medicine and dressed as a physician wearing a lab coat. “This is a great hospital,” Megan said. “Both my children were born here.”
Sandra and Gene, seniors new to Torrance, came to learn more about the medical center and its physicians. At the Diabetes Outreach table, Sandra said, “My daughter has Type 1 diabetes, and although she has it under good control, it’s always helpful to get more information.”
Lines were long to obtain cholesterol and lipid panel tests, with results provided just 10 minutes after screening. At another station, visitors watched live ultrasounds of a young man’s carotid artery and abdominal organs. A stuffed animal repair station offered “treatment” for the toys’ boo-boos, and a crafts table provided additional activities for young visitors.
Pet therapy dogs and their handlers circulated
Volunteers were on hand with their cuddly pups, who are a regular part of the hospital's long-running and popular pet visitation program.
A young visitor gets her teddy bear repaired at the Teddy Bear Station during the centennial Community Days event.
among the participants, bringing joyful reactions from children and adults alike. Volunteer Marti Nordskot, accompanied by her tricolored Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Violet, often takes the dog to the infusion center. “Most patients love dogs and appreciate the visit,” she said.
Participant Barb Mensinger received good results from her thyroid and blood testing and was pleased
And when the pandemic hit only a few weeks later, the center met all requirements.”
Looking Ahead
Torrance Memorial Medical Center—originally called the Jared Sidney Torrance Hospital—opened in May 1925 with 25 beds. It has become a worldclass, 610-bed medical center recognized as a Best Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for 14 con-
THEN AND NOW
1925
Jared Sidney Torrance Hospital
25 beds
Torrance population: less than 7,000
Basic X-rays
Basic abdominal surgery
No antibiotics
No chemotherapy
secutive years. Always striving to provide the latest, most comprehensive services to the community, Torrance Memorial is undergoing a $75 million emergency department expansion to double its current capacity. Given the spirit of the community and those who work at Torrance Memorial today, the next century promises to bring additional and currently undreamed-of medical advances to the South Bay and beyond. •
2025
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
610 beds
Torrance population: 139,224 in 2023
Interventional radiology; biplane imaging
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement; da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery
Clinical trials
Immunotherapy
Left: Keith Hobbs, president/ CEO of Torrance Memorial, addresses the crowd at a special evening the night before the Community Days event.
Above: Trivia walls with fun facts and historic photos from the hospital's 100-year history were on display in the tent.
Teen Marijuana Use Linked to Serious Health Disorders
Increased availability and potency of marijuana are leading to a higher risk of psychiatric conditions and substance use disorder in young people with developing brains.
Written by Lisa Buffington
Today’s teens face more choices than ever.
Understanding the risks of marijuana use is key to making informed ones.
With the legalization of marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes, marijuana use has become increasingly accepted and commonplace in the United States. But for teens and young adults with developing brains, research has shown that changes in the drug’s potency
and accessibility pose serious health risks—particularly for those with a family history of mental health or substance use disorders.
“We know the brain isn’t fully developed until age 25, with the prefrontal cortex—which controls rational thinking, decision-making and executive func-
tioning—being the last thing to develop,” says Moe Gelbart, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who is the director of behavioral health and the executive director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “When a teen with a developing brain uses marijuana, it can increase their
Torrance Memorial offers expert hernia care using advanced techniques for faster recovery and lasting relief.
Expert Hernia Care Restores Quality of Life
Torrance Memorial offers advanced, personalized treatment for all types of hernias with the goal of delivering outstanding outcomes and long-lasting results.
Written by Lisa Buffington
If you notice symptoms in your groin or abdomen like a bulge, pain or a feeling of pressure that may appear or disappear with different activities, you could be dealing with a hernia. Although hernias may look and sound serious, they are a common and treatable condition.
A hernia occurs when tissue or organs bulge through a weakened area in muscular tissue. Those weak points can be a part of normal development or acquired through injuries, health risks or prior surgery. Hernias
are most common in the abdominal wall, affecting the groin, belly button, abdomen or the site of a previous surgery.
“Before birth, a male’s testicles descend through an opening in the abdominal wall. We all had an umbilical cord at the belly button until after birth. These are normal parts of development that create natural weak points where hernias can form,” says Timothy J. Morley, MD, a fellowship-trained, board-certified general surgeon at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “We also acquire
Timothy J. Morley, MD, is a boardcertified general surgeon at Torrance Memorial.
Staying Fit
Emergency department physicians go the distance—at the hospital and in an obstacle race.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Emergency medicine requires physicians and nurses to be quick on their feet and have the energy to complete physically demanding 12-hour shifts. For that reason, many emergency personnel gravitate toward active and healthy lifestyles.
Nine Torrance Memorial Medical Center emergency physicians and one emergency nurse gave their stamina an unusual test by participating in a Spartan Race held in January in Lake Perris. Spartan Races consist of running and completing challenges such as rope climbing, spear throw-
ing and carrying sandbags through varied terrain.
Stephanie Tang, DO, and Dana Kennedy, MD, had participated in previous Spartan Races and thought their colleagues would enjoy the challenge.
“I did the race for the first time with a new-moms group. I was an out-of-shape new mother and dreaded the race the whole time I was training,” says Dr. Tang. “But you would be surprised what your body can do if you have an open mind and push yourself. It propelled me to adopt an active lifestyle.”
Emergency department physicians, L to R: Adam Goodman, MD, Darren Bedolla, MD, Amanda Clauson, MD, Stephanie Tang, DO, Jenny Luo, MD, Richard Bracken, DO, Colby Passaro, MD, Dana Kennedy, MD, Kurt Hansen, MD
Dr. Kennedy completed the race in New York City during his residency. “It was a great memory, and I always wanted to get back to it. I figured this would be a great bonding experience for members of our department.”
The race was a first-time experience for Kurt Hansen, MD. “Our 100% teamwork is the foundation of what makes Torrance Memorial great to work for and so strong in patient care,” he says. “We carried that teamwork into the race by toughing it out together.”
The group chose the lowest of three challenge levels for their first time doing the Spartan Race. The 5K course “only” had 20 obstacles, including multiple types of climbing walls.
“We had so much fun together,” Dr. Tang says. “We cheered each other through the course and laughed a lot. We’re a very cohesive group and enjoy each other both inside and outside the hospital.”
In January 2025, a dedicated team from Torrance Memorial’s emergency department took their teamwork to the next level—completing their first Spartan Race together.
Dr. Kennedy agrees that the group is very collaborative and cohesive. While individuals could have chosen to make their best time, they opted to “go through the pain together” and waited for each member of the team to complete each obstacle before moving on.
The group enjoyed the activity so much, they are already looking into the next competition. They are considering another Spartan Race, at a higher challenge level, in September at Angel Stadium. They may bring some of their children to participate in the kids race.
Dr. Hansen notes there is a group of emergency department physicians who work out regularly at a local gym. They’ve done other activities together as well, including participating in a golf tournament and attending Torrance Memorial’s Centennial Gala in April.
“I plan to stay at Torrance Memorial for my entire career,” he says. “I’m glad our group keeps active and stays involved in one another’s lives outside of work.” •
TORRANCE MEMORIAL IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A $75 MILLION EXPANSION FOR ITS NEW TWO-STORY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
Set to be completed in 2026, the expansion will double treatment spaces, incorporate a flexible design and elevate safety with cutting-edge technology. The expansion will increase patient capacity, reduce wait times and improve overall patient experience by integrating the latest medical technologies and creating additional private treatment rooms.
Inaugural Medical Teaching Hospital Program
Hospitalist services and ambulatory primary care medicine are areas of excellence, strength and quality of care for Torrance Memorial Medical Center. We are excited to announce the recent launch of our inaugural medical teaching hospital program. The goal is to provide access to our health system by offering this opportunity to internal medicine residents from Cedars-Sinai.
Supervised by Torrance Memorial physicians, residents work two-week rotations that include inpatient hospitalist services, ambulatory primary care at the El Segundo location, and specialty and urgent care training. This prestigious
program, aligned with the Cedars-Sinai Health System, will promote the adoption of new diagnostic practices and therapeutics.
The long-term vision is to grow the program to offer Cedars-Sinai residents rotations in other service areas. We are also evaluating the potential to develop a fellowship rotation after residency. The program could create a future pipeline for physician recruitment down the line. By offering this opportunity, Torrance Memorial builds on its reputation for advancing high-quality health care in our community. •
Cedars-Sinai resident Mia Goldman, MD (second from left), joins Torrance Memorial’s inaugural medical teaching hospital program alongside (from left) Torrance Memorial Physician Network medical director Anthony Chen, MD, office manager Eva Zamora and primary care physician Rumi Cader, MD.
Wholehearted Support
The director of design and construction gets a new view of the hospital as a patient.
Written by John Ferrari | Photographed by Wendy Saade
At Torrance Memorial, emergencies are normal—hospitals treat emergencies, after all. But even people who work at Torrance Memorial every day can see it in a different light when they experience the hospital during their own emergency.
That was the case for Connie Senner, Torrance Memorial’s director of design and construction, one Monday in January. Her emergency had been building since the previous Thursday, when she woke up winded—with an elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
Later, interventional radiologist George So, MD, would say that even then, Senner was exhibiting the symptoms of a potentially fatal condition. Her lethargy continued through the weekend. On Monday she felt worse, so she called her cardiologist, Brenton Bauer, MD, who convinced her to go to Torrance Memorial’s emergency department.
For Senner, who works nearby, that’s usually a short walk. By that afternoon, though, she felt so weak that her colleagues drove her in a golf cart. “I could barely walk, I felt so weak,” she remembers.
