PULSE - Torrance Memorial Medical Center · Pulse magazine. She was especially taken with the...

Winter 2020

PULSEmagazine

A top cardiology program— now in the South Bay

Bootcamp instructor stages a comebackInside:

Ken Watanabe survives the odds, thanks to two young Torrance Y lifeguards and a defibrillator box

Anti-inflammatory recipes for healthy living

+

Second Chance

PULSE M

AG

AZIN

EW

INTER 2020

TorranceMemorial.org | 3

President's Letter

A Publication of Torrance Memorial Medical Center3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505310-325-9110

DIRECTOR,

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Erin Fiorito

PUBLISHER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Vincent Rios

MANAGING EDITOR

Jill Gerbracht

COPY EDITOR

Laura Watts

CONTRIBUTORS

Michelle Abt

John Ferrari

Peg Moline

Melissa Bean Sterzick

Nancy Sokoler Steiner

Laura Roe Stevens

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Berting

Peter Cooper

Deidre Davidson

Philicia Endelman

Tara Engle

TC Franklin

Clark McNulty

Michael Neveux

Vincent Rios

Published byVincent Rios Creative, Inc.vrioscreative.com

©2020 Torrance Memorial Medical Center. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician's medical assessment and medical judgment. Always consult first with your physician regarding anything related to your personal health.

PULSEmagazine

Dear Readers,

As we bid farewell to a decade of tremendous growth and change at Torrance Memorial, we can look ahead to 2020 and beyond with many exciting develop-ments on the horizon. Our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai continues to strength-en as we head into our third year together. And our new 43,000-square-foot medical office building in El Segundo will be completed in early 2021 to serve El Segundo, Hawthorne, South Inglewood and Manhattan Beach.

Read on to learn how our expanded partnership with Cedars-Sinai makes a greater range of cardiac surgical services available in the South Bay. The af-filiation was also key in achieving our Comprehensive Stroke Center designa-tion—a nod to Torrance Memorial’s advanced capabilities in the area of stroke care (page 7).

Our biggest event to conclude the last decade was the grand opening of the Hunt Cancer Center on December 16. With many cancer treatment ser-vices now in one location, this patient-centered environment brings conve-nience and expertise together under one roof and has been well received by our community.

With each passing year, I continue to be impressed by stories about the amazing people in our hospital and the South Bay. Our cover story highlights the heroic efforts of two young lifeguards at the Torrance Y whose training, fast thinking and swift action helped save a life. We also reflect on the journey of two premature babies who miraculously survived, thanks to the expertise of our NICU specialty teams and facilities.

Please enjoy reading this issue of Pulse and learn more about what is happening at Torrance Memorial and in our community in this new year and new decade.

WE HELP FAMILIES COME TOGETHER EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Our board certif ied maternal team of OB/GYNs, nurses, anesthesiologists, labor ists and neonatologists offers a fu l l spectrum of expert care from parenting classes to delivery and lactation assistance. Expectant mothers and their famil ies can take additional comfort in knowing our state-of-the-art on-site NICU offers immediate clinical assistance. Learn more and sign up for a maternity tour at TMMaternity.com

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MATERNAL RN CARE • 24/7 LABOR TEAM • ON-SITE NICU

We DeliverMore � anExpert Care

Craig Leach, President, Chief Executive OfficerTorrance Memorial Medical Center

ON THE COVER:

Ken Watanabe,

center, is flanked

by the two young

YMCA lifeguards

who saved his life

while on a routine

swim in the pool

last summer.

Photographed by

Michael Neveux

Contents

FEATURES

20 ZEST FOR LIFE: SOARING ABOVE

Cancer can't ground aerial acrobatic artist Cynthia MacPhee.

24 WHY ONE SOUTH BAY TEEN IS BREATHING EASIER

How robotic technology makes for precise, less painful surgery.

28 A GREAT HEART PROGRAM IS NOW EVEN BETTER

A powerful partnership with Cedars-Sinai brings the nation's #3 heart program to the South Bay.

34 LIFESAVER Two quick-thinking lifeguards

and a defibrillator make all the difference for one local swimmer.

38 TWO MIRACULOUS NICU SURVIVAL STORIES

Dr. Jerry Schwartz and a team of in-house and local neonatal intensive care subspecialists work in unison to save two precious tiny lives.

20

42 OUR COMMUNITY VIPS A special-needs mom making

a difference; a bootcamp instructor who staged a comeback after a stroke; two local brothers who helped fight cancer with a song.

48 HELPING HANDS:

SENIORS STAYING HOME Local "villages" help South

Bay residents remain at home as they age.

50 BUILDING HOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES

Mychal's Learning Place provides career opportunities and confidence for people with disabilities.

ON PACE

8 HEALTHY BITES Two anti-inflammatory recipes for

healthy living.

10 THE PRICELESS GIFT OF MEMORIES Local resident Marie Ashmore's unique

Memory Bears ease loss for loved ones.

11 HUNT CANCER CENTER Hunt Cancer Center is now open, providing

patient-centered cancer treatment services in one location.

12 THE LOWDOWN ON VAPING What you need to know about e-cigarettes.

14 BARIATRIC SURGERY PROGRAM TAKES THE LONG VIEW

Comprehensive care for healthy living after obesity.

IN EVERY ISSUE 3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO6 AWARDS & CERTIFICATIONS16 ASK THE DOCTOR

Vitamin deficiency: recognizing symptoms and improving diet

18 CALENDAR52 FLASH EVENTS58 A LOOK BACK

Torrance Memorial's modest beginnings14

8

38

50

6 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2020 TorranceMemorial.org | 7

Awards

Torrance Memorial Receives Accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer Centers (NAPBC)

The NAPBC is a coalition of professional organiza-tions that work together to provide the most efficient and contemporary breast care using scientific evidence about what works best for patients. The NAPBC Board is composed of leadership from many medical disci-plines and upholds nation-ally recognized performance measures for breast cancer treatment. Administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for more than 100 years, recipients of this accreditation are held to the highest standards of care for patients with diseases of the breast.

ICU, CVICU and PCU Earn Beacon Awards for Excellence

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) was recognized with a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on Intensive Care Unit 3. Torrance Memorial’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and 4 West Progressive Care Unit (PCU) also earned silver-level Beacon Awards for Excellence. The Beacon Award for Excellence, a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, recognizes caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes.

Torrance Memorial’s Comprehensive Wound Care Receives 2 Recognition Awards for Excellent Service

Torrance Memorial is a 2019 recipient of Restorix-Health’s Clinical Distinc-tion Award for meeting or exceeding national quality benchmarks in comprehen-sive wound care over a six-month period. This biannual award acknowledges exceptional success in wound healing rates and safety goals along with a 90% healing rate. Torrance Memorial also received RestorixHealth’s Patient Satisfaction Award to meet or exceed national patient satisfaction over a three-month period, with a patient satisfaction score of 96% or higher.

The Comprehensive Wound Healing Center at Torrance Memorial provides care to those suffering from chronic wounds in a way no other provider can: all in one location. The Comprehen-sive Wound Healing Center is a coordinated outpatient center that treats patients with non-healing wounds utilizing the latest techniques and procedures.

Torrance Memorial Exceeds Healthy People 2020 Target

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently recognized Torrance Memorial for meeting or exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% influen-za vaccination coverage for health care personnel for the 2018–2019 influenza season. Torrance Memorial is one of 20 hospitals in Los Angeles County to reach this goal. Vacci-nation against seasonal influenza is critical for protecting health care personnel, their families and patients.

Contributors

John Ferrari ("Lifesaver"

page 34, "Vaping" page

12 and "Bariatric Surgery

Program" page 14) is a

regular contributor to

Pulse magazine and says

he enjoys the interesting

people he interviews along

the way.

Laura Roe Stevens ("NICU"

page 38, "South Bay Teen

is Breathing Easier" page

24 and "Mychal's Learning

Place" page 50) is also

a regular contributor to

Pulse magazine. She was

especially taken with the

miraculous journey of two

premature babies and their

families in the NICU.

Michael Neveux

("Lifesaver" cover and

page 34, "Bariatric Surgery

Program" page 14) is a

regular contributor to

Pulse and is known to us

as the master of light and

shadow.

#1 Ranked Hospital in the South BayTORRANCE MEMORIAL RANKED FIRST AMONG SOUTH BAY HOSPITALS BY NEWSWEEK AND U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.When it comes to local expert care, it is important to know the facts. Torrance Memorial is leading the way in the South Bay for expert care, ranking among the best hospitals in California and the nation. TMFirst.org

Top 3% Hospital in California

- U.S. News & World Report

Ranked #38 in the Nation

- Newsweek

Ranked #8 in California

- Newsweek

TORRANCE MEMORIAL RECEIVES COMPREHENSIVE STROKE CENTER CERTIFICATION

In January 2020, Torrance Memorial's Lundquist Neurosciences Institute received certification from DNV GL – Healthcare as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treat-ment of serious stroke events.

The DNV GL – Healthcare Comprehensive Stroke Center certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the Amer-ican Stroke Association, and affirms the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care—diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and educa-tion—and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

“Achieving certification shows commitment to excellence,” says Patrick Horine, CEO of DNV GL – Healthcare. “And it helps demonstrate to your community you are performing at the highest level.”

Comprehensive stroke centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a given geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication. In a growing number of states, stroke center certifi-cation determines to which facility a patient should be taken for the most appropriate, reimbursable care.

“With stroke care, you must have the best clinicians and resources, but also the ability to act organizationally with extreme efficiency because of the time-critical nature of these events,” says Dr. Shlee Song, director of the Stroke Program at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “This certification from DNV GL validates all the effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our patients.”

DOOR-TO-NEEDLE TIME FOR ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

In order to minimize the damage

and improve clinical outcomes

for those suffering a stroke, it is

important to reduce the time taken

to administer a thrombolytic agent.

This time is commonly referred to

as the "door to needle" (DTN) time.

Torrance Memorial ranks well above

the national average in DTN time.

National Average: 75 minutes

Torrance Memorial: 44 minutes

75

44


On Pace / Anti-Inflammatory Recipes for Healthy Living

Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury or illness by signaling the immune system to heal and repair, as well as fight foreign invaders. Inflammation is vital for acute scenarios; however, it becomes a problem when

it extends into long-term inflammation lasting anywhere from several months to even years. This is known as chronic inflammation and can lead to many diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and more. One way to help combat chronic inflammation in the body is through a well-balanced diet, including nutritious foods that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. One food that can provide these health benefits is artichokes.

Artichokes date back to ancient Greece and continue to be a delicacy within the Mediterranean, including countries such as Italy and Spain. The Mediterranean region is known for a high quality of life and longevity. It is no surprise, then, that artichokes are present in many of their dishes. Artichokes contain flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, fiber, potassium and calcium, just to name a few nutrients that can contribute to an increased health span. Although they may appear difficult to cook, they are not! Give this simple, tasty and nutritious recipe a try. It will help you start falling in love with artichokes, if you have not already.

Pan-Roasted Artichoke Ingredients:

• 3 artichokes

• 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed

lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt

• Pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425ºF.

• Wash the artichokes and trim

the stem to 2 inches in length.

With scissors, snip off any sharp

spines remaining on the tips of

the leaves.

• Using a sharp serrated knife,

cut 2 inches off the top of the

artichoke, making a flat top.

• Place the artichoke flat-side down

and cut it in half vertically, from

the stem to the leaves. Using a

sturdy metal spoon, scoop out

the fuzzy “choke” in the center

and discard. Repeat with the

remaining artichokes.

• Place the artichoke halves on a

baking sheet, cut side up.

• Press the pieces of one clove of

minced garlic between the leaves,

evenly distributing throughout.

• Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil over

the top of each artichoke; sprinkle

with a generous pinch of salt.

• Bake for 40 minutes.

• Remove from oven and add

grated Parmesan evenly over

artichokes. Place back into oven

for about 5 minutes or until the

heart is completely tender when

pierced with a knife.

• Transfer artichokes to a serving

plate and drizzle each with 1

teaspoon lemon juice. Serve

immediately.

• Optional: Add melted butter

or aioli dressing on the side for

dipping.

Cauliflower Mash

Chronic inflammation may negatively affect some of your body’s systems and organs, including your heart. Interestingly, the foods you eat can have a major effect on inflammation in your body. Studies suggest a diet rich in whole grains, healthy fats and nutrient dense foods rich in antioxidants can reduce inflam-mation while processed and packaged products (meats, sugars, vegetable oils, alcohol) can increase inflammation within the body.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, sulforaphanes and indoles, which can have an anti-inflammatory effect. This effect can lead to decreased risk of heart disease and cancer. Whether you are trying to think of a healthy side dish to take to a party or sneaking in vegetables for your kids without them knowing, this recipe is a must-try! It pairs well with fish, poultry or roasted vegetables.

