Torrance Memorial's Lundquist Tower celebrates 10 years
Summer 2024
OUR EXPERT TEAM HAS ONCE AGAIN RANKED FIRST AMONG SOUTH BAY HOSPITALS BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. Combined with Newsweek rankings, Torrance Memorial places in the top 1% in the nation, further solidifying our position as the number ONE hospital in the South Bay. Torrance Memorial’s quality results and rankings far exceed any other hospital in the community. Learn more at TMGetTheFacts.org
PULSE magazine
A Publication of the Torrance Memorial Health System
3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505
310-325-9110
EDITOR
Jill Biggins Gerbracht
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARKETING
Erin Fiorito
PUBLISHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Vincent Rios
ART DIRECTOR
Wendy Saade
COPY EDITOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Frank Albano, MS, RDN
Lisa Buffington
John Ferrari
Moe Gelbart, PhD
Diane Krieger
Laura Roe Stevens
Melissa Bean Sterzick
Nancy Sokoler Steiner
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Siri Berting
Peter Cooper
Deidre Davidson
Philicia Endelman
Ed McClure
Michael Neveux
Vincent Rios
Laura Watts Published by Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.
We hope you have been enjoying a safe, healthy and relaxing summer, making memories with family and friends. As I near the end of my first year as president and CEO of Torrance Memorial this fall, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride in our community, especially as it is reflected in the outstanding individuals we continue to highlight in this magazine.
In the midst of the challenges we have all faced both locally and globally over the past few years, Torrance Memorial has stood resilient, guided by a commitment of innovation, excellence and, above all, humanity. This summer edition of Pulse magazine is a celebration of this spirit—a testament to the unwavering dedication of our staff, the trust placed in us by you, our community, and the inspiring stories of recovery and hope that unfold within our walls.
This issue not only highlights our medical achievements and advancements but also puts a spotlight on some of the individual journeys of passion and perseverance displayed by our community VIPs, like Amber Sheikh and her tireless efforts to combat homelessness; Sheldon Brackett and his dedication to the mental health of our local youth; and Julia Parton with her commitment to so many local charitable entities.
This year we proudly mark the 10-year anniversary of the Lundquist Tower, which opened in 2014 and has evolved to meet the South Bay’s health care needs, providing a healing space dedicated to patient comfort and advanced, compassionate care. The new, state-of-the-art medical center opened its doors with the latest technology and transformed health care in the South Bay. Ten years later, Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Tower continues its commitment of world-class care with a focus on future expansion and innovation.
We are also honored to announce that Torrance Memorial has received a CMS 5-star rating for overall hospital quality. Combined with our CMS 4-star patient experience, this puts Torrance Memorial in an elite group of hospitals. And once again we were chosen as the Daily Breeze South Bay’s Best Hospital for the 15th year and by U.S. News & World Report as the 43rd best hospital in the country, 9th best in California and 4th best in Los Angeles/Orange Counties. Read more on page 6.
As we move forward, and with the upcoming expansion of our new two-story emergency department underway, I am confident that Torrance Memorial will continue to evolve and thrive, guided by our shared values and commitment to excellence. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Keith Hobbs President/CEO
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
If you do not wish to receive future issues of this publication, please email publications@tmmc.com with your name and complete address as it appears on the mailing panel.
Robert
A
a bank vice president who thrives on community
and a homeless advocate who promotes systemic change along with personal attention.
PHOTO: MICHAEL NEVEUX
Hundreds of PVUSD schoolkids have learned the basics of krumpin' and breakin' from dance wizard Robert Gilliam.
The
Torrance
Managing your cardiovascular risk factors is easier than you think.
Providing new nurses with the tools they need to build fulfilling careers.
Medicare is the same, but do you know if your coverage has changed?
Awards and Accolades
U.S. News & World Report
Prestigious awards are earned, and Torrance Memorial Medical Center has again been recognized as a Best Hospital for 2024–2025 for the 13th year by U.S. News & World Report. This year our rankings remain the 9th highest ranking hospital for overall hospital quality in California and 4th in the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. This year we are nationally ranked in orthopedics and OB-GYN and ranked high-performing in six specialties. We also rank high-performing in 16 of 20 “conditions and procedures” areas. Ranking in the top 3% shows we are delivering on our vision to provide patient-centered care with the highest level of quality and service to the community. It means we are honoring our promise to deliver our core values of Service, Excellence, Knowledge, Stability and Community.
2024–2025
High-Performing Specialties
High-Performing in six specialties and ranked nationally in orthopedics and OB-GYN and endocrinology
Orthopedics –Ranking #37 in the Nation NEW OB/GYN Ranking –#43 in the Nation NEW
Diabetes Endocrinology
Gastroenterology and GI Surgery
Neurology/Neurosurgery
Pulmonologist lung surgery
Urology
2024–2025 –
High-Performing
Conditions and Procedures
16 out of 20 Conditions/Procedures
Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Colon Cancer Surgery
Diabetes
Gynecological Cancer Surgery
Leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma
Heart Attack
Heart Failure
Hip Fracture
Hip Replacement
Kidney Failure
Knee Replacement
Lung Cancer Surgery
Pneumonia
Prostate Cancer Surgery
Stroke
South Bay’s Best
We are honored our community has once again voted Torrance Memorial Medical Center as the BEST hospital in the South Bay. Readers also voted us BEST: Cancer Treatment Center, Medical and Hospital Groups, and Nutrition Services. We were also voted FAVORITE: Knee Center, Medical Supply Store (Healthlinks), Local Outpatient Pharmacy, Physical Therapy Center, Urgent Care Facility and Workplace.
VOTED BEST:
• Hospital
• Cancer Treatment Center (Hunt Cancer Center)
• Hospital Group (Torrance Memorial Physician Network Primary Care/IPA)
• Medical Group (Torrance Memorial Physician Network/ IPA)
• Nutrition Services
• Physical Therapy Center
VOTED FAVORITE:
• Knee Center
• Medical Supply Store –Healthlinks
• Pharmacy (Local) – Torrance Memorial Outpatient Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy Center
• Urgent Care Facility
• Workplace
Newsweek’s America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024
Torrance Memorial Medical Center has been recognized as part of Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024. High-quality maternity care, provided from pregnancy through birth and postpartum, is key to the long-term health of newborns and women who give birth. We are honored and proud to receive this accomplishment. Newsweek and Statista have partnered to identify this elite group of only 404 leading hospitals in the field of maternity. The list is based on three pillars of a nationwide online survey from doctors, health care professionals and hospital managers, results from patient experience surveys and hospital quality metrics. Based on the analysis results, Torrance Memorial is recognized as America's Best Maternity Hospitals 2024, reinforcing our reputation of high-quality maternity care, excellent childbirth and postpartum care. The award list was announced on May 8 and is currently available on the Newsweek website.
CMS.gov Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Torrance Memorial Medical Center joins an elite group of hospitals that received CMS 5 stars for overall hospital quality rating. CMS is the federal agency providing health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Health Insurance Marketplace. CMS works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality, equity and outcomes in the health care system. The methodology used to calculate overall star ratings 1–5 (5 being the highest measurement of excellence) involves multiple steps to select, standardize and calculate scores based on Care Compare measures. Using a seven-step process, the overall rankings are then weighted based on measured groups of mortality, safety, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Of the nearly 5,000 hospitals measured, only 10.4% receive a 5-star ranking! Congratulations on this prestigious hospital quality rating.
American College of Surgeons
Torrance Memorial recently earned the distinction of being named an American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner. The Surgical Quality Partner designation highlights Torrance Memorial’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care as evidenced by our participation in the following quality programs: Commission on Cancer, National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers, and Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Accreditation of Torrance Memorial’s cancer program, breast program and bariatric program reflects our proven record of adhering to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality to minimize complications, improve outcomes and save lives.
Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval — Laboratory and Point-of Care Testing Accreditation
Torrance Memorial Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Laboratory and Point-of Care Testing Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. Torrance Memorial underwent a rigorous unannounced onsite survey in late April. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated compliance with Laboratory standards spanning several areas including blood administration, point of care, critical result notification (RNMD), pathology and performance improvement. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews. Congratulations to the Laboratory Team, Point-Of Care areas, and staff who were involved during the survey process.
Healthy Bites
Staying Healthy and Hydrated in the Summer Heat
Written by Frank Albano, MS, RDN, Torrance Memorial Clinical Dietitian
With the warmer summer months upon us, paying special attention to our hydration is important for staying healthy and active. Hydration is the process of replacing water lost in the body through urination, sweating and gastrointestinal tract movement. While we can get some water from our food, on average a healthy adult male needs 3 liters or 12 cups (101 ounces) of water per day, and a healthy adult female needs 2.16 liters or 9 cups (73 ounces) of water per day from drinks to remain hydrated. A proper balance of adequate fluid intake and, in some cases, electrolyte restoration can keep us sufficiently hydrated and ready for a day out in the sun.
MEASURING HYDRATION STATUS
Feeling Thirsty Despite what you may think, feelings of thirst or a dry mouth are often late indicators of hydration status. This mechanism is activated by the kidneys to absorb as much water as possible after we have been poorly hydrated for some time.
Urine Color A fairly accurate and simple way to determine hydration is by paying attention to your urine color. Generally, the darker your urine color, the more concentrated it is—meaning you are less hydrated.
Heavy Sweater — If you sweat easily or with minimal exertion, you are considered a heavy sweater and may lose a greater volume of fluid and electrolytes compared to a normal or average sweater.
ELECTROLYTES AND HYDRATION DRINKS
Electrolytes — Electrolytes are an important aspect of hydration; they help balance the water content in the blood. Many minerals play a role in this, but the top two are sodium and chloride, as they are key for fluid retention. Salt, a combination of sodium and chloride, is necessary for adequate hydration since water follows the absorption of salt. We often lose sodium through our sweat.
Sports Drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) — These drinks are a great option for extremely active individuals, endurance runners or high-intensity sport athletes to maintain hydration during times of extreme loss. However, these are often not needed for routine use to maintain hydration. Here are three factors to consider when selecting a hydration drink:
• Electrolyte Content: Look for sports drinks containing electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Sodium assists with retaining fluids, and potassium promotes the maintenance of fluid volume.
• Calorie Count: Depending on your fitness goals, the calorie count of your chosen sports drink might have a significant impact.
• Sugar Content: While checking the calories, check the sugar content too (it's recommended that they have less than 20% of the daily value of added sugars).
FOUR TAKEAWAY HYDRATION TIPS
1. Hydrate Around the Clock – The best way to avoid dehydration is to hydrate on a schedule. Thirst cues are late indicators of hydration status. So instead focus on the length of time since you last drank water. Drinking water regularly prevents you from becoming dehydrated quickly if you are out in the sun. Using water bottles as a measurement or refillable water bottles with marked lines can help you visualize water consumption and encourage intake.
2. Prioritize Water – Adequate hydration needs can be met through routine and consistent water consumption. Hydration solutions or electrolytes are helpful for very active, high-intensity and longduration sports, but they are often excessive for moderate to low-intensity exercise that most people engage in.
3. Limit Sun Exposure – Sun exposure can increase the rate at which we sweat, thereby increasing our water losses. Try moving your outdoor exercise to earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to decrease time in the sun. However, if this is not possible, seek shade wherever you can and take frequent water breaks.
4. Avoid Diuretics – Caffeinated coffee and tea, along with alcohol, can cause increased urination, leading to more water loss and a greater risk of dehydration. Staying properly hydrated before drinking these types of beverages and enjoying them in moderation helps reduce the risk.
REFRESHING NON-ALCOHOLIC GINGER MOJITO MOCKTAIL
Since alcohol can decrease our hydration status, why not try this mocktail recipe instead? By removing the alcohol, this drink becomes a great refreshing party drink to enjoy out in the sun.
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1-inch piece cucumber, grated
• juice of ½ lime
• 6 mint leaves
• ½ cup diet ginger beer
• ½ cup sparkling water
Muddle ginger, cucumber and lime in a bowl. Strain the mixture into your glass using a small strainer. Press on the mixture with your fingers or the back of a spoon to ensure all the juice is extracted from the ginger, cucumber and lime. Clap the mint leaves together in your hands 3-4 times to release the oils and scent, then add them to your glass. Add ice and top with ginger beer and sparkling water. Stir gently. Garnish with your choice of lime wheels, ginger, cucumber or mint, and serve.
