Power in Pumps

Arts of Healing honors 18 Houston women in medicine at fashionable show

The fourth annual Arts of Healing Foundation Fashion Show drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 350 guests to the Post Oak Hotel on April 4, celebrating an unstoppable force in Houston’s healthcare community: Women in medicine.

Arts of Healing Foundation Fashion Show 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Cathleen Fishel, Jayne Johnston, Bethany Buchanan, and Alex Brock.

Ditching their white coats and scrubs, 18 honorees from every corner of the Houston medical scene traded operating-room-ready gear for Tootsies’ latest designs, curated by creative director Fady Armanious. With specialties spanning oncology to emergency medicine and roles from surgeons to administrators, these women stepped onto what organizers dubbed the “runway of role models.”

And owned it.

Presented by DFC Medical, Dr. Isaac and Lori Raijman, and Houston Medical Imaging, the evening balanced glam with gratitude. Rose-hued drapery and floral linens by Blooming Gallery set the tone, while a fast-selling raffle raised additional funds in support of the foundation’s mission: Fusing art and medicine to foster healing and creativity for patients and physicians alike.

The models? A powerhouse lineup of 18 trailblazing women in medicine, each transforming the runway into a celebration of purpose and personal style. Among them were Dr. Connie Wang, Jayne Johnston, Dr. Susan Mathew, Dr. Alexandra Stevens, Dr. Magdalena Sanz Cortes, Dr. Katie Bolt, Dr. M. Monica Gramatges, Dr. Christina Paruthi, Dr. Shaden Khalaf, Tricia McGusty, Dr. Emily Jamea, Dr. Gwyn Richardson, Dr. Shirley Lima, Dr. Sonali Patel, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Dr. Gina Blocker, Dr. Jessica Traver, and Dr. Dalia Moghazy — each earning applause as they showcased not just fashion, but the fierce compassion and expertise that define their careers.

Since its founding eight years ago, the foundation has contributed over $700,000 to local nonprofits, including The Elkins Pancreas Center at Baylor College of Medicine, The Lung Force, March of Dimes, and The Sunshine Kids Foundation. Its year-round programming includes YouTube art lessons and in-person art classes for children undergoing cancer treatment, often led by physicians themselves — along with a special summer camp for young patients.

Before the night wrapped, attendees eagerly grabbed save-the-date cards for the next big event: The Physician Art Show and Gala on November 8.

Among those in the crowd were Kristen Collins, Stephanie Wilcox, Trisha and Josh Weisman, Sonia and Ray Alizzi, Natalie and Mark Bordman, Ashlee Rubbo, Dr. Danielle Antosh, Dr. Tammy Saunders, Dr. Khalad and Amal Khalaf, Bethany Buchanan, Kristen Cannon, Dr. Kathy Nguyen, Dr. Kristy Hamilton, Dr. Rukmini Rednam, Dr. Randy and Robie Stenoin, and Donna Lewis.

fundraisers arts of healing foundation

Horns Up High

Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.