St. Luke’s Foundation Hosts 26th Annual Friends of Nursing Luncheon and Fashion Show

St. Luke’s Foundation hosted its annual Friends of Nursing Luncheon and Fashion Show on March 25 at the River Oaks Country Club. For more than 25 years, Friends of Nursing has raised funds to support education and research opportunities for nurses at CHI St. Luke’s Health–Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. Nearly 300 supporters joined event co-chairs Carol Linn, Christie Sullivan, and Donna Vallone to honor Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center’s extraordinary nurses.

This year’s theme, “Day & Night, Night & Day,” featured vibrant spring fashions from TOOTSIES modeled by special guests, Baylor St. Luke’s nurses. In addition to the spring fashions, the highlight of the afternoon was recognizing the vital roles of nurses in their work to provide excellent, person-centered care for patients and their families. Former scholarship recipient, Anita Parker, RN, CCRC, expressed to the guests how her support from Friends of Nursing helped to advance her career. LaShanti King, MSN, RN, MBA-HCM, was awarded the Betty Trotter Award for Excellence for her outstanding dedication as a nurse.

Since 1987, Friends of Nursing has awarded more than 155 scholarships and fellowships that have helped nurses achieve new levels of professional excellence and patient care. This year, the event raised approximately $185,000 thanks to supporters.

Event guests included:
Sandy Barrett, Friends of Nursing chair; Denise Monteleone; Veronica Selinko-Curran, M.D.; Rose Cullen; Clayton Erickson; Polly Bowden; Jana Arnoldy; Wayne Keathley, President of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center; Linda Webster; Rita Madden; Judy Margolis; Kim Tutcher; Pam Ott; Tracy Levit Larner; Marie Wise; Suzanne Levin; and Kelly Larkin, M.D.