Torrance Memorial’s ED physicians soon had a diagnosis: a CT scan revealed a pulmonary embolism—a blood clot in one of the arteries in her lungs. Tests also showed she had right heart strain; that is, her right ventricle was under excessive pressure. “That’s not a good sign,” Dr. So notes. “It’s quite serious.”
Dr. So was on his way home. “I had already left the hospital when I got a call telling me there was an emergency case,” he recalls. “I turned right around. No one told me it was Connie, but when I saw her, I knew immediately.”
Senner and Dr. So work together closely at the
Torrance Memorial Medical Center interventional radiologist George So, MD, shows Connie Senner, the hospital's director of design and construction, a visual image of her pulmonary embolism CT scan following her recovery.
hospital. “She helped me build Torrance Memorial’s new $5.1 million interventional suite, so she understands what the environment is like,” the doctor shares. “It’s different being a patient, though, and in a case like Connie’s we know that if we don’t intervene in a timely manner, there will be a bad outcome. We knew we had to perform a procedure the same night.”
The procedure was an emergency thrombectomy to remove the blood clot that was placing such strain on Senner’s heart. Her right ventricle had dilated to twice its normal size due to high resistance affecting blood flow through the lungs.
“Connie’s condition was serious but treatable,” Dr. So says. “Our team is very experienced, and we have state-of-the-art technology. I knew we would be able to take care of her.”
“I was moved to the interventional radiology suite in Lundquist Tower,” Senner remembers. “I helped design that room, but I can tell you, I’ve never looked at the ceiling quite the way I did that
afternoon. A wonderful set of familiar faces gave me a lot of comfort, including Dr. So.”
Thrombectomies are minimally invasive procedures. “We use blood veins as a highway,” Dr. So explains. A thin, flexible catheter is inserted into the femoral vein at the groin and guided up toward the location of the thrombus, or clot, in the pulmonary arteries. At the catheter’s tip, specialized tools can break up the clot or suction it out. The procedure takes about an hour.
“Previously, we put patients on blood thinners or anticoagulants, which can cause internal bleeding,” Dr. So says. “The minimally invasive procedure has completely changed how we manage patients. Removing the clot is a much more certain treatment, and even though the technology outlay is expensive, ultimately it’s less expensive and more efficient because patients recover more quickly.”
Because general anesthesia can cause the heart rate and blood pressure to drop—worsening the condition—patients remain awake throughout the
Dr. So (right) leads a team of skilled technicians in the hospital’s new $5.1 million interventional radiology suite. Made possible through a generous gift from the Turpanjian family of Palos Verdes, the suite significantly expands the hospital’s ability to treat patients using advanced, minimally invasive technologies.
procedure. Senner turned to meditation techniques to remain calm.
“I was conscious, so I could listen to everything happening,” she says. “I marveled at the teamwork and humble approach Dr. So had toward the entire process. I felt really zen; in my mind I was someplace else relaxing.”
The thrombectomy was effective immediately. “When they finished the procedure and I took a deep breath, it was as if a switch had been flipped,” Senner says. “For the first time in days, I could take a full and deep breath.”
She was out of the hospital four days later. “There was no physical therapy or rehab. I took it easy for a couple of weeks, but now I’m back to 100% with my physical activities: walking, hiking, cycling and golfing.”
Senner is taking blood thinners to prevent the formation of additional clots, but her prognosis is excellent, says Dr. So. “We’ve performed a lot of these procedures, and the outcomes are fabulous.
Torrance Memorial has a reputation in this area, and we’re now part of a national project to evaluate a next-generation device for the procedure. We’re always looking for better ways and better technology to take better care of our patients.”
Senner, who has worked at Torrance Memorial for 34 years, came away from the experience with a new perspective. “I received a lot of personal validation that we made great design decisions,” she reflects about the hospital’s Lundquist Tower. “We develop our design decisions based on input we get from frontline staff to help workflow and patient-care objectives. To feel that we hit the mark from the patient perspective was very gratifying for me. I found that in the details, like stations allowing nurses to work at a patient’s bedside, or lighting design that isn’t blazing bright at night.
I’m very excited about what we’re embarking on with the expansion of our emergency department,” says Senner. “They do an excellent job. Just the thought of doubling their capacity is exciting!” •
Left: Connie and her son, Nick, enjoy a mother/son bike outing.
Above: Connie keeps active by getting outdoors. Recently she enjoyed hiking to the top of Sitton Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Connie Senner records a behindthe-scenes construction update video at Torrance Memorial.
Blood Tests Provide Window Into Health
Torrance Memorial labs make the important but simple process even easier.
Written by PK Daniel
Every year, thousands of South Bay residents roll up their sleeves at a Torrance Memorial Laboratory Draw Station for routine blood tests. For adults 55 and over, this simple procedure can offer a window into one’s health, detecting silent threats before they manifest into serious illness. Patients can now schedule blood draw appoint-
ments conveniently from their phone or computer. In early February, Torrance Memorial Laboratory—the first in the nation to receive Leading Laboratories recognition from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and The Joint Commission—launched online lab appointment scheduling.
“The patient experience has improved in a very
short period of time,” says Ihab Abumuhor, director of Torrance Memorial Health’s pathology and clinical laboratory. Prior to its launch, the lab handled between 7,500 and 8,000 calls each month. “The online scheduling system is going to reduce phone wait times and allow staff to better serve patients.”
Abumuhor also anticipates fewer missed appointments with confirmation and reminder messages. The lab, which performs 15 million tests annually, delivers most results within 24 to 48 hours. This, says Abumuhor, enables doctors to expedite treatment for any critical results.
Blood tests, often performed as part of an annual physical, can reveal a wealth of information. The most common blood tests are complete blood count (CBC), which measures different components of blood to check for conditions like anemia, infections and overall health status; comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which assesses kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance and blood sugar levels; and lipid panels, which help determine cardiovascular risk by measuring cholesterol and triglycerides.
“Blood work is an essential component of preventive medicine,” says Maria Vollucci, DO, a family practice specialist at Torrance Memorial Physician Network. “It allows us to monitor key markers of health, from cholesterol levels to kidney function, and detect early signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and possibly cancer.”
For older adults, these insights are particularly crucial. Research has shown conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid disorders become more prevalent with age. Annual screenings offer an opportunity for early intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes.
Interpreting blood test results, however, can be challenging, and there are limitations for those that denote normal ranges. Most of the results, says Abumuhor, include interpretative data to
help both the patient and their physician understand them. He says results should always be interpreted in the context of a patient’s overall health and medical history.
“The physician always interprets the results with the clinical picture of the patient and puts that into perspective,” says Abumuhor. “If the clinical picture doesn’t match the lab results, then they may call for additional testing.”
Many variables should be considered when the test results fall within normal ranges. Normal values are based on population averages, but individual baselines can differ. The reference range typically covers 95% of healthy individuals, meaning 5% of healthy individuals may have results outside the normal range, and some with conditions may still fall within it.
A single blood test only shows a snapshot of one’s health, whereas multiple tests reflecting a trend can tell a more complete picture. Stress, diet, hydration levels, certain medications, over-thecounter vitamins or even a recent illness can result in false positives or negatives. Some diseases, such as early-stage cancer, might not show up in standard blood tests, while other conditions require a combination of clinical symptoms, imaging and lifestyle assessments to confirm, rather than lab results alone.
Abumuhor noted, however, that the No. 1 factor impacting the results is what occurs before the specimen arrives at the lab and includes its storage, preparation and transportation. “There will always be some variability, but the most critical factor is how specimens are handled during the preanalytical phase,” he says.
Despite the importance, many Americans forgo regular blood work—often because of a lack of symptoms. Experts stress that waiting until something feels wrong can be costly.
“By the time symptoms appear, a condition may have already progressed,” Dr. Vollucci says. “Blood tests give us a chance to act early.”
And while no single test can provide a complete picture of health, annual blood screenings remain one of the most powerful tools in preventive care. In an age where medicine continues to advance, the ability to identify and mitigate health risks early is more accessible than ever. All it takes is rolling up your sleeve. •
Torrance Memorial recently launched online lab appointment scheduling, improving the patient experience and making it more convenient than ever to book an appointment.
Saving Lives Through Education
Vaccine hesitancy isn’t new, but misinformation and today’s shifting guidelines add to parental confusion.
Written by PK Daniel
Vaccines save millions of lives every year and have saved hundreds of millions of lives since the development of the first inoculation more than 200 years ago. Despite this transformative medical breakthrough, in 2019 the World Health Organization called vaccine hesitancy one of the top 10 global threats and continues to address it as a top priority.
“Parents often worry about side effects, the number of vaccines given at one time or things they’ve read online. It’s normal to have questions. What’s important is getting answers from trusted, evidence-based sources and talking to your pediatrician to help answer any questions,” says Torrance Memorial Physician Network pediatrician Grace Pyo, MD.
But while vaccine hesitancy might seem like a uniquely modern problem—driven by social media, misinformation and political discord—it dates to the earliest days of vaccinations. With evolving guidance from public health authorities, it’s easy for parents to feel confused, even though vaccines are believed to be one of the most effective tools in protecting children from serious illnesses.
In today’s highly polarized
climate, online platforms can rapidly spread misinformation and disinformation, especially among parents looking for reassurance. Public health experts stress the importance of distinguishing between credible information and fiction.
“There is a lot of information out there for parents to Google or see on social media,” says Dr. Pyo. “Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between facts and misinformation.”