SOOTHING STRAWBERRY LAVENDER INFUSED WATER
If you want a bit more flavor in your water, try this soothing and delicious infused water recipe. The process of infusing the water helps transfer the flavor of the fruits and herbs without any sugar, making this a great way to enjoy a flavored beverage and reach your hydration goals.
• ½ cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3 sprigs lavender
• 2 quarts filtered water
Thoroughly wash strawberries, then hull and slice. Combine strawberries and lavender in a pitcher (preferably glass) with water. Cover the container with either a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. After 12 hours strain out solids. The infused water can be kept for up to 3 days.
Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1-2g
If you have questions or are interested in learning more techniques to help build a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, contact one of our registered dietitian nutritionists at the Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy office or our Diabetes Self-Management Program located in the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335. Call 310-891-6707 or visit TorranceMemorial.org/nutrition for upcoming classes and programs.
Allergies 101
The why and how behind allergies
Written by John Ferrari
Allergy season is upon us—but then, that’s a yearround season here in Southern California. And people with food or other allergies must contend with those sensitivities every day. But what exactly are allergies? For individuals with allergies, why does the body react the way it does to, say, peanuts or penicillin?
David Kim, MD, a Torrance Memorial otolaryngologist and surgeon, explains the why and how behind our allergies—from mild pollen sensitivities to serious food or medication allergies.
1. What causes allergies, and what determines how severe they are?
An allergy is a condition in which a person's immune system reacts inappropriately to normally harmless foreign matters such as environmental substances, medications or food. We still don’t understand what exactly causes allergies, but we know both genetics and environmental factors play a role. For instance, people with allergies are more likely to have children with allergies. The severity of an allergy is determined by many factors including the type of allergen, the frequency and quantity of allergen exposure, and a person’s age and genetics.
If severe allergy symptoms persist, talk to your doctor about available treatment options and follow a recommended plan to manage them.
2. Hay fever is typically relatively mild and causes common symptoms—sneezing, runny nose and eyes—while allergic reactions to shellfish, peanuts or penicillin can be life-threatening and include symptoms such as a rash or hypotension. Why is there such a range of symptoms?
The symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of allergen, the mode of exposure—for example, airborne versus skin contact—and the innate nature of a person’s immune system. But it’s not exactly clear why some foods and substances tend to cause more severe reactions than others. Airborne allergens usually cause more localized reactions in the nose and eyes. Food allergies are triggered by ingestion and absorption of the allergen into the bloodstream and therefore can have more widespread and severe symptoms.
3. There’s a popular perception that allergies— especially food allergies and reactions to other common allergens—are becoming more prevalent. Is this something you are seeing in your practice?
Yes. There has been an increase in allergies among general patient populations, and this has been observed in other
countries as well. One proposed explanation is the hygiene hypothesis—basically, due to improved sanitation in the modern era there has been less need for our immune system to fight germs, parasites and dirt. So it may be less developed. Also, coupled with global climate change, areas with a warmer climate such as Southern California have seen earlier and longer pollen seasons along with higher pollen counts. This can contribute to more prolonged and severe allergy symptoms. Air pollution and dietary changes may play a role too.
4. What are some treatment options for moderate to severe allergies?
People with moderate to severe allergies for whom conventional oral and topical remedies haven’t worked should consult with an allergist or immunologist and undergo a formal allergy test. If a person is found to have a specific allergy, allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be given to decrease allergy symptoms. There is also a newer class of medications called biologics, which derive from living organisms and target various pathways within the immune system. In my practice, I also offer surgical therapy for patients with refractory nasal allergy symptoms with sinus infections or nasal polyps. •
David Kim, MD, practices at Torrance Memorial Physician Network ENT at 23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 230, Torrance. He can be reached at 310-891-6733.
SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Hay fever, or seasonal allergies, can happen in the spring, summer and early fall. Seasonal allergies typically trigger the following symptoms:
• Runny nose and congestion
• Cough
• Itchy nose or throat
• Watery, itchy and/or red eyes
• Sneezing throat (postnasal drip)
• Mucus that runs down the back of your throat
• Swollen and bruised-looking area under the eyes
• Tiredness, usually because of poor sleep due to nasal congestion
TIPS TO HELP REDUCE SEASONAL ALLERGY SYMPTOMS:
Avoid high exposure to pollen
Ask your doctor about treatment options and follow a recommended treatment plan. 1 2 3 4 5
When the weather is going to be warm, avoid mowing the lawn and stay away from moldy piles of leaves. People with seasonal allergies also should avoid irritants such as strong chemicals and pollution.
Keep your home and car clean of pollen
On days when pollen counts are high, keep doors and windows closed. Stay inside, especially during afternoons and evenings when pollen levels are highest. Cool your home using air conditioning, if possible.
Clean outdoor pollen residues
After being outside on high-pollen days, shower to wash away pollen and put on clean clothes. Use saline nasal wash to help clear allergens from your nose.
Know your allergies
A simple blood test or a skin test at the doctor’s office can identify what you’re allergic to. Identifying these allergens is important to developing an effective treatment plan.
Talk to your doctor
Physician and Patient at Torrance Memorial
"Exceptional care, exceptionally close” is the right choice for Dr. Randolph O’Hara.
Written by John Ferrari I Photographed by Peter Cooper
Exceptional care, exceptionally close. Torrance Memorial’s promise means a lot to South Bay residents and patients. It means even more to the hospital’s physicians when they become patients.
Whether you’re at the hospital for a routine physical exam, diagnostic procedure or surgery, doctors are the voice of authority. But doctors are patients too, with all the concerns any patient has.
“I thought I’d go in and my cholesterol would be a little high, and that would be that,” recalls Torrance Memorial orthopedic surgeon Randolph O’Hara, MD, referring to his annual (and overdue) checkup with his primary care physician, Rumi Cader, MD. His cholesterol was high, but Dr. Cader also noticed a high heart rate and ordered an electrocardiogram. It revealed atrial fibrillation (A-fib), an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm.
A-fib is not uncommon, affecting some 5 million adults in the United States. Still, Dr. O’Hara was surprised. “I’m in my early 60s. I do cardio exercise regularly, on the elliptical and the rowing machine,” he says. “I had no symptoms.”
That’s a hallmark of A-fib—it’s often asymptomatic until a diagnostic test uncovers it. (A-fib also can be symptomatic; the
"Being a patient gave me a whole new perspective."
– Torrance Memorial Physician Network orthopedic surgeon
Randolph O'Hara, MD
most common symptoms include a noticeably rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, fainting or fatigue—all of which are symptoms of many other conditions too.) A-fib is associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke.
Dr. O’Hara also has a family history of heart attacks. With that in mind as well as his newly diagnosed A-fib, Dr. Cader referred Dr. O’Hara to a Torrance Memorial cardiologist, Eric Castleman, MD. Dr. Castleman ran several tests including a coronary calcium scan to identify any calcium buildup narrowing the coronary arteries, and an angiogram to reveal narrow or blocked arteries. The test results revealed significant coronary artery disease: three of Dr. O’Hara’s arteries were narrowed, two of them by 80%.
Dr. O’Hara was referred to cardiothoracic surgeon John Stoneburner, MD, who recommended a triple bypass and cardiac ablation surgery—a complex combined procedure but the best option. Dr. O’Hara could have opted for treatment at one of SoCal’s large university or research hospitals but chose Torrance Memorial for the staff’s experience and capabilities.
“I’ve been involved with Torrance Memorial for about 30 years,” he explains. “I know the staff very well, and I’ve seen
“I do cardio exercise regularly, on the elliptical and rowing machine. I had no symptoms.” – Dr. Randolph O’Hara
the staff grow over the years. For me, having that relationship with the staff over all these years means I had complete confidence in them. Plus I know Torrance Memorial has state-of-the-art technology.”
Bypass surgery to treat blocked or narrowed arteries is a well-known surgery; cardiac ablation is less so. The procedure uses heat or cold to cause targeted micro-scarring in the heart, blocking the electrical signals that cause arrhythmia. While cardiac ablation can be performed as a minimally invasive procedure using a catheter inserted into the heart, “that doesn’t work as well on patients with persistent atrial fibrillation” like Dr. O’Hara, says Dr. Stoneburner.
He couldn’t leave the A-fib untreated though. “It’s like the timing on a car,” Dr. Stoneburner explains. “When the timing is off, the car loses power. It’s hard on the car’s engine; it won’t last as long. But A-fib is worse than just an engine timing issue because A-fib can cause blood clots, potentially leading to a stroke.”
In Dr. O’Hara’s case, Dr. Stoneburner was able to use a new technology: the EnCompass Clamp, which increases the speed and efficiency of surgical ablations. The surgery— both the bypass and the ablation—took less than four hours.
Although he has been performing ablations for 10 years, “a lot of people don’t know that tachycardia can be fixed with ablation—catheter-based or surgical,” Dr. Stoneburner says. “There are good options for surgical or minimally invasive procedures, and they work.”
Dr. O’Hara spent five days in the ICU recovering from his cardiothoracic surgery, which he says was “an absolutely humbling experience that gave me a whole new perspective. You rely on the ICU nurses and staff. They were fantastic. I think they’re that way with everyone—they have to be to do their jobs.”
That was last winter. Dr. O’Hara was able to return to work—albeit slowly—six weeks after his surgery. He was back to performing his own surgeries a month after that. That points to the
beauty of preventive heart surgery, Dr. Cader says. Because Dr. O’Hara’s coronary disease was treated before it led to a stroke or heart attack, there are no limitations on his activities.
“Once someone has had a heart attack, there can be a weakness of the heart muscle that can lead to problems like congestive heart failure. By opening coronary arteries and preventing a heart attack, we’ve opened the patient’s options. For Dr. O’Hara there are no contraindications to do everything he wants to do.”
Dr. O’Hara is making some changes, though, to stay healthy—like improving his diet to lower his cholesterol level. “That’s a work in progress,” he admits. “I’m more aware of how I’m feeling and trying to keep from working too much, to balance a little more.”
Dr. O’Hara and his wife recently downsized, moving from Palos Verdes to Hermosa Beach. “We had a big house, but we had to drive everywhere,” he notes. “Now we can walk to restaurants and the beach. The house also happens to be right next to one of our offices.” Dr. O’Hara does plenty of walking: 5 miles along the beach most mornings before his workday begins.
Besides improving his physical health, the walks give him time to think and reflect. “Looking back, it was a great experience for me,” he says. “I have to give kudos to Dr. Cader. He’s the one who started the whole thing.”
For his part, Dr. Cader says this is the kind of case—and outcome—he likes to see. “We were fortunate to catch and treat the problems before Dr. O’Hara had a heart attack,” he explains. “Everyone 18 and older should have annual exams. Most people don’t have any notion that they have cardiac risk factors— hypertension or hyperlipidemia—until they experience something serious later on, like a heart attack. These are the cases that we love as physicians because we save lives this way— the ones where you prevent something potentially catastrophic. That’s the beauty of seeing your doctor and preventing these things from happening.” •
Rumi Cader, MD, FACP, MPH
Specialties: Internal Medicine and Primary Care
Eric Castleman, MD Specialties: Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology
John Stoneburner, MD
Specialties: Cardiothoracic, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery
Honoring Our Veterans
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Deidre Davidson
Torrance Memorial will hold its second annual Veterans Day celebration this year on November 11. After the unexpected, overwhelming success of its first event in 2023, the hospital will once again honor physicians, staff and volunteers who have served our country through military service.
“Last year’s event was met with so much pride and emotion from both veterans who served and all of us in attendance to honor them, it was hard to find a dry eye in the audience,” says event founder Mary Ford, coordinator of community outreach at Torrance Memorial.
She initially proposed the idea for the celebration after a personal observation she made over the years. “Every day I pass a veteran in a wheelchair near a gas station on my way to work,” she says. “I have had a heart for this individual for some time now, and he made me wonder how many veterans might be working
at Torrance Memorial. That’s when the light bulb went off, and I felt we should do something to honor them here on our campus.”
Following the enthusiastic reception of last year’s inaugural event, Sharif Abdul-Hafiz, manager of financial applications in the Applications & Integration Services Department, expressed his appreciation for the ceremony.
“I was impressed by how many veterans from various eras and branches of service work and volunteer here at the hospital,” says Abdul-Hafiz, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. “I was honored to be in the company of my fellow veterans as we celebrated our service to our country together and expressed our continued service to our community as part of the Torrance Memorial family. Kudos to everyone who was involved in facilitating the inaugural event. I’m really looking forward to attending again this year and seeing familiar and new faces.”
