University of Texas Health Science Center Raises $10 Million at Biennial Constellation Gala

At their third biennial Constellation Gala in November, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) raised an all-time high of $10.1 million. The donations raised at the gala will go toward supporting student scholarships, faculty endowments, research, and clinical care.

Diana Hawkins, chair of the UTHealth Development Board, tells tmc.edu, “Our gala theme, the constellation, represents the character of this great institution. Just as a constellation and the night skies are made of many bright and shining stars, so do the unique people who are UTHealth shine together as one of the nation’s premier universities. Tonight, we honor you—our UT family, friends and supporters. You’re our stars in our constellation that help the university’s top doctors, scientists and scholars revolutionize health care.”

The gala honored Jane and Robert Cizik who donated $25 million to the UTHealth School of Nursing in November 2017. The unprecedented gift has gone toward the university’s endeavor to address the shortage of nurses in healthcare by training the next generation of skilled and compassionate nurses. The Cizik’s are known in Houston for their service to the community and UTHealth was honored to recognize them at the Constellation Gala.

The event also recognized actor William Devane for his voice-over work with the award-winning “Many Faces of UTHealth” branding campaign, which highlights the university’s educators, researchers and clinicians. The campaign educated the Houston community on the scope of UTHealth and the work of its exceptional faculty members across the healthcare spectrum, including the nursing program.