To make informed choices, Dr. Pyo recommends parents utilize trusted sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics to educate themselves. Vaccines, she explains, help one’s immune system recognize and fight germs without causing the illness. A tiny, harmless piece of a virus or bacteria—like a protein or an inactivated version—is used to “train” the body to defend itself if it ever encounters the real virus or bacteria. Vaccines don’t just protect those who get inoculated; they also protect those who can't, such as people who are immune-compromised, allergic or not old enough.
“When more people are vaccinated, there’s less of the disease going around,” says Dr. Pyo.
The first vaccine was developed in 1796 for one of the deadliest diseases known to humans: smallpox. While it revolutionized medicine and saved hundreds of millions of lives worldwide and led to the eventual eradication
of smallpox in 1980, the vaccine was first met with suspicion and skepticism. When it became mandatory in parts of Europe by the mid-1800s, there was public backlash citing government overreach and safety concerns, echoing some of today’s critics.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a host of vaccines to protect children from debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases. Health experts emphasize these scheduled vaccines are not only safe but often lifesaving.
“Vaccines go through extensive testing for safety and effectiveness,” says Dr. Pyo. “They are one of the best ways we have to keep children and communities healthy and protected from serious diseases. Kids need several vaccines from birth through their teenage years, including ones for hepatitis B, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), polio, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), varicella (chickenpox), PCV (pneumococcal), flu and more.”
Vaccines are scheduled at specific ages to give protection when children need it most. “Our clinics follow the CDC immunization schedules. Getting more than one at once is safe and helps keep kids on track without overloading their immune system,” says Dr. Pyo. If your child is behind on their immunizations, your pediatrician can review them and get your child back on track.
Grace Pyo, MD, is a boardcertified pediatrician with Torrance Memorial Physician Network in Torrance.
Torrance Memorial Physician Network pediatrician offices follow CDC immunization schedules as outlined in the chart below.
Getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccines together is also safe and convenient. Until recently, the CDC universally recommended that all children ages 6 months and older be vaccinated against COVID-19. But following a directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC now describes it as a “shared clinical decision,” meaning vaccinating healthy children for COVID-19 is no longer recommended but they still may receive it.
A recent update to the childhood vaccine schedule includes new ways to protect babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus and the
leading cause of hospitalization for U.S. babies, especially those under 6 months old. Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody recommended for all infants younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season, and for children ages 8 months to 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and are entering their second RSV season.
“These new options are already showing strong results, helping keep the youngest infants out of the hospital during peak RSV season,” says Dr. Pyo.
Discuss any questions or concerns with your pediatrician. Being informed about vaccines
can help you navigate conversations with others who may have differing views. Dr. Pyo recommends listening first. “Then share facts with kindness and understanding,” she says. “Focus on the shared goal: keeping your child healthy.”
Torrance Memorial Physician Network pediatric offices will offer all pediatric vaccines including the flu and COVID-19 shots this fall. •
Grace Pyo, MD, practices at Torrance Memorial Physician Network Pediatrics, 3440 Lomita Blvd., Suite 250, Torrance. She can be reached at 310-517-1188.
Table 1 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2025
recommendations must be read with the notes that follow. For those who fall behind or start late, provide catch-up vaccination at the earliest opportunity as indicated by the green bars. To determine minimum intervals between doses, see the catch-up schedule (Table 2).
Torrance Memorial combines advanced technology with compassion to offer best-in-class radiation therapy options close to home for South Bay residents.
Written by Lisa Buffington | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
The Torrance Memorial Medical Center radiation oncology team is leading the way in cancer care, using innovative technology to enhance the accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency of radiation therapy for patients throughout the South Bay.
“Radiation therapy is now a treatment option for most types of cancer,” says Andrew Schumacher, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at Torrance Memorial. “Our technology and expertise enable us to provide the most advanced radiation therapy right here at Torrance Memorial without needing to refer patients to another center.”
According to Dr. Schumacher, the ExacTrac Dynamic system is one piece of technology that enables the team to offer this level of care. Working with the hospital’s TrueBeam linear accelerator system, ExacTrac Dynamic uses a specially equipped camera to monitor patient movement during radiation treatment. The system projects a complex light pattern onto the patient’s skin; even slight movements by the patient change its reflection and automatically stop the treatment.
Torrance Memorial has been using ExacTrac X-ray imaging technology for years but is among an elite group of hospitals in southern California that have implemented the latest ExacTrac Dynamic system.
“If there are any changes to the patient’s position, we can stop treatment and make adjustments,” says Dr. Schumacher. “This improves safety when we treat lung and liver tumors, as well as other tumors
Thyra Endicott, MD, radiation oncologist, and Andrew Schumacher, MD, medical director of radiation oncology, with Torrance Memorial's TrueBeam linear accelerator system, which uses ExacTrac Dynamic to precisely monitor patient movement during radiation treatment.
close to important structures, such as left-sided breast cancer that is close to the heart.”
“With ExacTrac Dynamic, we have new confidence and precision allowing us to use more effective radiation doses to treat tumors in areas of the body that move—such as the lungs—with nearly the same accuracy as parts of the body that remain still,” says Thyra Endicott, MD, radiation oncologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “We can improve the chances of getting rid of the tumor and improve treatment efficiency with a lower risk of side effects because we are reducing radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissue.”
AI imaging analysis promotes increased safety
The team has also expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) software programs that use algorithms to develop patient treatment plans and position patients accurately for each treatment. One program matches pretreatment planning images with images taken during treatment to
ExacTrac Dynamic uses real-time X-ray imaging to track patient positioning— even during treatment—to help prevent misalignment and ensure precise care.
ensure the patient is in the correct position on the treatment table.
“In about two seconds, the system uses images taken during treatment to tell us how a patient should be positioned, how they are currently positioned and how to move them into the correct position,” says Dr. Endicott. “We can image a patient multiple times during treatment, which improves safety and efficiency. The accuracy of patient positioning is now within 0.5 mm.”
Dr. Schumacher says this AI technology is especially beneficial during radiosurgery for spinal and brain tumors. “When treating tumors in the spine or brain close to important nerves and structures with high-dose radiation, a few millimeters of accuracy can make the difference between successful treatment and potential damage. Our AI technology uses X-ray imaging to make sure the bones and other structures are exactly aligned throughout the treatment session.”
Ushering in the future of radiation oncology care
The hospital plans to acquire a Halcyon/Ethos linear accelerator to further expand the department's capabilities, providing enhanced access to leading-edge radiation therapy treatment.
“The Halcyon/Ethos unit can treat two times the number of patients as our current TrueBeam linear accelerators with the same level of accuracy,” says Dr. Schumacher. “That means more patients will have access to the most advanced radiation therapy care.”
Dr. Endicott says the Halcyon/Ethos system
Advanced imaging technology allows clinicians to pause and adjust treatment if a patient shifts— enhancing precision and safety when treating tumors near vital organs, including left-sided breast cancer.
“Our AI technology uses X-ray imaging to make sure the bones and other structures are exactly aligned throughout the treatment session.”
incorporates rapid image processing, enhanced image quality and faster treatment delivery into one system. Further, the system enhances energy efficiency by delivering the same radiation dose while using one-fourth less energy than the hospital’s current systems.
“We treat patients 10 to 12 hours a day, from 7 a.m. to sometimes 7 or 8 p.m.,” says Dr. Endicott. “The Halcyon system will allow us to treat more patients each day, have more flexibility to provide emergency treatment when needed, and improve availability, scheduling and convenience for our patients.”
The Halcyon will also allow radiation oncologists to more efficiently deliver “adaptive radiotherapy”—a technique that allows for adjustments in the patient’s treatment plan to reflect changes in the tumor’s size or position. “For prostate cancer, it will allow us to change the dose pattern based on the position of the prostate, which reduces radiation exposure to nearby organs and reduces the risk of side effects.”
Combining advanced technology with compassionate care
Dr. Schumacher and Dr. Endicott agree that Torrance Memorial offers a best-in-class radiation therapy experience combining the latest techniques and technology with compassionate care delivered by an expert team, close to home.
“Our radiation oncologists participate in Tumor Board meetings with medical oncologists, surgical oncologists and other medical experts to provide coordinated, comprehensive and collaborative cancer care,” says Dr. Schumacher. “We also offer some of the most advanced clinical trials in partnership with CedarsSinai—which means patients don’t have to leave the South Bay to get the advanced treatment they need.” •
MEDITATION ENHANCES RADIATION THERAPY
Gardena resident used breath work and mental focus strategies during radiation treatment for lung cancer.
As part of her Buddhist religious traditions, Frances Nakamura, 87, has been chanting mantras since childhood. When Nakamura was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2024, the mental focus and breath work techniques she learned through her lifelong practice of religious meditation helped her successfully complete her radiation therapy sessions at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “Because I already knew how to time and control my breathing, my radiation treatment was a piece of cake,” she says.
According to Thyra Endicott, MD, radiation oncologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, a 30-second breath hold during radiation therapy for lung cancer improves treatment efficiency, safety and effectiveness.
“Our technology allows us to monitor patients precisely and stop treatment immediately if a patient moves. This helps us ensure that radiation is safely delivered only to a lung tumor and not to healthy lung tissue or nearby organs,” Dr. Endicott says. “Even better, when a patient is able to easily hold their breath like Frances, we can radiate a smaller volume, sometimes to a higher radiation dose, and deliver more effective treatment while lowering the risk of side effects.”
According to Dr. Endicott, Nakamura didn’t move a millimeter—and she completed her five-session treatment regimen with outstanding results. The key, Nakamura says, is focusing your mind on something else. “Repeating any type of mantra—even ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ or ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’—will take your mind off holding your breath. Anyone can do it.”
