Drs. Rosenthal of Ashford Pediatric Associates
By Kathy W. Isdale
The Drs. Rosenthal of Ashford Pediatric Associates have been making their mark on Texas Children's for 57 years. This well-known family of pediatricians has also made philanthropic contributions to the hospital for many years, including a gift in support of Texas Children's Hospital West Campus. Their generosity is being recognized through the naming of a conference room in the new hospital.
"We've been part of the Texas Children's family since its inception," says Dr. Harry Rosenthal, the youngest of four brothers who have been in practice together for their entire careers. Eldest brother, Dr. Morris Rosenthal, was one of Texas Children's first residents. Dr. Morris opened a private practice in 1955 and, one by one over the next 15 years, helped support his brothers, Dr. Paul, Dr. Ben and Dr. Harry, as they completed pediatric residencies at Texas Children's and joined the practice.
Having grown up in the Heights, the historical neighborhood just northwest of downtown Houston, the brothers recognized the city's steady westward growth during the early years of their careers and, in 1978, opened Ashford Pediatric Associates near I-10 and Dairy- Ashford Road. In 1995, theirs was the very first practice to join Texas Children's Pediatric Associates—"a win-win situation for the hospital and for us," says Dr. Ben.
Dr. Ben's daughter, Dr. Rachel Rosenthal Bray, has continued the family tradition by completing residency at Texas Children's and joining the practice.
Dr. Morris and Dr. Paul are both retired now, and the remaining three Drs. Rosenthal remain enthusiastically connected to Texas Children's.
"I relate my success as a pediatrician to Texas Children's," Dr. Ben says. "The teaching institution, the association with all the other doctors there—I feel that I have benefited greatly from the hospital."
"We have been very fortunate, and it's important to us that we have been included in the hospital's growth," says Dr. Harry. "We feel it's a privilege to give back to the hospital. It all goes back to the standards that our parents set for us, especially our mother."
Their mother was a remarkable woman who ensured that her sons would be educated, an opportunity she had never had. But the Rosenthal brothers saw to it that she was recognized for her sacrifice and her contributions to pediatric medicine. They point out two framed documents mounted on the wall of their office that display a special acknowledgment that Texas Children's late physician in chief, Dr. Ralph Feigin, conferred on their mother.
On her 90th birthday, Dr. Feigin presented her with unique, duly signed certificates from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, bestowing upon Della Rosenthal the title of M.D.— Mother of Doctors.
