Houston Nurses Given Plenty of Love in This UT Gala

Revolutionary New Health Care Tool Shown Off in River Oaks

By Shelby Hodge // Apr 8, 2019

Photography Priscilla Dickson

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Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Cizik School of Nursing Dean ad interim Diane Santa Maria, and Dr. Sippi Khurana at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Dionne Breen, Sheri Henriksen and Leslie Bowlin at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jan Cizik, Jane Cizik, Paula Cizik at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Trish Greaser, Carolyn Moody Drake at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Honorees Kenneth & Carla Diaz-Lewis at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Norman & Cathy Weisbrodt, Michael Blackburn at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Nancy Hall, Gina Saour, Mary Lynn Marks and Ellen Stough at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Mandy Garrison, Mary Martha Stinne and Bette Thomas at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Lilly Andress, Peggy Barnett at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Laura McWilliams and Lesha Elsenbrook at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Cathy Borlenghi, Trish Millard at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Constance Johnson and Gloria Hill check out the new Giraffe technology at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jan Griesenbeck, Cheryl Beck and Sally Harvin at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Jane Block, Kathrine McGovern at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Guest speaker Carolyn Jones at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Barry & Barbara Lewis at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Carolyn Jones book on sale at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Beautiful roses at the PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

What: PARTNERS luncheon benefiting the Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health

Where: River Oaks Country Club

PC Moment: The glory and the importance of the nurses was celebrated by more than 300 guests as supporters also celebrated PARTNERS’ 25 years of working to advance the school’s nursing education and research programs. Award-winning photographer and ethnographer Carolyn Jones escorted guests on her journey in creating her critically-acclaimed book, The American Nurse, and her documentary film, The American Nurse: Healing America.

Who better to chair a luncheon supporting nurses than two MDs — Dr. Sippi Khurana and Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein. The duo introduced honorees Carla Diaz-Lewis and Kenneth Lewis, recognized for their generous philanthropy across numerous arenas and in particular for their long-term support of UTHealth.

“Your generosity, determination, and passion for nursing education and research is awe-inspiring. Nursing, by its nature, is one of the most challenging and fulfilling professions a student can choose to pursue,” said Diane Santa Maria, DrPh, MSN, RN and Cizik School dean ad interim. “A nurse’s day is usually long, filled with patients who are going through a tough time in their life, an anxious family looking for answers, and many small victories.

“When added up, these small victories can be the most satisfying and fulfilling part of being a nurse, and we know we couldn’t get through the tough times without the support of our family and friends.”

Baobab Classique Scented Candles

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Guests had the opportunity to meet a “Giraffe,” a revolutionary new tool designed to allow health care providers to check on patients in hospital rooms, assisted living apartments, long-term care facilities, or their homes.

PC Seen: Founding PARTNERS chair Peggy Barnett, emcee Ernie Manouse, Jane Cizik, Paula Cizik, Maria Pappas, Sara Oussar, Cathy Borlenghi, Mary Lynn Marks, Kathrine McGovern, Diana Hawkins, Nancy Willerson and Barbara and Barry Lewis.