Now that she has completed lung cancer treatment, Nakamura will need routine imaging scans. But the Gardena resident says she is grateful to receive all her care in one convenient South Bay location.
“In the Los Angeles area, there are lots of choices for health care,” she says, “but Torrance Memorial is the best.”
From left: Radiation therapist Aileen Gonzalez, Thyra Endicott, MD, Frances Nakamura and radiation therapist Benny Lopez.
Venice Family Clinic
Helping South Bay families access health care
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
Did you know some South Bay families can’t afford dental care? Others need assistance to pay for vaccinations for their children. And many lack family and community support to assist after surgery or treatments.
That’s why 55-year-old nonprofit community health center Venice Family Clinic has expanded services in our community with clinics in Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Torrance, Redondo Beach and Carson. Venice Family Clinic now provides comprehensive, high-quality health care, free food, health insurance enrollment assistance, child development services, dental and vision care, and harm reduction services to 45,000 people.
“Expanding our services in the South Bay is part of our commitment to meet people
where they are and ensure that everyone—regardless of income or insurance status—has access to high-quality health care,” says Mitesh Popat, MD, CEO of Venice Family Clinic. “We just opened in Torrance, and Gardena is now our third-largest clinic, with eight to nine clinicians working daily. We also have a clinic on-site at Carson High School, in a community where there is much need.”
Venice Family Clinic began in 1970 as a grassroots organization founded by dedicated physicians who volunteered after hours to provide accessible, basic health care services to the needy in Venice. Today, through generous grants, donations and partnerships, the organization operates 21 clinics and Early Head Start centers, and three mobile clinics providing care to people in need
With 21 clinic locations and Early Head Start centers, Venice Family Clinic delivers essential care to underserved individuals and families from the South Bay to the Santa Monica Mountains.
from the Santa Monica Mountains throughout the South Bay. There are 550 dedicated staff members and 1,100+ volunteers including doctors, nurses, medical assistants and therapists.
Dr. Popat says health care needs are many in the South Bay, requiring dental, optometry, primary care and specialists for chronic conditions.
Serving the Vulnerable and Isolated
While 84% of Venice Family Clinic’s patients have health insurance, their policies may not cover all necessary care, creating financial strain—as 87% of the clinic’s patients live at or below the federal poverty level. There are additional hardships in getting care, such as securing transportation and getting time off work to see a physician. Most children need help getting to medical appointments, especially if both parents work and can’t take them.
“We have on-site clinics at schools to be accessible for students who need them,” Dr. Popat explains.
For older patients isolation is an issue, putting them at risk for depression, anxiety and stress.
“We see a lot of people who don’t have support from friends or family members. Loneliness is an epidemic,” Dr. Popat observes.
To complicate matters, many patients have diabetes and/or high blood pressure, so stroke is a possibility. Stress from isolation and lack of support can spike blood pressure and insulin levels, as well as spur depression. To
help, the clinic offers therapy and a host of behavioral health services including substance use services, support groups and counseling.
The isolation and loneliness Dr. Popat’s team encounters with patients can be especially troubling when someone needs assistance after surgery. A recent case involved a Redondo Beach adult who had a stroke while in a car parking lot. “The last thing he remembered was trying to open his car door. He woke up in the emergency room after having a major stroke. He then went to our clinic in Redondo Beach to get plugged in,” Dr. Popat explains.
To “get plugged in” within a Venice Family Clinic facility is to receive comprehensive, high-quality care. For instance, the man who had thrombolytic therapy to break a clot in his brain was functional after surgery. But he had no memory of the event and was confused and in shock, says Dr. Popat. If he had been sent home alone with medications but no access to assistance in dealing with his trauma, he likely would have become overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
“We give isolated patients a sense of belonging and provide guidance to help lower their stress levels,” Dr. Popat explains. “Once a patient realizes, ‘Ah, I have a doctor and a nurse practitioner to help,’ he knows someone will take care of him. He can breathe a little easier. It’s critical to address isolation, fear and loneliness.”
Get Involved
Organizations and individuals are always welcome to donate or volunteer at the clinic. Hospitals and organizations can also become partners.
“We partnered with Venice Family Clinic three years ago when they merged with South Bay Family Health Care. We will renew our grant this year,” says Claire Coignard, director of health education for Torrance Memorial. “They are a wonderful and dedicated organization.”
If you’d like to volunteer, there are multiple ways, such as helping with health fairs, food distribution, fundraisers, being a physician volunteer and even in-kind contributions of time or resources. Visit venicefamilyclinic.org/ volunteer for details. •
Venice Family Clinic provides vital vaccination support to families who may not otherwise be able to afford immunizations for their children.
In addition to providing highquality health care, they also provide free food to those in need.
A Venice Family Clinic physician cares for an older patient as part of the clinic's commitment to providing accessible, compassionate health care to seniors in the community.
Zest for Life
Keeping it Real
The godfather of West Coast hip-hop “breaks it down” on prostate cancer screening in the Black community and beyond.
Written by Diane Krieger | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
Alonzo “Lonzo” Williams already had several handles before prostate cancer entered the picture 14 years ago. Most knew him as the “godfather of West Coast hip-hop.”
Williams was the talent scout who had launched the careers of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, among other superstars. Artists and promoters knew him as the owner of Eve After Dark, the iconic nightclub he established in 1979. Early fans remember him as Grand Master Lonzo because Williams pioneered sounds and styles like electro funk while DJing with his group World Class Wreckin’ Cru.
But since 2011, Williams has gained a new handle. “I’m the neighborhood prostate cancer whisperer,” says the 68-year-old Compton native. Advocating for men to get tested and be
informed has become Williams’ mission. “My phone rings regularly with people saying, ‘Hey, my nephew has prostate cancer,’ or ‘My dad has prostate cancer,’” he says.
After his cancer diagnosis in 2011, Williams had cycled through the usual emotional stages. In a moment of self-pity, he remembers asking God, “Why me?” The answer came flashing back with light bulb clarity: Because you have a platform.
That same day, Williams contacted the American Cancer Society. Within a week, he was on a panel talking about his disease. Soon he was organizing a golf tournament and kick-starting an annual walkathon.
“I’m a very public person in my community,” he says. “When I started talking about prostate cancer, people started listening.”
Prostate cancer awareness advocate Lonzo Williams (center with cap) with participants from his annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk at Compton College. At this year's September 20 event, he hopes to raise $50,000 for the American Cancer Society.
At High Risk
Prostate cancer is especially relevant to Black men, who experience the world’s highest incidence of the disease—nearly twice the rate found in the general population (see sidebar). And yet, Williams says, “nobody talks about it.” He attributes this reticence to “the finger test,” referring to the digital rectal exam (DRE). It’s a running joke among comedians, who “make it seem so invasive that it leaves men terrified,” he says.
Cancer runs in Williams’ family—his mother died of the disease, and a brother and sister are fellow survivors—so he was proactive about regular screenings. A suspicious DRE in his early 50s led to close observation, lab tests and a positive biopsy, which in turn brought Williams to Torrance Memorial Medical Center, where Garrett Matsunaga, MD, performed a nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy to remove the cancerous gland.
Because Williams’ cancer was detected early, no radiation or chemotherapy was necessary. The only therapy Dr. Matsunaga prescribed was Cialis, with instructions to resume sexual activity as soon as possible. “And yes, I’m still in therapy today,” says the married father of five, with a mischievous grin.
Open Dialogue
As news of his cancer circulated, friends started sheepishly inquiring about his mixing boards and other audio equipment. They assumed he was finalizing his will.
Exasperated, Williams took to the stage of his nightclub. “Y’all may have heard I have cancer,” he told the audience, “but it’s prostate cancer, and it’s curable. So stop asking for my stuff! I’ll be OK.”
Everyone laughed, which opened a space for dialogue. Soon Williams discovered “nobody knew anything about prostate cancer. It was all myths.”
Nowadays when he speaks at prostate awareness events—which he does often—Williams educates audiences about alternatives to DRE, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, other labs that measure a patient’s 4K score or prostate health index, and an imaging technique called multiparametric MRI.
The annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk that Williams co-founded is now in its sixth year. He hopes to raise $50,000 for the American Cancer Society at this year’s event, to be held September 20 at Compton College.
On the Go
Williams also keeps busy with other projects. He hosts a weekly hip-hop-themed YouTube show, N.W.A. Stories with Lonzo Williams, with 16,000 subscribers. He continues to DJ events and work as a music promoter. In June he was in charge of “street marketing” for the Summer of Soul at the Cerritos Center, an immersive tribute to the legendary Harlem Cultural Festival.
Above: Lonzo Williams was a guest of Fox News Los Angeles to promote his Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk.
Eve After Dark, his club on Avalon Boulevard, is currently being remodeled and will reopen by year’s end. The famous venue was spotlighted in the 2022 Super Bowl LVI hip-hop halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. An aerial shot showed Dr. Dre standing on the rooftop. A 2023 documentary titled Eve After Dark chronicles the nightclub’s storied past, featuring Williams as narrator.
Williams’ other screen credits include co-writing the 2024 prize-winning documentary N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo, retracing the origins of the West Coast hip-hop movement. He also collaborated on the 2001 documentary Welcome to Death Row, as well as the 2015 feature film Straight Outta Compton and the four-part documentary series The Defiant Ones, which aired on HBO in 2017.
Hip-hop is now a global phenomenon, but Williams has stayed within a 2-mile radius of Compton his entire life, and he has no plans to leave the neighborhood he loves. His civic leadership roles include co-founding the Compton Entertainment Chamber of Commerce and The Hub City Legend newsletter.