Serving Size: 4Total Time: 11 minutes

Ingredients: • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1-2 teaspoons minced fresh herbs: sage, rosemary and thyme

• 2 tablespoons grass-fed, organic butter

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional topping: chives, olive oil drizzle, shredded cheese

Steam cauliflower florets 6-8 minutes or until soft. Meanwhile sauté garlic and herbs with olive oil in a pan for 3-4 minutes. When the cauliflower is done, strain water and pour into a blender (or use a handheld immersion blender). Add sautéed garlic and herbs to the blender along with butter. Blend cauliflower to desired consistency (should be similar to mashed potatoes). Note: Do not over-mix or it will become cauliflower puree. Place mashed cauliflower into a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm. Optional to add toppings like chives, olive oil drizzle or shredded cheese.

These recipes were contributed by Corinne Glazer, a registered dietitian

at Torrance Memorial. If you are interested in learning more techniques

to help build a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, contact the Torrance

Memorial Specialty Center about meeting with a registered dietitian

through our NEW (Nutrition Education and Wellness) program or one of

our many community classes, 310-891-6707.

This Cauliflower Mash is a healthy side option that pairs well with fish or poultry.


On Pace

The Priceless Gift of Memories

Marie Ashmore’s Memory Bears Ease Loss for Loved Ones

Written by Laura Roe Stevens | Photographed by Vincent Rios

Local resident Marie Ashmore has been creating Memory Bears—keepsake stuffed

bears to commemorate the loss of a loved one—for nearly 13 years. Since 2007 Marie has crafted 600 bears for strangers who lost a family member. Volunteering with hospitals, including Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Marie uses clothing, handwritten notes, photos and other trinkets provided by the families participating to create unique bears to honor their loved one.

It’s a sweet endeavor. And it is one that doesn’t have a dividend. There is noth-ing to gain from this except the knowl-edge that someone’s suffering might be eased by the thoughtful gesture.

It is rare today for someone to do something for others without asking for

anything in return. Rarer still is some-one who would continue to volunteer for years, even though she usually does not meet those who are helped. But for Marie, the moment she heard about the need, she knew it was a way for her to give back.

“I originally saw an ad in the Daily Breeze looking for someone to sew Memory Bears,“ shares Marie. "I made my first two Memory Bears in Decem-ber 2007 for the daughters of a man who had been diagnosed with cancer. He passed away on December 25, 2007. I have the obituary with his photo and a beautiful thank-you note from one of his daughters.”

Through Torrance Memorial’s volun-teer office and/or a social worker, Marie receives information and materials

from the families with loved ones re-ceiving hospice care. Marie then gets to work crafting a bear.

“What Marie does is very sweet,” says Olivia Giuliano, an administrative assistant in the Home Health and Hos-pice departments at Torrance Memorial who received a bear last April after her mother died. “I can’t tell you how precious my Memory Bear is. I have the bear sitting on a little stand next to the needlepoint my mom made. You can’t put a dollar value on it.”

“My mom was in hospice and some-one showed me a bear, and I said, ‘Oh that’s darling,’ but I didn’t think about it until after [my mother] died,” Olivia explains. When she sifted through her mother’s hope chest and discovered treasures, she knew a Memory Bear would be a brilliant way to use them.

“Marie sewed a pocket on the vest of the bear and put a note written by my mother that lists all of our birthdays on it,” Olivia says. “Then she made a hat from the tiara of my mother’s wedding veil and put mom’s wedding veil appli-ques on different spots on the bear.”

Olivia had also found a skirt her mother made with a note pinned on it explaining she had worn that skirt the night she met her future husband, Olivia’s father. Material from that skirt was used to make the bear as well.

Marie’s Memory Bears are in demand as word spreads from grateful recipients like Olivia. For example, Marie spoke of a family from Périgord, France, who came to California for a family funeral. “They took two bears back to France with them. I have a picture of the

Marie Ashmore holds the Memory Bear she created for Torrance Memorial Home Health and Hospice employee Olivia Giuliano in remembrance of Olivia's mother.

The Donald & Priscilla Hunt Cancer Center Is Now Open

New patient-centered environment consolidates cancer treatment services into one location

The Donald and Priscilla Hunt Cancer Center officially opened its doors to patients and the community on December 16. After a 16-month construction period, the building was completed on

time and on budget. According to Craig Leach, president and CEO of Torrance Memorial, “The

magnitude and efforts of so many to bring this dream of a consolidated can-cer care center into reality for the South Bay community is thanks to gener-ous donations, planning and the hard work of everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

Hugo Hool, MD, chair of Torrance Memorial’s oncology committee and director of the Hunt Cancer Institute says, “We couldn’t be more excited for the South Bay and its residents when we think about what this means to our patients and our community.”

A donor event was held in November with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by Priscilla Hunt in honor of her family’s generous donation to make the cen-ter possible. “I often use the expression ‘Health is wealth,’” she said. “Thanks to care received at Torrance Memorial, our long-time receptionist Angela at Hunt Enterprises survived Stage IV cancer and is back at work today. My sis-ter’s life was extended long enough to see her first grandchild born. Because I have the means to give, I am doing so to help others have more time with the people they care about.”

Hunt Cancer patients will continue to benefit from the comprehensive ser-vices offered through Torrance Memorial’s Hunt Cancer Institute. Using their expertise, compassion, advanced technology and sophisticated equipment, a multidisciplinary team supports patients throughout treatment and beyond. A robust clinical trial program and a growing partnership with Cedars-Sinai will enhance the cross-disciplinary collaboration and affiliation between the two institutions and serve to expand and strengthen clinical trials across all cancer types. •

Hunt Cancer Center

3285 Skypark Drive, Torrance 90505

Cancer Resource Center (310) 517-7077

Cancer Care Office (310) 750-3300

granddaughter with the bears. It makes me smile to look at it,” she says.

“I also have a picture of a Christmas card with two of the bears I made on the front. The man who passed was a character actor who died at 93. His wife used the bears for the card. They were made from two pairs of his pajamas.”

You never know who might want a Memory Bear. When Marie’s father died five years ago, she planned to give one to her daughter and to keep one. How-ever, when her daughter-in-law wanted one for her husband, Marie ended up giving the second one to her son.

Even though Marie has met so few of the families who receive her bears, she has an album at home filled with thank-you notes, pictures and cards. And luckily for the South Bay commu-nity, Marie says she has no plans to stop making them in the near future. •

For more information:

Torrance Memorial Home Health and

Hospice patients with inquiries about

Memory Bears should contact Olivia

Giuliano at 310-784-3739.

Oliva's Memory Bear was created from sentimental clothing items she found in her mother's hope chest and a handwrit-ten note listing family birthdays.


On Pace

Vaping. You’ve seen people vaping, seen the smoke ex-haled out car windows, seen

the ads—but you may not know exactly what it is or how harmful it may be. You’re not alone.

“That’s the most terrifying thing about it,” says Torrance Memorial Physician Network family and sports medicine physician Jason Alvarado, MD. “We don’t know its effects.”

The e-cigarettes you see today were introduced to the U.S. in 2007, just 13 years ago. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) became so popular so quickly—especially among teens and young adults—that last year FDA com-missioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, declared e-cigarette use an epidemic of addiction among teenagers.

Originally developed as an alterna-tive to smoking, e-cigarettes work by heating a liquid containing nicotine

and other chemicals. E-cigarette users (called vapers) inhale (vape) this aero-sol or vapor. They’re often marketed as a way to stop smoking, but that’s not ac-curate, says psychologist Moe Gelbart, PhD, executive director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center—Torrance Memorial’s outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center.

“Vaping was not a smoking cessation tool,” he explains. “It was a tool to re-duce, theoretically, some of the negative effects of smoking. Vaping supposedly reduces some of the harmful effects of actual smoke, but it’s still an addiction to nicotine and still has carcinogenic effects. Nicotine is one of the most addicting substances we’re aware of. In some ways it’s as addicting as cocaine or heroin. We’re only eight to 10 years into vaping, so we don’t know what the long-term effects are.”

E-cigarette use may be most harmful

to teenagers and young adults—precise-ly those who are using e-cigarettes the most. The brain continues to develop until about age 25, Dr. Gelbart explains, and is more susceptible to addiction. Nicotine also can cause emotional swings, including depression and anxiety, which young people are less equipped to handle than mature adults.

“Vaping is getting a whole generation of kids ready for nicotine addiction—and a lifetime of problems,” Dr. Gelbart says, explaining the problems include an increased chance they’ll use other drugs. “Vaping is a gateway drug to marijuana, and marijuana is a gateway to other drugs.”

Nicotine has immediate effects that include increasing the heart rate and triggering the fight-or-flight hyper-alert response, Dr. Alvarado says. Children and teenagers, he adds, haven’t yet learned how to control those kinds

The concern over vaping has continued to build as e-cigarettes have become more popular, especially among teens and young adults.

The Lowdown on VapingWhat you need to know about e-cigs

Written by John Ferrari

Torrance Memorial is now part of Cedars-Sinai’s extensive cancer clinical trials program.

We Fight Cancer OneBreakthroughAt a Time

THE HUNT CANCER INSTITUTE OFFERS THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN CANCER CARE AND RESEARCH.

Learn more at TorranceMemorial.org/Cancer

of reactions. The ups and downs caused by nicotine can affect a user’s learning abilities and attention span too—critical in a developing brain.

Add to that the reason vaping has been in the news lately: the emergence of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) last August. As of late January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was track-ing more than 2,700 hospitalized EVALI cases nationwide, and 60 deaths. All EVALI patients have reported a history of e-cigarette use.

Although a single ingredient hasn’t been labeled the cause—and EVALI may have more than one cause—the chemical additive vitamin E acetate has been strongly linked to the EVA-LI outbreak. Used in vaping liquid as a thickening agent and to magnify the high-inducing effects of THC (present in some vape products), vitamin E acetate is safe when taken as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin, but previous research has suggested when inhaled it may interfere with lung functioning.

This exposes one of the dangers of e-cigarette use, Dr. Alvarado says: the

ingredients are not regulated and may not be labeled. “There are additives we’re not aware of,” he explains. “Even flavoring can have its own problems; it can decompose into carcinogens.”

In early January, the Trump administration announced a ban on some flavored e-cigarette products. Under the new policy, companies cannot sell e-cigarette cartridges in fruit, dessert or mint flavors. Only menthol and tobacco flavors are allowed. However, the new rules do not apply to larger, tank-style e-cigarettes which users can refill themselves.

Since e-cigarettes were put on the market, “there’s been an explosion of access to something that could be very dangerous,” Dr. Alvarado says. “The best recommendation we have is just to stay away. It’s a nerve-wracking moment.” •

Dr. Jason Alvarado practices at 824

E. Carson St, Suite 101 in Carson.

He can be reached at (310) 233-

3203. Moe Gelbart, PhD, of the

Thelma McMillen Recovery Center

can be reached at (310) 784-4879.

“THAT’S THE MOST TERRIFYING THING ABOUT IT…WE DON’T KNOW ITS EFFECTS.”

—JASON ALVARADO, MD

FOR RUTH GILLILAND, BARIATRIC SURGERY WAS ONE STEP ON HER JOURNEY TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.

“I have battled my weight my entire

adult life,” Gilliland says. “I have tried

every diet out there.” In 2010 Gilliland

was 56 years old and on the verge of

diabetes. Her primary care physician

suggested she speak with Dr. Aileen

Takahashi at Torrance Memorial’s

Bariatric Surgery Program.

“When I first went to see the doctor

I was completely demoralized,” she

recalls. “I felt like a total failure. But I

can’t say enough good things about

Dr. Takahashi.”

Torrance Memorial’s bariatric team

prepared her for a different lifestyle,

Gilliland says. “I had to lose 10% of my

body weight before surgery; it was kind

of like being in training. You have to be

committed to learn how to approach

food differently. The care afterwards is

fantastic.”

Gastric bypass surgery put her on

a path to health, and the support she

received before and after surgery—

encouraging activity and new attitudes

toward food—have kept her moving

forward.

“I try to walk as much as I can. That’s

been my go-to thing,” Gilliland says. “I

like to move, I like to dance.”

Before her weight loss, she had

difficulty keeping up with her husband.

Afterwards, he had to walk faster to

keep up with her. “And my grandkids,”

she says. “I don’t think I could keep

up with them if I weighed 100 pounds

more. It’s been the best choice I have

made for my health to do this.”


On Pace

Bariatric Surgery Program Takes the Long ViewComprehensive care for healthy living after obesityWritten by John Ferrari | Photographed by Michael Neveux

Comprehensive care. That’s the promise of Torrance Memorial’s bariatric surgery program. For patients whose weight is unhealthy and may be contributing

to health problems such as diabetes, weight loss is both a goal and a journey. Weight loss surgery alone isn’t enough. It doesn’t provide the dietary and nutritional changes needed for healthy living. Torrance Memorial’s comprehensive ap-proach treats the whole person to ensure lasting results.

“The most important care we offer is education and sup-port,” explains Dr. Aileen Takahashi, medical director of the bariatric surgery program. “Education is the important part … surgery is a tool we use to help keep patients on track.”

