Patrons

Winter 2017

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PATRONS | Winter 2017 37 in the community of all the good work the hospital is doing." Son Brandon is also no stranger to service. After graduating from college, he joined the U.S. Army and became an Army Ranger. Brandon spent four years overseas during his eight years in the Army. His first deployment was to Southern Asia with the Army's 1st Special Forces Group. Embedded with Brandon's unit was a Forward Surgical Team (FST), which exposed him to the lifesaving work doctors and nurses do, as well as the medical needs of the populations in third world countries. "When our counterparts were hit and we had several dozen coming in wounded in action/ killed in action, one can feel helpless but also very grateful for the skills and services of the medical team," Brandon says. "Soon after this first deployment, I became an EMT so I could do more and be prepared should a medical emergency arise." After the Army, Brandon worked in the energy sector as a process chemical engineer in oil and gas production. He recently joined his father's accounting firm. "I made a donation to the hospital after my wife gave birth to our daughter at Torrance Memorial," Brandon says. I received a call from Laura Schenasi within 24 hours, saying that I was now a member of YPPA. I'm more than willing to do something for the hospital, given its role in the community and the people and lives it supports." Brandon also supports other organizations such as several Military Veterans Organizations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), UCLA, the Hermosa Beach School District and medical research endeavors. e Spierer Family: Joseph Hohm believed his friend Steven Spierer would be an "excellent addition" to the Foundation board and suggested to Judy Gassner (the Foundation's senior director of development and principal gifts) that he be invited to serve. Steven F. Spierer, Esq., is a founding partner of Spierer, Woodward, Corbalis & Goldberg. He has now served on the Torrance Memorial Foundation for two years. "My son Joseph and I have both volunteered with other organizations before but are new to Torrance Memorial," Spierer says. "We believe we need great medical care in the South Bay. It matters a great deal to us for the welfare of our local communities and for the health of our own families; that's why we became involved." Spierer continues, "It was a natural extension of our personal and family friendship and our business partnership. I am proud to be a part of the support network for Torrance Memorial and grateful for the opportunity to serve." Spierer adds that Torrance Memorial's recently announced partnership with Cedars- Sinai is one of many positive developments in the hospital's ongoing delivery of top-notch medical care to the community members of the South Bay. For this, Spierer credits the leadership of Craig Leach and philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist. "e joining of these two excellent health care organizations will create an even greater ability to serve everyone's needs yet remain local enough to understand the South Bay community and its members," Spierer says. e younger Spierer, Joseph, of Joseph Spierer Architects, credits his involvement with YPPA for enabling him and other members to raise awareness about Torrance Memorial and its services in the community, and to help raise money through events. Joseph cites the annual Casino Night as one example of a special event where attendees can enjoy a night of fun, socializing and gambling. At the end of the night, all the money "won by the house" is donated to the hospital. YPPA also works to recognize employees at Torrance Memorial through support of the monthly Daisy Award, presented to exceptional nurses and "e Reason is You Award," presented to employees who go above and beyond. Steven Spierer's son-in-law Ben Archer has also joined YPPA. Archer, a builder who part ners with Joseph Spierer's architecture practice, frequently attends YPPA events with his wife, (Steven's daughter) Melanie Archer. According to Spierer, supporting Torrance Memorial is "a whole family effort." Brandon Hohm adds, "We all believe that supporting Torrance Memorial as a local independent hospital is extremely important for our community." YPPA PLAY-BY-PLAY Joseph Spierer, Steven Spierer, Joseph Hohm, Brandon Hohm

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