These four nonagenarians and Torrance Memorial volunteers proudly served our country.
Left to right: Robert Chiota, Frank Paour, director of service excellence
Mary Matson, Joseph Gerber, Don Hazzard
Civilian employees also praised the effort. “Attending the Veterans Day celebration and honoring our veterans was a profoundly moving experience,” says Shanna Hall, vice president of nursing. “Standing alongside those who have served our country, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and respect. Their sacrifices and dedication to preserving our freedom and values are truly inspiring. It was a humbling reminder of the courage and commitment of our service members, past and present. I am honored to have been part of such a meaningful tribute to their service.”
When presented with the idea, the hospital’s Pride and Communication Council members loved the idea, and they collectively obtained enthusiastic approval from the Operations Department and former CEO Craig Leach to hold the event. This year they will be joined by Torrance Memorial’s Care + Justice committee to make November’s event even more spectacular.
The program will once again include a luncheon, speakers and the announcement of each veteran's name. Torrance Fire Department, the Junior Color Guard and Torrance Airport’s Western Museum of Flight will also participate.
A Human Resources poll of employees and volunteers last year discovered more than 75 individuals who had served or were currently serving our country in some capacity. Five of them, all in their 90s, served in the Korean War. Sadly one of these five heroes, hospital volunteer John McGovern, passed away last March. Serving as a volunteer at the hospital since 2002 with nearly 6,000 hours to his credit, John was a generous and dedicated individual.
Each participating veteran received a specially created “Veteran” pin they could proudly attach to their hospital name badge.
“This was a great way for their co-workers, who likely didn’t know some of their peers had served or were serving, to acknowledge their service,” says Ford. “Now these veterans get thanked regularly by hospital personnel, patients and visitors.” •
Torrance Memorial senior staff members helped present the hospital's first annual Veteran's Day event.
Event volunteers, Torrance Fire Department members, the Junior Color Guard and hospital staff gathered at the 2023 ceremony.
5 Pillars of Women’s Heart Health
Managing your cardiovascular risk factors is easier than you think.
Written by Lisa Buffington
When you think about cardiovascular disease, you might think it’s just a guy thing. But according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death among women—and it kills more wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and girlfriends than all types of cancer combined. While it’s true there are some risk factors for cardiovascular disease you can’t control—such as age and family history—a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward reducing
the chances you will develop a serious heart condition.
If you want to improve your cardiovascular health, talking with your doctor is an important first step. By working closely with your doctor and other members of your health care team, you can identify your risk factors, establish specific strategies to boost your well-being, set personalized goals and track your progress over time.
For a head start, try focusing on these five pillars of women’s heart health:
A healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward reducing the chances you will develop a serious heart condition.
1. Nutrition
Whether you want to try the Mediterranean diet, manage your weight or start swapping processed foods with fresh produce, your doctor can provide the education and motivation you need to get started with a heart-healthy diet.
2. Managing chronic conditions
Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar numbers is key to keeping tabs on your health. But if you’ve already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or another chronic condition, it’s not too late to make beneficial lifestyle changes. Following your medication regimen, getting regular follow-up care, and following your doctor’s recommendations for diet and activity can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and other complications.
3. Exercise
From walking to gardening, finding an enjoyable way to get moving can help you improve your cardiovascular fitness while building strength. As an added bonus, exercise can help manage stress, contributing to improved physical and mental health.
4. Understanding your risk factors
Women may be at higher risk of experiencing a cardiac event during certain stages of life, including during pregnancy and menopause. Family history and other health conditions may also affect your cardiac health. Getting an annual physical exam and staying in close contact with your doctor can help you stay aware of your changing cardiac risk factors and take steps to manage them.
5. Overall well-being
Many women inadvertently neglect themselves when juggling the demands of managing family, work and friends. Carving out time for a self-care routine with calming practices you enjoy—such as meditation, breath work, yoga or other relaxing activities—can help improve your mental health and
overall well-being. Getting appropriate sleep is also key and can boost your mind and mood and can help prevent health problems. For optimum health and function, the average adult should get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
By focusing on these five pillars of women’s heart health, you can manage your cardiovascular health through each age and stage of life. •
The Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute Women's Heart Health Clinic is located in Torrance at 2841 Lomita Biva., Suite 100. They can be reached at 310-257-0508
A recipe for a Better You:
HEALTH ESSENTIALS
Join us for an empowering evening dedicated to enhancing women’s health. Our experts will provide insights on understanding your health risks and practical tips to boost your overall health. Enjoy health screenings, informational “recipes for a better you” exhibits, giveaways, raffle prizes and so much more!
EVENT DETAILS: Wednesday, September 18
5:45 to 7 p.m.: Reception and Health Fair 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Program
Scan QR code to RSVP by September 4. For information call 310-517-4728 or email foundation@tmmc.com. $10 suggested donation.
James R. Armstrong Theatre 3330 Civic Center Drive Torrance, CA 90503
Setting New Nurses Up for Success
Torrance Memorial’s nursing residency program gives new RNs the tools to build fulfilling careers while enhancing retention, job satisfaction, patient experience and safety.
Written by Lisa Buffington
Across the nation, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role nurses play in delivering outstanding health care. But when it comes to recognizing the value and contributions of nurses, Torrance Memorial has been ahead of the curve for years.
In 2006 the hospital demonstrated its commitment to nursing excellence by creating its new graduate RN residency program—one of the first programs of its kind in southern Los Angeles County—to support nurses during their first year of professional practice.
“When we launched the program in 2006, it wasn’t very common for hospitals to invest time and money into creating a highly structured orientation program for new nurses,” says Edward S. Nazareth, director of clinical education and one of the founding nurses involved in building the program. “However, we knew that without the proper support, nurses experience high rates of burnout during their first few years of practice—and our leadership saw the benefit developing and retaining high-quality nurses would have on patient care outcomes.”
Investing in Nursing Excellence
Nearly two decades later, the nursing residency program continues to pay dividends, contributing to higher nurse retention and job satisfaction rates, as well as patient safety and patient satisfaction scores among the highest in Los Angeles County.
“Our program receives nearly 1,000 applications each year, and we accept about 100 new nurses,” said Nazareth. “We are able to attract the best candidates because our program was created by nurses, for nurses—and we provide the tools nurses need to successfully launch and build their careers.”
The nursing residency program provides 18 weeks of classroom instruction, experiential learning and mentorship. Nurses meet with and learn from staff nurses, managers, directors and even the hospital president/CEO—an investment that allows the hospital to attract and retain the cream of the crop.
“Nationwide, the post-pandemic nursing turnover rate for hospitals is around 25% to 30%,” says Nazareth. “Torrance
A
recent Torrance Memorial new graduate RN residency program cohort on the hospital campus.
Memorial’s nursing turnover rate is around 10%, and before the pandemic, there were years when we had 100% retention.”
Through education, support and mentorship, the nursing residency program is also improving patient safety. “Our new grad nurses get so much personalized attention, and patient safety is our highest priority,” says Nazareth. “As a result, our new grad nurses have been involved in zero safety events.”
Culture of Support Benefits the Community
In addition to providing outstanding patient care, Torrance Memorial nurses build successful careers, pursue leadership positions, give back through mentorship and become integral members of the hospital team. Ninety percent of the nursing residency program’s current faculty have graduated from the nursing residency program.
And in 2019, when the nursing residency program earned its initial accreditation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Program, this longevity, continuity and organization-wide commitment to nursing excellence proved to be a significant contributing factor.
“Since 2011 Torrance Memorial has been Magnet-designated by the ANCC, which means that our team has received the nation’s highest recognition for nursing excellence,” says Nazareth. “Earning the Accredited Practice Transition Program designation was the next step on our journey, and we were able to take that one step further when we achieved the Practice Transition Program Accreditation with Distinction in September 2023.”
Perhaps most exciting of all, Nazareth says the nursing residency program is just one more example of the sense of community and caring that is evident at Torrance Memorial. “Our program is just another subset of our entire hospital culture. We’re a family, and this program provides a forum for nurses to connect with and support each other. And when we take great care of our nurses, they can take great care of our patients—which benefits the entire South Bay community.” •
NURSING RESIDENCY PROGRAM ALUM GAINS SUPPORT AND SKILLS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAM
Charge nurse Hannah Gainer is committed to supporting her patients and colleagues in her nursing leadership role at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. And as a 2018 graduate of the new graduate RN residency program, she credits the program for providing her with the tools she needed to succeed in her career.
“Most other nursing programs give new graduates six weeks of training,” says Hannah. “At Torrance Memorial, I received six months of training.”
She says one of the most helpful aspects of the program was a weekly meeting with senior nurses, which provided a forum for new grads to seek advice and support and learn coping strategies for the everyday challenges they face.
“In nursing school you learn a lot, but I learned most of the skills I have today from the nursing residency program.”
Furthermore, she says, many of the nurses at Torrance Memorial live in the South Bay, and the nursing residency program plays a crucial role in helping to retain nurses from the local community. “Our patients benefit from our unique knowledge and understanding of the community, and this program enables our nurses to grow their careers and find the support they need—without having to leave the South Bay,” says Hannah.
Jaleesa Amezaga, RN, began her career at Torrance Memorial in 2011 as a new graduate RN. Pictured above with president and CEO Keith Hobbs, Amezaga was promoted last month to clinical director of oncology/med surg and the Cancer Resource Center as a result of her demonstrated professional growth.
Open enrollment is coming, and the more you understand about your needs ahead of time, the better prepared you will be to make important decisions about your Medicare benefits.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare is the same, but have your coverage needs changed?
Written by John Ferrari
In this ever-changing world, it’s nice that some traditions remain the same year after year—like Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs each year from October 15 to December 7. During this period you can join, switch or drop a Medicare health plan or Medicare Advantage plan. You can change from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), or switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. You can also join, switch or drop Medicare drug coverage plans (Part D). Any changes you make take effect January 1. There is a separate enrollment period just for Medicare Advantage, from January 1 through March 31. During this period you can switch between Advantage plans or end your Advantage coverage and
return to Original Medicare. However, during this period you cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. Additionally, some life changes trigger special enrollment periods—for example, when you lose your current coverage or become eligible for Medi-Cal, move to a new coverage area, or move into or out of a skilled nursing facility, long-term care hospital or similar facility. If you are already enrolled in Medicare, you should receive the 2025 Medicare and You handbook in late September or early October. It’s also available online at medicare.gov/medicare-and-you. Additionally, in late September you should receive a separate notice detailing how your Medicare Advantage plans, or stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, will change in the upcoming year.
“Open enrollment is a good time to consider switching from a Medicare supplement plan, or Medigap, to an HMO, especially as you age, because Medigap premiums increase annually.”
So should you gather up your colored pens and highlighters to review your coverage and the changes for the upcoming year? Not necessarily, says licensed health insurance agent Vince Kelly. “A lot can change in five years, but year to year? Generally, not so much,” he says. “You should go over your Medicare options every few years or when your medical or financial circumstances change.”
Medicare.gov is a great resource with its Plan Finder. This is especially helpful for people not on a Medicare Advantage plan but who have a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan. This is because the stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan can be volatile in premiums each year. Medicare Advantage plans include Part D, and the majority of the Medicare Advantage HMOs have a $0 premium in Southern California.
Open enrollment is a good time to consider switching from a Medicare supplement plan, or Medigap, to an HMO, especially as you age, Kelly says, because Medigap premiums increase each year. “At age 65,” he explains, “a really good supplement plan may cost $150 per month,
but by the time you reach 75, that premium has risen to $250 or higher each month.”
And there are a few things you should check every year, like your Medicare Advantage HMO insurance card. “You should ensure that your insurance ID card has your name—with no misspellings—and lists both your primary care physician and correct medical group name, for example, Torrance Memorial IPA,” Kelly says. “Primary care physicians can move or retire. If that happens, listing your medical group on your insurance card will make it easier for you to continue receiving care from the same group.” •
For more information, go to medicare.gov; call the Torrance Memorial IPA Resource Center at 310-517-7239; call licensed independent agent expert Vince Kelly at 310-625-1837; or attend Torrance Memorial IPA’s complimentary Medicare 101 lectures (TorranceMemorialIPA. org/medicare101) for more information.
Since the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Tower opened in 2014, it has evolved to meet the South Bay’s health care needs—providing a healing space dedicated to patient comfort and advanced, compassionate care.
