“The Queen’s Table was really about creating a world our guests could step into for the evening - one that felt glamorous and a little unexpected, but never too serious. Watching guests embrace the spirit of the evening, laugh, connect and celebrate together was incredibly rewarding. I’m so grateful to our committee, our sponsors and everyone who helped bring this vision to life, and especially to everyone who came and helped us raise vital support for Rush.”---Christina Kline. Fall Benefit Chair for the Rush Woman’s Board.
“The Queen’s Table,” the always inventive themed annual fall benefit hosted by the Woman’s Board of RUSH University Medical Center at Artifact Events recently attracted 200 guests for an evening of modern royalty, feminine flair and playful indulgence, while raising funds to support The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at Rush. The endowed fund provides sustainable support for innovations in research, novel treatments, effective health care solutions and ongoing organizational growth for the Medical Center with the table open for all.
Event Chairman Christina Kline and The Woman’s Board envisioned an evening that brought together the sophistication of an old-world British club with a decidedly modern and playful sensibility. From the moment guests arrived, the royal theme was evident. The "Queen of Champagne" greeted guests in an elaborate hoop skirt holding dozens of champagne flutes filled to the brim.
As guests enjoyed passed appetizers and signature cocktails at the opening reception, Kline and Kate Peterson, The Woman's Board president, thanked guests for their generosity and introduced Dr. Omar Lateef, arguably the star of any Rush event. Dr. Lateef delighted guests with his humor and candor, speaking passionately about how important Rush's work is and how essential The Woman's Board is to the medical center's mission. The moment was bittersweet though, as Dr. Lateef mentioned what no one wanted to hear: this would be his last Fall Benefit as Rush President and CEO, given his announcement last summer that he would retire from his role in June 2027 after nearly 25 years with the organization. He ended his short speech on an inspirational note, reminding everyone that their support of Rush and its innovative research and care makes a positive impact not just in Chicago but across the country and around the world.
Kate Peterson told us.
“Christina and her committee created such a joyful and imaginative evening, and I was thrilled to see our guests completely embrace The Queen’s Table. It was a wonderful reminder that philanthropy can be both meaningful and fun - and that there is something incredibly powerful about bringing people together around a shared purpose. We are so grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who joined us, and for their continued support of The Woman’s Board and Rush’s commitment to advancing research and improving health care for the communities we serve.”
Guests made their way through Artifact Events' multi-story atrium, lit by huge vintage chandeliers. Décor by 440 Event Design transformed the venue into a royal salon, with sumptuous seating lounges that encouraged conversation. Guests enjoyed bites from Food for Thought, including a seafood tower carved from ice and a regal display of desserts, complete with tiny to-go boxes for those who wanted to save their sweet treats for the ride home. String quartet Innocenti Strings dazzled the crowd with classical interpretations of hit songs by music's "queens," including Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Chappell Roan.
Classic table games added an element of playful competition to the evening, while guests also had the opportunity to bid on an array of coveted auction items and experiences. Among the offerings were a triptych of incredibly rare, classic signed Chicago Bulls jerseys, a VIP experience at the 2027 Air and Water Show at Theater on the Lake, and a private chef experience for eight. Guests could also try their luck in a $10,000 cash raffle.
Beneath the crowns, cocktails and table games, however, was a message central to the mission of RUSH: everyone deserves a seat at the table of health and healing. The theme reflected The Woman’s Board’s longstanding partnership with RUSH and its commitment to supporting the Medical Center’s mission to provide exceptional health care to the individuals and diverse communities it serves. As Christina Kline emphasized, the idea of bringing everyone to the table is at the heart of what RUSH does every day—welcoming patients, hearing their needs and ensuring they receive the same commitment to exceptional care regardless of their circumstances.
Photography: Noah Gelfman
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