The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
+33 The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum 2024 Annual Gala “Mysterious Worlds” Raises Record $420,000
The Health Museum welcomed more than 300 guests to celebrate the people and institutions that play a critical role in creating a healthier Houston at the Annual Gala on November 2, 2024 at the Hotel ZaZa-Museum District, raising a record-breaking $420,000.
Funds raised at the Mysterious Worlds: Unveiling the Wonders of Healthy Living gala benefit the Museum’s efforts to inspire and ignite curiosity in the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals with its interactive exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach programs.
The evening kicked off with an intimate reception featuring cocktails and live painting by renowned Houston artist Taft McWhorter of his iconic Texas Flag, which was later one of the top items in the live auction. The dinner chimes then led the guests into the ballroom to find tables adorned with centerpieces of calla lilies paired with a colorful assortment of roses and hydrangeas, courtesy of H-E-B.
The highly sought after “Mystery Boxes”, which included prizes valued up to $850, were sold out within a matter of minutes! Luxury experiences and surprises included Houston Rockets tickets and swag bag including a team t-shirt and blanket, spa experiences, top Houston restaurant gift certificates, theater tickets, Bose Bluetooth wireless headphones, original artwork, and more.
KUHF Radio Host Ernie Manouse along with The Health Museum President & CEO John Arcidiacono officially began the program and welcomed guests as they watched a video tribute to the evening’s honoree Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., who serves as Co-director Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development and Dean of National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Hotez was honored for his dedication to unraveling the mysteries of tropical diseases that largely affect the underserved, as he works tirelessly to make these vaccines available and affordable to all. He is a scientist, teacher, and mentor and understands the importance of The Health Museum as a vehicle to spark interest in science for younger generations.
Joining on stage were recent participants in the Museum’s Global Teen Medical Summit Sophia Burnette of St. John’s School and Duro Dina of Lamar High School to introduce Dr. Hotez. He then joined them to share a few words on the current state of healthcare and the important role The Health Museum serves in Houston.
Board Chair of The Health Museum Susan Bickley then shared the invocation leading to a brief pause in the program for guests to enjoy a dinner of a Texas Hill Country Salad of rub red grapefruit, whipped avocado, candied pecans, black bean Pico and smoked poblano ranch, followed by a duel entrée course of grilled beef tenderloin and seared red fish accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and crispy Brussel sprouts, ending with a sweet course of crème brulee, tiramisu, and raspberry macaroon.
Following dessert, Gala Chair and Advisory Board Chair Erica Littlejohn Burnette was joined on stage by her daughter Sophia Burnette to thank the evening’s sponsors, underwriters, and donors.
Manouse led the live auction curated by Gala Auction Co-chairs Dr. James Flowers and Robin French that included one of kind experiences and coveted items, such as Dr. Hotez’s signed lab coat along with three of his personal signature bow ties; a private after-hours sleepover party at The Health Museum that included a scavenger hunt, DeBakey Cell Lab experiments, organ dissection, movie, pizza, snacks and a continental breakfast; a two-night weekend stay in the Bush Suite at the Houstonian Hotel and Spa with valet parking, two 50-Minute massages, an afternoon private cabana with Prosecco, appetizer, and more as well as a $100 dining credit at Tribute Restaurant; a Houston signature event package of four Club Seats to an Astros game with dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, parking pass, two first-row Rockets seats with a parking pass and exclusive access to the PNC and Golden Nugget Clubs, two Houston Ballet Founders Box seats, two dinner and wine in the Wortham Theater Founders Salon before the ballet and two tickets to Hamilton at the Hobby Center; a one-night stay at Hotel ZaZa Museum District in a Magnificent 7 suite with a 60-minute couples custom massage, $200 Granger’s Restaurant gift card, and a $250 Hotel ZaZa gift card, among others.
While guests engaged in the lively auction, Show Business Entertainment was busy installing a surprise dance floor in the reception area with a DJ Booth, and a stilt-walking illuminated Robot that engaged guests on the dance floor in a lively afterparty.
Arcidiacono and Manouse then led an appeal to Fund The Mission and announced a match offered by several board members and friends of the Museum, which led to a 67 percent increase in funds raised for the night. Students Dina and Alleena Khan shared their personal firsthand experiences at the Museum and the impact it has had on their healthcare career aspirations.
Sponsors that helped bring the mysterious evening to fruition included: Miraculous Sponsor Faykus Foundation; Wonderous Sponsors HCA Houston Healthcare, Harris County Medical Society, Houston Academy of Medicine, UnitedHealthcare, Susan and Ward Pennebaker, Susan Bickley and Robert Scott; Astonishing Sponsors Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, and June and Kenneth Mattox; and Marvelous Sponsors Ascent Emergency Medical Center, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald T. Cotton, Dr. William S. Gilmer, J. Flowers Health Institute, David Gow, Dr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton, Jr. and family, The Sydney D. Holland Foundation, Houston Medical Forum, Houston Methodist, Linbeck Group, Jackie Macha and Brian Faulkner, Memorial Hermann, Microsoft, Dr. Bon Ngu and Mrs. Edna Ngu, Dr. JoAnne Rogers-Sylve, Liz and Andy Stepanian, Texas Children’s Hospital, TDECU, Truist Bank Wealth Management, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Houston, and Bob Westendarp.
Additional sponsors included: Entertainment Underwriter Neel, Hooper & Banes, P.C. and Bryant and Nova Banes; Photography Underwriter Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein; Floral Underwriter H-E-B; Mystery Box Underwriter Artella Solutions; Auction Underwriter Sculpt U Club Physical Therapy; and Valet Underwriter Uncle Funky’s Daughter.
Supporters in attendance included: Connie Kwan-Wong, Merele Yarborough, The Hon. Bill Littlejohn, Susan and Ward Pennebaker, Martha Walton, Carolyn Benton Aiman, Ed and Lynn Jones, Nikhil Nayak, Dr. Kenneth Mattox, and Dr. Margaret Mary Wilson.
About The Health Museum:
Located in the heart of the Houston Museum District, The Health Museum’s mission is to foster wonder and curiosity about health, medical science, and the human body. The Health Museum is one of the most interactive and popular health science learning centers of its kind and a favorite among Houstonians. Since the museum’s opening in 1969, visitors have benefited from the intriguing exhibits and unmatched programming developed in partnerships with leading medical and scientific experts. As a member institution of the Texas Medical Center, and the only Smithsonian Affiliate Museum in the Houston Museum District, The Health Museum is a culturally significant educational asset that attracts learners of all ages. For more information about The Health Museum, visit thehealthmuseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.