Leave a Legacy Donor Spotlight

Fall 2024

Growing up in a small two-bedroom home in The Heights neighborhood of Houston, Texas, the four Rosenthal brothers were raised by hard-working parents who instilled the importance of higher education and a heart of service. Little did Louis and Della Rosenthal know that from 1947-1970, one son after another would go through medical school at UTMB in Galveston and complete their residencies at Texas Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Morris Rosenthal, the eldest of the brothers, was one of the first residents at Texas Children’s after it opened in 1954 and established his private practice in the Spring Branch neighborhood of Houston in 1955. 

Each brother joined the practice after completing their residency, and, by 1972, Drs. Morris, Paul, Ben and Harry Rosenthal led a thriving pediatric clinic, known today as Texas Children’s Pediatrics—Ashford. 

In the mid-1990s, health care was changing, and as a young pediatric hospital, Texas Children’s knew it needed to adapt as well. Then Physician-in-Chief Dr. Ralph Feigin entered into conversation with Dr. Morris about their practice becoming the first Texas Children’s Pediatric group, creating a new model for the hospital. 

Due to the long-term relationship and trust between the Rosenthals and Texas Children’s, it was an easy yes. This network would allow for better care of the children they served and create long-term relationships with their families. To this day, Texas Children’s Pediatrics—Ashford continues to serve and prosper in West Houston. In fact, the Rosenthal name continues through the next generation as Dr. Ben’s daughter, Dr. Rachel Rosenthal Bray, practices there. 

Because the Rosenthals felt the hospital had given them so much over the years both professionally and personally, they started to make philanthropic contributions to Texas Children’s. Dr. Harry, the youngest of the Rosenthal brothers, and his wife, Carolyn, eventually established the Louis and Della Rosenthal Family Endowed Fund in memory of his parents and also to specifically support the Texas Children’s Cancer Center in honor of Dr. Ben’s son, Daniel, who had died of Leukemia at 20 months old. Over the years, Rosenthal family members and friends have also supported the fund. 

Furthermore, Dr. Harry and Carolyn have generously included a bequest in their wills to Texas Children’s and are two of the first to participate in the newly launched Texas Children’s Legacy Challenge, a special opportunity that allows donors to provide immediate support for the hospital while also making a long-term commitment. 

When asked why they decided to include the hospital in their long-term plans, Dr. Harry replied, “This all goes back to what Texas Children’s Hospital has done for our family over the past 70 years. Our hearts are full of gratitude, and this is our way of saying thank you.” If you would like to learn more about making a gift to Texas Children’s through your will or living trust or to participate in our Legacy Challenge, please contact Rachel Kronenberger at rskronen@texaschildrens.org or 832-824-6907.