Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/857677
6 | PULSE S u m m e r 2 0 1 7 BRIE CADMAN In addition to being a freelance science and health writer, Brie is a winemaker and co-owner of Tulocay Winery in Napa, CA, and mom to two girls. CAROLE JAKUCS, RN, BSN, PHN Carole is a freelance writer, certified public health nurse and health/fitness enthusiast who writes for a variety of publications. KRISTIN REYNOLDS Kristin is a journalist and editor currently managing content at the Manhattan Beach-based nonprofit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. A North Carolina native, she lives in Hermosa Beach. CONTRIBUTORS As our Southern California weather heats up, many of us strive to slow down and take things easy. Well, not here at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. We have exciting news and immediately useful information for you in this issue. You probably have read and heard about Torrance Memorial's plans to partner with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, an affiliation that will serve to strengthen and broaden both institutions' reach and service to the Los Angeles community. Get more of that story on page 28. Cancer research is in full swing at Torrance Memorial's Hunt Cancer Institute, with teams led by oncologists Andrew Horodner and David Chan testing liquid biopsies that are full of promise for both diagnosis and treatment (page 38). And, the Melanie & Richard Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute, led by Mark Lurie, MD, has completed more than 35 cardiac research studies since its inception in 2000 (page 41). Also evidence of ever-evolving minds and hearts is the embrace of complementary therapies by many Torrance Memorial doctors, making their practices truly integrative and fulfilling the wishes of our open-minded South Bay patient population (page 34). We are particularly proud of two awards that recognize the excellent Torrance Memorial staff: The DAISY Award and The Reason Is You Award given for going above and beyond in the provision of patient service. Read some of the moving notes of appreciation on page 50. One thing you can always count on is Torrance Memorial's commitment to providing the South Bay community with world-class health care. The Editors IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE C O N T E N T S NANCY SOKOLER STEINER Nancy Sokoler Steiner is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer who specializes in health, medicine, profiles and human interest pieces.