2025 Accolades
October 31 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
This year, CHILDREN AT RISK proudly hosts its annual Accolades Luncheon, The Texas Academy Awards of Child Advocacy, on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the beautiful Hotel Zaza Museum District in Houston from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We are honored that several of our state’s largest children’s medical centers will serve as the honorary chairs of this year’s event which recognizes child advocates across the state, elevates key priorities for children, and raises needed funds to support our mission to improve the quality of life for Texas children.
The event will emphasize the critical importance of child advocacy to drive systems change and create long-term positive impacts for children. CHILDREN AT RISK continues to lead efforts to ensure every child has equitable opportunities, access to quality education, proper nutrition, healthcare, and protection from human trafficking and exploitation.
Heather Sullivan
Master of Ceremonies
Texas State Senator César J. Blanco - SD 29
2025 Accolades Honoree Voice for Children
Dr. Bob Sanborn
Event Emcee
2025 Accolades Luncheon Honorary Chairs
2025 Statewide Nominees
Child Health Advocate of the Year
- Kimberly Avila MD,
- Associate Chair of Advocacy, Department of Pediatrics, UT Dell Medical School
- Dr. Leo Lopez III,
- Medical Director for University Health
- Shreela Sharma PhD,
- Co-Founder, Brighter Bites
Rising Star in Child Advocacy
- The Honorable Aurora Martinez Jones,
- 126th District Court Judge, Travis County
- Jenna King Lewis,
- General Counsel, Office of Senator Tan Parker
- Marina Masciale MD,
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine
Outstanding Child Focused Nonprofit or Nonprofit Program
- Brighter Bites
- CAMP CAMP
- La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE)
2025 Regional Nominees
Outstanding Child Advocate for Houston, Gulf Coast and East Texas
- Julie Fink, Ph.D.,
- President & CEO, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
- Sandy McKay, M.D.,
- Associate Professor in Pediatrics at UTHealth Houston and Senior Fellow in Child Health Policy at the Baker Institute
- Carolyn Watson,
- Executive Director at William Stamps Farish Fund
Outstanding Health Advocate for Houston, Gulf Coast and East Texas
- Dr. Julie Boom,
- Director, Immunization Project
- Lindy McGee, M.D.
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MBA, CCHP-A,
- President/CEO at Harris Health
Outstanding Child Advocate for El Paso and West Texas
- Rafael Garcia,
- Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish
- Michael Kelly, Ph.D.,
- Vice President of Programs, Paso Del Norte Health Foundation
- Adrian Vega, Ed.D., Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Midland College, Board Member for the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin
Outstanding Child Advocate in Austin, San Antonio and Central Texas
- Jeannie Von Stultz, Ph.D.,
- Deputy Chief Mental Health Services Bexar County Juvenile Probation
- Dr. Angela White,
- President & CEO, Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA)
Outstanding Health Advocate in Austin, San Antonio and Central Texas
- Dr. Sara Del Campo,
- Division Chief at Baylor College of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
- Dr. Linda Lopez,
- Pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Central Texas
- Lyssa Ochoa, MD,
- The SAVE Clinic
Outstanding Child Advocate for Rio Grande Valley
- Judge Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt,
- 449th Judicial Court in Hidalgo County
- Eduardo Cantu,
- Executive Director, Christian Manor
Outstanding Health Advocate for Rio Grande Valley
The Border Witness Program in RGV at ARISE
Outstanding Child Advocate for Dallas, Fort Worth and North Texas
- Dr. Elba Garcia,
- Dallas County Commissioner for District 4
- Dr. Janet Morrison-Lane,
- Executive Director, Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation
- Laura Kender,
- Chief Program Officer, MHMRTC
Outstanding Health Advocate for Dallas, Fort Worth and North Texas
- Brian Hawkins,
- CEO, Healing Hands
- Donna Persaud, MD, MBA,
- Medical Director Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES)
- Lindsey Tyra,
- Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Chair Join Pediatric Enterprise for Children’s Health
For more information, please contact Nely Sanchez at nsanchez@childrenatrisk.org.