Promoting Awareness
Williams sees his work in men’s health advocacy as another way to better his community. A stranger at a local hamburger stand once tapped him on the shoulder and said, “You don’t know me, but you saved my life.”
A Facebook video posted by Williams prompted that man to get a cancer screening. The test came back negative for prostate cancer, but other markers detected treatable early-stage colon cancer.
Another meeting haunts Williams. A man pulled him aside after a prostate cancer talk. “I wish somebody had talked to me a couple of years ago,” the 48-year-old confided. “I just found out I have Stage 4 prostate cancer. I’ll be in hospice in a few months.”
Encounters like these keep Williams focused on promoting prostate cancer awareness and pushing for early detection. “It may sound a little crazy, but in my golden years these are the things I find rewarding,” he says. “It’s my job, and I love doing it.” •
Williams hosts a weekly hip-hop themed podcast from his home studio, complete with green screen background.
PROSTATE CANCER FACTS
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually, and more than 35,000 men will die of the disease. African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. They’re 1.7 times more likely to get the disease and more than twice as likely to die of it. In America, the average age for first diagnosis is 68, but studies indicate it may develop three to nine years earlier among Black men, which is why the American Urological Association advises they consider screening by age 40. The good news is that treatment is very effective. Across all demographics, the 10-year survival rate is 98%.
Luminaries & Novas
Creating cherished memories in support of Torrance Memorial
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
The Luminaries began in 1990 with a small group of women from Palos Verdes whose goal was to support Torrance Memorial with their time and fundraising efforts. They engaged their sons and daughters to foster a volunteer spirit in youth through Novas, a popular high school volunteer program that supports Torrance Memorial. Over the years they have collectively donated more than $543,000 to fund vital hospital projects while creating cherished memories and lasting friendships.
Amanda Villa, Novas advisor, says the high schoolers volunteered approximately 10,000 hours for the 2024–2025 year. Luminaries contributed 5,000 hours. Together Luminaries and Novas make a meaningful impact through their dedication and
service, lifting patients’ spirits and supporting the hard-working Torrance Memorial staff.
“Volunteers continue the tradition of bringing comfort to patients and appreciation to hospital staff by treating them to thousands of baked goods, along with care packages, hand-made blankets and festive decorations,” explains Villa. This includes packages for the pediatric unit and craft kits for children in the hospital. The Novas also decorate the pediatric and transitional care units.
The end-of-year donation to the hospital will exceed $13,000, says Villa, with additional “wish list” items valued at $2,500 donated to the neonatal intensive care, pediatric, burn and transitional care units.
Jimin Kumamoto, incoming Luminaries president, with daughter Allison, 16, and twins Bennett and Brooke, 15—all three are Novas.
Lasting Friendships Built in Service
While the program has expanded, one thing hasn’t changed: its ability to cultivate meaningful friendships while giving back to Torrance Memorial, dedicated staff and patients.
“Co-founding the Luminaries is what I am most proud of in my life. Helping the hospital has been very good for me,” says Judy Sipes.
Current leaders echo Sipes' sentiment and express gratitude for Torrance Memorial and the fun times had while volunteering. “I was inspired to give back to the hospital,” shares Jimin Kumamoto, incoming Luminaries president. “I had wonderful delivery experiences at Torrance Memorial—they were integral in my journey to becoming a mom.”
Kumamoto, now a mom of three and a cybersecurity contract administrator, says a few sorority sisters invited her to join the Luminaries—and she’s so glad they did. “Friendships that the moms build are special. Even when the kids go off to college and we’re no longer eligible for active membership in Luminaries, there are quite a few who stick around as honorary members. I count some of the Luminaries as my closest friends.”
The 411 on Novas & Luminaries
Moms join Luminaries concurrent with their children becoming Novas, clarifies Kumamoto. The organization allows students to gain valuable experience through volunteering as patient escorts in the hospital, as well as helping outside the hospital at special events.
For instance, the group recently played a special role in celebrating two major milestones: Torrance Memorial’s centennial celebrations and the 35th anniversary of the Luminaries and Novas organizations.
“This is a great group of kind, dedicated women and their children. I wish everyone had the chance to join us in our mission to support our hospital,” says Kumamoto. •
Membership is open to Palos Verdes and Torrance residents. A new member meeting is usually held in March. Applications for fall Novas are due in August. To learn more, call Torrance Memorial Volunteer Services at 310-517-4752.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
THE 12 GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FROM THE NOVAS OF TORRANCE MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER!
The 2025 graduating class celebrated their achievements with a special senior gift package, including leis, gift cards and photos to commemorate their time in the program. Their experiences in the organization have reinforced the value of service and giving back to their community, creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
From left to right: Madison Hironaka, Rylee Woodward, Trinity McKenny, Mia Constantino, Emma Pusavat, Jacob Ma, Kelly Hironaka, Nicole Huang, Gianna Villa, Jason Lee, Aaron Monzon, Daniel Huang
Community VIPs
Policing and Promoting Others
Rachel Johnson offers her distinct perspective as chief of the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
As a youngster in Houston, Rachel Johnson wanted to experience two things that enticed her on television: policing and the Southern California lifestyle. Both goals became a reality. Johnson now serves as chief of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, a role she undertook three years ago.
“Police officer is the only job I’ve ever wanted,” she says. “What gets me out of bed in the morning is giving good service to the community and determining how to do things the way the public expects while creating a place where people have fun and enjoy coming to work.”
She’s proud of the reductions in crime during her tenure—noting that auto thefts, which were at historically high rates when she started, have been reduced by half. A smash-and-grab robbery at a fine jewelry store in 2023 resulted in the arrest and conviction of five perpetrators. Staffing for parking and animal control personnel has also increased.
Johnson joined the Marine Corps after high school and served in San Diego and Okinawa, Japan. She has worked as a deputy sheriff at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and as a sergeant and lieutenant at the Newport Beach Police Department. When she started as a new captain with the Laguna Beach Police Department, Johnson was designated as the COVID-19 expert and helped get the city through the worst of the pandemic.
She became chief of the Manhattan Beach Police Department in August 2022, the first woman of color and second female to hold the position. While Johnson doesn’t dwell on her status, she
knows it inspires others. “I’ve had strangers tell me they’re proud of me and grateful to see me as a chief because it lets them and their family know what’s possible,” she says.
The mother of three teenagers, she jokes that life at home can seem more fraught than at work. “It’s hand-to-hand combat. I go to the office to relax.”
Johnson has spent her career in male-dominated professions. “The things they say about having to try twice as hard are still true, and that’s true for women generally,” she says. “What’s helped me to be successful is realizing I can’t do it their way, but I can do it my way.”
Her way involves a willingness to have conversations, consider other perspectives, ask questions and provide insights. For example, she might say, “This is how I see this. Do you see it differently?” Or she might remind the person ordering new police cars to specify movable brake and gas pedals because officers vary in height.
Risk is part of the job. Johnson has experienced three officer-involved shootings and has undergone surgeries as a result of incidents that occurred on duty. In May, she participated for the second year in a row in a 250-mile, three-day bike ride in honor of Officer Chad Swanson, who was hit and killed in October 2023. The event raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation.
Johnson’s motto is “Mission first, people always.” Her greatest satisfaction comes from helping her team members succeed. Her best piece of advice is “Be curious. Don’t take things at face value. Ask questions and seek to understand before you respond or try to solve the problem.” •
Rachel Johnson, Manhattan Beach chief of police since 2022, lives by the motto "Mission first, people always."
Community VIPs
There’s No Stopping Her
Like the Energizer Bunny, Torrance Memorial volunteer Michelle Rand keeps on going.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
At any given time, Michelle Rand is likely preparing for, working at or packing up from a volunteer activity. “I love this community. I’m a professional volunteer because I’m blessed to be able to do that,” she says.
Rand began volunteering at Torrance Memorial when her children started school. She loves to be of service, and the hospital was a natural fit. Her husband, David Rand, MD, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician, works there.
In 2004 Rand and her mother-in-law, an interior designer, teamed up to decorate a Christmas tree for Torrance Memorial’s annual Holiday Festival. Volunteers lavishly bedeck more than 30 themed trees to raise funds for the hospital. Michelle and Judith created A Beary Merry Christmas, featuring wooden bears. In 2005 the pair created a golfthemed tree as a tribute to Rand’s father-in-law, who had passed away that year.
“And that was it,” she says. “I joined the team under the direction of Carolyn Snyder, and it was off from there.” Rand joined the lead design team, which supports holiday tree designers and decorators and shops for unique decorations in Las Vegas at the annual Christmas Expo.
She says holiday event efforts happen yearround, given that volunteers work every Thursday at the warehouse to prepare for the event. That includes carefully wrapping and transporting trees and decorations to the event venue (the big white tent behind the hospital), decorating them on-site and breaking them down at the warehouse afterward.
The trees bring happiness even before the Holi-
day Festival begins. Rand recalls a woman watching the volunteers decorate the Heroes Tree in the Lundquist Tower lobby and asking if she could help. Her husband was undergoing surgery, and working with the decorations eased her mind.
A man who had just arrived from Hawaii helped for a bit and then thanked Rand. He’d come to pick up the belongings of his father, who had just passed away. “He said we made it nicer to sit while he waited,” she reports. “You never know whose life you’re going to touch.”
About a decade ago, Rand became one of the first three Santa’s helper elves, allowing her to interact more intimately with the community. “That’s my favorite role because I love people and how they react to me as an elf in that setting.” She also appears as an elf at the downtown Torrance Holiday Stroll, at a local Department of Children and Family Services Christmas event and at Community’s Child, a nonprofit organization serving homeless women and their children.
