LAVONNE COX
A native Houstonian, Lavonne earned a degree in Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin, and was a
pioneer in the field of home infusion therapy. She was asked to serve on the the Texas State Board of Pharmacy industry committee which sets standards and guidelines.
A member of the Development Board of The
Huffington Center on Aging (HCOA) at Baylor College of Medicine since its inception in 1995, Lavonne was selected as one of the eight original community Advisory Committee members for HCOA's first Women's Health Summit held in 1997. Lavonne was presented with awards "In Appreciation of Extraordinary Contribution" at both the October 1997 and October 1998 Health Summits. She served as chair of the 2001 Women's Health Summit, and has continued her work on a variety of Huffington Center committees through the present.
Lavonne enjoys outdoor sports, motorsports, and spending time with family. A member of the 2000 U.S. Paddle team, she placed in both the mixed doubles and women's Championship competition. She has raced in Sports Car Club of America events, and been part owner of a professional race team. She has also covered auto racing events for a local publication, and since 1997, has volunteered as a race announcer for fundraising events benefiting Child Advocates and Ronald McDonald House. In 2004, Lavonne was honored to be included by Child Advocates in the Volunteer Hall of Fame - " Racing for Children" with other volunteers, including Mario Andretti.
DENIS A. DEBAKEY
After completing undergraduate studies at UT Austin, Denis spent 13 years in Peru, as a business owner in tourism and executive in the cargo airline industry. Back in Houston, Denis in 1987 became a licensed stock broker and financial adviser, developing international business for NYSE member investment groups. Today he works with a full service financial group to guide his clients in planning for, and securing a comfortable retirement.
Denis is a member of The Baylor College of Medicine Partnership, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, The World Affairs Council, and the Rotary Club of Houston. He serves on the development board of the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine (HCOA).
Denis joined his father, Dr. Michael DeBakey, as a trustee of the Open Door Mission Foundation, a rehabilitation center for homeless men; he is a member of their Executive Committee, and is co-chair of their 2007 annual award dinner. He is an Honorary Chair of the 2007 Glen W. Karsten Awards Luncheon of The Living Bank, the oldest and largest organ donor education organization in the United States. A single dad, Denis is the father of Derek, 22, a decorated US Army Airborne Ranger and Diane, 18, soon to be a college freshman.
