The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
+24 The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
The Health Museum’s 2026 Health Heroes Gala Honors the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Raises Record-Breaking $530,000
More than 240 guests gathered for an inspiring evening celebrating healthcare, education, and community impact, including a $100,000 tribute to the late Board Chair Susan Bickley
The Health Museum welcomed more than 240 guests to its 2026 Health Heroes Gala on October 10, 2026, at Hotel ZaZa Museum District, raising a record-breaking $530,000 to advance the Museum’s mission of inspiring healthier lives through science, education and discovery. The annual gala celebrated individuals and organizations dedicated to improving physical, mental, and social well-being, honoring the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine as its 2026 Health Hero.
Proceeds from the evening will support The Health Museum’s innovative educational programs, interactive exhibitions, and community outreach initiatives, helping spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and changemakers.
Houston Public Media host and gala emcee Ernie Manouse welcomed guests alongside The Health Museum’s Interim Co-Executive Directors Becky Seabrook and Nancy Gall. The ballroom glowed in University of Houston cougar red and white décor provided by In Bloom in honor of the evening’s honoree. Board Member Dr. Bill Gilmer offered the invocation before guests enjoyed an elegant dinner of French Onion Soup Gruyère Crusted Crostini or Cold Gazpacho Soup; Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Red Wine Demi-Glace Seared Sea Bass, followed by dessert of Fresh Strawberries with Mango Coulis.
Manouse returned to the stage to introduce the evening’s Health Hero honoree, represented by Dr. Jonathan A. McCullers, Dean of the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. The College’s commitment to improving health outcomes through prevention and preparing primary care physicians to serve underserved communities throughout Houston and Texas closely aligns with The Health Museum’s mission to empower people to live healthier lives.
Gala chairs Natalie Cangelosi, FNP-C, and John Cangelosi, M.D., shared their personal connection to The Health Museum and expressed their gratitude to the sponsors whose generosity made the evening possible.
The program also highlighted the power of early exposure to science and discovery through the story of Zoie Glosson, who first visited The Health Museum as a fourth grader attending Brain Camp. Since then, Glosson, who is now a senior in high school, has returned to the Museum as an intern, continuing to nurture her curiosity about science and medicine – a meaningful example of the lasting impact of the Museum’s educational programs.
Guests enthusiastically supported the Museum during the evening’s high energy “Head or Tails” game, led by Auctioneer George Lindsey, which offered a weekend getaway at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. The prize included a two-night luxury stay, a dining credit at TRIBUTE, access to the Houstonian Club and resort pools, and late checkout.
Lindsey kept the excitement high during the live auction, featuring an exceptional collection of travel adventures, exclusive experiences, and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Highlights included “The Big Easy”, a four-day escape to New Orleans’ French Quarter; High Rollers Only, a getaway for two couples to Lake Charles’ Golden Nugget Casino; “Eat, Pray, Love in Bali”, a weeklong retreat featuring massages, excursions and relaxation; and a stay at a “Durango Mountain Ranch Home”, surrounded by the San Juan National Forest.
Other sought-after packages included a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo experience; “Run as One”, a VIP Houston Rockets package; and “All Around H-Town”, a collection of premier local experiences featuring tickets to the Houston Dynamo, Alley Theatre and Broadway Across America, along with private dining, shopping and golf.
One of the evening’s most imaginative offerings was “Night at the Museum,” an after-hours adventure featuring scavenger hunts, hands-on experiments in the DeBakey Cell Lab, organ dissections, a movie night with pizza and snacks, and breakfast the following morning. Guests also had the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by naming one of the Museum’s Learning Centers.
A particularly moving moment came when Board Member Jac Macha paid tribute to members of the Museum community lost during the year, including dedicated supporter and volunteer Carolyn Hamilton, June Mattox, wife of Board Member Dr. Ken Mattox, and the Museum’s late Board Chair Susan Bickley.
In recognition of Bickley’s extraordinary contributions as a leader, advisor, philanthropist and friend, Macha announced that the Board of Directors of The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science had unanimously elected her Chair Emeritus, In Memoriam.
The Museum also launched the Susan Bickley Memorial Fund in her honor. During the “Paddles Up” appeal, Bickley’s husband, Bob Scott, matched donations, resulting in $100,000 raised to name Susan Bickley as the lead sponsor of the Museum’s new exhibition, BODY WORLDS: Inside Life. The tribute celebrated Bickley’s enduring legacy and the continued impact of her generosity on the Museum’s work.
Following the successful fundraising appeal, The Slags, a variety cover band performing an energetic mix of contemporary hits, classic rock, pop and dance favorites spanning multiple decades, set the stage for a lively after-party. Guests danced the night away to hits such as “Proud Mary”, “Uptown Funk”, “Jump Around”, and more.
The 2026 Health Heroes Gala was more than an elegant evening of celebration. It was a powerful demonstration of how science, compassion and community can come together to transform lives, expand access to education and help shape a healthier future for all.
Lead sponsors that made the evening possible included HCA Houston Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Bob Scott, and the John P. McGovern Foundation.
Health Heroes Gala board members and supporters in attendance included John and Natasha Cangelosi; Donae and Rob Chramosta; Phillip Costa and Rita Lucido; Jerry and Linda Dickson; Dr. Bill Gilmer; Ed and Lynn Jones; Dr. Ben King; Jac Macha and Brian Faulkner; Ernie Manouse and Walt Zipprian; Audrey Momanaee; Anne Neeson; Dr. Brian Parsley; Ward Pennebaker; Linda Primrose and Rob Levett; Joanne Rogers-Sylve and Thiel Sylve; Jay and Babs Rosenfeld; Bob Scott; Nikhil Nayak; Kevin Shipley; Marcus Soper; Karen Tellepsen; and James Flowers.
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 is 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.
General admission to The Health Museum is $15 for ages 13 and older; $12 for children 3 to 12 years old and seniors 65 and above; free for children two and younger; and free admission for everyone on Thursdays from 2–5 p.m. General admission provides access to the Museum’s multiple exhibits.
Through the Museums for All program, guests can visit The Health Museum for a minimal fee of $3 per general admission ticket, for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Museum participates in the Blue Star Museum program, which allows active military members and their families free admission to the Museum. They are also members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), which gives The Health Museum members reciprocal privileges at hundreds of ASTC museums throughout the country.
The Health Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Free Family Thursday Hours are 2–5 p.m.); and Sunday 12–5 p.m. Closed Monday except for Federal holidays and Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Photo Credit: Ronny Galdamez and Ben Porter