In addition, Rand volunteers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year. “Torrance Memorial has been a sponsor of the relay since 2004, which is when I started,” says Rand, who has served as event lead, sponsorship chair and Torrance Memorial team captain.
When she’s not volunteering, Rand enjoys spending time with her 2½-year-old grandchildren (one local and one in Alabama). She also loves to garden and soak in the sun. It’s the one place she stops to let her batteries recharge before heading off to the next volunteer gig. •
Michelle Rand and a 1953 Cadillac Eldorado at the fourth annual Relay for Life Car Show in Redondo Beach, benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Restaurateur
Lou Giovannetti not only runs a thriving business, he also gives back—making a lasting impact on his community.
Community VIPs
He Does It His Way
Restaurateur Lou Giovannetti sees hospitality as a philosophy of life.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
Broadway performer Lou Giovannetti only planned to stay in Southern California for six weeks to shoot a pilot for NBC. But he fell in love with Manhattan Beach. “At the time, it was a small, sleepy little town, and it was wonderful,” he says.
Giovannetti purchased a local bar, and after juggling life in New York City and Southern California, he made a permanent life here with his wife and two children. Over the next 12 years, The SideDoor served as a local favorite, where Giovannetti met many of the people who lived, worked or owned a business in Manhattan Beach.
Today he and his wife, Grace, a certified sommelier, own and manage the award-winning Primo Italia. The restaurant, located on Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance, serves authentic Italian cuisine informed by the couple’s Italian heritage.
“I have an amazing chef, and we have a lot of fun,” he says. “We do wine dinners and different off-menu things that keep everybody creatively excited.”
Primo Italia received Marchio Q certification from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West, which recognizes quality and hospitality standards of Italian restaurants around the world.
“It’s an acknowledgment of being true to exceptional service and the Italian way,” Giovannetti says.
Relationships with customers and staff make all that effort worthwhile. Some employees have worked with the couple for more than a decade. COVID-19 prevented indoor dining, but Giovannetti never considered closing the business. The restaurant prepared meals for pickup and delivery during the worst of the pandemic and later opened
an outdoor patio.
Primo Italia donated more than 3,000 meals during COVID-19 to such hospitals as Torrance Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital and to first responders at local firehouses and police stations. The restaurant also prepared weekly meals for Joan’s Wish List, a nonprofit supporting domestically abused women and their children.
“I want to be clear that four different customers stepped up to help us financially when they saw what we were doing,” Giovannetti says.
Primo Italia has helped raise funds for the victims of the Palos Verdes landslides and regularly provides donations or hosts events for community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, cancer support groups and area schools. “When something is needed, you try to rally and mobilize,” Giovannetti says. “You can have a business and still effect some change and put a smile on people’s faces.”
He also donates his talents as a singer. In his previous career, Giovannetti performed in Damn Yankees with Jerry Lewis, both on Broadway and in London’s West End. He appeared in plays ranging from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew to Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and made television appearances in Will & Grace, Charmed and NYPD Blue before transitioning out of acting.
But he still sings regularly at the restaurant and for community events, favoring Sinatra tunes. He recently performed “Fly Me to the Moon” at Torrance Memorial’s Centennial Celebration.
“Running a restaurant is like putting on a show every night,” he says. “It’s the same energy.” •
UPCOMING CLASSES
Register online or call 310-517-4711 to enroll in paid classes. Pricing is $80 or $72 for ADVANTAGE members for each 8-week series, and $40 or $36 for each 4-week series. Prenatal yoga is $88 for each 8-week series.
Class Schedule for 3105 Lomita Blvd., Torrance
ALL CLASSES ARE HYBRID (IN-PERSON OR ZOOM) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
CHAIR YOGA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS WITH DEBI
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 11 a.m. to noon
Designed for those with osteopenia or osteoporosis; strengthen muscles and bones, improve posture and balance, fall prevention and breath work. All levels welcome.
CHAIR YOGA FOR STRENGTH AND BALANCE WITH SHARMONE
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
September 18–November 6
November 20–December 18
Monday or Thursday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Use a chair in seated and standing poses to improve strength and balance.
ESSENTRICS FULL–BODY STRETCH WITH AI (IN–PERSON ONLY)
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
September 19–November 7
November 21–December 19
Monday or Friday, 11 to 11:50 a.m.
A gentle, full-body stretch to activate muscles, free joints and increase mobility. Bring a yoga mat.
INTEGRATED YOGA WITH ROBIN
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.
Breath work, postures and meditation, such as yoga nidra.
LINE DANCING BEYOND “COUNTRY” WITH SHARON
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Learn Country Western favorites, cha–cha, mambo, tango, and samba in line dancing style. No partner needed.
LINE DANCING: THE NEXT STEP WITH SHARON (IN-PERSON ONLY)
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Learn cutting-edge high beginner and improver line dances, plus more complex line dance steps. Previous line dancing experience required.
MAT/FLOOR PILATES WITH KAREN (IN-PERSON ONLY)
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
Tuesday, 4 to 4:50 p.m.
All-levels class strengthens core muscles to improve balance. Moderate fitness level needed. Bring a mat.
MUSCLE STRENGTHENING: BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH RANDY (ZOOM ONLY)
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
September 19–November 7
November 21–December 19
Tuesday or Friday, 11 to 11:50 a.m.
Strengthen your upper and lower body using flexible exercise bands.
PRENATAL YOGA WITH ROBIN (IN-PERSON ONLY)
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Learn to breathe deeply, relax and strengthen your body in preparation for the physical demands of labor and birth.
QI GONG WITH GAYLA (ZOOM ONLY)
September 18–November 6
November 20–December 18
Thursday, 9 to 10:15 a.m.
Powerful but gentle movement and meditation to rejuvenate, strengthen and relax.
STRETCHING FOR BETTER BALANCE: BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH RANDY (ZOOM ONLY)
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
September 19–November 7
November 21–December 19
Tuesday or Friday, 10 to 10:45 a.m.
Increase flexibility and mobility to help prevent injuries.
BEGINNING TAI CHI WITH RICHARD (ZOOM ONLY)
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
Tuesday, 2 to 3 p.m.
An introduction to the form of this Chinese exercise that inspires wellbeing.
INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI WITH RICHARD (ZOOM ONLY)
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Learn how to complete the form.
ADVANCED TAI CHI WITH RICHARD (ZOOM ONLY)
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Go deeper into refining movement, leading to improved health and mental focus.
YOGA BASICS WITH LAURA (ZOOM ONLY)
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
Monday, 4 to 5 p.m.
Gentle yoga poses on the floor and standing; breath work and meditation.
YOGA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS WITH DEBI
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Use poses and breath work to stimulate bone growth, increase strength, range of motion in joints, posture and balance. Floor, chair and standing poses. Bring a mat.
YOGA FOR WELLNESS WITH DEBI
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
Wednesday, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Correct posture alignment and increase strength, flexibility and range of motion.
Class Schedule for Malaga Cove, 2550 Via Tejon, Palos Verdes Estates
ALL CLASSES AT THIS LOCATION ARE INPERSON ONLY
MENOPAUSE 101
October 2
Thursday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Learn techniques to navigate and manage menopause with confidence.
Led by Ann Boss, RN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. $25; $20 ADVANTAGE members
ALIGN THE SPINE WITH JOY
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
Monday, 9 to 10 a.m.
These Feldenkrais Method lessons help restore or avoid deterioration of your posture without pain or strain. Bring an exercise mat and hand and bath towel.
BONES FOR LIFE WITH JOY
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
Monday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
These Feldenkrais exercises help support bones through gentle, weight-bearing exercises that require no strain or pain. Improve posture and bone health.
CHAIR EXERCISE: BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH PAM
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
Tuesday, 8 to 9 a.m.
Improve strength and balance using a chair. Bring an exercise band and light hand weights (optional).
EXERCISE TO THE OLDIES WITH PAM
September 16–November 4
November 18–December 9
Tuesday, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.
Promote endurance and flexibility with standing and floor exercises. Bring a mat, light hand weights and a "CAN DO" attitude!
ESSENTRICS® STRENGTH – NEW!!
September 14–November 2
November 16–December 7
Sunday, 9 to 9:50 a.m.
Combines strengthening and stretching for a toned, pain-free body. Includes floor exercise. Bring yoga mat.
ESSENTRICS® FULL-BODY
STRETCH WITH AI
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
September 20–November 8
November 22–December 20
Wednesday, 11 to 11:50 a.m.
Saturday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
A gentle, full-body stretch to activate muscles, free joints and increase mobility. Bring a yoga mat.
YOQI® QIGONG FLOW AND SOUND BATH – NEW!!
September 14–November 2
November 16–December 7
Sunday, 10:30 to 11:40 a.m. Gentle, slow movements, breath work, self-massage and sound bath meditation. All levels welcome. Bring yoga mat. Blanket/pillow and eye pillow optional.
MUSCLE STRENGTHENING:
BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH RANDY
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Learn correct, safe techniques for strengthening your upper and lower body using a chair and flexible exercise bands.
MUSCLE STRENGTHENING: INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED WITH RANDY
September 18–November 6
November 20–December 18
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Resistant band and hand weight exercises for flexibility and strength for a full-body workout.
STRETCH & SOUND BATH
MEDITATION WITH AI
September 17–November 5
November 19–December 10
September 20–November 8
November 22–December 20
Wednesday, 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.
Saturday, 12:30 to 1:20 p.m.
Gentle stretch and breath work, sounds and vibrations from various sound bath instruments. Bring a yoga mat, blanket and pillow.
