Will Power: Elevating a Community and the Care at the Heart of It

Barbara and Russell “Rusty” Schlattman are problem solvers. Whether it is the intricate mastery of space and structure that has driven Barbara’s successful interior design career or the mission trips the couple take to Romania to care for the underserved, the philanthropic duo are anything but shy when faced with a challenge.

After watching Rusty’s parents suffer debilitating decline due to Alzheimer’s disease, the Schlattmans knew they faced another challenge — one that offered the opportunity to leave a lasting impact within northwest Houston. Barbara and Rusty decided to make a planned gift to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital to enhance patient memory care.

“Our family has always considered Houston Methodist to be ‘our’ hospital,” says Barbara. “When Houston Methodist Willowbrook opened, we wanted to be a part of making it the best place in our community for health care.”

While the Schlattmans’ legacy gift will serve to bolster the standing of their health care home, both have also earned their own brand of renown.

After moving to the Champions/FM 1960 area in 1973, Barbara founded Barbara Schlattman Interiors. Her work in commercial and residential interior design has garnered her not only the coveted title of Fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers but also national awards, ASID leadership roles and project features in publications including The Wall Street Journal and Ladies’ Home Journal.

Rusty has spent his days as a local landmark whose dental practice of 49 years has seen generations of families pass through its doors. He’s served his profession in positions with the International College of Dentists of Texas and Academy of General Dentistry and was voted the 1993 Texas Dentist of the Year^™.

Both Schlattmans practice community leadership, and Barbara’s role on the Houston Methodist Willowbrook board is one of several close to her heart. She says it was a curious life turn that first launched her prolific volunteer career. In 2003, the Texas Department of Transportation issued an off-the-cuff challenge to spearhead landscaping that she and others requested for a stretch of concrete medians along FM 1960. The 150 speeches, negotiations with 14 water districts and fundraising to the tune of $555,000 that followed not only accomplished the goal but also established Barbara as 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

“After that, people started asking me to be on their boards,” Barbara says with a laugh.

For Rusty, their family’s commitment to effect change simply mirrors that of the partner they have found in Houston Methodist.

“I think the tagline Leading Medicine describes Houston Methodist’s mission quite well,” he says. “You don’t rest on your laurels; you keep moving forward and doing new things that might be of service to mankind.”

For those considering a planned gift, remember that Houston Methodist provides outstanding care and patient experiences. Your generous legacy gift will directly impact our patients. Please contact Shulmith “Shu” Muthyala at 713.254.9011 or ssmuthyala@houstonmethodist.org to learn more.