The Ultimate Teddy Bear Tea Party Takes Over a Houston Hotel

What: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital “Ultimate Teddy Bear Tea Party”

Where: The St. Regis Hotel

PC Moment: The bushels of Blooming Gallery flowers, the yummy River Oaks Donuts wall, the Valentine’s arts and crafts station and a swarm of teddy bears all set the tone for this joyful afternoon. And the balloon walls! Applause, applause for chairs Jennifer Allison, Monica Bickers, Laura Davenort, Christine Falgout, Melissa Juneau and Rachel Regan. We can’t forget the added jollity provided the St. Regis’ Teddy Bear mascot and the CMHH mascot, Topper the Giraffe.

While the tea party rollicked with childhood entertainments and games and a Bloody Mary bar for moms and pops, there was the serious mission of health care for children, focusing on the Children’s Heart Center at CMHH. Thus, the presentation by Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami, CMHH pediatric and congenital heart surgeon. In addition, CPR certified instructors demonstrated CPR — for both parents and kids — on a teddy bear. Each youngster went home with a Gund teddy bear with a CMHH log and wearing a T-shirt style lab coat and stethoscope.

Taking the lead in the heart healthy program was CMHH CEO Susie Distefano, who welcomed guests and introduced the video on an 8-year-old pediatric heart patient who was cared for by Dodge-Khatami.

PC Seen: Lindley Arnoldy, Jaycee Wolf, April and Dr. Jorge Salazar, Chandra Bonine, Brandi Maxwell, Regay Hildreth, Maggie Stacy, Dr. Lara Leonhardt, Jennie Caven, Lauren Gow, Lexie Boudreaux, Katherine Palmer, Bill Gutnecht, Elia Selvera, and Laura Crain.