Pulse

PULSE Inside:

Talking to teens about the dangers of fentanyl

Local hikes for the entire family

Winter 2023

magazine

Ice Powered!

Estela Rivas-Bryant empowers girls through ice hockey

THE LUNDQUIST LURIE CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE AT TORRANCE MEMORIAL is a local and national leader for comprehensive cardiac care with more multi-disciplinary experts, advanced treatment options and state-of-the-art technology.

Our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai provides access to more cardiac expertise, innovative capabilities and clinical research.

Learn more at TorranceMemorial.org/Cardio

More Experts in Matters of the Heart

LUNDQUIST LURIE CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE

Salman M. Azam, MD, Aziz S. Ghaly, MD, John M. Stoneburner, MD, Matthew Ostrom, FACC, FHRS, MD, J. Christopher Matchison, MD, Ankush Chhabra, MD

PULSE

Letter from the President

magazine

A Publication of the Torrance Memorial Health System 3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505 310-325-9110 EDITOR Jill Biggins Gerbracht DIRECTOR, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Erin Fiorito PUBLISHER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Vincent Rios COPY EDITOR Laura Watts

CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Buffington Erica Drost, MS RDN, LDN John Ferrari Moe Gelbart, PhD Diane Krieger Laura Roe Stevens Melissa Bean Sterzick Nancy Sokoler Steiner PHOTOGRAPHERS Siri Berting Deidre Davidson Philicia Endelman Michael Neveux Vincent Rios

Dear Readers,

T

his month marks the five-year anniversary of the affiliation between Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai. This historic relationship continues to solidify our position as a leader in exceptional world-class health care with a wide array of expertise and treatment options while keeping our hospital at the forefront of health care in the South Bay. Moving ahead, we have a lot to look forward to in 2023 as our growth and development continue with a $40 million Emergency Department expansion project. It is slated to begin later this year and will double our capacity while increasing efficiency and access to emergency care (see page 22).

As with every issue of Pulse magazine, we not only bring you new developments at Torrance Memorial, but we like to touch on topics affecting our community—and in this case our country—such as the current fentanyl crisis among teens. We discuss ways parents can talk with their kids about staying safe (see page 28).

You will also find more inspiring stories about our residents like Estela Rivas-Bryant on our cover, who started the Empowerment Effect, a nonprofit that introduces ice hockey to girls from underserved communities, and Glen Kamida, who “keeps the music alive” for young students throughout the South Bay. With warmer days ahead, you might also find our Family Focus guide to hikes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula of interest.

We also celebrate Heart Health Month in February with heart-related articles from a patient success story to heart-healthy recipes, and a brief history of Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute in our Look Back section (page 62).

I hope you enjoy reading this latest issue of Pulse magazine.

Published by

Vincent Rios Creative, Inc. VincentRiosCreative.com ©2023 Torrance Memorial Medical Center. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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

Craig Leach President, Chief Executive Officer 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.

TorranceMemorial.org | 3

Contents

38 FEATURES TRUST YOUR GUT When GI symptoms should prompt a doctor visit.

28

THE FENTANYL CRISIS What you and your teens need to know.

34

SPINE SURGERY SUCCESS Orthopedic spine patient Mina Diaz has a new lease on life after complex surgery.

38

ZEST FOR LIFE: Raising Beasties Cedric Jones has many aspirations but puts mentoring young boys needing guidance as a top priority.

42

A TRUE HEART HEALTH ADVOCATE Dr. Steven Keller uses his platform to teach kids about heart health and helps raise over $1.4 million.

4 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

44

HELPING HANDS: Jenkins Family Day Care

Providing loving care for South Bay children for 36 years.

48

ON THE COVER

OUR COMMUNITY VIPS An El Segundo woman uses her passion for ice hockey to help girls; a music teacher pumps up the volume for Torrance students; a single mom helps other single moms.

44

COVER PHOTO: MICHAEL NEVEUX

24

Estela Rivas-Bryant takes to the ice to take the joy of ice hockey to girls living in underserved communities with her L.A. Kingssponsored Empowerment Effect foundation.

ON PACE

20 Community VIP

10

MEET THE TORRANCE MEMORIAL NURSE NAVIGATORS Compassionate, knowledgeable cancer care advocates.