Written by Lisa Buffington | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
In November 2014, Torrance Memorial Medical Center opened the Lundquist Tower—a seven-story, 390,000-squarefoot, $480 million tower designed to meet the community’s health care needs for years to come. As the hospital prepares to celebrate the Lundquist Tower’s 10th anniversary, the facility continues to provide a healing environment where members of the South Bay community can receive advanced, compassionate care.
“From design to occupancy, the Lundquist Tower project was seven years in the making,” says Connie Senner, who has served as director of construction at Torrance Memorial Medical Center for 23 years. “We knew we needed a new building that met state requirements for earthquake safety, but we also wanted to create a space that would allow Torrance Memorial to raise the bar on patient experience and state-of-the-art clinical care.”
According to Senner, one of the first priorities was upgrading from doubleoccupancy to all-private patient rooms. “From a clinical standpoint, private
rooms addressed our needs for infection prevention and privacy. But from a patient experience perspective, it allowed us to create a more comfortable, private and restful environment for patients and their families.”
A Team Effort From Start to Finish
After deciding on the best location for the new tower—at the site of a former medical office building on the hospital campus—the team began making plans to acquire the building, increase parking, develop a budget and decide on the project's guiding principles.
“We knew our clinical team members needed to be involved in the project design from the beginning,” says Senner. “Every other week for a year, we held design meetings including members of our medical/surgical, progressive care, ICU, imaging, nursing and surgical teams—so everyone could give their input to ensure clinical and workflow needs were being addressed.”
“We really focused on creating work-
The success of the Lundquist Tower is due to the power of its people, including (from left) Jaleesa Amezaga, RN; chief medical officer Zachary Gray, MD; president and CEO Keith Hobbs; director of construction Connie Senner; volunteer Lori Haig; and Tracy Bercu, MD.
flows and spaces supporting the kind of care we wanted to deliver—especially for our nurses,” says Zachary Gray, MD, chief medical officer at Torrance Memorial.
After the building design was finalized, documents were submitted to the state for approval. In the meantime, Senner and her team took the building plans and created a 3D model of the tower’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Throughout the process they worked to keep staff, physicians, volunteers and the community updated on the tower’s progress.
“We went out in the community and talked about the project,” says Senner. “We also sent weekly emails to the Torrance Memorial team and created a series of 32 construction update videos.”
In 2013 Melanie and Richard Lundquist donated $50 million to the project—demonstrating their commitment to supporting enhanced access to advanced health care in the South Bay.
A Seamless Transition
When the Lundquist Tower opened—at a remarkable $10 million under budget and six months ahead of schedule—the staff, patients and community were ready. “We spent a year planning for our transition to the new facility,” says Senner. “After our transition plan was approved by the California Department of Public Health, we conducted three months of staff education to test workflows and ensure the process went smoothly.”
On November 16, 2014, Torrance Memorial team members moved more than 150 patients to the Lundquist Tower, and they haven’t looked back
since. “The Lundquist Tower is representative of how Torrance Memorial has evolved and adapted to new technology and patient needs to create an environment where patients and team members can thrive,” says Senner.
“Torrance Memorial has always been able to punch above its weight class in terms of patient experience and comfort,” says Dr. Gray. “The Lundquist Tower represents one more way the hospital can outperform on these levels.”
Leaping into the Future
Building from scratch made accommodating the newest imaging and operating room technology easier, allowing Torrance Memorial to leap ahead and still have room for future expansion.
“The Lundquist Tower is a dynamic addition to our regional medical center. And as a result, our patients can receive all the care they need right here without traveling outside the South Bay,” says Keith Hobbs, Torrance Memorial president and CEO. “During COVID-19, we were able to scale up to meet patient demand, and we recently opened a new interventional radiology suite to provide increased access to specialized care. But best of all, we still have the capacity for growth as the needs of our community evolve.”
“When you make this type of investment in a health care facility and revisit it over the years, there are sometimes things you might wish you would have done differently,” says Senner. “But thanks to the efforts of our entire team, the Lundquist Tower still feels timeless. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years.” •
TOWER FEATURES
The Lundquist Tower is a state-of-the-art health care facility that includes:
• 256 private patient rooms
• Ceiling-mounted lifts in 70+ patient rooms
• 18 surgical and interventional treatment rooms, including the South Bay’s first hybrid operating room
• An outdoor, centrally located Healing Garden
• 16.5 acres of convenient on-campus parking
• Staff lounge areas with access to natural light
The Torrance Memorial Imaging Department managers and leadership team, left to right: Susan Castillo, manager of MRI; Derek Berz, SVP and chief operating officer; Sam Rodriguez, manager of ultrasound; Christine Thune, manager of diagnostic radiology; Andy Tran, manager of nuclear medicine & PET/CT and imaging sssistants; Yolanda Gonzalez, manager of imaging nursing and 4E outpatient; Dianna Tyndall, radiology clerical supervisor; Belal Madha, manager of CT; William Ogan, manager of interventional radiology; Khalid Shariff, director of imaging services; Naween Syed Ilyas, imaging educator
UNDER THE Surface
Imaging provides information critical to diagnosis and treatment.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner
by Michael Neveux
Struggling to breathe, the patient is rushed to the emergency department. The emergency physician orders a chest X-ray, which rules out pneumonia and other chest-related diseases. Next, the patient undergoes an ultrasound to check for a clot in his legs and a CT scan to look for clots in his chest. The CT scan reveals a pulmonary embolism—a clot in the arteries sending blood to the lungs. He then goes to the interventional radiology suite, where physicians pinpoint and remove his clot.
“At this point, the patient has undergone four modalities of imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, CT and interventional radiology,” notes Khalid Shariff, Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s director of imaging services. “Thanks to the skill of practitioners and advances in technology, the patient is able to go home the same day he experienced what was previously a fatal condition.”
Imaging reveals what’s happening inside the body, helping physicians diagnose and treat problems as well as confirm a problem was successfully treated. Using sophisticated equipment, Torrance Memorial’s team of more than 300 imaging technologists, radiologists, nurses and support staff provided 337,000 imaging procedures in the hospital last year. (Another 50 experts provide comprehensive imaging services at the Vasek and Anna Maria Polak Breast Diagnostic Center’s four locations.)
“Maintaining a state-of-the-art imaging department with cutting-edge technology and highly skilled professionals is paramount for a hospital’s diagnostic and interventional care capabilities,” says Derek Berz, senior vice president and chief operating officer. “Torrance Memorial continues
Photographed
"Torrance Memorial continues to have advanced imaging capabilities that not only enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostics but also enable specialized consulting, ensuring patients receive precise and tailored medical interventions. This ultimately elevates the overall standard of health care within the institution."
to have advanced imaging capabilities that not only enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostics but also enable specialized consulting, ensuring patients receive precise and tailored medical interventions. This ultimately elevates the overall standard of health care within the institution.”
Imaging technologists must earn certification from an accredited program for their specific imaging modality, which takes at least two years. Torrance Memorial also requires its technologists to obtain state and national licenses. Because imaging is so crucial to providing care, the department maintains 24-hour staffing for most modalities. Technologists work in concert with radiologists as well as other physicians in the medical center.
“Our radiologists are always looking at evolving technology, and we in the imaging department have visited equipment manufacturing plants to see what they’re working on,” says Shariff. “This allows us to plan for equipment additions and replacements over the coming decade. We like to remain ahead of the curve.”
The medical center’s imaging department offers the full breadth of services including state-of-the-art technologies and procedures, some of which are typically found only in academic facilities. Each type of imaging has its unique function and uses:
X-ray:
How it works: When X-ray beams pass through the body, organs, tissues and bone absorb the rays at different rates. A detector converts this absorption into images.
When it’s used: Common uses for
X-rays include detecting bone fractures, pneumonia and certain cancers. Portable radiography allows for digital images to be taken at the bedside. It helps physicians and nurses with procedures such as inserting and precisely placing ventilator tubes, feeding tubes and central lines.
Fluoroscopy:
How it works: A sort of continuous X-ray, fluoroscopy provides continuous, real-time X-ray video rather than producing single images.
When it’s used: Fluoroscopy helps physicians diagnose a range of problems, including gastrointestinal and cardiac conditions, and issues involving the bladder, kidneys, musculoskeletal system and reproductive organs. For example, doctors can see a patient swallowing in real time. Fluoroscopy may also take place during procedures such as placing screws or plates during orthopedic surgery or inserting a catheter into the heart. Portable fluoroscopy allows for imaging at the bedside of patients too ill to be transported.
Ultrasound:
How it works: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs, tissue or blood flow. When it’s used: Commonly used to monitor the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy, ultrasound also helps physicians visualize the heart and blood vessels, abdominal organs, brain, thyroid, skin and muscle.
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan:
How it works: The donut-shaped Computed Tomography Scanner uses
rotating X-rays to produce cross-sectional images—or slices—of the body. Spectral technology provides images of anatomical features previously not available, such as certain tumors or calcifications. Torrance Memorial has multiple CT machines, as well as a Portable Cone Beam CT scanner—also known as an O-Arm—which makes this technology available right in the operating room.
When it’s used: Individual images and those combined to produce 3D images show bones, muscles, organs and blood vessels. They aid in diagnosing a wide range of diseases or injuries, including pneumonia, tumors, blood clots, strokes and bone fractures. CT can help guide lung biopsies and catheter insertions, among other procedures.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan and Nuclear Medicine:
How it works: Using the same equipment as a CT scan, positron emission tomography involves a patient intravenously receiving a small amount of a radioactive substance that allows for continuous images. PET and CT are frequently performed together.
When it’s used: Nuclear medicine provides functional information and enables early detection of certain diseases. It is used in cardiology for assessing heart function. The bone scans detect abnormalities, aiding in orthopedic diagnoses.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
How it works: MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of
organs and structures inside the body. MRIs typically require patients to be inside a narrow tube-like space, but Torrance Memorial’s MRI machines have a more open design and produce exceptionally detailed images.
When it’s used: Particularly helpful for examining the brain and spinal cord, MRI is used for practically all areas of the body, including the abdomen, chest and limbs.
Mammography
How it works: Using a special X-ray machine, a technologist places the breast between two plastic plates to be compressed. The compression flattens and spreads out the breast tissue. The breast stays under compression for about 10 to 15 seconds per image while the X-ray is being taken. The technologist takes a minimum of two images of each breast.
When it’s used: A mammogram can be a screening or diagnostic evaluation of the breast tissue to detect cancer or other changes in the breast.
Interventional Radiology:
How it works: Using catheters (small, hollow tubes) and tiny instruments, interventional radiologists perform image-guided procedures on veins and arteries. Many of the conditions treated with interventional radiology previously required open surgeries. Torrance Memorial recently completed a state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology Suite featuring biplane imaging, which uses two sets of cameras to provide real-time 3D images that can be rotated to view anatomy at all angles (see sidebar).
When it’s used: Treatments performed by interventional radiologists include repairing blocked arteries, stopping gastrointestinal bleeding, and destroying tumors and fibroids.
Imaging physicians, nurses and technologists stay up to date on safety and best practices thanks to imaging services educator Naween Q. Syed. She creates and implements standard operating procedures for the department and trains department personnel to function safely and effectively.
The many scans and procedures performed by the imaging department require meticulous coordination. In August 2022, Syed oversaw the adoption and implementation of the Clinical Workflow Suite (CWS), a tracking system that monitors the status and timing of cases to ensure radiologists, staff, patients and equipment are deployed most effectively. “We were able to design CWS in a way that works best for our hospital,” Syed says.
The software helps the transportation room staff route technologists and patients most efficiently, thus minimizing wait times. “This is especially important in cases where time is of the essence, such as with stroke patients,” she says.
Torrance Memorial dedicates substantial financial resources to provide the finest imaging equipment and services. In addition, notes Shariff, “We’re lucky to have philanthropic support from the community for our department and the hospital in general.
Community members see what we do and recognize the importance of the role we play.”
He adds: “Even more important than our sophisticated equipment and technology, it’s the commitment and skill of our people that makes our department so strong. I’m particularly proud of the longevity of our staff. Many have been here for 20+ years, and some have been working here for more than 40 years. That’s unusual, but it reflects the support of management, the institutional culture and the people we work with.” •
IMPACT ON THE FUTURE
The new IR Suite at Torrance Memorial
Biplane imaging is one of the most advanced interventional medical technologies. It captures CT images of the (lying down) body from top to bottom and side to side. Biplane imaging brings enhanced precision to complicated vascular and neurological procedures by providing 3D anatomical views in real time. Torrance Memorial Medical Center created the new Interventional Radiology Suite with biplane imaging, thanks to the generous $5.1 million donation from Patricia and Gerald Turpanjian. The suite, which debuted in the summer of 2023, has been used for such procedures as opening blocked or narrowed blood vessels, repairing aortic aneurysms and administering clot-busting medications to treat stroke.
