OurLegacyToday Winter 2018
Legacy Community Health Board of Directors
Holiday Schmoozing in High Style with Legacy
Amanda Goodie-Roberts Chairperson
Alex Jessett Vice-Chairperson Beryl Basham Secretary
Naveen Pinglay Treasurer
Glenna Pierpont
At-Large / Executive Committee
Tony Bravo Beth Bruce George Burch
Glen Gonzalez, Henry Richardson, Becca Cason Thrash, Monsour Taghdisi, and Melissa Mithoff
Abigail Caudle, M.D. Victor Cordova, Jr. Richard Davidson Bethsheba Johnson
Festive fashions, bright lights, good friends, and good fun: Legacy’s friends and family put their cares aside for an evening
of seasonal cheer and goodwill at our annual Holiday Schmooze. In the giving spirit of the season, Melissa and Michael Mithoff stepped in to host our annual soiree, which was originally scheduled for another location.
Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D.
Johnson Olatunji
Company. Tenenbaum Jewelers made some holiday wish lists with a gorgeous display of jewelry, accessories, and a $5,000 gift
Marissa Taler
This year’s event certainly felt like a winter wonderland, with rainy drizzle and temperatures near freezing, but the weather
didn’t put a chill on the holiday atmosphere. Schmoozers enjoyed cocktails, light bites, and a buffet, all provided by Jackson and certificate donated for a raffle.
See more photos of the 2017 Holiday Schmooze on pages 4 and 5.
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board of Directors
Grateful Thanks for your Giving Spirit! ,
Tripp Carter
Chairperson
Brent N. Whiteley Vice-Chairperson
Bryan Hlavinka Secretary
Mike Holloman Treasurer
Michael Alexander Joshua L. Espinedo Melanie Gray
Board Member Emeritus
Melissa Mithoff
Board Member Emeritus
James A. Reeder, Jr. Board Member Emeritus
Monsour Taghdisi
Board Member Emeritus
Claire Cormier Thielke Board Member Emeritus
What an unbelievable year it has been for Legacy’s patients, employees, family, and
friends. We all weathered the horrible storm that was Harvey, and no doubt you or someone you know is still recovering. I’ve been inspired by the stories of Houstonians and South Texans who’ve joined hands and hearts to do whatever it takes to rebuild. I’ve seen the famous Texas can-do spirit first-hand in the generosity, creativity, and initiative that you, our wonderful friends and supporters, have taken to help us meet our fundraising needs.
When we asked for your help in the days immediately following the storm, knowing
our services would be more important than ever to those impacted by Harvey, you answered the call.
When we found out Legacy’s Annual Luncheon, our biggest fundraiser of the year, was in jeopardy of being cancelled
after the Wortham Center flooded, our quick-thinking co-chairs came up with a solution. Melissa Mithoff, Katherine Murphy, and Elizabeth Petersen transformed the event into a cocktail party at the Petersen’s fabulous home.
When we discovered the Grinch might steal Holiday Schmooze because of Harvey’s lingering impact, Melissa and
Michael Mithoff came to the rescue and opened their home for Legacy’s festive winter soiree. Thank you all for your generosity and giving spirit!
I’m forever grateful to our hosts, sponsors, and donors for their steadfast support of Legacy this year, and I’m positive
we’ll rise to new challenges in the new year. The first of these is meeting the J.E. and L. E. Mabee Challenge grant to fund Legacy’s Building Healthy Families campaign for our new Southwest campus. Our goal is to build a new 40,000 square-foot clinic that will consolidate all of our services there under one roof, bringing together the health care and supportive services currently offered at three separate locations. Legacy must raise $1.9 million by April 2018 to claim this challenge grant and meet our fundraising goal. We hope you’ll join us in fulfilling this New Year’s Resolution! Chree Boydstun Chief Development Officer
From the Desk of Katy Caldwell
Legacy Community Health CEO
Vice President of Pharmacy Operations Karen Gurwitch and Chief Development Officer Chree Boydstun at the Legacy Montrose Pharmacy VIP reception
History will remember 2017 for Hurricane Harvey’s days-long assault on Southeast Texas. More than 300,000 homes were damaged, more than 80 people were killed, and entire communities were devastated by floodwaters that so many of us thought would never recede. Many of the people who
of important, lifesaving drugs, such
needed local emergency rooms during the storm are now turning to
as insulin for diabetic patients, and
Legacy for their long-term care. We might not have been their go-to for
we’ve received positive feedback
emergency care, but we’re here for the long haul. Rather than revisit the
from dozens of patients for the
well-trod ground that is Hurricane Harvey, I want to focus on Legacy’s 2017
time we’ve spent on medication
accomplishments and developments that are already making huge impact
consultations. We’re filling around
on the lives of our patients. First among these is the opening of our new
850 prescriptions each day, and
Fifth Ward building.
yet we’re still able to provide that
personal touch.