12

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE APPROACH Inpatient program helps ease pain and anxiety.

14

TORRANCE MEMORIAL & CEDARS-SINAI UPDATE Celebrating our 5-year anniversary.

16

A PRIMER ON PAIN We all experience pain, but what is it?

18

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Inpatient integrative medicine program eases patient pain and anxiety.

20

LISTENING TO HIS BODY Healthy patient receives lifesaving cardiac care after speaking up about concerning symptoms.

22

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT UPDATE Plans revealed for 2026 expansion.

IN EVERY ISSUE 3 6 8 32 33

52

46 54 56 58 62

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/ CEO AWARDS & ACCOLADES HEALTHY BITES MENTAL HEALTH CORNER ASK THE DOCTOR: The stuff you need to know about stuffiness FAMILY FOCUS: Local Hikes CALENDAR MD LOCAL: Aileen Takahashi, MD FLASH EVENTS A LOOK BACK: Torrance Memorial Cardiac Care with Mark Lurie, MD TorranceMemorial.org | 5

Awards and Accolades

Leading Laboratories Recognition from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the Joint Commission Torrance Memorial Medical Center is the first in the nation to receive Leading Laboratories recognition from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and The Joint Commission. This two-year designation demonstrates Torrance Memorial’s commitment to laboratory excellence and helping improve patient outcomes. Leading Laboratories designation supports a positive, patientcentric mission and the vital role laboratories play in a patient’s health care journey. To receive the recognition, the hospital had to demonstrate excellence in four areas: elevating quality outcomes, supporting professional development, cultivating trusted leadership and promoting laboratory visibility. The Torrance Memorial lab also received the Six Sigma Lab certification—making Torrance Memorial the 80th hospital in the world to receive this certification for optimal Sigma-metric performance.

6 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® for Spine Surgery Torrance Memorial has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® For Spine Surgery Certification 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, quality patient care.

The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for spinal conditions. The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge. Through rigorous, unannounced on-site visits, Joint Commission reviewers conducted observations and interviews to ensure Torrance Memorial met the standards and expertise to earn this prestigious certification.

Excellence in Healthcare Award Torrance Memorial IPA was 1 of 27 out of nearly 200 provider organizations statewide to receive the 2022 Excellence in Healthcare Award from the Integrated Healthcare Association for top performance on clinical quality, patient experience and cost measures. This award recognizes provider organizations that perform in the top 50% in all three major AMP (Align, Measure, Perfom) areas: clinical quality, patient experience and total cost of care.

First and Only L.A. County National Gold-Certified Sleep Hospital Torrance Memorial has received certification as a National Gold Sleep Safe Hospital from Cribs for Kids, making it the first and only L.A. County National GoldCertified Sleep Center. This program awards recognition to hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths by promoting and educating on best safe sleep practices.

Press Ganey Patient Experience Award The Torrance Memorial Emergency Department (ED) received the Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award—a patient experience recognition from Press Ganey—for ED performance. Press Ganey is the global leader in health care experience solutions and services. As a winner of this award, Torrance Memorial’s ED is ranked in the top 5% of health care providers in the U.S. delivering patient experience over the past year.

Commission on Cancer Accredited Program Torrance Memorial has received full accreditation as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program from the American College of Surgeons.

The recognition speaks to the high quality of care the Torrance Memorial Hunt Cancer Institute provides. The Commission on Cancer accreditation denotes quality—potentially attracting more patients and providing opportunities for patient engagement.

Gold Level Beacon Award of Excellence The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has recognized the 4 West Progressive Care Unit at Torrance Memorial with the gold-level Beacon Award of Excellence. Units that achieve this three-year award meet national criteria consistent with the American Nursing Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition of Program® and other awards for exceptional patient care.

Best of the Southland Finalist Winner Torrance Memorial is honored to be voted the Best of the Southland finalist winner from the Los Angeles Times in the health and wellness hospital category.

The Los Angeles Times created this multiplephase voting award in 2021 to celebrate readers’ favorite businesses across 65 categories in five regional zones. We acknowledge every physician, nurse, caregiver and volunteer for delivering on our promise to provide expert care whose support continues to distinguish Torrance Memorial as a top regional medical center.