Choosing Your Child’s Pediatrician
The right pediatrician can make a lifelong difference for your child.
Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick
Grace Pyo, MD, practices at Torrance Memorial Physician Network
Pediatrics Manhattan Beach, located at 855 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite. 103. She can be reached at 310-939-7850.
Pediatricians care for children from birth to age 18, performing physical examinations and immunizations, monitoring development, and diagnosing and treating illnesses.
You’ll have a long relationship with your pediatrician, so you need one whose practice fits your needs and whose style of communication matches your own. Grace Pyo, MD, a board-certified pediatrician
and member of Torrance Memorial Physician Network, says choosing the right pediatrician for your child means finding a health care professional whose values align with your family's.
How can parents choose the right pediatrician for their children?
Ask your friends, family and other parents for recommendations. Consider your
Pediatricians provide not just medical expertise but also empathy and reassurance, helping families navigate life’s ups and downs.
insurance coverage, the location of the physician’s office, office policies and hospital affiliation. Find out if the physician has any specialties and is board-certified. Consider the pediatrician’s communication style, willingness to listen and respect for your parenting choices. Ultimately, choose a pediatrician you feel comfortable with and trust to provide the best care for your child.
How can parents prepare to get the most out of their child’s annual checkup?
Plan the appointment around your child’s daily schedule so they are rested and not rushed. Make note of his or her eating and sleeping habits, as well as mental and behavioral health, and write down questions or concerns you may have. Bring an updated record of your child’s medical history and current medications, and be prepared to answer questions about family health issues. Tell your child immunizations are important and it will be a quick poke to help keep their immune system healthy and strong.
What kinds of medical care do children often need around the start of the school year?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children have a physical exam at least once a year after the age of 3 as part of a thorough and regular preventive care plan. The annual checkup typically includes scheduled immunizations, eye and hearing exams, and an assessment of growth, development, behavior, emotional and psychological well-being, and learning development. The start of the school year is a good time to plan your child’s annual exam (and regular dental checkup). Children will need vaccinations, sports physicals and waivers, medication checks and refills, and updated vision prescriptions. Follow your doctor’s recommendation for flu shots and other seasonal interventions.
Many children are experiencing anxiety. How do screen time and social media affect their stress levels?
Online educational content supports learning; however, excessive screen use can cause decreased activity levels and disrupted sleep patterns. Social media exposes children to bullying, unrealistic ideals and peer pressure, and can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. It's essential for parents to
monitor and regulate screen time, encourage a balanced lifestyle and model healthy online habits.
How does having an established relationship with a pediatrician help children and families?
Pediatricians provide not just medical expertise but also empathy and reassurance, helping families navigate life’s ups and downs. Having a close relationship with a pediatrician means having someone who genuinely cares about your child's well-being. It’s also a clinical relationship—the exams, tests and records kept are your child’s important medical history and are used to keep them healthy for the long term. There will be appointments beyond the wellness check for colds, injuries and infections. These are also opportunities to establish your child’s overall health, allergies and sensitivities, and best treatment options.
Whether it's offering guidance on nutrition, behavior or developmental milestones, pediatricians are excited to be a part of your child's journey. And when challenges arise— whether it's a common illness or a more serious health issue—having a trusted pediatrician to turn to can make all the difference. •
Torrance Memorial Physician Network has a staff of 16 pediatricians with seven locations in the South Bay. All of our pediatricians are board-certified and experienced in providing general pediatric care, as well as providing care for chronic illness in children. In addition, the Pat and Ellen Theodora Pediatric and Young Adult Pavilion at Torrance Memorial Medical Center offers comprehensive medical services for pediatric to young adult patients. The hospital also provides pediatric emergency care and a pediatric burn center.
HOW TO LIVE A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
Two hundred years ago, humans rarely lived to see their 40th birthdays. Today, people live much longer lives. And with mindful adjustments to diet, exercise and lifestyle choices, we can live much healthier ones too. Here are expert tips to thrive at any age:
Exercise is the best thing you can do to live a longer, healthier life. Studies show regular physical activity reduces the risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression and more. An active lifestyle improves sleep, mood and self-esteem and assists in fostering a positive mindset—which can improve relationships and optimize the treatment and prevention of disease. Why? Because when you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which interreact with brain receptors and reduce your perception of pain, lower stress, and boost feelings of well-being and optimism. Aim for 20 to 30
Something as simple as adding leafy greens to a meal can boost heart health and reduce joint pain.
minutes of exercise, three times a week. (Four to five times a week is optimal, but start slow.) Find something you enjoy. Low-impact exercise is a great choice if you’re out of practice: swimming, walking, gentle yoga, golfing (walk instead of using the cart), low-impact aerobics, etc. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, discuss your options with your doctor. (And if you don’t like gyms, you don’t have to go!) There is plenty to choose from—just get moving.
Diet is critical for disease prevention. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins—and low in sugar and fried or processed foods—can lower inflammation and reduce risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and auto-immune disorders. When beginning a dietary change, you may want to start with one simple step—especially if adopting a new diet feels overwhelming. Then after a few weeks, add another
change like reducing red meat or fried food. Other simple shifts to consider: replace white flour options with multi-grain; cut out sugary drinks and processed foods; drink more water; swap desserts for fresh berries and Greek yogurt. Something as simple as adding leafy greens to a meal can boost heart health, reduce joint pain and lessen the effects of menopause. Meet with a nutritionist to find healthy (and easy) meal plans that fit your budget and lifestyle.
Sleep is essential for health because it gives your body the rest it needs. Good sleep habits lower stress, aid weight loss and boost immunity.
Top perks from proper rest include:
• Heart health
• Weight management
• Strengthened immune system
• Restored energy levels
• Less risk of injury
• Increased attention span and concentration
• Better memory and recall
• A boost in creativity
• Less focus on negative things
• Making better decisions
Need tips to help you fall asleep? Embrace a routine. Reduce alcohol. Lower lighting at home. Don’t eat late. Relax in the evening with a bubble bath or a good book. Cut off devices and the TV. Listen to music.
"Sleep is essential for health because it gives your body the rest it needs. Good sleep habits lower stress, aid weight loss and boost immunity."
Lifestyle choices can create hard-tomanage addictions and spur disease. Alcohol and smoking are top offenders. “Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid binge drinking,” says Layrisse Landaeta, MD, a Torrance Memorial Physician Network primary care specialist in internal and geriatric medicine. “Do not smoke, or get help to quit. Smoking causes internal damage to your genetic code, blood vessels and multiple organ systems.” When you decide to quit smoking or to drink less, consider meeting with a therapist to discuss underlying reasons for the habit/addiction. Perhaps they are a crutch for social anxiety, loneliness, a lack of purpose. Discuss ways to incorporate a social connection, whether from a class, a support group, meditation, volunteering or time in nature.
Annual checkups are vital for longevity, says Dr. Landaeta. “Getting regular medical checkups is so important. Make sure to follow up with your primary care physician (PCP) at a minimum once a year.” Depending on your risk factors, age, lifestyle and family history, your PCP may order blood tests and other screenings
during your annual physical exam. You can get up to date on vaccinations and discuss any issues from sleep and anxiety to dietary changes. Many tests can identify underlying conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
Typical screens to expect include:
• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening
• Blood glucose screening
• Osteoporosis screening
• Body mass index (BMI) to assess healthy weight
There is no single silver bullet to ensure longevity for all but rather multiple keys to unlock your body’s vitality. “I have a patient who just turned 100 years old,” says Dr. Landaeta. “When asked what his secret is for living a long and happy life, Mr. Joseph Agronick said, ‘Having a positive attitude, staying active, having a good wife and supportive children.’”
Everyone’s journey is unique. Mindful steps taken now, however, may add years (and quality) to your life! •
Annual medical checkups with your primary care physician are key to maintaining your health and taking preventive measures against any undetected or underlying conditions.
Lorena Layrisse Landaeta, MD, practices at Torrance Memorial Physician Network Palos Verdes, 602 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 300, Rolling Hills Estates. She can be reached at 310-517-4692.
Tools for Coping
Written by Moe Gelbart, PhD, Director of Behavioral Health, Torrance Memorial
My children are often misbehaving. Any suggestions on how to get their behavior under control?
Here is a secret: Kids love limits and boundaries. It is in their developmental DNA to push against boundaries, rules and limits. It is how they come to better understand themselves and the world around them. Limits provide a safety net for them to explore their environment. Those who grow up with little or no limits experience fear and uncertainty, which leads to anxiety and the need to predict the future and plan for all possible outcomes. Parents need to develop limits, consequences and follow-through. Limits should be set clearly and objectively, and consequences should be explained in advance. Consequences are most effective when related to the offense and meaning-
ful enough to change behavior.
The most critical piece is follow-through. Think clearly about the consequences you set, and be certain you are able and willing to act on them. If you soften, your child will learn to not trust your words and internally ignore your limits. This process— limits/consequences/follow-through—is essential in raising children who will feel secure and safe in a stressful world.
Each day when I come home from work, I’m exhausted and just lay down. On weekends I feel too spent to do much. I like my job, but I’m afraid it’s too much for me.
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion related to stress that feels like it cannot be controlled. Signs include headaches, fatigue,
Moe Gelbart, PhD
sleep disturbance, irritability, anxiety, depression, withdrawal and an increase in the use of alcohol or substances to cope.
The imagery I use to conceptualize the problem is rechargeable batteries. Work duties and stressors drain the batteries every day, and some days the batteries are drained more than others. But the batteries are rechargeable, so each day you can “plug them in” via time with family, exercise, relaxation, hobbies and sleep so you have fully loaded batteries the next day.
Burnout occurs when the batteries are not able to be recharged, and you have to continue on with depleted amounts of energy. Ultimately, this can become a crisis.
Before you decide the job is not right for you, set some boundaries, prioritize tasks and communicate your needs effectively. Look for people in your life with whom you feel comfortable and can share your concerns. You can always reach out for professional help from a psychologist or counselor. •
A 20-YEAR MILESTONE FOR RECOVERY CENTER
The Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial has been a pillar of healing and recovery for people battling alcohol and drug abuse and addiction since 2003. The program started in 1992, but it was not until Karl McMillen donated $6.3 million in 2002 that the program greatly expanded its outreach in the South Bay. It built a first-class facility to offer day and evening adult programs and an after-school program for teens. The vision for the program was to create an environment dedicated to evidence-based care, staffed by a passionate team of counselors, with the goal of changing lives and opening the door to a future free from drug and alcohol dependence and abuse.
More than two decades later, the story of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center remains one of compassion, dedication and community. Its multidisciplinary team consists of physicians, psychologists, counselors and support staff, led by executive director Moe Gelbart, PhD, and program director Donnie Watson, PhD. They offer a sophisticated, hybrid virtual program where people can get treatment via Zoom/online. The team can now work with people from anywhere in California, and local patients can continue with their treatment should they be ill or traveling.
Many people suffering from drug or alcohol problems are resistant or fearful of help. Dr. Gelbart and his team understand the reluctance, and since all of the counselors have long-term recovery of their own, patients will be met with an understanding, empathetic, nonjudgmental person who will help guide them on the right path.
"As we reflect on our history, we recognize and celebrate the care, compassion and vision of our founders and staff, kindled by the generosity and spirit of Karl McMillen," says Dr. Gelbart. "The fight is never over, and we are reminded of the power of compassion, the strength of community, and the enduring promise and possibility of recovery. We look forward to servicing this community for years to come." •
Zest for Life
Giving Dance a Chance
Hundreds of PVUSD schoolkids have learned the basics of krumpin’ and breakin’ from Robert Gilliam. His 'Do U Dance' classes also teach important life lessons about teamwork and self-discovery while shattering toxic urban stereotypes.
Written by Diane Krieger
Photographed by Michael
Neveux
As a star wide receiver in high school, Robert Gilliam said “no” to NCAA recruiters, opting instead to study dance at a community college. “The four walls of my bedroom were covered with letters from football scouts,” recalls the Watts native. “My family thought I was crazy.”
Today, schoolchildren across the Southland— including hundreds at four Palos Verdes Unified
elementary schools—are reaping the rewards of that “crazy” decision. Gilliam, 55, is literally a mover and shaker on the SoCal youth terpsichorean scene.
