2025 – Save the Date
February 20: Event chairs, Cristy and Tony Cicchi, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to the Good Samaritan Foundation’s 37th Annual “Mardi Gras Masquerade” Pearl Ball on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at River Oaks Country Club. Prepare for an enchanting evening adorned with vibrant beads, delectable beignets, and fine bourbon, all in celebration of our community’s unsung heroes—our dedicated nurses. This gala is not just an event; it’s a heartfelt tribute to 37 years of the Pearl Ball and the incredible impact of Good Samaritan Foundation.
Since its inception in 1951, Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Through the generosity of its donors, Good Samaritan Foundation has become one of the largest private grantors of scholarships to Texas nursing students.
Good Samaritan programs that promote excellence in nursing from education to practice include:
1. Scholarships for nursing students.
2. Grants to nursing schools for faculty development and special programs (e.g. outreach, recruiting, continuing nurse education).
3. Support of preceptor and mentor programs designed to better prepare new nurses for the challenges of patient care.
4. Recognition and reward of those nurses who exemplify the finest qualities of the nursing profession.
Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2024 Happenings
October 10: Good Samaritan Foundation is pleased to announce that Kathryn Tart, EdD, MSN, RN, Founding Dean and Professor, University of Houston College of Nursing, will serve as the emcee. Event co-chairs are Eileen Danaher Hacker, PhD, APRN, AOCN, FAAN, Professor and Chair, Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Carol Porter, DNP, RN, FAAN, SVP and Chief Nursing Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Thank you to all of our Diamond Sponsors for generously supporting this special event!
To celebrate all winners, the Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon will be held at the Hilton Americas-Houston on Thursday, October 10, 2024. To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page. For table sponsorship or to purchase individual tickets, click on the sponsor form below.
May 08: Event chairs, Jan & Jason Ingersoll, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to the Good Samaritan Foundation’s 36th Annual “Boots and Bling” Pearl Ball on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at River Oaks Country Club. It promises to be an unforgettable evening, complete with an enchanting blend of elegance and western charm. This celebration plays a significant part in our efforts to support and honor the dedicated nurses in our community, especially during National Nurses Week. Please join us as we celebrate 36 years of the Pearl Ball and the incredible work of this foundation.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Through the generosity of its donors, Good Samaritan Foundation has become one of the largest private grantors of scholarships to Texas nursing students.
Good Samaritan programs that promote excellence in nursing from education to practice include:
1. Scholarships for nursing students.
2. Grants to nursing schools for faculty development and special programs (e.g. outreach, recruiting, continuing nurse education).
3. Support of preceptor and mentor programs designed to better prepare new nurses for the challenges of patient care.
4. Recognition and reward of those nurses who exemplify the finest qualities of the nursing profession.
Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2023 Happenings
December 08: Good Samaritan Foundation is pleased to announce that Gail Vozzella, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Houston Methodist Hospital, will chair this year’s event and Kathryn Tart, EdD, MSN, RN, Founding Dean and Professor, University of Houston College of Nursing, will serve as the emcee.
To celebrate all winners, the Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon will be held at the Westin Galleria Houston on Friday, December 08, 2023. Thank you to all of our Diamond Sponsors for generously supporting this special event!
To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page. For table sponsorship or to purchase individual tickets, click on the sponsor form below.
September 27: Event co-chairs, Courtney & Jason Fertitta and Lauren & Warren Harris, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to 2023’s “Supper Club 35” Pearl Ball on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at River Oaks Country Club. It will be an evening filled with fine dining, live entertainment, and a few fun surprises. Please join us as we honor Susie and Mel Glasscock and celebrate 35 years of the Pearl Ball and the incredible work of this foundation.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant.
The work of nurses around the world has been lifted up and recognized in such an unprecedented way through the global pandemic. The safety of our nurses and healthcare providers is of the utmost importance. Our providers now know how to use personal protective equipment better than ever and are innovating ways to care for our patients and communities with approaches that were never even thought of. Innovative and incredible nursing faculty are teaching our nursing students in new and profound methods to prepare them for their future careers in nursing.
Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2022 Happenings
October 27: To celebrate all winners, the Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon will be held at the Westin Galleria Houston on Thursday, October 27, 2022.
To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page.
For table sponsorship or to purchase individual tickets, click on the sponsor form below.
May 12: Event chairs, Tiffaney and Scott Perhala, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to 2022’s “The Lady with the Lamp” Pearl Ball on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at River Oaks Country Club. It will be an evening in celebration of Florence Nightingale’s birthday (May 12, 1820).