TorranceMemorial.org | 7

On Pace

Food Your Heart Will Love Written by Erica Drost, MS RDN, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

F

ebruary is Heart Health month and a reminder of the importance of taking care of our heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the country. Choosing heart-healthy foods can help lower your risk of developing heart disease. Here are three ways you can support your heart health through nutrition.

1. Choose unsaturated fats over saturated fats.

Diets high in saturated fat contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol, a leading risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. Saturated fat is usually found in animal foods (full-fat dairy, beef, pork, lamb, poultry with the skin). A saturated fat intake of less than 10% of total calories per day is recommended.

Heart-healthy fats include unsaturated fats usually found in plant-based foods (avocados, nuts, seeds, olives, oils) and fish. Eating more plant-based sources of protein (such as beans, lentils or tofu) or lean selections like fish or chicken without the skin is a great way to incorporate heart-healthy fat in your diet.

2. Choose minimally processed foods over ultra-processed foods.

Highly processed foods (such as packaged or fast food) typically have high amounts of sodium.

Diets high in sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, another leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Eating whole, minimally processed foods helps reduce the amount of added salt in our diet.

Cooking at home is a great way to reduce sodium consumption because we can control salt intake by adding herbs and spices to flavor dishes.

3. Choose fiber-rich carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested and is primarily found in plant foods.

Diets high in fiber (especially soluble fiber found in foods like oats, beans, bananas, nuts, potatoes) have been shown to help decrease LDL cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

On the other hand, a high intake of refined carbohydrates (like those found in sweet desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages) can increase triglyceride levels and the risk of heart disease.

Looking for meal ideas? Here are two warm and cozy, heart-healthy recipes the whole family is sure to enjoy this winter. They include plantbased protein, heart-healthy fats and minimal sodium. Both of these recipes are a twist on classic family-favorite meals that are easy to make, budget-friendly and delicious!

8 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

Lentil Bolognese Total time: 1 hour Serves 4

Give this Lentil Sloppy Joe recipe a try! It is a delicious alternative to the original Sloppy Joe with more fiber and less fat.

Spaghetti is a go-to option for those looking for a quick and easy meal to throw together. Full of heart-healthy protein from the lentils and loaded with veggies, this recipe is extra nourishing and includes more vitamins and minerals compared to a classic marinara sauce. And it’s versatile—feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand!

Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 small onion, minced • 2 medium carrots, sliced • 1 celery stalk, sliced • 4 cups mushrooms, sliced • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pepper • ½ cup red wine (or sub red wine vinegar) • 3 cloves garlic, minced

• • • • •

• •

1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes ¼ cup tomato paste 2 cups vegetable broth 1 cup dried brown/green lentils ½ teaspoon each, dried basil, oregano and rosemary ½ teaspoon baking soda pasta

Directions: 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 7 minutes.

2. Add carrots, celery, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes.

3. Add wine and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 7 minutes.

4. Add garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, lentils, spices and baking soda. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 40 minutes.

5. Enjoy with your favorite pasta.

Note: For a smoother/thick consistency, use an immersion blender to blend.

Nutrition analysis per serving: Calories 739, Carbohydrates 75 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 38 g, Fiber 7 g 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 SelfManagement Program located in the Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335, Torrance.

Call 310-891-6707. Visit TorranceMemorial.org/nutrition for upcoming classes and programs.

Lentil Sloppy Joe Substituting lentils for traditional ground beef Sloppy Joes adds more fiber while decreasing the fat content of the meal. Lentils pack a big punch—providing protein, iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6. The Worcestershire and tomato sauce provide an umami flavor that will make this dish a comforting winter staple.

Total time: 30 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: • 2 cups vegetable broth • 1 cup brown/green lentils, rinsed • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 small onion, minced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 small bell pepper, diced • 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

• • • • • •

1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin ¼ teaspoon paprika salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 1. Place vegetable broth and lentils in a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic and bell pepper. Saute for 5 minutes.

