Houston’s Top Doctors Reveal Their Hidden Talents in Annual Tradition

From their talents with a paint brush to their speed across the ivories, Houston physicians presented their hidden talents (hidden to their patients, at least) to several hundred enthusiasts when The Arts of Healing held its annual fundraiser that spotlighted two dozen docs who dropped their stethoscopes and shed their lab coats for more artistic accoutrements and attire.

This blending of the worlds of arts and medicine is the brainchild of Lori Raijman, whose husband, Dr. Isaac Raijman, adds painting to his CV along with his skills as a gastroenterologist. The evening celebrating the artistic talents of physicians from across the Texas Medical Center raised funds for the Sunshine Kids.

The foyer of the Post Oak Hotel was a virtual art gallery of paintings and photography as well as a stage for physician musicians such as Dr. Khashayar Hematpour, whose turn at the baby grand piano sent classical sounds throughout the packed reception area. Shortly after his grand performance, a band (literally) of doctors took the stage with a stirring jazz performance. Count Dr. Dean Moore on sax, Dr. Josh Breier on guitar, Dr. Richard Fish on drums, Dr. Stephen Incavo on sax, Dr. Robert Markoff on piano, and Dr. Eric Salazar on bass as the musicians.

With champagne glasses in hand, guests perused the paintings of plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz, anesthesiologist Dr. Alicia Kowalski, pulmonologist Dr. Jay Murthy, Dr. Lauren Langford and more. The photography of endocrinologist Dr. Cristina Boccalandro, Dr. Brandon Goodwin and Dr. Patrick Reardon had guests rethinking their smart phone photography.

Following the cocktail reception devoted to a variety of artist physicians, guests adjourned to the ballroom for a seated dinner with entertainment by Brain Salad, comprised of emergency medicine Dr. Soham Roy, an otorhinolarynologist, on guitar and Dr. Mark Dannenbaum, neurologist, on drums. And then there was dancing to the tunes of The Chocolate Orb, led by Dr. Eric Powitzky, who by day is an otolaryngologist.

PC Seen: AnaLisa Cole, Kristen Collins, Craig Biggio, Katie and Jason Aldmon, Drs. Taylor and Bradley Kim, Aida Eltorie, David Titus, Hannah Swiggard, Haley Bown, and Henry Mentz.