His Culver City-based academy, On the Edge Dance Studio, together with his nonprofit Artist Collective, has delivered dance experiences to 60 area elementary, middle and high schools. His production company, Gilliam Productions, stages youth arts festivals like the LAUSD spectacle that drew 20,000 attendees in April.
Gilliam has deep personal knowledge of the value of publicly celebrating youth in the arts. Growing up, he excelled at both football and dance.
“If you’re an athlete,” he says, “you get many chances to have your ‘Friday night lights’ experience. But if you’re this kid who likes to dance or paint or make jewelry, you rarely get that platform or even a pat on the back.”
The Early Days
An only child raised by a single mom, Gilliam shared a bedroom with his uncle—a troubled Vietnam vet struggling with alcohol abuse and PTSD. To battle his demons, Uncle Albert danced. Desperately, ecstatically, late into the night. Soon, young Robert was dancing too. Because dance wasn’t cool, he practiced in private, using the garage as his studio.
In public, Gilliam was a jock on the elite football squad of St. Pius X Academy in Downey. College recruiters were watching his senior year. His mom, an LAUSD schoolteacher, was rooting for UCLA. But Gilliam got cold feet after his school’s top quarterback broke an ankle in the season’s first play.
Betting on a future in football suddenly felt risky. “I wanted to have more control over my life, and I knew if I went into the garage and practiced hard, I could make it in dance,” Gilliam shares.
He enrolled at Cerritos College and soon transferred
Left: Robert Gilliam captivates a group of students at Soleado Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Below: Soleado Elementary School student Hannah Sudeth is a proud graduate of one of Gilliam's hip-hop class school programs.
to Cal Arts on a dance scholarship.
Mentored by the late Rebecca Bobele, his career took off. He collaborated with American and international dance companies as an artist, teacher and choreographer. He lived in China for four years, becoming the first American to set a jazz-hip-hop piece for the Shanghai Opera House.
South Bay Dance
After he opened his Culver City dance studio in 2005, public schools started inquiring about on-site programming. His first Palos Verdes classes were at Lunada Bay Elementary. He’s since added Cornerstone, Soleado and Dapplegray. Sessions typically run 12 weeks and are designed for 25 students, mostly second and fifth graders. No prior skill, aptitude or interest in dance is assumed. Gilliam’s 'Do U Dance' method lets them choose when and how they want to engage.
“If a child isn’t feeling so excited about getting up and dancing in front of everyone, that’s OK,” he says.
Lessons cover a mix of hip-hop, krump, breakin’, jazz and contemporary styles, but there are many other creative opportunities, starting with a communal mural. “Or maybe they like music. Girls sometimes like to do hair. I try to find that entry point for each child so they get to create,” he says.
Gilliam divides the kids into teams. Each designs its costumes, chooses music and stages a short piece for the closing showcase. Everyone comes together in the finale choreographed by Gilliam.
“And it’s not very often,” he says proudly, “that I’ve had a child who doesn’t end up dancing in the program.”
Broadening His Reach
Gilliam has taken his 'Do U Dance' philosophy all over Los Angeles, including inside juvenile detention centers and behavioral clinics. Assisting him are the 45 krumpers, hip-hop dancers, and other South Los Angeles-based performing and visual artists who make up his nonprofit Artist Collective.
“Taking these very diverse artists into affluent areas like Palos Verdes is a great conversation starter,” he says.
At the height of the 2020 George Floyd protests, Medium published an article on Gilliam’s social justice vision. “Through dancing together, students and teaching artists unlearn the harmful fallacies and stereotypes that … strip away our collective humanity,” he told the online magazine.
Lately his focus has turned to integrating kids with special needs. These youngsters occasionally attend Gilliam’s school-based sessions. Accompanied by one-on-one aides, they tend to stay “on the perimeter,” he says. “It’s really important to me to work on that more and include everyone.”
He has begun to make inroads. In June, Gilliam Productions organized an arts festival at a Northridge vocational school for young adults with disabilities, and he’s now lobbying LAUSD leaders to greenlight a “capable arts festival” showcasing creativity among the special ed population. He’s in the planning phase for the 2025 LAUSD Arts Fest and aims to surpass last year’s spectacle, which spotlighted student creativity on six stages and featured a “half-time show” of 500 performers. Next year he’ll add a stage for artists with disabilities.
Gilliam hopes to launch a similar youth arts festival for South Bay schools, being sure to include less-affluent cities like Lomita and Carson, and to fully embrace special-needs students. But at the end of the day, Gilliam says, nothing brings him greater joy than teaching.
“When you get a kid who initially says, ‘I hate dance,’ and then by the 12th day they’re spinning on the ground, jumping in the air—those are the best days of my life. It feels like I’ve set them free.” •
Robert Gilliam is a passionate force in bringing the world of dance to students in the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles.
“Through dancing together, students and teaching artists unlearn the harmful fallacies and stereotypes that … strip away our
collective
humanity.” – ROBERT GILLIAM
Toberman Neighborhood Center of San Pedro: A Beacon of Community Support
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
The Toberman Neighborhood Center is a beacon of hope for the San Pedro community and beyond. It serves the needs of residents through a wide range of programs and services.
For over 120 years, the Toberman Neighborhood Center has been assisting families in need. Founded in 1903 by former Los Angeles Mayor James Toberman and his wife, Emma, it has grown exponentially. The San Pedro-based center provides a wide range of community programs crafted for all age groups— from preschoolers to high schoolers to seniors.
“We are assisting more people this year than last—approximately 600 individuals each month, which underscores the growing economic challenges our community faces. The rising cost of living and lingering effects of the pandemic have significantly increased the demand for our services,” explains Toberman Neighborhood Center CEO Lupe Rivera, EdD. “We have seen a substantial uptick in families seeking food assistance, housing support, legal aid and educational support. This surge in demand highlights the critical need for additional resources and support to meet the community’s expanding needs.”
The center runs a food pantry and thrift store and provides grab-and-go meals. These are available Monday through Friday and the first and third Saturday of each month. The meal services, along with other Toberman initiatives to help those impacted by the economy, are in demand today.
“Our most pressing needs revolve around sustaining and expanding our
critical programs that serve our community’s most vulnerable populations,” Rivera says. “We are now in urgent need of financial support to keep our food pantry stocked and to continue to provide rental and legal assistance, as well as educational support for our youth.”
Providing Hope for a New Future
Toberman is perhaps best known for its successful (and free) after-school programs for grades K–12. Its many activities include tutoring, recreation, healthy snacks, art, science, cooking, and connections to people and resources to help kids achieve their goals and believe they can. The program is open 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and gives children “a safe space to spend time with friends and find enrichment.”
A vital initiative for older students is the College to Career Center (CCC), which provides expert college guidance, exam prep, and assistance for students navigating the college application process, financial aid and scholarships.
Rivera says teens in the community find the CCC a safe space “to do homework, receive tutoring, make art, participate in workshops and cultural programs, and play in the game room.”
Another year-round initiative for older students is the center’s Young Entrepreneurs Program, which teaches basic principles and skills to help youth start their own businesses one day. Also popular with kids is the center’s WiFi Club, which gives access to Toberman’s internet for distance learning and homework assistance.
For the summer, the Toberman Neighborhood Center also runs summer camps Monday through Friday for K–12 students. Each week the camps host a variety of workshops and activities including academic support in math, enrichment activities, sports, music classes, BizCamp and entrepreneur workshops (both for high school Students). Assistance from experts and volunteers is appreciated, says Rivera.
“Every donation and volunteer hour helps us provide hope and tangible assistance to those striving for a better future,” she adds. •
To volunteer, email info@toberman.org or call 310-832-1145. For more information about the many programs and service offerings or to make a donation, visit toberman.org.
Left: Toberman Neighborhood Center CEO Lupe Rivera speaks with residents in the Harbor Gateway community about the center's services and gets feedback on the resources that would benefit them. (Pictured right) A group of children enjoy after-school activities at the center's San Pedro campus.
More Than Just a Day at the Beach
P.S. I Love You Foundation expands initiatives to help at-risk youth.
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
On September 14, P.S. I Love You Foundation will host its 23rd annual Day at the Beach. Each year more than 300 volunteers spend a Saturday at the beach with a kid who has likely never stepped onto a beach or swam in the ocean. Each volunteer is matched one-onone with at-risk kids from Los Angeles schools, shelters and foster care programs.
Children and their mentors ride boogie boards, take surf lessons and run in relay races along the coastline at Eighth Street and The Strand in Manhattan Beach.
Rather than simply writing a check or dropping off a bag of clothing, volunteers get a chance to bond and interact with those they are helping—making the experience even more rewarding, says Patricia Jones, founder of P.S. I Love You. One volunteer who spoke anonymously said, “We [volunteers] just stood back in amazement at a job well done. The joy seen on the children’s faces was worth every trudge back and forth to refill the meter. I would do it again in a heartbeat!”
School Programs
Did you know that P.S. I Love You Foundation also provides free K–12 school programs to underserved communities? These 12-week programs reach 1,000 children annually, are expanding and in need of volunteers and donations. Here’s a quick glance at the two main programs:
• Love4Life is a proprietary 12-week interactive social and emotional learning program for K–12 students taught by a trained P.S. I Love You instructor or school staff member either in the classroom, online or after school.
• Yoga123 is a 12-week wellness program dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children through the practice of yoga and the teachings of breathing, physical exercise, emotional strength and mental sharpness.
The goal of both programs “is to provide youth with the vital life skills necessary to develop and manage emotions, self-confidence, respect, compassion, positive habits and healthy relationships,” explains Jones.
Next year Jones plans to hire expert community speakers to talk with teens about career and college options and health and wellness topics. With teen depression and anxiety rates rising, as well as drug use and violence in schools, Jones is even more committed to helping today’s youth embrace healthy options and find nurturing role models. •
HOW YOU CAN HELP
There are many ways to assist P.S. I Love You Foundation. For more information on how you can help, email patricia@psiloveyoufoundation.org.
P.S. I Love You's Yoga123, a 12week wellness progam, is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk kids through the practice of yoga.
P.S. I Love You volunteers and participants enjoy a fun-inthe-sun afternoon at last year's annual Day at the Beach in Manhattan Beach.
Sheldon Brackett, executive director of Counseling4Kids in Torrance, is passionate about his role in engaging children and families with quality mental health treatment and programs. His organization helps connect local families with counseling and valuable resources to assist with their healing and wellness.
Changing Children’s Lives
Sheldon Brackett
heads an agency dedicated to youth mental health.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
Sheldon Brackett, a computer systems engineer who worked in the tech industry for more than three decades, never expected to lead a community mental health organization serving children. But the recession and his response to a call for leadership changed Brackett’s career trajectory.
Laid off during the 2008 recession, he started a small business and joined the Torrance Chamber of Commerce for marketing and networking opportunities. He saw an announcement in a Chamber email seeking volunteer board members for Counseling4Kids. The organization provides home, in-office and school-based mental health services to underserved and foster children.
Their work resonated with Brackett. He and his wife, the parents of two sons, had recently completed classes to become foster parents. Brackett was accepted on the board in 2010. In 2016 he was asked to temporarily fill the role of executive director. “I’ve been here ever since,” he says.
Twenty years of management in his previous field and his board experience helped Brackett quickly transform the agency’s operations. First, he changed Counseling4Kids’ culture and then its service model.
Previously, contract licensed therapists worked for the agency. “This was their second or third job, and they weren’t invested,” Brackett says.
Counseling4 Kids now hires associate therapists. These recent master’s level graduates must complete 3,000 practice hours before taking their licensing exam. “That gives us people who buy into our mission and, more importantly, gives us the ability to train and develop future clinicians,” he says. He emphasizes professional and personal development, which he believes is crucial to successful client outcomes. “We want our clients, after they’ve spent a year or so with us, to leave saying, ‘I have tools. I have coping skills. I have healing. I have what I need to deal with the reason I came here.’”
Brackett describes one withdrawn client who barely spoke to his mother or sister. The teen was skipping classes and doing poorly in school. “His mom saw how many of her son’s symptoms were reduced or eliminated through intervention and treatment. Their relationship turned around, and his school performance improved. And his younger sister was excited to have her brother back and active in her life.”
To supplement treatment and address what happens outside sessions, Counseling4Kids has begun providing parent
workshops. The agency moved from an industrial location near the 110 freeway to a newer, brighter space across the street from Del Amo Fashion Center in 2022.