3. Add tomato sauce, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, spices and cooked lentils. Continue cooking until thick and warm, 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition analysis per serving: Calories 298, Carbohydrates 44.6 g, Protein 14.4 g, Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 1.1 g, Sodium 614 mg, Fiber 17.1 g

TorranceMemorial.org | 9

On Pace

Meet the Torrance Memorial Oncology Nurse Navigators Providing cancer patients with a compassionate, knowledgeable advocate Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick | Photographed by Vincent Rios

Pictured above (from left): Imee Uy, BSN, RN; Anne Milliken, BSN, RN, OCN; Evelyn Calip, BSN, RSN, CNCN; Lauren Landefeld, BSN, RN, OCN

A

cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and the steps from diagnosis to treatment and recovery can be overwhelming for patients. The oncology nurse navigators at Torrance Memorial's Hunt Cancer Institute, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, have comprehensive oncology expertise and knowledge to support cancer patients and their families through the journey.

Every nurse navigator is nationally certificated in the oncology nursing practice through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

The goal of the nurse navigator is to promote positive patient outcomes by providing one-onone support to patients with individualized care

10 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

throughout the cancer continuum. Nurse navigators perform nursing assessments, triage patient care needs, coordinate care (including necessary tests and procedures), schedule physician appointments, and help provide access to patient education and community resources and support. The nurse navigator works collaboratively with the cancer care team of experts to help eliminate barriers to timely access to care, such as financial, psychosocial, social, logistics, insurance, language, transportation, lodging and support systems.

Most patients with a new cancer diagnosis are overwhelmed by their change in health and the many steps needed to plan and organize their

treatment. Patients often don’t know where to begin to get support and guidance. Each patient deserves the highest level of cancer care where their medical, social and emotional needs are met. As a nurse navigator, Anne Milliken, BSN, RN, OCN, says, “I strive to listen to my patients’ wishes and compassionately help guide them with cancer knowledge, information and resources. I am there to help patients over the barriers and through their journey.”

Rudy Rueda, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2022, says, “If I have any questions, Anne calls me right away. I’m not sure if she eats or sleeps or does anything else—it feels like I’m her only patient. It’s so comforting because there are times you need information right away. Without the support of a nurse navigator, you’d have to become an overnight expert on the condition—and depending on the severity of your condition, that could be impossible.”

Rudy’s mother passed away from the same illness 20 years ago. “There was no Anne Milliken in my mom’s day. She had to be her own coordinator on top of going through the cancer,” Rudy says. “I can only imagine whoever came up with this program must have had family experience with cancer.”

The nurse navigators serve as a communication link, helping ensure timely diagnostic workups and coordination of results. They help ensure needed patient information is available to the many oncology care team experts reviewing each patient’s medical record and collaboratively develop individualized treatment care plans. Nurse navigators also link cancer patients to needed specialty programs offered within the Hunt Cancer Institute and beyond to ensure all their needs are met.

“Having access to timely information, and support is invaluable to patients,” says nurse navigator Evelyn V. Calip, BSN, RN, CNCN, who is a breast cancer survivor. “Every patient I see is benefiting in three crucial areas: education, coordination of patient appointments and assessing barriers to care with a high-touch approach.”

Nurse navigators also provide individualized care to address each patient’s clinical and emotional needs during their cancer journey so they feel

better prepared and supported. Nurse navigator Lauren Landefeld, BSN, RN, OCN, says, “I let patients know what to expect before, during and after surgery, and what to expect from the hospital experience. I want to empower my patients and help them push through their anxieties about surgery and treatments for best patient outcomes.”

Nurse navigators follow patients on an outpatient basis from their diagnosis, coordinating the many steps to cancer treatments and recovery. Imee Uy, BSN, RN, who served on the dedicated oncology unit for the past five years, recently transferred to the role of oncology nurse navigator. “I’m excited to bridge my inpatient oncology experience with the outpatient setting so I can advocate and support my patients from diagnosis through all phases of treatment,” she says.

Nurse navigators are valued and trusted advisors for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Coordinated cancer care enhances the timely care and outcomes for patients, their families and all cancer care team members involved.

“I am a cancer survivor myself and had no one to guide me as a young mom struggling to navigate the landscape of treatment options available for my diagnosis,” says Anne. “With no family living close by to guide me, I remember feeling helpless and lost.”

John Morse and his wife, Beverly, call Anne an angel. After his diagnosis, John struggled to manage all the paperwork and scheduling. Once his gastroenterologist connected him to a nurse navigator, the important aspects of his treatment were set up quickly.

