Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/883365
torrancememorial.org PULSE | 47 F L A S H NOVAS GRAND FINALE CELEBRATION May 21 | Marriott Hotel, Torrance At the annual Grand Finale Celebration on Sunday, May 21, 16 graduating senior Novas were honored for their four years of service and leadership to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. The Novas and Luminaries are comprised of high school students and their mothers, whose sole purpose is to support Torrance Memorial through volunteering and fundraising. Collectively, these seniors have volunteered more than 4,500 hours over their four years of high school. The festive evening, themed "Life is Sweet," was chaired by Julie Makrygiannis and Jill Galdones. The Novas presented gi baskets to the Pediatric Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Burn Unit, with items from their wishlists including iPads, portable speakers and a portable storage cart. In addition, a $40,000 check was presented to the Torrance Memorial Foundation. | Photos by Deidre Davidson Front: Elizabeth Sun, Julia Pano, Olivia Polischeck, Sophia Goodin, Chrissy Malit, Meghan Mahoney, Sophie Piller. Back: Remo Ventura, Pete Makyrgiannis, John Galdones, Sommer DeRudder, Rhian Saunders, Matthew Lee, Darren Jeong. Not pictured: Kiersten Hazard, Alison Hsieh Front: Karen Bronson, Judy Sipes, Tammi Wong. Back: Mary Matson, Terri Mitani, Gina Sievert, Judith Gassner, Cathy Siegel, Lisa Takata Grand Finale co-chair Jill Galdones (fourth from le) pictured with husband Jesse, son and graduating senior Nova John and daughter Jami Grand Finale co-chair Julie Makyrgiannis (second from le) with son and graduating senior Nova Pete, daughter Koko and husband Kostas BURN CENTER HOSTS FIRST RESPONDER BRUNCH July 23 | Hoffman Health Conference Center, Torrance Memorial Vimal Murthy, MD, medical director of the Torrance Memorial Burn Center, and Matthew Reiss, MD, burn and reconstructive plastic surgeon, don't normally have the opportunity to build relationships with the firefighters who rescue the patients on whom they perform surgery. In late July, the Burn Center hosted its inaugural Firefighters and First Responders Appreciation Brunch to thank first responders who bring critically injured patients to Torrance Memorial. Members from Torrance and Manhattan Beach fire departments attended this special event. Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey was also present to show his appreciation. "Our work finishes the dangerous job they have started, a job in which they risk their lives to save others daily," Dr. Reiss said. "We wanted to do something to acknowledge their bravery and critical work they do." The brunch included a tour of the Torrance Memorial Burn Center, which is one of only three verified burn centers in Los Angeles County. | Photos by Deidre Davidson BICU Medical Director Vimal Muthy with the Manhattan Beach Fire Department BICU's Matthew Reiss and Naiwei Hsu-Chang, RN, celebrate first responders