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.
Photo by Daniel Ortiz
Sarah Collins, Dr Gina Blocker, and Nicole Allen.
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.
