer of the Year to Caring Friends, accepted by executive director John Collier; Medical Honoree award to CHRISTUS Health, accepted by Tina Hanson; and Community Honoree award to Kim and Mike Weill.
Supporters included Medical Bridges CEO Dorothy Bolettieri, Medical Bridges founder Dr. Patricia Brock Howard, Anne and Clarence Cazalot, Drs. Sylvia and Homero Anchondo, Dr. Alfredo Viteri, Joella and Steve Mach, Janet and Ernie Cockrell, Bain Pearson and John Pitts, Beth Madison and Ralph Burch.
Barbara Van Postman, from left, Margaret Alkek Williams and Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein at the Medical Bridges gala.