STRETCHING FOR BETTER BALANCE WITH RANDY
September 15–November 3
November 17–December 8
September 18–November 6
November 20–December 18
Monday or Thursday, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
This fun workout in a chair is designed to help increase flexibility to prevent injuries.
YOGA FOR STRESS REDUCTION WITH DEBI
September 20–November 8
November 22–December 20
Saturday, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Gentle yoga poses on the floor, seated and standing to increase flexibility, strengthen the body and improve balance. Breath work and meditation reduce stress.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Check TorranceMemorial.org/ classes for more information or call 310-517-4666.
It’s Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Search for Common Ground
David Litt (Memoir)
An incredibly relevant, enjoyable and timely book, perfect for the South Bay. Former Obama speechwriter David Litt takes up surfing. Focused on Litt’s relationship with his brother-in-law, who surfs but sits on the other side of the political divide, the story shows how surfing provided the needed bridge to the wide gap in their extremely different world and life views. Give it a try; it’s fun.
Mark Twain
Ron Chernow (Biography)
Ron Chernow takes a 1,200-page deep dive into research on the life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens from start to finish and no waiting between seasons. Chernow is a recipient of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize and author of some of the most celebrated biographies of our time, including Washington: A Life, Grant and Alexander Hamilton, the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical.
8 Books for Summer Reading
Pulse magazine spoke with Linda McLoughlin Figel of {pages} a bookstore about her top summer reading book recommendations. Located in Manhattan Beach, {pages} is an independent bookstore serving the South Bay. Figel and her book-savvy staff are masterful in matching readers with just the right books. Their well-curated inventory makes finding your next read a delightful adventure. Here are some of her top summer reading suggestions.
Memorial Days
Geraldine Brooks (Memoir)
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March, Horse: A Novel and People of the Book. A very personal memoir offering an intimate account of Brooks’ grief and journey past the unexpected and untimely death at age 60 of her husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Anthony Horwitz. In this candid account, she pulls no punches. For readers of Joan Didion's Year of Magical Thinking, this is another grief memoir worth seeking out. A gift and a gem to be treasured and shared.
My Friends
Fredrik Backman (Fiction)
From the author of A Man Called Ove comes this heartfelt novel about an unlikely group of teens whose seaside friendship echoes decades later through a mysterious painting that profoundly impacts a young woman’s life as she encounters it. A moving story of love, loyalty and the lasting power of connection. This gem will stay with you long beyond the last page.
Run for the Hills
Kevin Wilson (Fiction)
Imagine your father leaving you and your mother, and you have not heard from him for the past 20 years. Enter the older brother you didn't know you had, who shows up on your organic farm in rural Tennessee to introduce himself and invite you on a cross-country road trip to find your other abandoned siblings and your father. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp of a family drama full of Wilson's signature heart and humor.
The Names
Florence Knapp (Fiction)
This is a brilliant, literary and poignant "sliding doors" novel. The concept of one's chosen name triggering the sliding doors of life's outcome is original, and debut author Knapp’s execution is exquisite! This book has it all: deeply sympathetic, multidimensional characters, difficult personal and domestic issues, and a trajectory that keeps the reader turning pages at a rapid pace. This one will stay with you for a very long time and have you considering so many what-ifs.
The Original Daughter Jemimah Wei (Fiction)
Set in Bedok, Singapore, this poignant debut novel by Wei explores a woman's relentless pursuit of success with little to show for it, contrasted with a sister whose hard work seems to pay off in ways the narrator wishes her own did. This story of two sisters separated in their youth is rich with complex family dynamics—a complicated mother-daughter relationship, an estranged father and a one-sided sibling rivalry. Wild Dark Shore
Charlotte McConaghy (Fiction)
The Salt family members are the sole inhabitants of a desolate island midway between Tasmania and Antarctica, tasked with servicing the world’s largest seed vault. While the Salts struggle to protect their beloved island and their own secrets, everything is thrown into even greater peril when a woman washes ashore. Fast-paced, compelling and thought-provoking.
Visit pagesabookstore. com to sign up for their newsletter and stay up to date on new releases, visiting authors, author luncheons, book clubs and more.
Pediatricians Richard Brucker, MD, and Lindsey Brucker, MD, are all about family— whether it’s caring for young patients or enjoying downtime with their own boys, Owen and Zane. From board games to soccer and playground adventures across the South Bay, this dynamic doctor duo makes the most of every moment together.
Vital Stats
Hometown: West
Torrance
Kids: Owen, 9, and Zane, almost 3
Favorite Board Games: Rummikub, Hogwarts Battle, Cards Against Humanity
Top South Bay Parks: Wilson Park (Torrance), Veterans Park (Redondo Beach), Rocketship Park (South Torrance), Paradise Park (West Torrance), South Park (Hermosa Beach), Polliwog Park (Manhattan Beach), Acacia Park (El Segundo)
All Things Harry Potter: “We’re deep, deep into wizards right now,” Lindsey says. They’ve seen all the Harry Potter movies many times, and J.K. Rowling’s audiobooks are fan favorites during cross-town drives to visit grandparents and cousins. A “wizarding world” experience at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour topped last year’s family vacation in London.
The Brucker Bunch
Written by Diane Krieger | Photographed by Siri Berting
“Transportation chic” is how Lindsey Brucker, MD, describes the decor of the West Torrance home she shares with her spouse, Richard Brucker, MD.
“A school bus here, a trash truck there, little Hot Wheels all over the place,” she says with a grin, gesturing at the automotive design elements artfully distributed by their almost 3-year-old son, Zane. Whiffs of wizardry add enchantment to the Brucker homestead, compliments of 9-year-old Owen, who’s mad about all things Harry Potter.
The Torrance Memorial Physician Network couple wouldn’t want it any other way. Richard is a pediatrician, after all, and Lindsey specializes in adolescent medicine. After caring for young patients all day, the Brucker doctors like nothing better than indulging their boys.
Zane loves playgrounds, so they regularly hit the neighborhood swings, slides and monkey bars. “We’ve been to every playground in the South Bay,” Lindsey says, beaming with pride. Longer day trips take the family to area theme parks and escape rooms.
Board games are a popular pastime. After dinner, Richard might bring out the antique wood-and-felt Rummikub set bequeathed by his great-grandmother, or perhaps Hogwarts Battle, the Harry Potter-themed board game that is Owen’s current favorite.
The six-year age gap adds an element of challenge when trying to please both boys, but somehow it all works out. “Owen loves Zane, and Zane loves Owen,” Lindsey says.
He hasn’t taken up Quidditch yet, but Owen plays AYSO soccer and Richard stays involved as team coach. Having hung up his cleats by third grade, the 40-year-old physician studied YouTube videos to refresh rusty skills and learn new drills. Being a pediatrician with EMT training gives Richard a leg up on ordinary coaches—he can tend to game day bumps and bruises right on the field.
According to his wife, Richard was born to be a pediatrician. His grandmother used to entertain children as a medical clown at cancer charity events, and young Richard would assist with magic tricks. Today he wears crazy fun socks and Disney Crocs. The Ted Lasso-inspired sign hanging in his office reads: “Believe.”
Fatherhood has built on Richard’s natural proclivities.
“I’m a far better pediatrician after having kids,” he says, “because I can relate to the families so much more.”
With Owen soon entering his tweens, Lindsey is gaining a
new parental perspective on adolescent medicine. A genuine affection for teenagers drives her practice. “They’re a fun group,” she says of a population often labeled difficult. “My office is a judgment-free zone.”
Richard and Lindsey met in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Lindsey originally comes from the Washington, D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland. She studied biology at Cornell University and interned at the National Institutes of Health every summer, and then she spent a gap year conducting HIV research in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases lab of Anthony Fauci, MD. Before entering the MD program at Tulane University, she earned a master’s degree in pharmacology there.
Richard grew up in Beverly Hills—his polymath father is a former two-term mayor, owner of an ink manufacturing company in Gardena and a prolific inventor. Before starting his MD program at Tulane, Richard studied psychology at Indiana University and spent his summers working as an EMT in Los Angeles.
At Tulane, Richard and Lindsey threw themselves into public service, from tuberculosis clinics for the homeless to medical relief trips to Haiti. A “couple’s match” took them together to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque for their residencies.
In 2014 the doctors settled in Southern California, where Lindsey began a two-year fellowship in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) while Richard started his career in the NICU at Cedars-Sinai. In what he calls a “circle-of-life moment,” Richard—who was born at Cedars—found himself assisting in a high-risk delivery alongside the same OB who had delivered him.
When her CHLA fellowship ended, Lindsey joined Torrance Memorial, recruited by Linda Schack, MD, who runs the Eating Disorders Medical Unit. In addition to caring for hospitalized eating disorder patients, Lindsey sees adolescents and young adults in her outpatient clinic at the Skypark campus.
In 2018 Richard joined his wife at Torrance Memorial Physician Network in the Manhattan Beach location. He later opened the pediatric clinic in El Segundo and also rounds on newborns at the main hospital.
They both love being part of the laid-back South Bay community. “It’s fun running into patients at local places like Handel’s Ice Cream,” Lindsey says. •
Flash Events
DENIM AND DIAMONDS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
April 25, 2025
Torrance Memorial’s Denim & Diamonds celebration kicked off the hospital’s Centennial weekend in sparkling style. Held under the big white tent, the evening brought together more than 300 guests who danced beneath a dazzling disco ball and celebrated 100 years of exceptional care and community.