Dr. Takahashi has been with Torrance Memorial for 15 years. Her expertise in minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery helped the bariatric surgery program receive its cer-tification as a center of excellence from the Surgical Review Corporation in 2008. (Today the program’s accreditation is provided by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredita-tion and Quality Improvement Program, overseen by both

the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.) Torrance Memorial is also recognized by Blue Cross as a Blue Distinction Center for its expertise in delivering specialty care for its Bariatric Surgery program.

“In our program, there’s a constant drive for quality and improvement,” Dr. Takahashi notes. “We’re constantly look-ing for areas to improve and grow.” Torrance Memorial’s bar-iatric surgery program performs the full range of weight loss surgery but also considers the underlying causes of obesity, including diet and nutrition.

“We provide education on healthy eating choices,” Dr. Taka-hashi says. “Instead of diets, we emphasize good eating habits.”

Physiological and psychological factors play an important role too. “People who are 75 or 100 pounds overweight are different biologically than those who are 25 or 30 pounds overweight,” Dr. Takahashi says. “For people who are more overweight, it’s much more difficult to keep weight off. Their hunger hormones become off-kilter. Bariatric surgery helps

Successful patient Ruth Gilliland of Manhattan Beach calls Torrance Memorial's Bariatric Surgery Progam "the best choice I have made for my health."

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?

Torrance Memorial

has the experience and

high standards of care

patients can trust. A strong

patient education strategy

and monthly support

groups, along with a team

of experts dedicated to

bariatric patients, and

intensive follow-up care

make Torrance Memorial

a safe and trusted

community resource for

bariatric surgery.

Want to learn more?

Attend a free informative

seminar to learn how

bariatric surgery can help

you. Attendance is highly

recommended before

making an appointment

for weight loss surgery

consultation. (Upcoming

seminars are offered

March 3 and March 5).

For more information, call

310-891-6735.

Patients can also join one

of three monthly bariatric

support groups (first

Mondays, fourth Mondays

and fourth Tuesdays); a

Between Starving and

Stuffed support group

(third Mondays); or a

Nutrition After Bariatric

support Group (second

Tuesdays). To confirm

classes and times, call

Martha Lopez, RN, at 310-

325-9110, ext. 30022.

Dr. Takahashi is located at

the Association of South

Bay Surgeons at 23451

Madison Street #340 in

Torrance. She can be

reached at 310-891-6735.

control the hunger drive and changes their metabolism, so their hunger hormones start to normalize.”

To fully realize the benefits of bariatric surgery, patients need to commit to lifestyle changes. That’s where Torrance Memori-al’s comprehensive program really makes a difference. Before undergoing surgery, patients meet with specialists including cardiologists and endocrinologists to make sure they’re in the best shape possible.

“We continue to support patients after surgery,” continues Dr. Takahashi. “Our program sets up patients to be success-ful.” Patients work with a support team to maintain a healthier lifestyle: dietitians, psychologists, physical therapists, phar-macists and other specialists, as well as support groups, to encourage and ensure long-term change.

Results bear out Torrance Memorial’s approach—these include a diabetes cure rate of 85% among bariatric patients, which is in line with the national average. Seeing patients achieve those results is part of

what drew Dr. Takahashi to bariatrics as her specialty. “I get to spend time with my patients,” she explains. “I see how it changes their lives. I go on their journey with them.”

As studies increasingly highlight the benefits of bariatric surgery for obese patients—especially those with other health problems—primary care physicians and patients are more open to considering bariatric procedures.

“The message for patients is: There is help for you,” Dr. Takahashi says. “You deserve to be healthy.” •


Ask the Doctor

Of the many ways to promote good health, eating

a diet providing adequate vitamins and minerals is one of the most important. Hiva Bastanmehr, MD, board-certi-fied in internal medicine and a specialist in men's health, recommends taking time to prepare and eat meals as a part of self-care—similar to exer-cise and meditation.

Vitamin Deficiency: Recognizing Symptoms and Improving DietWritten by Melissa Bean Sterzick

Common deficiencies

include vitamins D, C, B and

A, and the minerals calcium

and magnesium.

Vitamin D - derived from

sunlight and fortified foods

(such as fatty fish, some

dairy products, orange juice,

soy milk and cereal)

Vitamin C – found in citrus

fruits, broccoli and peppers

Vitamin B – found in whole

grains, meat, dairy, nuts,

legumes and leafy greens

Vitamin A - found in

orange-colored fruits and

vegetables such as oranges,

carrots, cantaloupes, sweet

potatoes and mangoes

Calcium – found in dairy

and leafy greens

Magnesium - found in

avocados, nuts and legumes

What diet do you recommend for adequate vitamin and mineral intake?

Dr. Hiva Bastanmehr: It’s always good to remember if you have variety in your diet and include the different food groups—such as fruits and vegetables—you don’t have to worry about vitamin deficiencies. I prefer diet as the source of vitamins. A lot of vitamins, especial-ly those that are water-soluble, are in the fruit and vegetable group. If you are not incorporating this group in your diet, it could be a potential source of vitamin deficiency.

How can individuals maintain good levels of vitamins and minerals?

HB: It takes planning to consume a diet of whole foods. Grocery stores set you up. When at the market, remember, if you shop on the outside perimeter of the store and avoid the aisles, you are going to find your fresh and unpro-cessed foods. The aisles are filled with the less-healthy processed foods.

When you’re snacking, choose an apple, tangerine or carrot sticks instead of bars or pastries. When you’re eating out, choose a side salad or vegetable instead of chips or fries. Put different colors on your plate and emphasize veg-etables over meats and carbohydrates.

Ideally, eat four to six servings of fruits and vegetables every day. That’s not hard to do if you have one or two servings with each meal and make fruits and vegetables your snacks.

I think with today’s lifestyle, a lot of people substitute meals. Because every-body’s always in a hurry, they’re not as mindful of what they are eating. They may choose a bar or a shake instead of a meal—or just miss meals altogether.

Instead, have an awareness of what you’re eating; savor the experience of providing whole nutrition to your body. Using food as a fuel makes a huge dif-ference. It’s better than taking a pill and hoping it will give you what you need.

What are some symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiency?

HB: In general, most people start feeling fatigue. Vitamin and mineral de-ficiency symptoms do cross over. A lot of times there are skin changes and hair changes, sleep or mood issues and irri-tability. Your doctor will take a step-by-step approach to look at your symptoms and determine what to look for.

What vitamins and minerals are most essential?

HB: We absolutely need vitamin D to absorb calcium, and it is the calcium we need as we age to increase bone and muscle strength. Calcium deficiency can be very serious. Vitamin C also really helps our immune system. If you are vitamin C-deficient, you are prone to infection. Vitamin A is equally im-portant as we get older—especially for night vision, and it helps your skin and protects you against infection. Magne-sium helps the stomach absorb other nutrients. And vitamin B is so helpful for energy.

Do you recommend supplements for treating vitamin and mineral deficiencies?

HB: If you are deficient, then sup-plements are necessary. If you’re not deficient, then taking a vitamin supple-ment is not going to help you. Most of the vitamins are water-soluble, so if you are not deficient, it puts a load on your kidneys and you’re not benefiting from the extra vitamins. I believe it’s best to get your vitamins from food. A lot of times what’s manufactured is not as easily absorbed. •

Dr. Hiva Bastanmehr practices

at Torrance Memorial Physician

Network–Palos Verdes at 602 Deep

Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. She

can be reached at (310) 517-4692.

PUTTING THE TOP 6 IN YOUR DIET


Calendar

MARCH 5QUESTIONS FOR THE PHARMACIST

Noon to 1 p.m. | Free

Do you have questions about your

medications? Get the answers you

need from a Torrance Memorial

pharmacist. Bring the “brown bag” of

medicines you’re currently taking.

WHERE: West Tower on Medical

Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Room B

MARCH 5GRAZIADIO LECTURE:

YOUR BODY IN BALANCE

6:30 p.m. – Book signing

7 to 9 p.m. – Lecture | Free

Spend an evening with Dr. Neal

Barnard, a leading authority on

nutrition and health, as he offers

insight into how dietary changes

can alleviate years of stress, pain and

illness. In his new book, Your Body in

Balance, he offers hope for people

struggling with health issues. Learn

how strategic dietary changes can

lead to pain relief, weight control and

good health. Hear about the surprising

effects of foods on hormones—sex

hormones, thyroid hormone, insulin

and others—and all the mischief that

can happen when hormones get out

of balance. Reservations required; call

310-517-4703.

WHERE: Hoffman Health Conference

Center, Torrance Memorial

The presentation is also live-streamed

and available as a video on-demand

on Torrance Memorial's website after

the lecture.

MARCH 9 – APRIL 27 MARCH 14 – MAY 2YOGA BASICS

$72/8-week class

Harmonize body, mind and spirit

through gentle stretching exercises,

traditional yoga poses, breathing

techniques and guided relaxation.

Monday 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. or Saturday

9 to 10:15 a.m.

WHERE: The Center for Healthy Living

at Malaga Cove, 2550 Via Tejon, Palos

Verdes Estates

MARCH 9 – APRIL 27DANCING TO THE OLDIES BUT

GOODIES

12:45 to 1:45 p.m. | $72/8-week class

Get a good aerobic workout while

exercising to rock ‘n’ roll and disco

music. Have fun while you burn

calories. Monday.



Verdes Estates

MARCH 10 – APRIL 28YOGA TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY BACK

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. | $72/8-week class

Yoga for a healthy back. Learn strength

and flexibility exercises for a stronger

back. This class focuses on improving

postural alignment and core exercises

to strengthen and protect the spine.

You will learn breathing techniques

(pranayama) that can reduce everyday

stress, allowing both the body and

mind to relax and release tension. This

class is great for people with previous

back injuries or for those that want to

prevent them. If you have a previous

back injury, please consult your doctor

before taking the class. Tuesday.

WHERE: The Health Education Center

3105 Lomita Blvd, Torrance

MARCH 10 – APRIL 28 MARCH 11 - APRIL 29 MARCH 12 – APRIL 30SOMATIC YOGA THERAPY

$72/8-week class

Somatic yoga therapy is a blend of

gentle yoga and somatic movements

that unify mind and body. Designed

to address chronic neck, shoulder, hip

and low back pain and to comfortably

increase flexibility, mobility, balance

and strength. The class is appropriate

for students looking to ease into yoga,

older beginners, those recovering from

an illness or injury, or those who simply

prefer a slower-paced class. Tuesday 8

to 9 a.m., Wednesday or Thursday 9:30

to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: The Health Education Center,


MARCH 11 – APRIL 29MAT PILATES, INTERMEDIATE/

ADVANCED

10:30 to 11:20 a.m. | $72/8-week class

Fast-paced, dynamic class that focuses

on strengthening core muscles to help

improve balance and provide support

for your spine. Participants must have

a moderate fitness and flexibility level.

Recent mat Pilates experience is

recommended. Wednesday.



Verdes Estates

MARCH 11 – APRIL 29YOGA FOR WELLNESS

9:30 to 10:45 a.m. | $72/8-week class

Yoga can increase your strength,

flexibility, range of motion and lung

capacity. This class focuses on correct

postural alignment for maximum

health benefits. Wednesday.



MARCH 18MIRACLE OF LIVING: DIABETES AND

STROKE CONNECTION

7 to 9 p.m. | Free

Highlights include an overview on

diabetes and stroke: their link, risk

factors and prevention; symptoms and

diagnosis; as well as treatment and care.


Center, Rooms 1 & 2, Torrance Memorial

MARCH 24 – APRIL 21BRAIN GAMES AND MORE

1 to 2:30 p.m. | $55/5-week series

Join this fun class designed to improve

your memory by participating in

stimulating and enjoyable games and

activities. Using the latest research

on brain development, you progress

through a series of exercises, games

and techniques to improve your

memory. Tuesday.



MARCH 28COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING &

PREVENTION

8:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Free

March is colorectal cancer prevention

month and screening is the number

one way to reduce the risk of

colorectal cancer. If found early,

colorectal cancer is one of the most

treatable forms of cancer. Each year

Torrance Memorial joins passionate

allies in preventing colorectal

cancers with support from nonprofit

organizations such as the American

Cancer Society, the Colorectal Cancer

Alliance, our dedicated physicians,

nurse navigators and our lab specialists.

We distribute free fecal occult blood

test kits to those who attend our

educational lecture on colorectal

cancer prevention and screening.


Center (Rooms 1 – 4), Torrance

Memorial

APRIL 7MEDICATION 101

1 to 3 p.m. | Free

It’s so important to understand your

medications. At this lecture, a Torrance

Memorial pharmacist will help you

increase your knowledge of topics

such as actions and side effects,

dietary supplement regulation and

medication interactions. Tuesday.

WHERE: West Tower, 2nd Floor,

Room B

APRIL 15MIRACLE OF LIVING: VERTIGO &

BALANCE

7 to 9 p.m. | Free

Dizziness and vertigo are the most

common medical complaints and may

be present in all ages. Learn from the

experts about the difference between

vertigo and dizziness; causes, signs

and symptoms; risk factors, treatments

and latest developments. Join us the

third Wednesday of the month for

Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s

popular health lecture series.


