June Fowler hosted an impressive bridal shower for Clarissa Vaughn Polk, Saturday, April 26. The shower was held at Franco, the popular French Bistro in the historic Soulard neighborhood. June and mother-of-the-bride Cheryl Polk have been friends since Clarissa was born. Clarissa is engaged to Tushin Parthiv. The couple will marry in Princeton, NJ in June. They will have two ceremonies, one Christian and the other Baraat (Hindi). June’s son Evan Fowler will be the man of honor.
Traditional shower games were played, and smartly dressed guests enjoyed catching up with friends old and new. The French fare was delicious, and the bride received many beautiful gifts. Each guest was given a jeweled mirror as a memento of Clarissa’s special day.
A few well-wishers enjoying Clarissa’s company included June Fowler, hostess, Potpourri correspondent Gwendolyn Key, Bonnie Gipson, Mary Attyberry-Polk, Jean Player, Valerie Bell, Barbara Turkington, Darnetta Clinkscale, Vanessa Davis, Donnie Harris, Bettie Williams, Brittany Banks – bridesmaid, Sharon McAllister, Myra Crawford, Velma Steward, Lauren Parks, Caressa Davis, Cat Cook – bridesmaid, Sharon Younge, Mabel Briggs and Evan Fowler. Cheers to Clarissa and Tushin!
The St. Louis University School of Medicine Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted their annual John H. Gladney, M.D. Diversity Awards Reception and Dinner on May 1. The dinner was held in the handsome St. Louis University Il Monestero Center. The dinner is held in honor of the late Dr. Gladney who served as the first African-American department chair of otolaryngology at St. Louis University School of Medicine. The event is hosted by Michael Railey, M.D. (SLU Medical School associate dean, Office of Multicultural Affairs) and coordinated by Colette McLemore, M.A., director diversity operations, Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Philip O. Alderson, M.D., SLU Medical School dean and vice president of medical affairs, welcomed guests, students, awardees and the keynote speaker with sage remarks. He also restated his continued commitment to diversity within the medical school.
The keynote was Ronald Wyatt, M.D., MHA, DMS(HON). Dr. Wyatt is the medical director, healthcare improvement for The Joint Commission. He is a graduate of SLU Medical School and served as the first African-American chief resident at SLU Hospital. Dr. Wyatt’s message tasked addressees with “finding justice in every decision you make”.
Graduating 4th year student award recipients and their upcoming residency programs were: Diversity Award – Jennifer Ray, M.D. (Loyola), Diversity Leadership Award – Taron Davis, M.D. (University of Colorado) and the Diversity Champion Award – Kanika Turner, M.D. (SLU). Special recognition awards were given to Collin Chen, M.D. (BJC), Francis Dailey, M.D. (Cedars Sinai), Andrea Ma, M.D. (University of Colorado), Christina Molumby, M.D.(Oklahoma) and John Vu, M.D. (BJC).
A few faces in the crowd included Connie Gladney Agard, Judy Gladney, Lamar Agard Sr. and Jr., Ramone Agard, Briana Stewart, Danielle Stewart, Malik Stewart, Kathleen and Judge Charles Shaw, Sandra and Nat Murdock, M.D., James Whittico, M.D., Dr. Karla Scott, Mallory Hubbard, Tiffany Adams, Arielle Randolph, Paul Randolph, Esq., Bernard Randolph Jr., M.D., Billie Jean Randolph and Jessica Ray (Jennifer’s twin) with their mom who was celebrating her birthday.
Later this year Jazz at the Bistro will evolve into the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. The site will be a jazz education center with two venues for jazz. The larger will be named the Ferring Jazz Bistro. The location will remain in Grand Center and is being funded through a $10 million capital campaign. Frontrunners in fund-raising are David and Thelma Steward, John and Alison Ferring, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg and the Jazz St. Louis Board of Directors.
For additional information check out the Jazz St. Louis website www.jazzstl.org. I am sure Barbara Rose would be ecstatic!
Happy 92nd birthday (May 22) to my loving Dad, Bernard C. Randolph Sr., M.D.!
Happy 96th birthday (May 22) to the fabulous Mrs. Eunice Lane! Mrs. Lane is our lifelong family friend and Tammie Holland’s great auntie.
Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Be safe.
Dana Grace: dgrandolph@live.com.
