Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/883365
torrancememorial.org PULSE | 9 California's 44th District (including much of the area ser ved by Torrance Memorial) in Congress from 2011 to 2016. "By focusing resources on improving a key community hospital, the Lundquists are helping to strengthen the safety net for health care in our entire region. ey are also making a strong statement about the role of philanthropy in building stronger communities by ensuring that health care is accessible and being constantly improved." H E A LT H L I N KS at Torrance Memorial," says Nicholas Silvino, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with the Torrance Memorial Physician Network. "e South Bay community is very fortunate to be the beneficiary of such a generous gi." e Neuroscience Institute will mean that patients with neurological needs, which previously had to be referred out of the area, can be cared for at Torrance Memorial. Additional funding will go to upgrade the surgical and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capabilities at the hospital. "Melanie and Richard are true community heroes, as their financial commitment will make a real and long-term difference in the lives of countless people," says Craig Leach, president and CEO of Torrance Memorial. "e timing of their gi, following our affiliation agreement with Cedars-Sinai, sends a powerful message about the positive future of Torrance Memorial and the communities we serve." "e Cedars-Sinai and Torrance Memorial affiliation is great for the community and creates a new frontier for the hospital," Richard Lundquist says. "e affiliation will provide a platform for future collaborations in primary and specialty care. Torrance Memorial and the community will benefit from access to the latest clinical trials and subspecialists at Cedars as well." anks to the creation of the Melanie and Richard Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute, South Bay residents have had access to state- of-the-art technolog y, the latest cardiovascular treatments, and a diverse array of early detection and prevention. eir commitment to Torrance Memorial stretches back to 1985 when Melanie was a volunteer at the hospital. Melanie's inside view of the hospital's operations motivated her to become more involved. e Lundquists have established the Cardiovascular Institute, significantly expanded beds in the hospital's Emergency Room and helped to fund the Lundquist Tower, a 256-bed, all-private room hospital. e Lundquists provided in the $50 million donor agreement that their name should be removed from the building when naming rights could be used to attract another significant donor in the future. "e $100 million contribution Melanie and Richard have made to Torrance Memorial will have an immeasurable impact on the health of the South Bay communities," notes super visor Janice Hahn, who represented AN INSTITUTE WITH HEART In conjunction with the announcement of their gi to Torrance Memorial, Melanie and Richard Lundquist announced the renaming of Torrance Memorial's Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute to the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, in honor of cardiologist Mark Lurie, MD. Dr. Lurie, director of the Institute, has also served on the Torrance Memorial Foundation Board since 2003 and as president since November of 2011. He has also served as Torrance Memorial's chief of staff and is currently the team cardiologist for the University of Southern California's football program. The Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute is ranked among the top heart care programs in Southern California and is staffed by leading cardiology specialists. Torrance Memorial provides the best possible heart disease care, including heart disease prevention and risk management, innovative medical therapies, surgical techniques and minimally invasive procedures. Our cardiologists and surgeons have years of advanced training in their respective specialties and offer a level of experience that only comes from treating high volumes of patients with conditions ranging from routine to complex. "We are renaming the Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute to be the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute in honor of Dr. Lurie for his leadership and passion in providing state-of-the-art medical care for the community," Melanie and Richard stated jointly. "He (Dr. Lurie) is an extraordinary partner to us in our philanthropic endeavors with Torrance Memorial Medical Center." The Lundquists announce the Institute's new name—Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute— as a surprise to Dr. Mark Lurie, who received a lab coat embroidered with the new name.,