Center, Rooms 1 & 2, Torrance

Memorial.

APRIL 25 INFANT MASSAGE

10:30 a.m. to noon | $45

Babies experience vital developmen-

tal and psychological growth in their

first year. Massage provides them with

extra nurturing so they experience the

best possible start in life. The benefits

of infant massage include:

• Promotes bonding and attachment

between parents and baby

• Enhances cognitive performance

(memory, attention, concentration,

language, perception).

• Stimulates motor coordination

(crawling, standing, reaching,

holding, eye-hand coordination,

control of head)

• Improves sleep patterns

• Reduces crying and irritability

from colic

• Strengthens digestive, circulatory,

immune and central nervous

systems

• Reduces gas and difficulties with

breastfeeding

• Relaxes the infant, lessening tension

and stress

Bring a pillow on which to lay the

baby, a changing pad, a receiving

blanket, a hand towel or cloth dia-

per and a bottle of safflower, olive or

coconut oil. And, of course, your baby!

You may bring a spouse or significant

other to class for no additional charge.

Registration is required for all classes

both free and fee. Discounts on

classes available to ADVANTAGE

members.

To register or get more information, go to TorranceMemorial.org/classes or call 310-517-4711.


SOARING ABOVE

Cancer can’t ground aerial acrobatic artist Cynthia MacPhee.

Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner

Photographed by TC Franklin

Zest For Life

Cynthia MacPhee isn’t daunted by challenges. At the age of 47, the Torrance resident took up aerial

arts—a cross between gymnastics and dance that involves climbing and using fabric to wrap, spiral and perform other graceful movements from heights of 20 to 50 feet in the air.

MacPhee and her husband, Bill, have two young adult children, and their daughter has autism, which also presented challenges. In 2015 MacPhee was diagnosed with cancer of the throat, necessitating several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation and resulting in a speech impediment. Even as she continues to face the disease, she works hard to regain the strength she needs to soar.

Do you have an athletic background?Cynthia MacPhee: My family was always

active, and I was athletic growing up. I swam, played tennis and soccer and did springboard diving at the Jack Kramer Club [in Rolling Hills Estates]. I loved diving because I loved being in the air. I don’t have a lot of fear. I also would have done more dance if I’d realized how much I liked it, but I didn’t discover that until becoming a song leader my senior year at Palos Verdes High School.

How did you become attracted to aerial acrobatic arts?

CM: I saw Pink doing it in a music video. I didn’t realize what it was. I bought the DVD, and the behind-the-scenes material mentioned her aerial acrobatic coordinator. I thought, “Huh. This is something people do. I’m going to do this.”

I was nervous, but I found a class in the Valley and went. My husband could tell how

excited I was when I got home. I had been coming out of a depression as I was raising my special needs daughter, and going to the studio helped lift me up. Then I found a studio closer to home and started going more frequently.

And now you teach?CM: I trained with my current boss, Jill

Franklin, an amazing woman who does teacher training around the world. She asked me to teach at her studio, Aerial Physique. I used to teach Adventures in Art to elementary school students, so I started by teaching kids. And then I expanded to adults. I’ve been teaching aerial acrobatic arts for about six years now. My students call me Kiki. (My Instagram is @Kikiintheair.)

How do you feel when you’re doing it?CM: It makes me feel like a kid at play on the

jungle gym. It makes me happy. I love to be up high, and I love to spin. And it makes me feel beautiful.

How has doing aerial acrobatics impacted your experience with cancer?

CM: It makes me feel strong. It’s very hard work. You have to be completely focused. You can’t think about anything else, so you can forget all your problems. It also makes me feel healthy. I was very physically strong when I went into cancer treatment, and each time (the cancer re-turned three times) that’s helped in my recovery. Both my right and left fibula bones were used to replace part of my jaw in two different surgeries, but I’m still able to do the acrobatics. The first question I always ask the doctor after a surgery is, “When can I hang upside down?” They smile, as they understand my passion.

Aerial acrobatic artist Cynthia MacPhee's passion for aerial arts has inspired and motivated her through tough personal health and emotional battles. Her love for the sport helps her feel strong.


What was an aerial acrobatic highlight?CM: I’m a Cabi clothing stylist/

salesperson, and our CEO, Kimberly Inskeep, used aerial arts as a theme for a semi-annual meeting in 2016. She invited me to tell my story and perform, along with three other professional aerialists, in front of about 3,000 stylists. Also Kimberly took daily lessons from me for three months, and she surprised the group by performing what she’d learned. The whole night was a high-light of my aerial career. I was honored to be featured on the BIG stage.

How has the community responded to your cancer diagnosis?

CM: The aerial community has been incredibly supportive. When I came home from the hospital the first time, there were paper cranes hanging every-where in my house. There’s a Japanese tradition that folding 1,000 paper cranes can bring you a treasured wish.

My friend Melissa asked people to send cranes, and she received them from aerial community members around the world. She also secretly planned a bene-fit to raise money to support my care.

My husband is a minister at The River Church of the South Bay, and the congregants have also been incredibly supportive. Members anonymously contributed to a fund to purchase special healthy liquid protein for me (I can’t eat solid food), and they’re con-stantly cooking meals and baking treats for Bill and Heather. (Son Conner is an architect and lives out of the house.)

I continue to receive letters, cards, flowers, gifts, food and prayers from friends and family around the world.

What’s your advice to someone who might be considering trying aerial acrobatics?

CM: Go for it! Give an introductory class a try … you only live once! •

Top: Cynthia and her team in Torrance Memorial Radiation Oncology celebrate her final radiation treatment last October.Bottom: Joined by family and friends, Cynthia rings the celebratory bell to mark the end of her radiation treaments.

Zest For Life

Cynthia and Aerial Physique owner and teacher Jill Franklin spend time warming up together before performing.

OUR HOSPITAL.• Torrance Memorial

TorranceMemorial.org

3330 Lomita Blvd.

Torrance • (310) 325-9110

PRIMARY CARE.Torrance Memorial Physician NetworkTMPhysicianNetwork.org

Torrance• 2900 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505

• 3400 Lomita Blvd., Suite 104, Torrance, CA 90505


• 3333 Skypark Dr., Suites 100, 160, 320*

Torrance, CA 90505

• 3701 Skypark Dr., Suites 100, 220*

Torrance, CA 90505


Carson• 824 E. Carson Street, Suite 101, Carson, CA 90745

Hermosa Beach• 705 Pier Ave., Suite A, B*, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Manhattan Beach• 855 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suites 102, 201, 204,

206*, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Palos Verdes• 602 Deep Valley Dr., Suite 300*

Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

Pediatric Offices• 3440 Lomita Blvd., Suite 429, Torrance, CA 90505

• 824 E. Carson Street, Suite 202, Carson, CA 90745

• 705 Pier Ave., Suite C, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

• 855 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite 103

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Call our Physician Referral Coordinators for assistance

in finding a doctor and making an appointment:

(310) 891-6717.

*Laboratory Draw Station

SPECIALTY CARE.Cancer Care • Cardiology • Ear, Nose, and Throat

• Endocrinology • Neurology • OB/GYN • Orthopedic &

Spine Center • Pain Management • Palliative Care

• Pediatrics • Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

• Primary Care • Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care & Sleep

Medicine • Rheumatology • Urgent Care • Infectious

Disease • Care Coordination Center/Coumadin Clinic

For a referral to a specialist, contact Torrance Memorial

at (310) 517-4700

URGENT CARE.• Urgent Care – Torrance

22411 Hawthorne Blvd.

Torrance • (310) 784-3740

• Urgent Care – Manhattan Beach

855 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite 101

Manhattan Beach • (310) 939-7873

BREAST DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS.• Torrance

3275 Skypark Drive, Torrance

• Carson

824 E. Carson Street, #208, Carson

• Manhattan Beach

855 Manhattan Beach Blvd., #208, Manhattan Beach

• Palos Verdes 65 Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estate

To make an appointment call (310) 517-4709

RECOVERY CENTER.• Thelma McMillen Recovery Center

3333 Skypark Dr., #200

Torrance • (310) 784-4879

Torrance Memorial Location Directory


Why One South Bay Teen is Breathing a Little EasierRobotic technology for precise and less painful surgery

Written by Laura Roe Stevens

Photographed by Philicia Endelman

By all appearances, 19-year-old Tyler Higa is a healthy South Bay teen who plays baseball and enjoys hanging out

with his friends. The North Torrance High graduate and current El Camino College student only had one health issue in his young life: recurrent bouts of pneumonia. This was odd, as Higa doesn’t have asthma or allergies, which often trigger bronchitis and pneumonia. Yet Higa contracted the dangerous lung illness in February of both his junior and senior years of high school.

Higa explains that his family physician prescribed a round of antibiotics for both high school episodes, which made him better, so the two incidents were deemed a coincidence. When he came down with pneumonia yet again in the month of February of his freshman year in college, it was his third strike. Another round of antibiotics and steroids just wasn’t enough. He felt a little better for a few months, but by May the persistent pneumonia was back.

Feature

Amirhossein Paymon Mahfoozi, MD


“After four times (of having pneumonia) in two and a half years, my doctor referred me to a pulmonologist. I had a CT scan, and he found something in my left lung, so he referred me to Dr. Mahfoozi,” explains Higa.

While Higa’s journey to a diagnosis and a treatment solution was circuitous, he landed in good hands. Amirhossein Paymon Mah-foozi, MD, is a Cedars-Sinai thoracic surgeon who specializes in utilizing the latest robotic technology to remove tumors. Luckily for Higa, this type of surgery, which was performed at Torrance Memorial, results in better surgical precision, reduced hospital stays, less post- operative pain and a quicker recovery.

Dr. Mahfoozi explains Higa’s tumor was “endobronchial inflammatory myofibroblas-tic,” which is a benign tumor in young patients. That’s the good news. This type of tumor causes the “obstruction of the airway resulting in

post-obstructive bronchitis and pneumonia.” Re-moving it stops the pneumonia from recurring.

“The treatment is removal of the involved segment or lobe of the lung. Unfortunately, due to the long period between the start of the symptoms [when he first contracted pneu-monia] until diagnosis when Dr. Rasic, the pulmonologist, and I saw the patient, there was a lot of inflammation and scar tissue [in Higa’s lung],” Dr. Mahfoozi says.

Because of the inflammation and scar tissue, Higa needed the entire upper lobe of his left lung removed, rather than just a segment. Find-ing Dr. Mahfoozi, who uses cutting-edge tech-nology for the procedure, meant the teen would be able to work out at his local gym within three weeks of surgery. That would not be pos-sible if Higa had a traditional open thoracoto-my, requiring a longer hospital stay and causing more pain and a harder road to recovery.

Dr. Mahfoozi shares with Tyler Higa how the precision of the da Vinci surgical system will lead to a much faster and more efficient recovery period post-surgery.

Tyler Higa, pictured here with his girlfriend and Dr. Mahfoozi, was only in the hospital for two days and was back to his regular activities and gym workouts within three weeks following his procedure.

Feature

To perform the minimally invasive surgery that reduced Tyler Higa’s hospital stay and recovery time, Dr. Mahfoozi used the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, developed by Intuitive Surgical Inc. Torrance Memorial was the first hospital in the South Bay to use this technology and is the only hospital to use it for thoracic surgery procedures.

Surgery performed using the da Vinci

Xi system is often called robotic surgery,

but that’s a bit of a misnomer: The system

doesn’t perform the surgery; a surgeon

does. Traditional open thoracic (chest)

surgery requires a long incision through

skin and muscle (sometimes the breastbone

needs to be cracked or ribs separated or

removed, as well) for the surgeon to be able

to see and operate on the area of concern.

The da Vinci system is a set of

instruments that allows the surgeon to

perform surgery using small, remotely

controlled surgical tools requiring similarly

small incisions in the patient. These tools

include a videoscope, allowing the surgeon

to see what’s going on in high-definition

3-D while controlling the tools to perform

the surgery. So more accurately, procedures

performed using the da Vinci and similar

systems are termed robotic-assisted

minimally-invasive surgery. Torrance

Memorial is the only hospital in the South

Bay performing this type of thoracic surgery.

In addition to thoracic surgery, the da

Vinci Surgical System can be used to assist

in general surgery (including bariatric and

other abdominal procedures) and in cardiac,

colorectal, head and neck, gynecological

and urological surgeries. In all procedures,

the benefits of robotic-assisted minimally-

invasive surgery are clear: reduced hospital

stays, speedier recoveries, less scarring and

fewer complications.

“The robotic surgery is completely minimally invasive and increas-es the accuracy and precision of the dissection,” says Dr. Mah-foozi. “The precision of dissection in a very tight space with robots and three-dimensional optic allows this difficult procedure to be performed in a true, complete minimally-invasive fashion with the same or sometimes even better results. With open procedures, (tho-racotomy) patients usually stay five to seven days in the hospital and require an epidural for pain control. Their total recovery time is also extended, and the pain of cutting the muscles and removing the ribs lasts for months to a year.”

