The Health Museum 2025 Annual
Health Heroes Gala Raises $430,000

Photo credit: Joanna Jiang and JH Photography 

The Health Museum welcomed more than 200 guests for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration at the Annual Health Heroes Gala on November 1, 2025, at the Hotel ZaZa-Museum District. Dedicated to honoring those who devote their lives to advancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of others, the gala raised a record-breaking $430,000 in support of the Museum’s mission.

Proceeds from the evening will fuel the Museum’s innovative educational programs, interactive exhibitions, and community outreach initiatives — each designed to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and changemakers.

The festivities began with a lively cocktail reception featuring art by celebrated Houston artist Taft McWhorter, who created a collaborative piece titled “Note to Self”. Guests were invited to add their own notes to the work, which later became one of the most coveted items in the live auction.

As dinner chimes called attendees into the ballroom, they were greeted by a stunning scene designed by In Bloom, with tables graced by elegant arrangements of white roses, hydrangeas, and lush greenery — generously underwritten by UTHealth Houston. Artella Solutions sponsored the dazzling décor, where gold and crystal table lamps cast a warm glow, creating a sophisticated “upscale speakeasy” ambiance.

A crowd favorite, the “Mystery Boxes” — each packed with prizes valued up to $1,000 — sold out within minutes once again. Treasures included Houston Astros and Houston Texans tickets, fine jewelry, luxury handbags, restaurant certificates, a Yeti rolling cooler, and exclusive experiences.

The evening’s program opened with CW39 HTown Live Host Maggie Flecknoe and The Health Museum President & CEO John Arcidiacono, who welcomed guests and shared updates on the Museum’s impact. Board Chair Susan Bickley then offered a heartfelt invocation, after which guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner featuring Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Citrus-Crusted Red Snapper, and decadent desserts, including Fresh Seasonal Berries with Chantilly Cream and Chocolate Decadence Cake with Raspberry Coulis.

A highlight of the evening came when Houston icon Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale took the stage to introduce the 2025 Health Heroes Honoree, his daughter Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale. In a deeply moving tribute, McIngvale shared their family’s personal journey with mental illness and celebrated their daughter’s remarkable dedication to transforming her experience into purpose.

Now serving as Director of the OCD Institute of Texas and Founder of the Peace of Mind Foundation, Dr. McIngvale shared her powerful story—one of resilience, advocacy, and hope—as she continues to break barriers and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

Gala Chairs Lynn and Ed Jones then thanked the sponsors, underwriters, and donors for their extraordinary generosity before debuting the Museum’s Impact Video, which spotlighted the tangible results of community support.

Two inspiring young voices — Vanessa Garcia, a Discovery Camp participant now pursuing nursing at Houston Christian University, and Mima Loppy, a DeBakey High School student and Global Teen Medical Summit contributor — shared heartfelt stories of how The Health Museum’s programs shaped their dreams and career paths in healthcare. Their testimonies brought the mission to life, underscoring the Museum’s vital role in nurturing future leaders in science and medicine.

The evening culminated with an energetic “Paddles Up” segment led by Auctioneer Dustin Wood of Johnny Bravo Entertainment, where guests rallied to support the Museum’s commitment to building healthier lives and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators. Funds raised directly benefit hallmark programs such as Discovery Camps, Doc Dissections, Free Family Thursdays, health and healing workshops, and the nationally unique DeBakey Cell Lab — the only bilingual, computer-guided lab of its kind in the United States.

Wood then energized the crowd with the evening’s highly anticipated live auction, featuring an array of unforgettable experiences and one-of-a-kind treasures. Guests bid enthusiastically on exclusive getaways such as “Restore & Reconnect at The Houstonian,” a luxurious two-night weekend stay in the Bush Suite at the Houstonian Hotel and Spa; a Rocky Mountain Getaway for a week in picturesque Estes Park; and a Lavish Staycation at Hotel ZaZa, including a night in a Magnificent 7 Suite, dinner for two at Monarch, a spa credit, and a Granger’s gift certificate.

Other live auction highlights included the original canvas by acclaimed artist Taft McWhorter, complete with installation; a serene Mérida Hacienda Retreat featuring chef-prepared meals; and an “All Around H-Town” package packed with premier local experiences—from front-row seats to the Houston Rockets, Houston Dynamo, Houston Ballet, Broadway Across America, and the Houston Symphony, to private catering for eight.

The crowd also vied for the spirited “Boots & Bourbon” experience, offering two custom pairs of boots from Republic Boot Co. paired with a private VIP fitting and bourbon tasting, and a whimsical “Night at the Museum” adventure—complete with scavenger hunts, hands-on DeBakey Cell Lab experiments, organ dissections, a movie night with pizza and snacks, and a continental breakfast the next morning. Guests also had the rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by naming one of the Museum’s Learning Centers.

While guests were engaged in the live auction, DJ London was readying the dance floor in the reception area for a lively afterparty.

The 2025 Health Heroes Gala proved to be more than an elegant evening—it was a powerful reminder of how science, compassion, and community come together to transform lives and shape a healthier future for all.

Health Heroes and Sponsors that helped make the event possible included: Dignitaries Sponsors HCA Houston Healthcare and United Healthcare; Luminaries Sponsors John P. McGovern Foundation, and Kenneth and June Mattox;  Superstars Sponsors Susan Bickley and Robert Scott, and Harris County Medical Society/ Houston Academy of Medicine, Exemplars Sponsors Beacon Capital Partners, The Faykus Foundation, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, and Houston Methodist;  Treasures Sponsors Dr. William S. Gilmer, David Gow, Linbeck Group, Jacqueline Macha and Brian Faulkner/Martha Walton, Memorial Hermann, Katherine and Brian Parsley, M.D., Tellepsen, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Additional underwriters included: Entertainment Sponsor Bob Westendarp; Floral Sponsor UTHealth Houston; Mystery Boxes Sponsor Ann and Kenny Friedman; Décor Sponsor Artella Solutions/Sep Moshiri; Live Auction Sponsor Ascent Emergency Medical Center; Valet Sponsor Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D., and Martin Fein; and Photography Sponsor Dr. JoAnne Rogers-Sylve.

Supporters in attendance included: Board Chair Susan Bickley and Robert Scott; Lynn and Ed Jones; Linda Primrose; Dr. William Gilmer; Jackie Macha and Brian Faulkner; Martha Walton; Audrey and David Gow; Sherri and Dr. Pat Wood; Dr. Joanne Rogers and Theil Sylve; Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein; Claudia and Sepand Moshiri; Dr. Rahki and Stephen Dimino, Denis and Susan DeBakey; Matthew Macky; Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson; Richard Villanueva; June and Kenneth Mattox; Cynthia Pickett-Stevenson; and Dr. Robert Jackson.