Holiday Gala Celebrates Doctors Who Live Secret Double-Lives — as Artists!

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Holiday Gala Celebrates Doctors Who Live Secret Double-Lives — as Artists!

Henry Mentz, Alexis Rosales, Lori and Issac Raijman, Stephanie Wilcox and Brooklyn Weatherill

ARTS OF HEALING, a Houston nonprofit advocating for artistic expression as a method of healing for both patients and physicians, hosted its annual holiday fundraiser at The Post Oak Hotel, where supporters raised more than $300,000 for the cause.


More than 400 festively clad guests were greeted by a jazz trio consisting of doctors Dean Moore, Mark Dannenbaum and Jose Miguel-Yamal as they perused the art exhibit in the lobby. In the grand ballroom, outfitted by Blooming Gallery, the raffle and silent and live auctions awaited; jewelry and art created by talented doctors and pediatric patients brought in the big bucks!

Live music courtesy of the party band Password had galagoers — including the night's honorees, 15 Houston-area physicians who are also arbiters of creativity as a means of healing — dancing the night away.

Studies are increasingly proving that art is beneficial in medical and clinical settings — not only to patients, who experience greater healing, but also to the physicians and nurses, who report higher workplace satisfaction. The proceeds from the Arts of Healing gala will go toward facilitating art-making and creative opportunities outside of a hospital setting, and some will also go to local nonprofit The Sunshine Kids, which supports children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

Bernie Cantu and Rubens Franz

Susan Beatte and Nick Traber

Berry Fairchild and Joseph Cochran

Shetal Amin and Kishan Dwarakanath

Mr. and Mrs. Chan Do and Moni Bohnisch

Vinaya Rednam and Ethan Stoll

Mirna Hirr

Kristen Collins, Nicole Allen and Sarah Collins

Jose-Miguel Yamal, Dean Moore and Mark Dannenbaum

Isaac Raijman, German Newall and Henry Mentz

Eric Powitzky and The Sunshine Kids

Betsy and Jimmy Montgomery

Terrence Wadley

Parties
Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala

CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool

WHETHER YOU PREFER Alice, the Mad Hatter or the Queen of Hearts, Communities In Schools of Houston’s A Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary GalaA Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary Gala is not to be missed! Join in the celebration for a whimsical good time on Thursday, April 4th, at the luxurious Post Oak Hotel.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places