Three weeks after his operation, Higa had been exercising daily for a week, was back at work and excited to return to college. “Yeah, I can exercise now,” he shares. “Every day I breathe into the breathing machine to monitor my level of breath. I’m at 70% (lung capacity) and am getting used to that, but I’m a lot better.”

The teen was only in the hospital for two days. “Dr. M thought I’d be in the hospital for three to five days, but I went home the second day. The hardest part was just after surgery when the anesthesia wore off. And being bored in the hospital,” he says with a laugh. “I’m glad I didn’t have to stay longer! The doctor cleared me to go back to work, go to the gym. Everything is starting to feel back to normal, week by week.”

Traditional surgery might have caused pain for six months or lon-ger—maybe even delaying the start of his sophomore year in college. As it is, the busy teen hasn’t skipped a beat. And that helps Higa and his family breathe a little easier. •

Dr. Amirhossein Paymon Mahfoozi is a Cedars-Sinai thoracic

surgeon on staff at Torrance Memorial and can be reached

through his office at (310) 784-6946.


A Great Heart Program Is Now Even BetterA powerful partnership between Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai brings the nation’s #3 heart program to the South Bay

Written by Michelle Abt | Photographed by Peter Cooper

S ince Torrance Memorial affiliated with Cedars-Sinai in 2018, the two organizations

have been working to bring outstand-ing care to the local community. More recently, they announced a further extension of this partnership: the Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute cardiothoracic surgeons will practice alongside Torrance Memorial's ex-ceptional surgical team to provide the latest and best cardiac surgery options to patients in the South Bay.

This partnership is a welcome expan-sion of the Torrance Memorial Lund-quist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. It is made possible with the addition of respected Cedars-Sinai surgeons Joanna Chikwe, MD, Wen Cheng, MD, Dominic Anthony Emerson, MD, Fardad Esmailian, MD, Dominick J Megna, MD, Danny Ramzy, MD, Aamir Sayeed Shah, MD, and Alfredo Trento, MD.

These surgeons will join the newest Cedars-Sinai cardiovascular surgeon and director of Torrance Memorial’s cardiac surgery, Aziz Ghaly, MD, to strengthen the existing Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. Dr. Ghaly provides further expertise in a variety of procedures such as complex valve repair and replacement, heart transplant, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic root and arch surgery, mechanical assist devices, surgical

Left to Right: Salmon M. Azam, MD,

Aziz Ghaly, MD, John M. Stoneburner, MD,

Matthew Ostrom, MD, J. Christopher Matchison, MD,

Ankush Chhabra, MD

Feature

Aziz Ghaly, MD

"THIS PARTNERSHIP

BUILDS ON WHAT

IS ALREADY AN

EXCELLENT PROGRAM

AT TORRANCE

MEMORIAL AND A

STRONG RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN THE TWO

MEDICAL CENTERS."

—CRAIG LEACH, PRESIDENT/CEO,

TORRANCE MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER


treatment of arrhythmias and minimally invasive valve surgery.

While these procedures—as well as diag-nostics and treatment—have always been available at the medical center, the addition of Dr. Ghaly to the surgical team will allow for the growth and expansion of the pro-gram in the South Bay.

Dr. Ghaly explains: “Cedars-Sinai has a nationally recognized cardiac program, ranked #3 in the nation and #1 in Califor-nia, performing a high volume of cases that require advanced clinical expertise. Our goal is to merge our experience and exper-tise with Torrance Memorial, partnering with their physicians to make more of these services available to patients at the Torrance Memorial campus.”

“This partnership builds on what is al-ready an excellent program at Torrance Me-morial and a strong relationship between the two medical centers,” says Craig Leach, president/CEO of Torrance Memorial Med-ical Center. “By working together we add important resources to our program, and the additional surgical coverage will ensure community members have a highly skilled team available in an emergency, able to treat highly complicated cases of heart disease and structural heart defects.”

Mark Lurie, MD, medical director of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, is looking forward to taking the Cedars-Si-nai partnership to the next level. “The Cedars-Sinai relationship has been extreme-ly productive in terms of providing en-hanced cardiovascular care for our patients at Torrance Memorial,” he says. “Adding extra surgical resources means even better access for our patients without having to travel out of the South Bay. It’s a win for our program and a win for the community.” •

Dr. Aziz Ghaly is a Cedars-Sinai

cardiovascular surgeon on staff at Torrance

Memorial and can be reached through his

office at (310) 784-6946.

L to R: Dominic Anthony Emerson, MD, Ankush Chhabra, MD,Danny Ramzy, MD, Aziz Ghaly, MD, Dominick J. Megna, MD,Mark Lurie, MD, Joanna Chikwe, MD, Aamir Sayeed Shah, MD

L to R: Salman M. Azam, MD, Ankush Chhabra, MD, J. Christopher Matchison, MD

Aziz Ghaly, MD, and John M. Stoneburner, MD

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Torrance Memorial has performed the most TAVR procedures in the South Bay.

Since 2014, Torrance Memorial surgeons and interventional cardiologists have performed transcathe-ter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures on more than 488 patients—a volume not seen in many other hospitals.

“As with any procedure like the TAVR, experience counts. Our surgeons and interventional cardiolo-gists have a long-running, well-established structural heart program. As a result of that experience, the TAVR program at Torrance Memorial has had excellent results and outcomes that are superior to the national average. And most impor-tantly, the TAVR procedure is helping patients who otherwise would have no treatment options.”

– Salman Azam, MD, interventional cardiologist

Experience MattersAt Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, we are proud of the strength and depth of our cardiovascular program. From prevention through treatment, our numbers speak for themselves.

Torrance Memorial treated nearly 4,000 cardiac inpatients in one year, based on Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development 2018 data, making it the third busiest hospital among Los Angeles County residents.

“These numbers reflect the expertise of our entire cardiovascular team — car-diologists, interventionalists, surgeons and other specialized staff. Together we are providing the most up-to-date care, including the newest structural heart procedures such as TAVR, Mitri-Clip, and Watchman. Our goal is to greatly improve outcomes and quality of life for our patients with all types of heart disease.” –Victoria Shin, MD, FACC, chair of cardi-ology division

Our program treats more than 1,000 heart failure patients every year, while reducing readmission rates.

“Recent breakthroughs in heart failure treatment, including new medications, makes living with heart failure more achiev-able than ever before. However, the key to a successful heart failure program like the one here at Torrance Memorial is patient education and follow-up. Our nurse prac-titioner takes a comprehensive, supportive and long-term approach to patient care that has become the cornerstone of our success. Additionally, our affiliation with Cedars-Si-nai means our heart failure patients also have access to further advanced care—such as transplant— if necessary.” – Mark Lurie, MD, medical director, Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute

At 59 minutes, Torrance Memorial has the fastest door-to-balloon time in the South Bay.

A ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarc-tion (STEMI) receiving center, Tor-rance Memorial has been recognized as a regional and national leader in heart attack care. Our door-to-balloon (D2B) time ranks Torrance Memorial among the top 25% of hospitals in the United States.

“Door-to-balloon time is a key quality performance measure in treating heart attacks. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend the artery be opened within 90 minutes, and recent studies have shown open-ing the artery within 60 minutes of-fers even better short- and long-term patient outcomes. At Torrance Me-morial our team is actively engaged with first responders and has opti-mized care delivery in the ER to not only exceed the 90-minute goal, but to also best the 60-minute goal. This allows us to continue to provide the best possible care for the South Bay patients.” – Ankush Chhabra, MD, interventional cardiologist, peripheral vascular specialist

1,000

488

4,00059

minutes

Left to right: Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute: Aamir Shah, MD, Aziz Ghaly, MD, Joanna Chikwe, MD; Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute: Victoria Shin, MD, Mark Lurie, MD.

TORRANCE MEMORIAL AND CEDARS-SINAI’S AFFILIATION BRINGS MORE EXPERT CARDIOLOGY

CARE TO THE SOUTH BAY. More access to cardiac specialists and programs located within Torrance Memorial.

More patient benefi ts from innovative cardiology research and the latest advancements in cardiac treatments.

More expert care for our patients and the South Bay. Learn more at MoreCardiacExperts.org

Expert cardiac care just got more experts.


LIFE SAVER+Two quick-thinking lifeguards and a defibrillator make all the difference.Written by John Ferrari | Photographed by Michael Neveux

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Ken Watanabe and family are thankful to YMCA lifeguards Gage Connor (left) and Priscilla Li (right) for saving his life.


LIFE SAVER+

+Imagine you’re at the mall … or watching a concert or sporting event … or at the gym. Then you’re being wheeled into the emergency room.

EMTs, doctors and nurses surround you. You’re con-fused and you’re scared, but you’re alive.

You’ve had sudden cardiac arrest, which can be fatal in minutes. But wherever you were, there was an automated external defibrillator (AED) box nearby, and that saved your life.

It happens, and it happened to Torrance resident Ken Watanabe last August. Watanabe, an active 44-year-old, was spending a Saturday morning at the Torrance–South Bay YMCA riding the stationary cycle and swimming. It was, he recalls, his normal routine. But about 30 minutes into his swim, he lost consciousness.

YMCA lifeguard Priscilla Li picks up the story. “I was on the tower, and while I was scanning I noticed Mr. Watanabe,” she remembers. “He was [by/near] the side of the pool, not moving. I wasn’t sure if there was something going on, but after a few seconds I went over. I touched his shoulder. He was unresponsive.”

Watanabe was near the pool’s steps. Li and fellow lifeguard Gage Connor moved him out of the pool and started CPR. A senior lifeguard brought over the AED box. “We shocked him twice before he started breathing,” Li says. “By then, first EMS re-sponders had arrived.”

Watanabe remembers waking up briefly in the am-bulance on the way to Torrance Memorial’s emergency room, and then in the Intensive Care Unit. “I was so surprised,” he recalls, “because nothing like that had happened before.”

He'd had a “primary arrhythmic event,” explains J. Christopher Matchison, MD, the cardiologist who attended Watanabe when he arrived. “His heart spontaneously went into a fast, dangerous ventricular arrhythmia”—an irregular heartbeat that doesn’t ade-quately pump blood through the body.

“The AED absolutely saved his life,” Dr. Matchison says. “An automated external defibrillator is a sophisti-cated yet very easy-to-use medical device that has the ability to analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock—or defibrillation—to help the heart essentially reset or re-establish a normal effective rhythm.”

The doctor says that was exactly what Watanabe required. “He was in a very disorganized chaotic heart rhythm that if left unchecked results in sudden cardiac death. Really the only therapy for this is an emergent

defibrillation shock. Thankfully, Mr. Watanabe was relatively stable at the time I evaluated him in the ER.”

Dr. Matchison took Watanabe to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab to see if his cardiac arrest had been caused by a blocked blood vessel. Watanabe did have a blood vessel blockage, but it was an old blockage, called a chronic total occlusion (CTO), accompanied by scar tissue.

“This develops when the heart muscle does not receive adequate blood flow for an extended period of time,” Dr. Matchison explains. “In the case of Mr. Watanabe, it was likely the presence of this scar tissue that triggered his dangerous heart rhythm. I consult-ed one of my interventional colleagues, Dr. Michael Wyman, who specializes in opening these chronically occluded blood vessels. Dr. Wyman was able to mas-terfully open up this vessel and re-establish blood flow to that portion of the heart.”

Michael Wyman, MD, director of Torrance Memo-rial’s cardiac catheterization lab, explains the serious-ness of Watanabe’s condition: “A chronic total occlu-sion of a coronary artery is a complete blockage of the artery that has been present for at least three months. They’re caused by the same process that can narrow any coronary artery: cholesterol plaque buildup.”

Symptoms of these occlusions range from none at all to severe chest pain during exertion. The life-threatening irregular heartbeat Watanabe expe-rienced is unusual but not unheard of for individuals with CTOs, Dr. Wyman adds.

It was clear immediately upon diagnosis that Wata-nabe needed surgery—and fortunate he was at Tor-rance Memorial. CTOs are difficult to correct using the normal procedures for blocked or narrowed arteries: balloon angioplasty and stenting.

In the past, Dr. Wyman says, cardiologists have relied on open surgery to fix CTOs … or left them untreated. “However,” he adds, “in the last 10 years or so, new techniques, some technical advances and a lot of expe-rience has led to very high success rates with percutane-ous [minimally-invasive] interventions. The procedure, like all coronary intervention, involves passing a guide-wire across the occlusion so balloons and stents can be placed. The challenge with CTOs is getting a guidewire across can be very difficult due to hard, fibrotic, calci-fied tissue, and the fact there is no visualization of the occluded segment. Use of some innovative techniques has largely overcome these challenges, although the procedures are still sometimes very difficult.”