“She’s been wonderful and so helpful dealing with all the referrals and insurance. She has been a godsend,” says Beverly.

Nancy Lean, MSN, MHSA, NEA-BC, director of oncology services at Torrance Memorial, says, “Personalized compassionate care is at the heart of nurse navigation, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring team of clinical expert nurse navigators supporting our patients here at Torrance Memorial Hunt Cancer Institute, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Cancer.” •

To contact a Torrance Memorial oncology nurse navigator, email canceranswers@tmmc.com or contact the Hunt Cancer Institute at 310-517-7077.

TorranceMemorial.org | 11

On Pace

Integrative Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Patient Care Inpatient integrative medicine program eases patient pain and anxiety.

M Torrance Memorial's Integrative Health & Wellness Program offers holistic treatment options to benefit patients admitted to the hospital.

Written by Laura Roe Stevens

argo Higuera, a 58-year-old massage therapist from Redondo Beach, was battling a serious infection called necrotizing fasciitis from an open wound. She was in pain and had a high fever as she drove herself to the emergency department on November 16, 2022. By the time she checked into the hospital, she hadn’t been sleeping for weeks. Not only did she have an infection and an open wound on her leg, she also lived with low back instability and a compromised nerve. Her pain and anxiety levels were at an all-time high when she was scheduled for same-day emergency surgery.

12 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

While the procedure was a success, the dressing changes were painful and the needed recuperation time was triggering her lower back. With a longer time laying in a prone position, it became worse—until Margo had a pinched nerve and searing sciatica pain.

Her physician decided to give her a nerve block, yet she was still uncomfortable and unable to sleep—“even with an IV drip of pain medication. My goal was to wean myself off the pain meds and go home as soon as possible, as I am my mother’s primary caregiver,” Margo explains. “You do not know how happy I was when Fabiana walked into my room!”

“Fabiana is a natural healer, and I feel so fortunate to know her,” Margo says. “Right away she did Reiki energy healing on me, along with a guided meditation, and taught me breath awareness. I was so relaxed I went right to sleep. It was the first night’s sleep I’d had in months.”

Fabiana Vidal is the coordinator of Torrance Memorial’s Integrative Health & Wellness Program. The pilot program began in 2019 within the oncology unit and is now expanding to other inpatient units. Integrative medicine incorporates conventional Western medical practices and treatments with complementary medicine treatments, such as essential oil therapy, yoga therapy including restorative poses, breath awareness, mindfulness and Reiki. Torrance Memorial is training nursing staff to be able to expand and offer access to these therapies to more patients.

For instance, the day after Margo’s emergency surgery, Fabiana visited to introduce the integrative services and offer a session. “Some people are anxious, and it helps to talk. Margo was excited and receptive. As a massage therapist, she understands the value of essential oils, deep breathing and proper positioning when in bed. She was just in a lot of pain and too stressed to remember to do them,” explains Fabiana.

During three separate treatments within her 10day hospital stay, Fabiana was able to help Margo relax, be aware of her breathing patterns and better position herself to ease the sciatic pain. “Fabiana is a natural healer, and I feel so fortunate to know her,” Margo says. “Right away she did Reiki energy healing on me, along with a guided meditation, and taught me breath awareness. I was so relaxed that I went right to sleep. It was the first night’s sleep I’d had in months.”

Fabiana also brought to Margo essential oils known to help with insomnia, pain and stress. The oils were dropped onto a cotton pad placed inside a Ziplock bag tied to her bed. “This allows patients to open the bag when they want to, controlling how much of the scent they want around their bedside.”

“She brought me a blend for pain with wintergreen and peppermint, and later lavender essential oils to help with my sleep and anxiety—and it worked!” Margo says. “I found I could go longer between pain button pushes when I smelled the essential oil blend and took some slow deep breaths like she showed me.”

The combination of therapies had a profound effect on Margo. “I was able to relax and sleep so much better every night. I had more positive thoughts, felt rested, and my feelings of well-being improved. I had an excellent medical team at Torrance Memorial, and I am especially grateful for Fabiana and the Integrative Medicine Program for helping me heal through an exceptionally challenging time.” •

Torrance Memorial’s Integrative Medicine Program offers a whole-person approach to health and quality of life. The program incorporates evidence-based complementary modalities with traditional medicine to help achieve optimal wellness.