Photographed by Ed McClure & Philicia Endelman
1. Keith Hobbs, Melanie Lundquist, Richard Lundquist, Craig Leach
2. Saxon Nowotka, Wes Kauble, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Priscilla Hunt (front)
3. Marilyn MacLeod, Tracy Bracken
4. Luke Dauchot, Jackie Geiger, Greg Geiger
5. Jennifer Hennessey, Paul Hennessey, Christy Abraham, Jay Abraham, Gary Zimmerman
6. Regina Finnegan, Song Klein, Caitie Cleeland, Helaine Lopes
7. May Su, Betty Tung, Mimi Liu, Joanne Chang, Beatrice Sheng
8. Roy Fu, MD, Peter Weinstein, Tracy Bercu, MD, Allison Shen, Alex Shen, MD
9. Jeff Neu, Tiffany Neu, Andrea Zislis, Michael Zislis
10. Stephanie Tang, DO, Gretchen Lent, MD
11. Jerry Marcil, Laura Schenasi, Pat Theodora
12. Karen Pryor, Jim Sala, Andrea Sala, Sophia Neveu
Flash Events
39TH ANNUAL TORRANCE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT
June 2, 2025
The 39th annual Torrance Memorial Golf Tournament was a sold-out success and brought together 136 golfers for a day on the scenic Palos Verdes Golf Club course, raising funds to support the Lundquist Leach Emergency Department expansion campaign. The event kicked off with a putting contest and wrapped up with a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and awards banquet. City National Bank once again served as the tournament sponsor, with Rick Higgins as the tournament chair.
Photographed by Ed McClure
1. Sam Lim, Jonathan Camarillo, Patrick Ordonez, Eric Wong
2. Lowell Hill, John Moody, Keith Hall, Pete Ricci
3. Nancy Anantavara, Keith Hobbs
4. Ken Baronsky, Lisa Baronsky, Erin Sloves, Andrew Sloves
5. Nick Burdiak, Elizabeth Adlam, Chris Adlam, Zach Matos
6. Steve Calvillo, Hudson Meyer, Harrison Kerscher, Jon Lund
7. Bill Larson, Neal Verga, Alex Kerr, Nancy Anantavara
8. Dam Congdon, Jordan Lopez, Keith Hobbs, Brian Matthews
9. Marc Schenasi, Madeline Schumacher, Alex Schumacher, Damon Hoover
10. Tom McCarthy, Greg Davis, John Mavredakis, Sam Sheth
11. Scott Rouse, Mark Rouse, Jarrett Rouse, Chris Profeta
12. Jeff Higgins, Erik Higgins, Rick Higgins, Ted Fisher
13. Craig Leach, Erin Hansen, Kurt Hansen, MD, Adam Goodman, MD, Paul Leach, David Leach, Daniel Leach
Flash Events
YPPA MEETS AT HENNESSEY’S HERMOSA BEACH
March 14, 2025
Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance (YPPA) members and friends met at Hennessey’s Tavern in Hermosa Beach. Jaime McKinnell, MD, welcomed guests. YPPA committee member Stephanie Bezner shared about YPPA’s impact, and Kurt Hansen, MD, shared details on the fundraising campaign for the emergency department expansion.
Photographed by Philicia Endelman
1. Jamie McKinnell, MD, Sophia Neveu
2. John Andrawis, MD, Kurt Hansen, MD, Mina Diaz, Michaela Andrawis, Erin Hansen, Stephanie Sherman, Brad Sherman
3. Stephanie Bezner, Angela Park Sheldon, Brooke Sigler
4. Angela Park Sheldon, Heather Davis, Sarah Wohn, PsyD, Monica Farrell Bringleson
5. Kathy Levy, Kevin Fujimoto, PsyD, Dawn Barry
6. Brandon Hohm, Cassie Parra, Jeff Su
7. Brooke Sigler, Melanie Rivera, Nicholas Maddox, Stephanie Bezner
Torrance Memorial Heritage Society members were appreciated and acknowledged for their visionary giving at the annual luncheon at Palos Verdes Golf Club. They were joined by donors who have contributed annually for 10 or more consecutive years. Jaime McKinnell, MD, infectious disease specialist, spoke about understanding vaccine risks. Heritage Society members have designated Torrance Memorial with a gift in their estate plan. For more information, please contact Nicholas Maddox, director of planned giving, at 310-784-4843 or nicholas.maddox@tmmc.com.
8. Professional Advisory Committee: Suzanne Grudnitski, Tiana Takenaga, Yvonne Chavez, Beti Bergman, Stuart Tsujimoto, Grace St. Clair, Carol Kulencavich, Nicholas Maddox, Kevin Bidenkap, Karen Pryor, Nadia Antii, Larry Takahashi, Gregory Shill, Abby Waddell
9. Elaine Booth-Carnegis, Tim Richardson, Mary Richardson
“The next 100 years start now.”
– Torrance Memorial CEO Keith Hobbs
Next-Century Talk
As Torrance Memorial enters its second century, CEO Keith Hobbs identifies major themes shaping the future.
Photographed by Micheal Neveux
With the hospital’s centennial celebration behind him, Torrance Memorial CEO Keith Hobbs is laser-focused on the future. Pulse magazine sat down with him to map out the road ahead. Here are some highlights from his conversation with interviewer Diane Krieger.
As Torrance Memorial enters its second century, what changes can the community expect?
One hundred years ago, a promise was made: to care for our neighbors, to embrace innovation and to build something that would stand the test of time. Much has changed, but our core mission remains the same. Every step we take forward is rooted in people—our physicians, our staff, our volunteers, our community. They are the heart of this hospital.
The community can expect expanded access to local and specialized services and continued excellence in the delivery of care. Our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai continues to be a catalyst for growth—especially building on our capabilities in cardiovascular care, oncology and neurosciences. This partnership gives South Bay residents access to more advanced treatments and cutting-edge clinical trials without leaving the community.
We’re also integrating advanced digital technologies like AI-assisted diagnostics. And we’re laying the groundwork to become a full academic medical center so we can train and empower the next generation of health care leaders.
Can you name specific forward-looking projects now underway?
We’re going through the expansion of the emergency department to double its size. We will become the first two-story ED in California, which represents a groundbreaking advancement in the way we deliver critical care.
Why a two-story ER?
There wasn’t enough space around our existing emergency department to go outward. The most cost-efficient location was literally right above the current space, which happened to be vacant. It used to be an ICU that we closed in 2014.
In terms of patient experience, will a double-decker ED feel any different?
Patients really should see no difference except faster care, thanks to a doubling of our capacity.
You mentioned Torrance Memorial’s aspirations to become a teaching hospital. What is the time frame for housing a full residency program here?
Our residency program is already underway, with a clear road map for expanding into additional clinical disciplines across the Health System.
Last fall we introduced an internal medicine elective and primary care rotation for Cedars-Sinai residents. In Fiscal year 202526, we will expand these offerings to include an orthopedics rotation for Harbor UCLA residents and a thoracic surgery rotation for Cedars-Sinai residents.
Front (from left): Keith Hobbs, Torrance Memorial president and CEO; Jaleesa Amezaga, RN; Emma Menchavez, food services staff
Back: Savanna Gonzalez, volunteer, and Oren Zaidel, MD, chief of staff
Over the next two years, we anticipate providing more rotations for Cedars-Sinai residents in general surgery, neurosurgery and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Beginning in 2028, we will evaluate these rotations and initiate planning for a fully established Torrance Memorial residency program— positioning Torrance Memorial as the primary training site for all our residents.
You mentioned some technological advances. Can you elaborate?
Torrance Memorial has implemented what we call the “digital front door” — a more convenient, patient-friendly way to engage with our health system. About a year ago, we started offering patients the option to submit their information online—at their leisure, from a computer, tablet or mobile phone. I actually used it myself just last night for an upcoming appointment. When I arrive at the clinic, there’s no need for a clipboard —everything will already be in the system.
We’re also rolling out an innovative AI-assisted technology called “ambient listening” to improve the care we provide. This technology is already in use at many of our primary care clinics. Our primary care physicians now ask for permission to record every patient visit. With patient consent, physicians can now record each visit. The recording is securely uploaded to the patient’s medical record, and the chart is automatically updated—improving both accuracy and efficiency. Our physicians are more easily able to focus on the patient over the computer screen. From a work-life balance perspective, it means doctors won’t have to review hundreds of records to finish their charting after hours. It’ll all be done in real time.
Is there any concern about protecting patient privacy?
AI in the hospital setting has to come with strict guardrails. Because this technology is part of our electronic medical records system, it is secured like all other patient records. And ambient listening filters out personal information. For example, if you talk about your grandkids, AI knows to delete that part of the conversation.
Where else will ambient listening technology be deployed?
AI technology is rapidly evolving and we plan to expand its use into our urgent care clinics and emergency department soon, with future integration across all our nursing units. Our goal is simple, to give our staff more time to focus on what matters most— caring for our patients.
Any other smart technologies on the horizon?
We’ve added AI to our lung screenings to help identify cancers in earlier stages.
Is Torrance Memorial ahead of the curve with AI?
We’re not the first hospital to incorporate AI, but we’re an early adopter. Given the size and long-standing success of our organization, and our affiliation with the Cedars-Sinai Health System and its large academic medical center, we need to be at the forefront of emerging tech. We are preparing for what’s next. Investing in research and innovation. Prioritizing wellness. Deepening our partnerships. Staying true to the values that have carried us through a century of care. Together, with our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai, we can accomplish anything in the next 100 years. Because this is more than a hospital—it’s a legacy. A living, breathing promise to care, to serve and to lead. •
Dr. Oren Zaidel and Keith Hobbs look ahead as the medical center prepares to enter its second century of delivering exceptional care to the South Bay.