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Don’t Be Afraid of the Box!Ken Watanabe’s cardiac arrest was a serious health issue, but

modern medicine—an automated external defibrillator (AED) box and Torrance Memorial’s expert cardiologists—turned a life-threatening event into a three-day hospital stay. We can’t

all be lifesaving surgeons, but we can all be lifesavers if we know

how to use an AED.

AEDs have become ubiquitous in public places and offices.

Locally, Torrance Memorial has distributed close to 200 of the

devices throughout the community—at locations including the

YMCA, schools, Parks and Rec facilities, churches, gyms and

pools—through its Public Access Defibrillator Program, made

possible by a generous donation from the Lundquist family.

“Anyone in the community should be able to use them,” says

Cathy Hargrove, RN, MSN, Torrance Memorial’s health educa-

tion manager. “The AED gives you instructions.”

The devices are designed to be as simple to use as possible,

she explains—by anyone, even in an emergency. AED boxes lit-

erally tell the user what to do. “Once the pads are on, it does the

rest,” Hargrove says. “You just need to listen to the prompts.”

The AED automatically analyzes heart rhythms. If a shock

needs to be given, it will administer a shock. If a shock doesn’t

need to be given, it won’t give a shock. It’s as simple as that.

“Anytime someone stops breathing, you know something’s

going on,” Hargrove says. “I definitely tell people, ‘Don’t be

afraid to use the AED. You can’t do anything wrong—and that

time you spend could affect someone’s life.’”

Offered five times a year, Torrance Memorial’s Heartsaver

AED course teaches single-rescuer adult CPR, foreign-body

airway obstruction with responsive or unresponsive victim, and

use of an AED.

Partnership to Save Lives: Torrance Memorial supplies and manages nearly 200 AED boxes in the South Bay, including the one that saved Ken's life at the Torrance YMCA.

For more information, visit torrancememorial.org/HeartSaverAED.

As Dr. Matchison notes, Dr. Wyman is an expert in these procedures. Wata-nabe arrived at Torrance Memorial on a Saturday. On Monday, Dr. Wyman’s surgery corrected his blocked blood vessel, and on Tuesday, Watanabe was able to leave the hospital. “I feel nor-mal, as before,” Watanabe says. “I just feel normal.”

Torrance Memorial cardiologist Dr. Sang Ji has followed up with Watanabe in the months since his surgery. After a three-month recovery period, Watanabe underwent a single additional surgery to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (similar to a pacemaker). This serves to prevent future tachyar-rhythmias—dangerous, fast, heart rates. Dr. Ji adds that a successful recovery from such a condition includes not only medical treatment and physical therapy but also a healthy lifestyle—diet and exercise—the same measures that can reduce the chances of heart disease occurring in the first place.

“This was a remarkable sequence of events in which everything that needed to happen did in a very rapid fashion, resulting in the saving of Mr. Watanabe’s life,” Dr. Matchison says. “Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It’s not unusual for physicians to see cases where patients develop these dangerous ventricular rhythms and do not receive immediate timely defibril-lation. These patients suffer severe neurologic insult due to hypoxia (not enough oxygen) and hypoperfusion (not enough blood flow) of the brain. In my opinion, there are no downsides to using an AED given the fact these are so user-friendly and, as in this case, can absolutely save a life.” •

Dr. J. Christopher Matchison, Dr. Sang

Ji and Dr. Michael Wyman are with

COR Cardiology and can be reached

at (310) 257-0508.


On November 19, 2018, Theresa Mejia of Carson was wheeled into surgery at

Torrance Memorial Medical Center for an emergency cesarean section. She was only in her 26th week of pregnancy —extremely premature—yet a kidney complication risked her health. The mother of three had just been diagnosed with lupus. Carrying her fourth baby to term would be life-threatening to both mother and baby. She had no choice but to deliver her baby girl, Zadie, 14 weeks early and pray she would survive.

It’s an arduous journey for premature infants (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), as well as for their families who are helpless during a whirlwind of activity to save the premature newborns. Many preterm babies undergo multiple complications related to prematurity and some need to undergo surgery to survive.

The earlier babies are born, the more critical it is they have access to the highest quality of care. This care ensures babies such as Zadie and Victoria, both born at 26 weeks, not only survive but will thrive. This miracle is due in large part to Torrance Memorial’s extraordi-nary, multidisciplinary Level 3 NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) team.

Time is often of the essence in the NICU. Preterm babies are at risk for developing multiple health issues, including severe lung problems, heart failure, intestinal issues (sometimes requiring emergency surgery), infec-tions and bleeding in the brain. Swift and accurate diagnosis, especially in

Two Miraculous Survival Stories from Torrance Memorial’s NICUWritten by Laura Roe Stevens

Photographed by Vincent Rios

Feature

Recently gathered for a group photo are some members from the Torrance Memorial NICU team and the two families (pictured from left): Ria Magtanong, RN, Celina Mendoza, RCP, Julie Snakenborg, RN, Debbie Bakalar, RN, Stacey Kimura, RN, James Laguna, Ruby Laguna, baby Victoria, Jerry Schwartz, MD, baby Zadie, Theresa Mejia, Juan Mejia, Imelda Domingo, US, Jeannine Frandsen, volunteer and cuddler, Elvia Torres, NICU equipment tech and Elizabeth Lowerison, manager NICU/PEDS.


emergency situations, must be fol-lowed by quick, effective treatment from talented subspecialists including neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric cardiologists and infectious disease specialists. A multidisciplinary health care team is necessary for a premature baby’s recovery and growth.

Not all NICUs are the same. For add-ed comfort for families and to improve patient outcomes, Torrance Memo-rial’s NICU has been renovated with 25 private rooms, and 24/7 access for parents. The NICU also has an in-house neonatologist and immediate availabil-ity of pediatric subspecialists including pediatric surgeons and pediatric anes-thesiologists. In addition, the NICU is staffed by neonatal nurses, respiratory care practitioners, neonatal nutrition-ists, pediatric physical therapists and social workers.

Having the entire team available at the same location provides immediate necessary, high-quality treatment and the gift of precious time. If a preterm infant suddenly requires a lifesaving emergency procedure, it can be done immediately—without transport to another facility.

This was of huge benefit for baby Zadie. The extremely premature infant developed an intestinal perforation a day after she was born. Jerry Schwartz, MD, a neonatologist and medical di-rector of neonatology for Torrance Me-morial, discovered on a routine X-ray that Zadie had a spontaneous intestinal perforation—a potentially life-threat-ening complication of prematurity that can allow toxic bowel content to leak into the baby’s abdominal cavity.

There was no time to lose. Dr. Schwartz called his colleague Fombe Ndiforchu, MD, a pediatric surgeon with 38 years of experience.

“Dr. Ndiforchu dropped everything,” Dr. Schwartz recalls. “We had 2-day-old Zadie, critically ill and on a ventilator, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces, in surgery within two hours after discovering it [the

abdominal perforation]. Since we also have four board-certified pediatric anes-thesiologists on staff, there was no need to transfer Zadie out of the community. We were able to treat her immediately.”

Diagnosis and treatment were so quick, Zadie’s mother didn’t meet her daughter until after the emergency surgery. “The first time I got to see Zadie, she was 2 days old,” Teresa says. “It was so scary. In the NICU, every second matters.”

Torrance Memorial’s world-class team has worked tirelessly to provide

quick, seamless care that saves lives like Zadie’s. “Our multidisciplinary, Level 3 team is so complete and talented,” says Dr. Schwartz. “I’ve treated ap-proximately 10,000 newborns in the NICU—about half of which were due to prematurity—over the past 30 years. I’m extremely proud of our team. We can handle just about anything that comes our way.”

The most challenging NICU situ-ations often occur with the earliest premature infants, and the NICU team treats multiple preterm babies every

Forever united by their experiences in the Torrance Memorial NICU, Ruby Laguna and baby Victoria (left) recently reunited with Theresa Mejia and baby Sadie for a joyful reunion.

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day. For instance, while Zadie was being treated at the NICU, Ruby Laguna gave birth to her daughter Victoria, also at 26 weeks of pregnancy. Ruby and Theresa became fast friends during their daugh-ters’ long stays and multiple procedures and surgeries while in the NICU.

Baby Victoria, nicknamed Queen V for her “loud demands,” underwent five intestinal surgeries within her first five months of life. NICU staff warned Ruby her daughter would likely go home needing IV nutrition fluids to thrive.

“She certainly defied the odds,” Ruby exclaims. “Her feisty personality showed through even after surgeries. Nothing stops her!”

Pediatric surgeons Veronica Sullins, MD, and Daniel DeUgarte, MD, were an instrumental part of Queen V’s suc-cessful surgeries.

Both moms laughed during inter-views, with babies cooing in the back-ground—safe at home, healthy futures ahead. But it wasn’t like that months ago. Their miraculous survival was due in large part to the NICU staff, physi-cians of multiple subspecialties and the dedicated nursing team.

“When you’re in it, it’s just terrifying,” Ruby shares. “Even the first day in the NICU, I trusted everyone there. The nurses were amazing. Dr. Schwartz tells you how it is so you can understand it. I trusted all the night nurses, especially. I could go home and get sleep, knowing my baby was OK. It’s a blessing.”

Theresa says, “Thanks to the wonder-ful staff at Torrance Memorial. You make the impossible possible, and because of all of you my family is complete.”

Theresa and Ruby get together each week with their babies to see Stephanie Abrams MD, MS, a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist at Torrance Memorial. Dr. Abrams guides them with infant nutritional health.

A week before Thanksgiving, Ruby celebrated her 1st birthday with 9-month-old Victoria. Both are thriv-ing, meeting milestones, digesting nu-trition, filled with curiosity. They may

not be ready for a cupcake yet—but it’s something to look forward to.

Both moms believe in miracles, as do many other parents whose children got their start at Torrance Memorial’s NICU. In fact, a former NICU family wrote a poem entitled “God Lives in the NICU.” From shared experiences of tak-ing care of babies like Zadie and Queen V, the NICU staff feels the same way.

That’s likely because of the tiny angels who arrive there. After all, babies like Zadie and Victoria are the reason Torrance Memorial’s experienced Level 3 NICU team works tirelessly to give them a fighting chance. •

Writer Laura Roe Stevens was the parenting and pregnancy editor for

RealGirlsMedia and Meredith Publishing. She is also a regular contributor to Fit

Pregnancy magazine and wrote How to Survive Your Pregnancy and How to

Survive Your Baby’s First Year, books published Hundreds of Heads Books.

Above: Queen V (left) and Zadie are looking happy and healthy as they pose for the camera.

Below: Two families come together in celebration of the individual but miraculous stories of survival their baby girls lived through.


Community VIPs

Jessica Patay, special-needs mom and founder of We Are Brave Together, a nationally recognized nonprofit group serving moms in the special-needs community

Many aspects of her life led Jessica Patay to the work she does now, including

her career, her hobbies, her children and her friends. It was her son’s rare condi-tion that blended those influences and motivated her to create We Are Brave Together, an organization that supports mothers with special-needs children.

Patay, a South Bay local, has three children—Luke, Kate and Ryan—with husband Chris. Ryan, 16, has a disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome that has affected his development and causes him to require constant care.

“Given that I’m a special-needs mom, I know the isolation and stress that comes with having a child with special needs,” she says. “I had a lot of resourc-es, but I always wondered about those moms who cannot afford to get away. How are they even surviving every day?”

Patay says she once read “a calling is where your passions and burdens collide.” In 2012 she started blogging about life with a special-needs child and found she could inspire others by sharing her experience.

“I love being able to empower moms in their everyday life. I believe so strongly in them and want them to feel that for themselves,” she says. “I want them to realize because of everything they have been through, they are agents of compassion in the world. They have the honor and responsibility to reach out to others in need and support them and lift them up.”

A close friend nudged Patay to find another way to support special-needs moms. The two of them were already planning retreats for women, and it was an obvious—if not easy—step to plan

getaway weekends for the mothers of special-needs kids.

We Are Brave Together was officially launched with its Summer Inspiration Party in July 2017, and the organization held its first retreat that year. A group of 24 special-needs moms enjoyed a two-day retreat complete with meals, activities, special speakers, companion-ship and rest. Most of the costs were met through donations.

“It was an amazing experience. The women came away grateful and re-freshed, and they felt like they were part of a tribe and empowered to go back to their lives,” Patay says. “It’s so nice to be with people who understand without expectations and judgement.”

We Are Brave Together offers a website, events, newsletters, a YouTube channel, and pages on Facebook and Instagram. The group gained nonprof-it status in 2018. It started with 125 members, and that number has grown

to almost 750.Patay says she’d like the organization

to spread out in chapters across the country, but she needs other passionate individuals to step up. She hopes the future will bring more funding that can be used to organize additional retreats and offer more retreat scholarships.

“I get approached out of the blue because this is a niche need. I think it grabs people. We have a base of support, but in order for us to grow, we are going to need some angel donors,” Patay says.