(All services do not require skin-to-skin contact.) Inpatient services offered by Torrance Memorial include: • • • • •

Clinical aromatherapy (essential oil) Yoga therapy (breath work, guided meditation) Compassionate care (listening therapy) Reiki therapy Functional nutrition

TorranceMemorial.org | 13

On Pace

Celebrating Five Years of Success:

Cedars-Sinai and Torrance Memorial Mark Partnership Anniversary

S

ince the affiliation began in 2018, the South Bay community has benefited from close-to-home access to leading-edge oncology, neurosciences and cardiology care.

In 2018 Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai announced a new partnership designed to enhance health care access, coordination and quality throughout the South Bay.

14 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

Five years later, this affiliation has brought the resources and expertise of Cedars-Sinai’s academiclevel oncology, cardiac surgery and neuroscience clinical specialties to Torrance Memorial patients—providing convenient local access to leading-edge treatments and clinical trials for cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

“Our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai has worked out remarkably well and exceeded our initial expectations,” says Torrance Memorial CEO Craig Leach. “The South Bay community has benefited greatly from these two institutions working together to coordinate world-class care while also continuing the unique relationships they both have within the communities they serve.”

“When you ask people in the South Bay where they want to get their health care, they say Torrance Memorial,” says Tom Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System.

“Because Cedars-Sinai is also an institution with community roots, it was natural for us to seek partners for the health system with those similar community roots.”

Strategic Partnerships to Enhance Community Health The strategic partnership between Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai has enhanced care throughout the South Bay in three key areas:

Torrance Memorial Medical Center is proud to recognize its five-year anniversary and strategic alliance with Cedars-Sinai.

Oncology Even before the formal partnership, Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai had a long history of cancer care collaboration. Today Torrance Memorial patients have access to advanced clinical trials, multispecialty clinics and Cedars-Sinai subspecialists who provide advanced care for complex conditions, such as head and neck cancers.

Hugo Hool, MD, medical director of the Hunt Cancer Institute, says Torrance Memorial remains focused on building seamless interactions between the two partners and their physicians, while offering more Cedars-Sinai clinical trials locally.

“We have always had a strong clinical research focus and we're excited to now give our patients a direct pathway to evolving, novel therapies like CAR-T cell and CAR-NK cell therapies, and we look forward to expanding the repertoire of clinical trials to a variety of new cancers,” Dr. Hool says.

Neurosciences In the five years since Torrance Memorial’s affiliation with Cedars-Sinai, patients at Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Neurosciences Institute have experienced expanded access to world-class treatment options, technology and clinical trials.

Additionally, patients in the South Bay receive care

from a multidisciplinary team of experts from both hospitals who collaborate on all aspects of neurological care.

“The hospitals began their collaboration on the stroke side, but our South Bay patients’ neurological needs go beyond that. So we now have the expertise of specialists in movement disorders, spine, aneurysm repair and brain tumor resection,” says Paula Eboli, MD, medical director of endovascular neurosurgery at Lundquist Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Eboli joined Torrance Memorial from Cedars-Sinai after the affiliation and has helped build the neurosurgery team.

Cardiology Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute cardiothoracic surgeons practice alongside Torrance Memorial’s exceptional surgical team to provide the latest and best cardiac surgery options to South Bay patients.

Due to the team’s expertise, the community also has access to innovative technology—including the only extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine in the South Bay, which is used to support patients with extensive heart damage.

“Our goal is to merge our experience and expertise with Torrance Memorial, partnering with their physicians to make more of these services available to patients at the Torrance Memorial campus,” says Aziz Ghaly, MD, Cedars-Sinai cardiac surgeon and director of cardiac surgery at Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute.

Looking Toward a Bright Future After celebrating the five-year anniversary of their partnership, Torrance Memorial and CedarsSinai are looking forward to continued expansion—enhancing access to resources, expertise and clinical trials at Torrance Memorial while enriching the care Torrance Memorial physicians and staff provide to patients, their families and the entire South Bay community.