The work of nurses around the world has been lifted up and recognized in such an unprecedented way through this global pandemic. The safety of our nurses and healthcare providers is of the utmost importance. Our providers now know how to use personal protective equipment better than ever and are innovating ways to care for our patients and communities in ways that last year were never even thought of. Innovative and incredible nursing faculty are teaching our nursing students in new and profound ways to prepare them for their future careers in nursing.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2021 Happenings
November 1: Please join Mark Barr, BSN, RN, CCRN, 53rd Anniversary Charitable Golf Tournament Chairman and the Good Samaritan Foundation at one of Houston’s oldest charitable golfing events at River Oaks Country Club. On Monday, November 1, this is a fantastic opportunity for you and your guests to play golf and support a vital cause. Keeping with 53 years of tradition, our net proceeds from this event will assist Texas nursing students; together we can help nurses and change lives. For sponsorship and registration information, please download the reply card.
October 12: Good Samaritan Foundation is pleased to introduce our Diamond Sponsor, Healing Hands, a mission-based medical uniform enterprise, operated by its founder, Bansi Lakhani, and his son, Sid Lakhani.
After suffering a massive heart attack in 1997, Bansi calls his nurses his healing angels and promised himself that he would repay these angels in a special way. That promise was realized through the creation a Healing Hands. Many of Healing Hands’ uniforms have a personal, unique message printed inside, encouraging the professionals who wear Healing Hands scrubs, and showing appreciation for the work they do.
Mr. Bansi Lakhani will chair this year’s event and will also be the keynote speaker at the Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon that will be held at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
For table sponsorship or to purchase individual tickets, click on the sponsor form below. To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page.
May 18: Event chairs, Virginia and Will McMullen, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to 2021’s “A Night Under the Stars” Pearl Ball on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at River Oaks Country Club.
The work of nurses around the world has been lifted up and recognized in such an unprecedented way through this global pandemic. The safety of our nurses and healthcare providers is of the utmost importance. Our providers now know how to use personal protective equipment better than ever and are innovating ways to care for our patients and communities in ways that last year were never even thought of. Innovative and incredible nursing faculty are teaching our nursing students in new and profound ways to prepare them for their future careers in nursing.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2020 Happenings
October 9: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to transition the Excellence in Nursing awards celebration into a virtual awards ceremony; more than ever, we want to recognize these amazing men and women.
To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page.
CANCELLED: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our May 6th, 2020 Pearl Ball has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience and wish everyone the best of health as our community navigates the virus in the healthiest and safest manner possible. We appreciate our nurses and health professionals and thank you for your continued support.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
Past 2019 Happenings
September 5: Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon will be held at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria.
Good Samaritan Foundation is pleased to announce that Nancy Fahrenwald, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Texas A&M University College of Nursing, will chair this year’s event and Kelli Nations, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Executive. HCA Gulf Coast Division, will serve as the emcee.
To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page. For table sponsorship or to purchase individual tickets, click on the sponsor form below.
February 28: “And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden.
Event chairs, Annamarie and Chris Dewhurst, and the Good Samaritan Foundation invite you to this year’s Secret Garden Pearl Ball on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at River Oaks Country Club.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant. Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence. To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!
Past 2018 Happenings
November 12: The Good Samaritan Foundation’s 52nd Anniversary Charitable Golf Tournament is Houston’s oldest golfing event. Join us for this landmark event at River Oaks Country Club. Tournament highlights include lunch, cocktails, Lexus hole-in-one, and ends with an award reception. Keeping with our 52 years of tradition, our net proceeds from this event will assist Texas nursing students; together we can help nurses and change lives. For sponsorship and registration information, please download the reply card.
September 5: Excellence in Nursing Awards Luncheon will be held at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria.
Good Samaritan Foundation is pleased to announce that Lorraine Frazier, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, John P. McGovern Distinguished Professor and Dean, UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing, will chair this year’s event and Kathryn Tart, EdD, MSN, RN Founding Dean and Professor, University of Houston College of Nursing, will serve as the emcee.
To learn more about the Excellence in Nursing (EIN) Awards, please visit our EIN information page.
February 9: Experience our out of this world Pearl Ball wit
h the Good Samaritan Foundation and event chairs, Allison and Geoff Leach on Friday, February 09, 2018 at River Oaks Country Club.
Since its inception in 1951, the Good Samaritan Foundation has provided financial support to a single cause: nursing excellence. The unsung heroes of healthcare, nurses work tirelessly to improve quality, efficiency, and safety—and as we continue in the direction of patient-centered medicine, their ability to influence positive outcomes becomes even more significant.
Texas is in the midst of a major nursing shortage, making the Good Samaritan’s scholarships, continuing education, and research opportunities all the more important. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration in support of nursing excellence.
To underwrite or reserve your seats, please download and complete our reply form. You won’t want to miss a thing for this fundraising event of the year!