We Are Brave Together is hard “hap-py-exhausted” work, Patay says, but her reward is knowing she has made something beautiful out of difficulty. “Our journey with our son has been hard. It’s greatly altered all of our lives. Doing this makes sense out of chronic hardship. We didn’t choose this, but we get to choose how we respond in our everyday lives.” •

A Beautiful CollisionWritten by Melissa Bean Sterzick | Photographed By Tara Engle

The Patay family (from left), Luke, Ryan, Chris, Jessica and Kate


•

Community VIPs

Joe Charles, known on the beach as "GI Joe," has overcome several major health setbacks but keeps a positive outlook as he leads the exercise and fitness bootcamp he founded and runs near the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Back on His FeetSouth Bay bootcamp instructor stages a comeback after a stroke

Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick | Photographed by Vincent Rios

Joe Charles is more than familiar with the ups and downs that come in life. He enjoys and is grateful for

the ups. And when he gets knocked down, it’s his policy to get back up again—as quickly as possible.

Charles has been a fixture on the sand near the Manhattan Beach pier since he started running an exercise bootcamp there in 2000. He uses his background in competitive fighting, his strong voice and high energy to inspire students to try harder and work smart-er. He is known for offering prayers, sharing snacks, calling out to passersby to join his class and sometimes handing out $100 bills for push-ups.

In 2015 Charles suffered a stroke that affected his speech and ability to walk. Rehabilitation, patience, determina-tion and the support of his dedicated bootcampers found him back on the beach hollering orders after just a year. Hermosa Beach resident Mike Garrity is one of the passersby who got to know Charles. Garrity is a retired Air Force officer who saw Charles’ bootcamp in action and has watched him work to regain strength after suffering a stroke.

“He definitely has a zest for life. It would be easy to give up—but Joe defi-nitely has not given up on anything,” Garrity says.

Charles hoped to compete in the 1984 Olympics in judo, but an accident at work left him with a broken femur. Doc-tors told him he might never walk again, but after a couple years he was strong enough to do martial arts again. He fought on the Ultimate Fighting Cham-pionship circuit for many years and won the UFC Super Fight Russia in 1998.

In 2000 he retired from fighting and began leading GI Joe’s Bootcamp: The Exercise and Fitness Program on the Beach. In 2008 the bootcamp earned the Small Business of the Year Award presented by the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.

By that time, Charles had spread his reach and participated in a radio show, started a pier-to-pier run/walk and offered bootcamps at several venues. He’d also created his $1,000 Push-up Challenge and turned it into a tribute event to honor his son Shamor, who was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Charles says his career built itself. Fortune came his way in the form of opportunity, people and job offers that expanded his role as an exercise guru.

His amazing return to the sand after his stroke earned him the 2018 Raising Awareness in Stroke Excellence Out-standing Stroke Survivor Award from the American Stroke Association. The awards support stroke awareness in the

U.S., where nearly 800,000 people experi-ence a stroke each year.

Manhattan Beach resident Tanya Walker Wirth attends Charles’ boot-camp at 6 a.m. every Monday, Wednes-day and Friday. Between the beautiful setting, the challenging workout and Charles’ many friends on the beach, she feels like she’s part of a community of health and wellness. She says Charles does the entire workout alongside her.

“He pushes you in a way where he’s stern but flexible. He is pushing himself too,” she says. “I have to give it my all. It has been a physical commitment and an emotional inspiration.”

A recent second stroke was a setback, but he has not lost his enthusiasm or resolve to succeed. He hopes to host his annual $1,000 Push-up Challenge on July 4. And he’s leading two sessions of his bootcamp three days a week.

“I can’t give up,” he says. “I think I’m back on my feet again. I’m doing it. I just keep going—and then some.” •


Like so many, brothers Dylan (left) and Robbie Knowles of Manhat-tan Beach have been impacted by cancer. Their inspirational song "We'll Never Stop Fighting" has touched the lives of people af-fected by this disease.

Community VIPs

How can you fight cancer when you’re a teenager? Try music.Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick | Photographed by Jeff Berting

Manhattan Beach brothers Robbie Knowles and Dylan Knowles saw how

cancer affected their family as they lost an aunt, uncle, cousin and great-god-mother to the disease. After their aunt Tara passed away from pancreatic cancer, the two—then both students at Mira Costa High School—wanted to show their love and support for their family and everyone affected by cancer: friends, loved ones and those battling and surviving the disease.

Hugs work and words do too, but Robbie and Dylan come from a musical family, so writing a song was their solu-tion. Their grandmother wrote Broad-way show tunes. Their father plays and composes music, and the boys grew up playing music with him. So the two penned the song “We’ll Never Stop Fighting.”

“Our dad has been writing music almost his entire life,” Robbie explains. “It’s always been a really big aspect of our lives, so this was something we knew how to do. We just wrote it for our family, and when we played it there were a lot of tears. It was our way of saying, ‘We love you, and we’re here for you.’ I think they all loved it.”

A family friend and music producer did too and encouraged Robbie and Dylan to record their song and an accompanying music video. The song is inspirational, and the video will bring a tear to your eyes, but the brothers went one step further—raising more than

$10,000 through sales of the song at 99 cents each.

Robbie, now a freshman at the University of San Diego, and Dylan, a junior at Mira Costa High School, donated the money to nonprofits including the American Cancer Society, Cancer Support Community-Redondo Beach, Tour de Pier, the Hirschberg Foundation, the Uncle Kory Founda-tion and other local organizations.

The two don’t plan a follow-up or to pursue careers in music. “I love playing music,” Robbie explains, “but it’s something I do for myself more than anything.” Still, the experiences they had composing and performing the song and meeting career survivors

in the community were humbling and rewarding, and they hope their song will continue to inspire those battling cancer. They dedicate their song “to all the courageous warriors out there and to those we lost but will always love and remember. We will never stop fighting.”

The Knowles’ fundraising campaign continues to this day, and all monies will be donated to various cancer support groups. You can watch the video for “We’ll Never Stop Fighting” at neverstopfighting2018.com. The song is also on Spotify and is available for use by nonprofit organizations that would like to incorporate it in their efforts to raise funds to beat cancer. •


Helping Hands

Seniors Staying Home: It Takes a Village

Local “villages” help South Bay residents successfully remain in their homes as they age.

Written by Peg Moline

An oft-quoted African prov-erb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But all ages

benefit when community members care about and look out for one another. This concept fuels an idea called the Village Movement—a predominantly volunteer-driven effort designed to help seniors remain in their homes and communities while preserving their independence and connectedness.

More than 260 villages exist across the country with at least 80 more actively being formed. Each has its own character and approach, based on the needs and desires of the people it serves. All have the common goal of helping members age in a place of their choosing and remain closely connected with their communities.

The general model involves members receiving services, such as transporta-tion, help with minor household tasks and opportunities to socialize—all made possible through volunteers who

provide these services. Members pay an annual fee to support administrative expenses, including background checks and bonding of volunteers.

The South Bay boasts two villages: the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village and the Torrance-headquartered South Bay Village. The nearby Westside Pacific Village serves El Segundo and commu-nities to the north.

South Bay Village: Services and Socials

Executive director Ghislaine (Ges) Davis and others launched the South Bay Village in May 2015. While serving on Torrance’s Commission on Aging, Davis heard a speaker discuss the vil-lage concept.

“It was like a light bulb going off. I realized we’ve got to do this,” she says. “I’ve always felt we as a population do not do enough for our seniors.”

The South Bay Village focuses on services including providing transpor-

tation to doctor appointments, errands and other destinations. “Hair appoint-ments are big,” Davis says. Other ser-vices include minor household repairs, gardening and making friendly visits to keep members engaged. The village also provides referrals to commercial service providers, many of which offer their services at discounted rates.

As of the end of 2019, the South Bay Village had more than 60 members and 69 active volunteers. “I’m getting between 30 and 45 calls from prospec-tive members and volunteers monthly,” Davis estimates. “Our membership changes frequently, but there’s always some kind of continuity. Some mem-bers move into assisted living homes, and volunteers continue to visit them.”

While the South Bay Village started with a focus on services, they’ve added a lot of social events. “We’ve had a tea at the Torrance Historical Society & Mu-seum. We’ve had ice cream socials and a lunch at Mimi’s that went well. We even

have had men saying, ‘We should start a men’s group,’ which is great. We also have made quite a few presentations to churches and caregivers. I’m hoping we can work more closely with board and care homes and hospitals. We can make a big difference.”

That difference means getting seniors more engaged socially and more active. “The seniors who stay home get totally jazzed to go somewhere, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood. And when they get a little help, they can keep doing what they love, like garden-ing,” says Davis.

The movement and the South Bay Village keep growing, she says. “We’ve been super busy. We’ve completed more than 10,000 request assignments since our founding.”

Palos Verdes Peninsula Village: Getting Together and Getting Things Done

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Village launched in March 2016 now has 103 members and 65 volunteers. “It’s im-portant to note many of the volunteers are also members,” says executive direc-tor Marianne Propst. “It’s a reciprocal relationship. We encourage members to help each other out. They are all at different phases in their lives. Most are still very social and active; some are not driving anymore. There’s a lot of paying it forward.”

In addition to offering help with transportation, minor household repairs and computer/technology chal-lenges, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Vil-lage maintains a strong social emphasis. Activities include two book clubs, a monthly men’s gathering and monthly salons addressing current topics.

“Gradually increasing social isolation

as one ages is not good for anyone,” Propst explains. “We really address the whole person—mind and body—so members can remain engaged and independent.”

The village’s online calendar shows social activities for members and volunteers. “The events are created by membership with office staff sup-port,” says Propst, “and we encourage members to host in their homes and to develop neighborhood circles and social groups.”

The third book group is starting after the first of the year. There’s a program called SMILE (Seniors Meeting in Laughter and Enjoyment) and a new guided autobiography class—a six-week program during which participants use prompts to create chapters about their lives. “We have golf outings and a flower-arranging class coming up,” Propst says.

And there’s plenty of practical sup-port too. “We have about 20% of our membership who don’t drive, and we help them with rides,” she shares. “And we have great handyman volunteers who can do things like fixing doors that have come off the tracks or solving minor plumbing issues.”

A Rewarding Way To Give Both the Palos Verdes Peninsula

Village and the South Bay Village seek more volunteers, who can sign up for the jobs they wish to do with no frequency or time requirements. Many are early retirees who might eventually need the services they now provide.

Others, says Davis, “have had older people in their lives they’ve either lost or who are ill. They know: ‘If I don’t help, who will?’”

“That’s the point of the village,” adds

Propst, “being of service to others when you can be and knowing you’ll receive help when you need it.”

Regardless of their motivation, most find it immensely satisfying. “Volunteers and members start talking and become friends. They’ll often pair themselves on subsequent assignments,” says Davis.

Propst and Davis emphasize the importance of the interaction for their members. “Seniors get very isolated. Their friends all pass away. They find it secure to stay at home, but it’s not good for them,” says Davis. In fact, isolation can cause health problems. Research published by the NIH finds mounting evidence that links loneliness to physical illness as well as functional and cognitive decline. It eclipses even obesity as a predictor of early death.

“I recently attended a Village-to- Village conference that focused on social isolation,” says Propst. “In Palos Verdes we find that often occurs due to our geography and dependence on cars. Even those who still drive and don’t feel they are isolated do better with more social interaction. We might not think we need it now, but it’s much better to make friends and develop support now so you can rely on them later. It benefits the volunteers too.”

While the village movement is based on volunteer work, funds are still needed. Davis is working on a grant, and fundraising is definitely a fact of life for both villages. “Our plans are for controlled growth,” says Propst. “It would be nice to be bigger so more people couple benefit, but we want to make sure we take care of the mem-bers we have. Our Upside of Aging fall event is key to outreach and fundrais-ing. We had close to 400 people attend last year.” •

Both villages are also hoping to work

even more closely with South Bay

hospitals. To learn about other Village

locations, visit vtvnetwork.org.

South Bay Village

22939 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 106

Torrance

(424) 271-2304— sbvill.org

Palos Verdes Peninsula Village

916 Silver Spur Road, Suite 302

Rolling Hills Estates

(310) 991-3324 — peninsulavillage.net


Community Benefits

Mychal’s Learning Place:

Building Hope and Opportunities Written by Laura Roe Stevens | Photographed by Vincent Rios

Hawthorne-based Mychal’s Learning Place (MLP) is much more than a tutoring

and mentoring organization for people with disabilities. In fact, for some South Bay residents MLP is a game changer— fostering career opportunities, con-fidence and friendships, within its supportive community.

Through a host of MLP programs, children and adults with developmental disabilities learn to master skills, meet

challenges and foster independence, says Anna Garalde, MLP community relations and events director.

“They encourage each child and adult to develop their individual talents and the skills necessary for them to interact and contribute to society,” Garalde says. “We believe no disability should ever hinder the growth, passion, success or independence of those who are willing to try.”

MLP, with Hawthorne and Culver

City locations, is state-funded, so it is free for its participants, ages 8 to 30. Funding comes from donations and grants, as well as money raised via Mychal’s Prints, Mykie’s Café, Mykies bakery and coffee trucks—operated by MLP students (see sidebar for cafe and food truck locations).