“We want to grow,” says Brackett. “We’re partnering with more school districts and have reestablished our outreach and development department. Ultimately, maybe five years from now, we hope to start looking for our own building.”
Brackett remains active in the Torrance Chamber, having held roles including Chamber Ambassador and chair of the Leadership Torrance mentorship program. In February he received the Chamber’s Resilience in Community Award, recognizing his efforts in shepherding his organization through challenges including COVID-19. He received commendations from dignitaries, including Torrance’s mayor, city council members, and congressmembers Ted Lieu and Maxine Waters.
Additional volunteer roles include a three-year stint as board chair for his church, a year spent mentoring a newly emancipated foster youth, and a week in New Orleans helping Habitat for Humanity rebuild a musician’s village following Hurricane Katrina. Brackett also maintains an active role in the lives of his 13 godchildren.
“I attribute my love for community to my late mother, who passed away in 2020,” he says. Seeing her regularly bring and serve food at her church and responding to her requests to assist the other church volunteers “instilled in me the idea that if you’re able to help others, it’s your responsibility, privilege and honor to do so. I’m grateful to her for that.” •
Always on Board(s)
Julia Parton thrives on community service.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux
Julia Parton loves interacting with people and supporting the South Bay community. She’s so enthusiastic that her employer, Malaga Bank, created a position capitalizing on her passion. As first vice president of business development, Parton brings in new business and heads community engagement.
“It’s the best position for me because I get to work with community organizations and make a difference,” she says. “Malaga Bank has always supported local organizations and partners even before, and that’s increased since I’ve been here.” Parton estimates the bank supports more than 80 organizations, whether through volunteer time or event sponsorships.
“I love seeing results,” she says. “So even if it’s a little difference for an organization or the community, it gives me great satisfaction.”
Parton’s community involvement reaches beyond her professional role. She sits on nine boards of directors and just took on her second stint as president of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, an organization she joined 27 years ago.
“My dad was a Rotarian, and when he retired I was invited to join,” she says. “As a second-generation Rotarian, I got involved right away. I’ve held almost every position on the board. If there’s a way I think I can make a difference within the organization, I’m going to go for it. I’m going to step up, get things organized, set some goals and see if I can achieve them.”
Parton credits both her parents for her helping spirit. In addition to his role as a Rotarian, her father was the kind of person who’d run to help a neighbor who was having a plumbing problem. Her mother was involved with the PTA and welcomed new neighbors with meals and offers to help them unpack.
Parton internalized the message her parents conveyed through their actions. “You just help; that’s what you do,” she says.
Parton also serves on the board of the Torrance Police Foundation, which raises funds for equipment and other means of supporting the police. A member of the Toberman Neighborhood Center board, Parton supports the nonprofit’s mission of helping those in need with education, wellness and social support. (The organization was founded by former Los Angeles Mayor James Toberman in 1864.)
For more than 15 years, she has served as a member and
past chair of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and was honored as the Chamber’s 2023 Citizen of the Year for “exemplifying community achievement, engagement and philanthropic service.”
“It’s a great feeling to volunteer. I’ve had so many mentors and made some great friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” Parton says.
Her latest endeavor involves launching a Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation to support the deputies who serve Lomita as well as Palos Verdes Peninsula, Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates.
“A few years ago our Palos Verdes Rotary upgraded the station’s kitchen. It was so outdated—there weren’t even shelves in the refrigerators,” she says. “These are our first responders, and they deserve better. There’s a list of things they could use, so we’re creating this new foundation, which we hope will be up and running by the end of the year.”
One might assume Parton feels she’s doing her share of her community involvement. Yet she still pushes herself. “Sometimes I don’t think I do enough. I’m always asking myself, ‘Am I doing enough for these organizations? Am I making enough of an impact?’” •
Julia Parton, the
Citizen of the
has been connecting and giving back to the community since she was a teen. She volunteers her time and expertise and has organized fundraising efforts to provide assistance to so many in need.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber’s 2023
Year,
A business
and advocate for
owner
those experiencing homelessness, Amber Sheikh is a powerhouse in her community.
The Human Touch
Homeless advocate Amber Sheikh promotes systemic change along with personal attention.
Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Vincent Rios
Amber Sheikh's awareness of poverty came early in life. As a child, she frequently visited England and Pakistan—her parents’ homelands. “It was so formative to see different countries and cultures, and especially to witness widespread poverty at a young age,” she says.
Sheikh engaged in local charitable activities in high school and college, where she majored in international relations. Planning to pursue philanthropic work abroad, she completed a UN fellowship and research project in India focusing on microfinancing. She realized she didn’t need to go overseas to find pressing needs and found work on Los Angeles’ Skid Row at the Downtown Women’s Center.
Today Sheikh focuses on societal improvement through her professional and volunteer activities. She is chief impact officer and owner of Sheikh/Impact, a consulting firm providing fundraising, organizational development and communications assistance to nonprofits. In 2021 Sheikh acquired and took over the firm, formerly Thurlow/Associates, after serving for 10 years on staff.
“We’ve helped lots of organizations grow,” she says. “For example, six years ago we started working with a justice reform organization with a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars. It’s now an over $3 million organization with a nationwide reach.”
The firm has guided capital campaigns leading to the construction of a community clinic and hospital wing, among other achievements.
On the volunteer front, Sheikh was appointed to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission in April—an agency that oversees both city and county homeless services. She’s no stranger to this work; in 2017 she helped build and lead L.A.’s first council district working group on homelessness.
“We’re trying to solve an issue that took decades to create,” she says. “Over the last five years, we’ve housed and served more folks than ever, but the need is like a fire hose. If no one else fell into homelessness in our region, we would solve the issue in three years. We just can’t work fast enough to keep up with demand.”
Sheikh believes solving homelessness will improve other societal challenges, including income inequality, poor mental health, substance use, racism and domestic violence. In
addition to her county-wide advocacy, she personally helps several women who have been homeless to obtain services.
She also serves in a volunteer capacity as the governing council chair of Maternal Mental Health NOW. The agency promotes prevention, identification and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
“I see mental health and maternal mental health in particular as a large contributor to homelessness,” says Sheikh, who suffered from undiagnosed panic disorder during her pregnancy and has addressed the California State Assembly in support of a bill requiring mental health screening during pregnancy.
She often speaks to groups—from faith-based organizations to classrooms—about homelessness. “It’s my favorite part of advocacy. I love connecting with humans about this,” Sheikh says. Indeed, she believes personal connection is critical to solving the issue.
“The 60,000 homeless individuals in our county have 60,000 stories and solutions. Effective solutions require both best practices and individual human approaches,” she says. “One of the biggest solutions is caring about the people beyond your household and how that would change the way you interact with the world around you.”
Despite the challenges of solving homelessness, Sheikh believes it is possible. “We may not see zero homelessness, but we’ll get to a day when, if someone falls into homelessness, we have the services and systems in place to quickly help them back out. Homelessness will become a temporary state rather than an identity or a demographic.” •
UPCOMING CLASSES
Register online or call 310-517-4711 to enroll in paid classes. Unless otherwise indicated, pricing is $80 or $72 for ADVANTAGE members for each 8-week series, and $40 or $36 for each 4-week series.
Class Schedule for 3105 Lomita Blvd., Torrance
ALL CLASSES ARE HYBRID (IN-PERSON AND ZOOM) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
CAREGIVER TRAINING LEVEL 1 WITH SHARMONE (IN-PERSON ONLY)
Oct. 7–Nov. 18; no class Nov. 11
Monday, 6:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Learn strategies that help you in caregiving situations. Medical and community professionals provide helpful resources and techniques. $68; ADVANTAGE members $62
CHAIR YOGA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS WITH DEBI
Sep 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
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
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12
Monday or Thursday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Use a chair in seated and standing poses to improve strength and balance.
INTEGRATED YOGA WITH ROBIN
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.
Breath work, postures and meditation, such as yoga nidra.
THE NEXT STEP WITH SHARON (IN–PERSON ONLY)
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
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)
Sep. 10–Oct. 29; Nov. 12–Dec. 3
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)
Sep. 10–Oct. 29; Nov. 12–Dec. 3
Sep. 13–Nov. 1; Nov. 15–Dec. 13
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)
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
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. $88 for 8-week series
QI GONG WITH GAYLA (ZOOM ONLY)
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12
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)
Sep. 10–Oct. 29; Nov. 12–Dec. 3
Sep. 13–Nov. 1; Nov. 15–Dec. 13
Tuesday or Friday, 10 to 10:45 a.m.
Increase flexibility and mobility to help prevent injuries.
BEGINNING TAI CHI WITH RICHARD (ZOOM ONLY)
Sep. 10–Oct. 29; Nov. 12–Dec. 3
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)
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
Wednesday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Learn how to complete the form.
ADVANCED TAI CHI WITH RICHARD (ZOOM ONLY)
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
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)
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Monday, 4 to 5 p.m.
Gentle yoga poses on the floor and standing; breath work and meditation.
YOGA FOR CHAKRA BALANCING WITH LAURA (ZOOM ONLY)
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12
Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m.
Use beginner asanas (postures). Meditation and breathing exercises relax the mind, reduce stress and increase energy. One main chakra taught each class.
YOGA FOR WELLNESS WITH DEBI
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
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 Nov. 14
Thursday, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Learn techniques to navigate menopause with confidence. Led by Ann Boss, RN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. $25; $20 ADVANTAGE members
ALIGN THE SPINE WITH JOY
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Monday, 9 to 10 a.m.
Feldenkrais Method lessons help restore or avoid deterioration of posture without pain or strain. Bring an exercise mat, hand, and bath towel.
BONES FOR LIFE WITH JOY
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Monday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Feldenkrais exercises support bones through gentle, weight-bearing exercises that cause no strain or pain. Improve posture and bone health.
CHAIR EXERCISE: BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH PAM
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12
Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m.
Improve strength and endurance using a chair. Bring an exercise band.
CHAIR EXERCISE FOR POSTURE & SMOOTH WALKING WITH JOY
Enhance upright posture and easier walking with classes based on the Feldenkrais Method. Taught by a physical therapist and guild-certified Feldenkrais practitioner.
ESSENTRICS FULL-BODY STRETCH WITH AI
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
Sep. 14–Nov. 2; Nov. 16–Dec. 14
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.
MUSCLE STRENGTHENING: BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE WITH RANDY
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12
Monday or Thursday, 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.
STRETCH & SOUND BATH MEDITATION WITH AI
Sep. 11–Oct. 30; Nov. 13–Dec. 4
Sep. 14–Nov. 2; Nov. 16–Dec. 14
Wednesday, 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.
Saturday, 12:30 to 1:20 p.m.
Gentle stretch and breath work, as well as sounds and vibrations from various sound bath instruments. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, and pillow.
STRETCHING FOR BETTER BALANCE WITH RANDY
Sep. 9–Oct. 28; Nov. 11–Dec. 2
Sep. 12–Oct. 31; Nov. 14–Dec. 12 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.
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.
Striking a Balance Between Work & Life
Written by Laura Roe Stevens
Are you tired from too much work and not enough “me time”? Do you feel obligated to check emails after hours or on weekends? Are your “days off” filled with errands and laundry?
If you said yes to these, you’re not alone. Studies show Americans are exhausted and work 400 more hours annually than people in all developing nations. Why is this? Some blame economic fears—yet experts clarify “workaholism” exists in any environment. Economists surmise work cultures that champion “always on” productivity models are at the root of Americans’ work ethos.
Whatever the reason, if we never unplug we will eventually break down. And that’s what mental health providers see firsthand. When we are out of balance—meaning we work more and neglect relationships, health and personal needs—our bodies echo the strain. This dynamic spurs sleep disruption, sedentary lifestyles and on-the-go meals. It may contribute to increasing rates of anxiety, depression, addiction, suicide, diabetes and heart disease.
“Typically, when someone comes to me for help, something significant has happened to reveal their underlying issue of living a life that is out of balance,” says Moe Gelbart, PhD, director of behavioral health at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
“New (counseling) patients often have health issues, like a back that’s out or a heart condition, minor stroke or high blood pressure. Sometimes they have significant weight gain from not taking time for self-care. Others don’t realize they are out of balance until
their relationships fall apart. These concerns, however, are not the root of their problems; there are bigger issues at hand.”
Learning how to prioritize health, personal goals and family time can be tricky. Establishing—and sticking to—boundaries is not easy, especially if work habits have cemented into an addiction.
“Workaholism is indeed something real,” warns Dr. Gelbart. “And like most addictions, it can be identified when negative consequences arise out of the behavior yet the behavior continues.”
