Record-Breaking Gala
Houston Methodist looks to the future as Rendezvous gala brings in record-breaking $3 million
“Rendezvous: Live Young," chaired by Claudia and Roberto Contreras and Lisa and Josh Oren, celebrated Houston Methodist with a look to the national recognized hospital system's future. A new fundraising campaign, “Leading Medicine to the Power of M, The Campaign for Our Second Century,” was announced to the massive crowd of 1,400.
As Houston Methodist prepares to commemorate the institution’s centennial in 2019, the campaign has a goal of raising $500 million to support its health care mission in the next 100 years.
During the gala, emceed by KPRC news anchor Dominique Sachse at the Hilton Americas-Houston, Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III, the Jerold B. Katz Foundation, and Freeport LNG were honored for their commitment to Houston Methodist.
The High School for Performing and Visual Arts Young Performers kicked things off with a lively rendition of “Sing” and “Best Day of My Life." The night concluded on a bright note as a spectacle of laser lights, glow in the dark bracelets, and glow sticks illuminated the ballroom as guests danced to music by Las Vegas’ DJ Crykit.
Significant contributions from presenting sponsors Hushang Ansary and his wife, Shahla, and Vizient, an alliance of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, as well as a gift by an anonymous benefactor made during the event in tribute of honorary event chairs, Janet and Ernest H. Cockrell, brought the evening’s total to a record-setting $3 million for research, education, and patient care at Houston Methodist's Medical Center campus and seven community hospitals.
Seen in the crowd were Lou and Mark Houser, Mauro Ferrari, Michael Smith, Estela andDavid Cockrell, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Maria Bush, Emily and Holcombe Crosswell, Connie Dyer, Allie and Jay Fields, Libbie and Greg Nelson, Elizabeth Blanton Wareing, Carole and Jim Looke, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Sarah and Duncan Underwood, Caroline and Jeremy Finkelstein, Steven Arnold, Debbie Hurwitz, Sue Smith, and Brandy and Ron Wilson.