MLP also offers enrichment activities via after-school teen programs with 82 participants—and adult programs assisting 45 people. “After-school

Mykie’s Cafe at 4901 W. Rosecrans

Avenue in Hawthorne is open

Monday through Friday, serving

hot coffee and fresh baked goods.

Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free

options are available. Catering

orders can be phoned in to

310-956-9020 or made online at

mychals.org/mykies.

Mykie’s bakery and coffee trucks

are on the road! Here’s where to

find them:

• Davinci High School, El

Segundo: Tuesdays & Thursdays

• Mother’s Market: Manhattan

Beach: Wednesdays

8 to 10 a.m.

• Mattel Design Center, El

Segundo: Mondays through

Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m.

Contacts:

Anna Garalde, Mychal’s Learning

Place, [email protected],

(310) 297-9333

Anita Chun, Torrance Memorial,

[email protected],

(310) 517-4638

programs have kids typically between 13 and 22 years of age,” says Garalde, who has been with MLP since 2007. “They provide social and recreational work, cooking classes and performances like High School Musical. This month they are performing The Lion King at Hawthorne Memorial Center.”

The adult programs teach “all the things you and I should have learned in high school,” Garalde says. Students learn about banking, meal prep and proper social norms.

“We teach them not say, ‘Hi, dude’ to their boss,” she explains. “We show entertaining videos that give the right message in a way they can be easily understood, like why it’s not appropriate to go up to a girl and stare at her without speaking. We work with various schools too, partnering with USC occupational therapy interns and Pepperdine marriage and therapy counseling trainees.”

Clearly these programs are working! Just ask Brooke Schottenhammer, a MLP student and a paid intern with Kinecta Federal Credit Union. Three months into her internship, Brooke was awarded employee of the month—earning the prized “work flow duck.”

Torrance Memorial has been assist-ing MLP for three years. After receiv-ing a California Community Founda-tion grant in 2016, Torrance Memorial partnered with South Bay Children’s Health Center, forming the Commu-nity Health and Wellness Partnership, explains Anita Chun, community ser-vices coordinator for health education at Torrance Memorial.

“We help find primary care doctors and dentists for MLP students and staff,” she says. “We organized two health fairs, a nutrition series and pro-vided mental health counseling. MLP students tend to be overlooked due to their physical or mental challenges. It was important that Torrance Memorial filled this void.”

Helping others meet their potential uplifts the entire community. Please consider donating to this wonderful organization. •

Mykie's bakery and coffee truck can be found at different venues around the South Bay on weekdays. See details at right.

Supporting Mychal’s Learning Place is

Delicious and Easy!


Flash

AMBASSADORS SIP ‘N SUNSET – RAISING FUNDS

FOR CARDIOLOGY AND CANCER

October 20, 2019

Home of Jackie and Greg Geiger

Palos Verdes Estates

Torrance Memorial Ambassadors, a support group

of the Torrance Memorial Foundation, gathered at

the home of Jackie and Greg Geiger in Palos Verdes

Estates to learn how their donations are supporting

lifesaving work in cardiology and cancer. Guests

heard Mark Lurie, MD, medical director of the

Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, discuss our

partnership with Cedars-Sinai and how it offers the

most advanced cardiac care in the region. President

and CEO Craig Leach shared his excitement for the

December 16 opening of the Donald and Priscilla

Hunt Cancer Center and what it will mean for the

community. Ambassadors’ key initiatives are the

Burn Center, Turpanjian Rehabilitation Center, Hunt

Cancer Institute and Health Education. For more

information visit TorranceMemorialFoundation.org/

Ambassadors, or contact Judith Gassner at 310-517-

4704.

Photographed by Deidre Davidson

Judith Gassner, Mark Lurie, MD

Craig Leach, Greg Geiger

Jackie Geiger, David Wallis, MD, Kerry Wallis, Carolyn Snyder

Joy Colman, Marc Colman, MD, Gerald Reich, MD

Pat Lucy, Rich Lucy, Barry Wolston, MD

YPPA PIZZA-MAKING PARTY

September 24, 2019

Members and friends of the Torrance Memorial

Young Physicians and Professional Alliance

(YPPA) met at Locale 90 restaurant in Hermosa

Beach to network and share in the experience

of making authentic Neapolitan pizza. The

event was sponsored by members Brandon

Hohm of Medical Accounting Service and Alex

Shen, MD. To get involved and learn more

about membership and upcoming events,

visit TorranceMemorialFoundation.org/ YPPA.


BE YOUR OWN HERO BREAST CANCER

AWARENESS EVENT

October 23, 2019

Last fall, 68 guests gathered to celebrate female

wellness, strength and empowerment in honor

of Breast Cancer Awareness. Encouraging

women to "Be Your Own Hero," the event was

hosted by Torrance Memorial and the Young

Physicians and Professional Alliance (YPPA) at

Barsha Wine and Spirits in Manhattan Beach.

Guests enjoyed a complimentary rosé wine

tasting and light appetizers. Torrance Memorial's

Melanie Friedlander, MD, Lisa Jewell, MD,

Sarina Pai, DO, and Rashaan Ali-Jones, MD, all

shared personal and inspiring journeys about

prevention, treatments and the comprehensive

screening patients receive at Torrance

Memorial's Polak Breast Diagnostic Center; 16

attendees signed up for a mammogram.

Photographed by Philicia Endelman

Top: Vimal Murthy, MD, Danielle Boujikian, Jamie McKinnell, MD, Maria Sass-Goldstein, Philippe Neveu Bottom: Brian Poage, Emily Poage, Madeline Schumacher, Alex Schumacher

Melanie Friedlander, MD, Lisa Jewell, MD, Rashaan Ali-Jones, MD, Sarina Pai, DO

Above: Lisa Jewell, MD, Barbara Willett, Stephanie WilesRight: Erin Fiorito


Flash

HUNT CANCER CENTER COMMUNITY

OPEN HOUSE

November 9, 2019

More than 500 community members and

Torrance Memorial employees previewed the

Donald and Priscilla Hunt Cancer Center during

the November 9 open house. Guests enjoyed a

guided tour through the Center where docents

described the design and purpose of each area

the group stopped in throughout the two-story

building. A special thank you to the Torrance

Memorial Auxiliary Volunteers who assisted

as guides and general helpers for the event.


Top: L.A. Salsa Women Soccer Club presenting “Kick For A Cure” donation of $1,024 to Torrance Memorial Physi-cians Network Cancer Care Team Bottom: CEO and president Craig Leach, David Chan, MD, Barbara LeQuire, Mary Wright, Judy Leach

MOVEMBER PINTS FOR PROSTATE EVENT

November 11, 2019

Last Veteran’s Day, 200 guests attended

Movember Pints for Prostate event with beer

tastings and food from the newly opened Brews

Hall at Del Amo. Urologist Lawrence Flechner,

MD, and primary care physician Keith Chumley,

MD, spoke of the leading causes of death

among men, the importance of early detection,

prevention and encouragement to lead a

healthy lifestyle. Prostate cancer survivor John

Sparks shared his personal journey and along

with his wife, thanked his cancer care team at

Torrance Memorial, who were all devoted to his

care and recovery. More than $2,870 was raised

for the Movember Foundation that specifically

supports prostate and testicular cancer and

mental health issues. The well-attended event

was sponsored by the Zislis Group.


Sam Sheth, Judy Gassner, Song Klein, Kay Sheth, Rory Vehwintel

Dave Shaw, Dave Wallis, MD, Lawrence Flechner, MD, and Keith Chumley, MD

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL FASHION

SHOW

December 3, 2019

A sold-out, high-fashion runway

show kicked off festivities at the

36th annual Holiday Festival on

December 3. The show featured

couture fashions by David Tupaz,

personal designer to Priscilla Hunt.

More than 700 guests attended

the event under the “big white

tent” on the Torrance Memorial

Medical Center’s grounds. All

funds raised benefitted the new

Hunt Cancer Center.


Andrea Busch, Paige Busch, Tina Funicello, Joy Theodora, Elisa Roe, Suzanne Winkler

Allison Mayer, Craig Leach holding pet visitation dog Bruin, Linda Perry

Gail Bleeker, Kate Crane

Charlotte Lesser, Laura Schenasi

Judith Gassner, Priscilla Hunt and fashion show designer David Tupaz

Celeste Crandall, Michele Rand

Jackie Geiger, Nadine Bobit, Evelyn Booth


Flash

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL GALA

December 6, 2019

Torrance Memorial’s 36th annual Holiday

Festival raised close to $1.7 million through

event ticket sales, a Lexus opportunity drawing,

holiday boutique sales, live and silent auctions,

theme-decorated tree sales and donation

pledges. More than 720 guests attended the

sold-out dinner gala event. All funds raised

support the new Hunt Cancer Center, which

opened December 16, 2019.

Photographed by Deidre Davidson &

Clark McNulty

Timur Tecimer, Janice Tecimer

Front: Jason Huang, John Ngan, Sam Dim, Summer Xia Back: Sandy Huang, Monica Sim, Jacklyn So, MD, Serena Ngan, Michael Zislis, George So, MD, Carol Xia

Front: Steve Lopes, Mark Lurie, MD, Melanie Lundquist Back: Judy Leach, Carla Zanino, Barbara Demming Lurie, Craig Leach, Walt Zanino, Richard Lundquist

Front: Mary Morikawa, Steve Morikawa, Kacey Takashima, Danny Ahn Back: Karin Baker, Brigid Dupree, Andrew Swensen, Katie Swenson

Front: Nancy Lyons, Jim Campbell, Marie Campbell Back: Paul Campbell, Cindy Campbell

Linda Vallee, Allison Mayer, Randy Dauchot, Ellen Smith, Kathy Goldstein

Stephanie Chiang, Debbie Kao, Sandy Yang, Karen Chuang, Chiao-Yi Chen, Serena Ngan, Jessica Tsai

Priscilla Hunt, Nadine Bobit, Kalpana Hool, MDFrank Yang, Sandy Yang

Steve Hansen, Lisa Hansen

58 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2020

A Look Back

Torrance Memorial Originates From Modest Beginnings

On May 17, 1925, the Jared Sidney Torrance Memorial Hospital admitted its first

patients. Today the hospital celebrates 95 years of service to the city that’s also its namesake.

Jared Sidney Torrance had a grand vision for the hospital. Unfortunately he never got to see the fruits of his efforts, as he died in 1921. However, his wife, Helena Childs Torrance, worked tire-lessly to make his dream a reality.

In 1920, shortly before Torrance was incorporated as a city, Jared—the city’s founder—made a will leaving $100,000 to the Torrance Hospital Association. The bequest in the will was declared in-valid because of a technicality in the Cal-ifornia law. However, Helena along with Jared’s siblings, nieces and nephews hon-ored his bequest by purchasing property on Engracia Avenue. They worked to construct a building and deeded it to the Torrance Hospital Association.

The opening of the 32-bed Jared Sidney Torrance Memorial Hospital was attended by more than 3,000 people in the spring of 1925. With an origi-nal staff of only 12, it was located on a prominent spot in Torrance, facing southeast on Engracia Avenue. De-signed in Spanish-style architecture, the building was rose-colored with mottled tile roofing, surrounded by grounds, walks and driveways designed and landscaped by professional gardeners.

Helena was largely responsible for sustaining the hospital during its first decade of financial challenges. She donated needed medical supplies and equipment during the Great Depres-sion. She also remembered the hospital in her will with a generous bequest. With gratitude to Jared and Helena Torrance, Torrance Memorial Medical Center remains a pillar in the South Bay community today. •

As Torrance Memorial approaches its 100th anniversary in 2025, our new "A Look Back" column will reflect on the hospital’s celebrated history and role in the South Bay community.

The original hospital on Engracia Avenue was built in Spanish-style architecture. The tone suggested a costly mansion in good taste rather than an institution for the care of the sick.

Torrance Memorial nurses stand in front of the original hospital on Engracia Avenue.

Helena Childs Torrance was largely responsible for seeing her husband’s vision through and also sustaining the hospital during its first decade of financial hardship.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ON YOUR JOURNEY OF RECOVERY The Thelma McMillen Recovery Center for alcohol and drug treatment at Torrance Memorial is making lasting changes in the lives of South Bay adults and adolescents as well as their families. Providing outpatient treatment services to help clients find sobriety within the framework of their daily lives is at the core of what we do.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP • CALL US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 310.784.4879 VISIT US AT TThelmaMcMillenRecoveryCenter.comhelmaMcMillenRecoveryCenter.com

RECOVERYFOR YOURMIND BODY & SOUL

A LEGACYOF CAREOur lives are defi ned in many ways, some which refl ect the level of our

accomplishments. But for those with a deeper interest, few qualities

endure longer than the expression of our love—whether it’s aimed toward

our family, our community or the thousands of lives we help transform

along the way. Your support and contributions, of any amount, help

expert community care thrive for years to come.

Learn more about starting your own legacy at www.TMLegacy.org

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