Residents were concerned when we moved into Fifth Ward back
in 2006. They were fearful that we’d be there for a few years, treat a few
people, and then pack it in when faced with the challenges that accompany
of the Affordable Care Act will remain unclear so long as the country’s
keeping their community healthy. In time, though, we’ve earned the trust
current leadership remains in office. Whether “repeal and replace” makes
of Fifth Ward residents by staying true to our word. We became part of
it through both houses of Congress or not, Legacy will be there for our
the Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood Group, partnered with the Fifth
patients. We’re ready to take on more patients without insurance, and we’re
Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, and maintained a visible
ready to weather any changes in the Medicaid landscape as well.
presence at countless neighborhood events.
When Legacy lost its lease at the old Lyons Avenue clinic, we chose
able to navigate whatever challenges arise. Should the federal grants that
to build our own facility in the same area and even on the same street. We
help our patients access care go away, we’ll still be here, doors open and
commissioned a community advisory panel to find out what our patients
serving the community as only we can. If the Children’s Health Insurance
needed, and this group also helped Legacy choose the artists whose work
Programs, better known as CHIP, gets defunded, you can rest assured that
adorns the clinic’s interior and exterior walls. We wanted the building to
no child or family will be turned away.
reflect the community, and I knew we’d succeeded when Council Member
Jerry Davis told me that he smiles every time he drives by our clinic.
haul when we opened there in 2006. That guarantee remains in place for
The other 2017 highlight was the opening of Legacy’s very own
them, and for all of the other communities we serve. Regardless of which
pharmacy. Everything fell into place at exactly the right time to make this
party controls the White House and how much rain falls from the sky,
possible: we had the right staff needed to manage such a large project,
Legacy will be there for Houston, Baytown, Beaumont, and Deer Park in
and we had enough reserve funds needed to ensure we could afford to
2018 and beyond.
At Legacy, we are prepared for an uncertain road ahead. The future
One of the reasons we decided to grow as large as we have was to be
We promised residents of Fifth Ward that we were in it for the long
take on the financial responsibility that comes with providing essential medications to a large patient population. Our Montrose and Fifth Ward in-house pharmacies have been operational for several months, and our patients and providers have seen immediate benefits.
Our doctors can now track whether patients are adhering to their
medication regimens, and whether patients are staying on top of their care by refilling prescriptions. Our pharmacists and providers can communicate much more easily, which leads to better quality of care and better health outcomes for our patients. We’ve been able to lower the cost
Legacy Fifth Ward Grand Opening on June 3 Legacy’s Pharmacy Staff
Marcus Sloan, Katy Caldwell, Elizabeth Petersen, Gary Petersen, Chree Boydstun, and Shannon Hall
October 18 Chaired by Elizabeth Petersen, Melissa Mithoff, and Katherine Murphy After Hurricane Harvey flooded the Wortham Center, jeopardizing Legacy’s 15th Annual Luncheon, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen offered to host a cocktail party instead. The event raised more than $300,000 for Legacy’s Little Readers program, including funds to establish a Little Readers corner at Legacy Southwest on behalf of Luncheon honorees Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan.
