Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1027958
PAT R O N S | FA L L 2 0 1 8 3 B oa r d N o t e s I have been a Foundation board member for the past five years and have loved every minute. Great people, great organization and the best hospital in the South Bay—who could ask for anything more? My adventure started about seven years ago while having a conversation with Craig Leach, Torrance Memorial Medical Center's President and CEO. Craig was so enthusiastic about the upcoming projects at the hospital, especially the Lundquist Tower. The outlook was impressive, and two years later I was fortunate to join the board. Having retired from a career heavily oriented in technology, I have a tendency to analyze everything. The hospital had received great ratings from several sources, so I decided to find out what makes Torrance Memorial "the jewel of the South Bay." It did not take long to understand the importance of having a first- class hospital in our community. I asked friends and former patients, and the responses I received were: "best hospital ever," "fantastic staff," and "If I have to be in a hospital, let it be Torrance Memorial." Many of these grateful patients are now supporting the hospital as Ambassadors and Patrons. I was interested in the hospital's technological advances. One only has to visit the Lundquist Tower to appreciate the state-of-the-art medical facility. Each patient and operating room has the most current technology available. Waiting rooms are geared toward making families comfortable and providing progress updates in real time. From the moment a patient arrives at the information desk to the time one is discharged, the experience is first-class. Torrance Memorial has been recognized as one of the best stroke and cardiovascular centers, with such innovations as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement). Soon the Hunt Cancer Institute will be housed in the new, all-inclusive Hunt Cancer Center. Our new affiliation with Cedars-Sinai will add value to these areas. The hospital has many events and medical seminars throughout the year to raise funds and benefit the community, but my favorite activity as a board member is being able to personally thank our Patrons, Ambassadors and other supporters by phone during our annual thank-a-thon. I am so lucky and honored be part of this organization and proud to work with the volunteers, doctors, nurses and staff who give so much to keep our community healthy. I also have a soft spot for the Foundation staff who works relentlessly. Needless to say, I found the reason why our hospital is "the jewel of the South Bay." Rick Higgins, Technology Management Professional, Retired Torrance Memorial Foundation Board of Directors "ONE ONLY HAS TO VISIT THE LUNDQUIST TOWER TO APPRECIATE THE STATE- OF-THE-ART MEDICAL FACILITY. EACH PATIENT AND OPERATING ROOM HAS THE MOST CURRENT TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE." FINDING "THE JEWEL OF THE SOUTH BAY"