Don’t know if you’re a workaholic? Dr. Gelbart says a workaholic who seeks counseling after a crisis—like back surgery or a spouse demanding a divorce—will often rebound into chronic work habits once their back pain dissipates or their spouse decides to stay. If this resonates with you, seek help from a mental health professional. It is possible to balance your work and life by prioritizing needs, relationships and health. These questions will help you gain clarity:
1. What do you want more time for? Family? Athletics? Social activities? Creative outlets? Volunteering? Church? Travel?
2. Do you feel the effects of mental exhaustion? These include a short temper; poor attention and focus; sleep problems; anxiety; or feelings of lack of purpose, love, recognition, connection or hope.
3. Do you have a health issue? Such as weight gain, low energy, head-
aches, chronic body aches, tummy aches, neck/shoulder stiffness or frequent colds?
When we listen to what our bodies tell us, we can make mindful adjustments. If you experience any symptoms listed above, set an intention to address the issue(s). A mental health counselor or life coach can help. And remember to be proud of yourself. Change is never easy. But when you value yourself, your needs and your time, others will eventually respect your choices. •
NEED IDEAS TO LOWER STRESS AND RELAX? TRY ONE OR MORE OF THESE SUGGESTIONS:
• Try meditation. (New? Download an app like Chopra or Headspace.)
• Take a nature walk.
• Watch less TV news.
• Listen to music or an uplifting podcast while you cook a healthy dinner.
• Take a bath.
• Lower lighting in the evenings and light a candle.
• Garden (pots in a window count!).
• Try a beginning yoga class.
• Read a good book and/or join a book club.
• Write in a daily gratitude journal.
• Watch a favorite feel-good or funny movie.
• Have a no-phones-at-the-table rule.
• Practice giving your partner, friends, colleagues, children your full attention.
South Torrance resident and avid cyclist Brian Miura, MD, is an adventurous thrill-seeker and skilled emergency medicine physician.
Urgent Flair
Written by Diane Krieger | Photographed by Siri Berting
Two years ago, Brian Miura, MD, suddenly felt weak and lightheaded while road cycling in Palos Verdes. He stopped for a minute to focus before sprinting up the next hill. The dizziness returned. Borrowing a friend’s Apple watch, he tried again—and recorded an alarming episode of ventricular tachycardia, or arrhythmia.
So Dr. Miura did the only logical thing: He headed straight for work. Work happened to be the ER at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. There his colleague, cardiologist Ray Wyman, MD, performed a heart catheterization and stented a blockage of the right coronary artery.
It was an aha moment for Dr. Miura, who had put 25 years into Torrance Memorial’s emergency department—the last eight in leadership roles. All those intense days and long nights had taken a toll.
So in 2023 he stepped away from the sirens and ambulances. “It was a tough decision, but the right decision,” he says.
Dr. Miura remains a medical director of Torrance Memorial’s Urgent Care (UC) program, which he helped establish in 2010. The three centers in Manhattan Beach, Torrance and El Segundo were voted the South Bay’s “best urgent care” by the Daily Breeze eight years in a row.
Together with colleagues Genevieve Hasek, MD, and Michelle Charfen, MD, he manages the 30+ physicians and physician assistants who see about 50,000 patients annually. Dr. Miura still sees UC patients one day a week.
But with evenings and most weekends free, he now has time to pursue his many other passions. Adventure travel tops the list. Together with domestic partner Brandy Van Zitter, a cardiovascular ICU nurse at Torrance Memorial, he’s seen a lot of the world. On the wall of their South Torrance home, a map dotted with 40 pushpins charts their progress as global explorers.
Last year, they earned advanced scuba certification and did several “wreck dives” off the Philippines to investigate sunken World War II freighters. Some adventures are impromptu. On a trip to Iceland, he said “yes” to scaling a glacier wall after a tour guide—pointing at a crevasse—had casually asked: “Do you want to climb that with ice picks?”
There have been humanitarian adventures too. For years Dr. Miura was active with the Los Angeles County Urban Search & Rescue team, which deploys locally and internationally. He was part of a 72-person, three-dog team that recovered seven survivors of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Closer to home, Dr. Miura enjoys an athletic lifestyle. He cycles year-round with friends and in groups. “I often look like an orange peel,” he says, referring to the cycling club he
belongs to called Big Orange. “A lot of my jerseys and bibs are orange, and so is my bike.”
In the summer, Dr. Miura hits the links. In the winter he snowboards. Last season he traveled to Utah, Colorado and British Columbia for some fresh tracks. Past snowboarding adventures have taken him to Japan, the land of his ancestors.
Judo was Dr. Miura’s first sport. At age 6 he started training under his dad, an applied math professor by profession. Dr. Miura competed in judo all through his youth and continued sparring and instructing through college, medical school and residency.
Both of Dr. Miura’s parents are second-generation Japanese-Americans originally from the Fresno farming community. But his father’s academic career took the family to Princeton, Nashville and Vancouver.
As a young physician, Dr. Miura craved the excitement of emergency medicine. “You’re constantly on the move, and you never know what’s coming through the door next,” he says. But you also have to work nights followed by long days, and while “that was easy at 35, it’s not so easy at 57,” he adds ruefully.
With no family history of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Miura never imagined himself at heart risk. He now urges patients and friends alike to take nothing for granted “even if you think you’re in great health.”
“If I hadn’t had access to an Apple watch and seen I was in ventricular tachycardia, I would almost certainly have dismissed my symptoms, which could have led to serious complications,” he says.
These days whether he’s cycling, snowboarding or experimenting with some new outdoor adventure, there’s usually a smart health device strapped to Dr. Miura’s wrist. •
Hometowns: Born in Princeton, New Jersey; lives in South Torrance
Education: BA in neurobiology, UC Berkeley; MD, UC San Francisco; internship and residency, University of Hawaii and UCLA
Top Sports Gear: Lib Tech Magne-Traction board and Salomon boots for snowboarding; Pinarello Dogma F10 bike, Giro helmet and Shimano shoes for cycling Adventure Travel Bucket List: Icebreaker voyage to Antarctica, African safari, great white shark cage dive
Flash Events
AMBASSADORS EVENING:
"EMBRACING THE BEAUTY OF AGING"
May 14, 2024
Donors and their guests enjoyed dinner and inspirational speakers on the topic of aging gracefully, held at Bluewater Grill in Redondo Beach. Esteemed medical professionals Nadia Jafar Curran, MD, Cynthia Ro, MD, Shlee Song, MD, and Lynn Whitlock, RN, CCRP, shared invaluable insights on women’s heart health, hormonal changes, stroke prevention and the vital role of exercise in maintaining wellness.
7. Paula Leeds, Roksolana Vecerek, Lisa Noski, Elaine McRae
38TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
June 3, 2024
The 38th annual Torrance Memorial Golf Tournament was a sold-out success with proceeds supporting the Lundquist Leach Emergency Department campaign. Guests enjoyed 18 holes at the beautiful Palos Verdes Golf Club. The day began with a stampede putt contest and concluded with a cocktail reception, silent auction and awards ceremony. A highlight of the event was Madeline Schumacher's impressive hole-in-one, winning a Cayenne sponsored by South Bay Porsche. City National Bank once again served as the tournament sponsor, with Rick Higgins as the tournament chair.
Photographed by Deidre Davidson
1. Kylie Roig, Twanna Rogers, Eunice Cho
2. Rick Higgins, Brent Williamson, Mike Emenhiser, Brad Hovard, Keith Hobbs
3. Phil Califano, Jared Beilke, Darrin Del Conte, Paul Giuliano
4. Scott Rouse, Jarrett Rouse, Chris Profeta, Mark Rouse
5. Dave Klein, Mike Ninnis, Steve Lopes, Tracy Bracken
6. Madeline Schumacher, Rick Higgins
7. Front: Ryan Gerber, MD, Adam Goodman, MD, Erin Hansen, Kurt Hansen, MD. Back: Vadim Fanous, MD, Mike Baker, MD, Dana Kennedy, MD, Melissa Benoit, Brittany Levin, Elisa Anhalt, MD, David Oliver, MD
HERITAGE SOCIETY LUNCHEON
June 12, 2024
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. Gina Sulmeyer, MD, executive director of clinical informatics and co-director of emergency medicine, spoke about "Artificial Intelligence in Health Care." She included a role-play with president/CEO Keith Hobbs as her patient to demonstrate how a cell phone app can capture key parts of the conversation to create a note for the medical record. Heritage Society members have designated Torrance Memorial with a gift in their estate plan. For more information, please contact Sandy VandenBerge, director of planned giving, at 310-784-4843 or sandy.vandenberge@tmmc.com.
Photographed by Philicia Endelman
1. Keith Hobbs, Gina Sulmeyer, MD
2. Keith Hobbs, Barbara Demming Lurie, Mark Lurie, MD
3. Marge Schugt, Michelle Rand
4. James Andrews, Pedro Castro
5. Carolyn Snyder, Elaine BoothCarnegis, Mary Richardson
6. Maude Infantino, Sandy VandenBerge
7. Hank Frankenberg, Marilou Lieman
8. Lily Weckerly, Ralph Waters
YPPA MEETS AT HENNESSEY’S HERMOSA BEACH
March 15, 2024
Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance (YPPA) members and friends met at Hennessey’s Hermosa Beach. Paul Hennessey and Keith Hobbs welcomed guests and emergency physicians Stephanie Tang, DO and Kurt Hansen, MD shared about YPPA's impact and the fundraising campaign for the emergency department expansion.
Photographed by Philicia Endelman
4.
5. Angela Park-Sheldon, Nadia Antii
6. Brandon Hohm, Darin DeRenzis, David Marquart, Katharine Meier, Sean Meier
7. Oliver Mindur, Kristen Brosseau, Jena Karl, Keith Hobbs, Sophia Neveu, Eriko Masuda, MD
Since its inception, the Miracle of Living lecture series has been a cornerstone of community outreach, offering expert insights into a wide range of health topics.
Miracle of Living Lecture Series
A tradition of more than 50 years at Torrance Memorial
For over half a century, Torrance Memorial has been educating and enhancing the health and wellness of the South Bay community through its renowned Miracle of Living lecture series. This 50+-year milestone marks the hospital’s ongoing commitment to empowering South Bay residents to lead their healthiest lives.
Since its inception in 1972, the Miracle of Living lecture series has been a cornerstone of community outreach—offering expert insights into a wide range of health topics. From nutrition and fitness to mental health, cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic disease management, these lectures provide invaluable information to attendees eager to improve their well-being.
The first lecture was held on Wednesday, October 25, 1972, and was titled “Personal Ecology…Are you Poisoning Yourself?”
What sets this lecture series apart is its accessibility and relevance. Held monthly throughout the year, the lectures are open to the public and accessible in person (more recently with a Zoom option), ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Torrance Memorial’s health care professionals and guest speakers. This inclusive approach has fostered a strong sense of community and shared commitment to healthier living in the South Bay.
Beyond education, these lectures also serve as a platform
for fostering meaningful connections between health care providers and the community. Attendees not only gain knowledge but also can engage directly with experts, asking questions and receiving personalized advice.
The committee bringing these lectures together includes a coordinator, a medical advisor, physicians, clinical and nonclinical staff, and community members who meet monthly to discuss health-related topics of interest and find the perfect expert panelists to raise awareness of the importance of good health and lifestyle changes.
“The response we receive on a monthly basis from our attendees is overwhelming. They are so appreciative for the insight and advice they receive from our medical experts, and it’s reassuring to hear all the positive feedback,” says Mary Ford, special events coordinator for Torrance Memorial. “I am constantly reminded what a difference this program is making in our community, especially from those who are attending a lecture pertaining to a particular medical health issue they are dealing with. It’s very rewarding.”
Over 500 lectures have been presented since the program’s inception. The Miracle of Living lecture series continues to be a vital resource, empowering the local community with the knowledge and motivation they need to lead healthier, happier lives. Torrance Memorial remains committed to the health of its community and the legacy of this informative program will carry on for years to come. •
At left, a past lecture on mental health with Moe Gelbart, PhD.
MIND BODY &
A LEGACY OF CARE
Our lives are defined in many ways, some which reflect the level of our accomplishments. But for those with a deeper interest, few qualities endure longer than the expression of our love—whether it’s aimed toward our family, our community or the thousands of lives we help transform along the way. Your support and contributions, of any amount, help expert community care thrive for years to come.
Learn more about starting your own legacy at TMLegacy.org