John Hernandez, Dr. Margo Melchor, Cathy Cram, and Marcus Gurske
Dr. Devinder and Gina Bhatia
Tiffany Smith and Layla Salek
Michael and Melissa Mithoff and Luba and Alan Bigman
Blakely Griggs and Cindi Colvin
Paul Murphy and Katherine Murphy
Marcus Sloan, Vivian Wise, and Shannon Hall
Stef Levy and Laura Favaloro
Brent Whiteley, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Tommy O’Neill, and Tripp Carter
Yvonne and Rufus Cormier Bob and Gracie Cavnar, and Monsour Tagidishi
2017 Holiday Schmo ze December 6 Hosted by Melissa & Michael Mithoff
Terry Wayne Jones, Katy Caldwell, and Jay Jones
Kirk Bruce, Beth Bruce, and Santa Tony Bravo and Richard Werner
David Golemon, Chree Boydstun, and Gerald Pollard
Kathryn and Jeff Smith David LaDuke and Gary Hammett
Stephanie Shanks and Santa
David and Mary Ann McKeithan Carolyn and Steve Mafrige Barbara Towne and Keith Dodd
Ronald Roberts and Amanda Goodie-Roberts
Richard and Ginni Mithoff & Melissa and Michael Mithoff
Philip Carrillo and Shannon Hall
Charles Hough, Monica Fernandez and Megan Bailey
Nick Florescu and Dominique Sacshe
Laura Fondren and Courtney Hopson
Greg Fourticq and John Cone
Annie Amante and Debbie Festari Don Mafrige and Derek Warburton
Alissa James and George Burch Frank Campisi, Parker Witt, and Jay Andrew
Anthony Danzey and Steve Locke
Closest to the Pin Sponsor Amegy Bank’s team The winning team of Mike Thompson, Thomas Roberts, Victor Cuevas, and Jimmy Consford
7th Annual Frank Billingsley Golf Classic April 26 • Golf Club of Houston Sunny skies and a record number of players hit the links with KPRC chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley for this year’s golf tournament. Corporate sponsors Enbridge and Amegy Bank led the way in raising nearly $85,000.
Greg Harper participated in the tournament on behalf of Enbridge Energy
Golf Classic photos ©2017 Mark Johnson Photography, Inc.
Frank Billingsley and the Legacy Development staff
Derby Day May 6 • Rich’s Houston
Legacy kicked off our race to Mint Julep with Derby Day and our “Run for the Roses” watch party.
Alan Dettlaff, Vince Pryor, Linda Cantu, Tim Martinez, and Bob Alban Gary Hammett, John Pettiette, and Gerard Pollard
The winners of the annual Derby Hat Contest
Houston Legends
The Lymphedema & Wound Care Institute’s Ryan Chuston (R) and friends
Terence Chang and White Rhino Financial’s Patrick Dickson (R)
Mint Julep July 16 • Rich’s Houston Tony Bravo, Linda Cantu, and Ben Dillon chaired Legacy’s summer variety show, honoring The Diana Foundation, Bryan Hlavinka, and Jani Lopez. Our grateful thanks to the Lymphedema & Wound Care Institute and White Rhino Financial for serving as this year’s presenting sponsors.
Crystal Rae Lee Love, Ginger Grant, and Angela Mercy
Community Partners Burberry at the Galleria opened its doors for a
More than 80 people escaped the heat at the Haute Summer Preview cocktail party, hosted by Yvonne Cormier and Tony Bravo.
private event with a portion of the evening’s sales benefiting Legacy. Tony Bravo, Yvonne Cormier, Steve Locke, and Claire Thielke hosted the April 13 cocktail party.
Yvonne Cormier, Richard Werner, and Tony Bravo
Jim Sikorski’s Burberry’s Charles Hough and Anthony Danzey (L and R) with Tim Martinez and Steve Locke
Share Your Blessings Holiday Happening on December 3rd broke a fundraising record with $14,821. Thanks to Jim for designating Legacy as one of his beneficiaries.
We’re grateful for Baker Hughes GE’s continued support providing toys for Legacy’s Pediatric Holiday Parties.
Jim Sikorski and Katy Caldwell
Ann Luu of Baker Hughes GE, Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell, and CDO Chree Boydstun
The People We Serve Little Readers This year, our providers gave out more than 21,000 books to our pediatric patients for Legacy’s Little Readers, sponsored by H-E-B. Our thanks, as well, to the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation for their continued support.
Dr. Tamisha Jones, Legacy’s Director of Pediatrics, with a “prescription to read.”
Dr. Seuss Day and Read Aloud Month at Legacy Southwest
Connecting to our communities Our generous employees, donors, and corporate partners fund our annual patient outreach events. A special thank-you to H-E-B, ExxonMobil, and Baker Hughes GE.
Thanksgiving Dinners Patient Holiday Parties
Back to School Parties
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 1886
P.O. Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266-6308
World AIDS Day December 1 Legacy Montrose
Legacy’s own Lynne Tyer was honored with the 2017 L. Joel Martinez Award, recognizing years of dedicated service advocating for people living with HIV, educating the greater community about HIV prevention, and fighting stigma. Lynne’s devotion to the community continues through her work at Legacy, where she secures grant funding for HIV services.
Angelina DM Trailz
Mike Webb and Fran Watson Lynne Tyer and Chree Boydstun