Dottie and Alan Snitzer

Thoughtful giving in a trying time.

Dottie and Alan Snitzer have been Huntington Hospital donors for more than a decade, but when the pandemic hit, they knew they wanted to do more. “With COVID-19,” Alan says, “the hospital was doing so much, and we thought that they might have extra expenses.” In fact, the Snitzers significantly increased their annual giving in 2020, and are now members of our President’s Circle at the Medicus Society level. The couple supports our work through unrestricted gifts. “The hospital’s leadership knows where the money is needed most,” says

Alan. “There also might be some areas that aren’t as high profile as, say, emergency or cancer care, that shouldn’t be overlooked,”

Dottie adds. Indeed, the Snitzers are impressed with many areas of our work. “The hospital operates the largest trauma center in the region,” Alan says, “and it’s always making medical advances. It really gives you peace of mind that such a high-quality hospital is right here in our community.”

Dottie (not pictured) and Alan Snitzer know Huntington Hospital will always be here for their family. They significantly increased their annual giving in 2020 to help sustain the hospital through the challenges created by COVID-19.

President’s Circle

A long history.

Dottie and Alan know from experience just how important it is to have a world-class medical institution nearby. The whole family has received care here and Dottie was even born at the hospital. “I have an early memory of waiting at Huntington Hospital for the birth of my younger brother,” she says. Dottie and Alan also welcomed their two sons, Andy and Jonny, here.

Over the years, the Snitzer family has had many other encounters with the hospital. “Our history with Huntington Hospital runs deep,” says Alan. Dottie was transported here in a medevac helicopter in 1990 after an ovarian cyst burst while on vacation in Palm Springs. Alan has had several surgeries at the hospital, and Jonny was once hospitalized for a case of ulcerative colitis. The whole family has been treated in our emergency department over the years. In addition, last year, Dottie’s 96-year-old mother received care here after sustaining an injury from a fall.

“No matter what happens,” says Dottie, “I feel confident that Huntington Hospital will take good care of us.” It is this exceptional care that reinforces the couple’s decision to support our work through philanthropic gifts.

Fighting for what is right.

Alan established the Law Offices of Alan B. Snitzer in 1978. It has since blossomed into an award-winning law firm with nearly 20 employees — including Dottie, who has worked as its office manager since 1990. The law firm specializes in workers’ compensation for sworn public safety

“It really gives you peace of mind that such a high-quality hospital is right here in our community.”

officers, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases for police officers and others.

Alan’s work as an attorney has earned him much praise: He was named in the Southern California Edition of Super Lawyers from 2015 to 2021, ranked “AV-Preeminent” (the highest level of both legal skills and ethics) by MartindaleHubbell from 1998 to 2021 and was listed as one of Pasadena Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” from 2009 to 2021.

Still going strong.

Alan and Dottie work long hours to ensure their clients get the support they need. For them, the firm is more than a career. “We represent first responders who are injured or killed in the line of duty,” Alan says. “It’s a highly specialized field, and it’s so important to us to help these folks and their families through the process. We love what we do.”

A membership in the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, where Alan is a director, sends the couple on many trips to attend legal seminars and conventions. They both enjoy travelling, and sometimes build vacations around these events. The Snitzers have also been known to escape to their timeshare in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Still, they do not plan on slowing down anytime soon. The firm is busier than ever, which is another reason the couple decided to increase their giving to the hospital. “We thought that if we can do more to help the hospital, we should,” says Alan. “You can’t find a hospital with more skilled and kind caregivers and staff. For us, it’s a worthwhile investment.”

Thanks to unrestricted gifts from donors like the Snitzers, our dedicated caregivers have continued providing lifesaving healthcare services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.