“These collaborations have enhanced the scope of services we can provide to the people in the South Bay, and we’ve seen a very, very positive response from the community,” says Keith Hobbs, president of Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

“Our patients love they can continue to get the care they’ve always trusted close to home at Torrance Memorial and also have access to more resources and expertise of Cedars-Sinai.” • TorranceMemorial.org | 15

On Pace

A Primer on Pain We all experience pain, but what is it?

Written by John Ferrari

W

e all experience pain. Many different types of pain, in fact— from the sharp, quick pain of a cut or a burn to the throbbing pain of a sore muscle to the shooting pain of sciatica. But what exactly is pain? How do our body and brain work together to feel and process pain … and what can we do to stop it?

“Pain is a lot of different things,” explains Torrance Memorial Physician Network interventional pain medicine physician Sina Samie, MD. “It starts as something physical—tissue damage, for example—and a signal is transmitted through nerves to the spinal cord and the brain.”

“Pain doesn’t happen exactly where it occurred. It is interpreted centrally,” agrees Kartik Ananth, MD, a Torrance Memorial psychiatrist and pain management specialist and interventionist. “A signal goes from the site to the brain, and your brain has to process it.”

Broadly speaking, Dr. Samie says, there are two types of pain. Nociceptive pain is a response to tissue damage, while neuropathic pain occurs when the nerves aren’t functioning correctly. “After surgery, for example, nerves may grow back abnormally and fire without a stimulus. A lot of times there might not be a physiological cause for neuropathic pain—you just treat it and find out what controls it.”

“Pain is much more complex than just a physical response,” he adds. “There’s both the physical feeling and the emotional response to that physical feeling. People rate pain differ16 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

ently. Some people may describe pain as just annoying, while for others it may be terribly painful. Pain perception changes over time too.

Chronic pain makes people more sensitive to it.

Functional MRI scans show different parts of the brain light up in people with chronic pain.

The brain focuses on the pain. It reorganizes the way it perceives things and focuses more on that kind of stimulus.”

The effects of chronic pain can extend beyond the pain itself, Dr. Ananth says. “When you have chronic pain, it’s very easy to become depressed or anxious.” That depression or anxiety, in turn, can lead to worse pain.

“If you can go about your business, you can focus on other things and to some extent forget about the pain,” but when chronic pain is affecting your emotions or ability to live your life, it’s time to speak with your primary care physician or a pain intervention specialist.

Chronic pain can be addressed with procedural interventions, such as surgery, but also with medications that treat both pain and emotional symptoms. The bottom line, Dr. Samie, says, is “untreated pain can result in even more pain.”

The options for treating pain are as varied as the types of pain itself—from medication to lifestyle changes. “Everyone deals with their pain differently. For example, a lot of people don’t want to take pills and just want to use yoga, acupuncture and stretching. Other people prefer physical therapy, and others want medication. A big percentage of people I see are not even on prescription medications. They want to work to reduce pain.”

While medication used to be the primary solution for severe or chronic pain, “our thinking on opioids has changed drastically—it’s not as great a long-term treatment as we thought,” says Dr. Ananth. “In some cases, opioids can make the pain worse. They do have a place in treatment—cancer patients, for example—but for the vast majority of patients, if we can start them on lower amounts of opioids, that will be better for them.”

Kartik Ananth, MD, is a Torrance Memorial psychiatrist and pain management specialist and interventionalist.

Sina Samie, MD, is a Torrance Memorial Physician Network interventional pain medicine specialist.

“Very high doses can cause opioid-induced hyperalgesia,” Dr. Samie adds. “That’s where the entire body is sensitive to pain.”

If you have concerns about the addictive potential of opioids, your primary care physician, pain intervention specialist and the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center can discuss and provide treatment options.

“Patients need to know there are many other options too,” Dr. Ananth says. These include spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation, both of which work by identifying the nerves sending the pain signal to the brain and stimulating just those nerves—“hijacking” them to send a different, nonpainful signal.

Dr. Samie and Dr. Ananth agree on the takeaway for pain: Talk with your physician when it affects your quality of life or function. “We can

do a lot to diagnose the problem and reduce the pain,” says Dr. Samie. “A lot of decisions are made by the patient. We give them various options and explain the pros and cons. In the end it’s all about improving quality of life.” •

If you or a loved one are concerned about reliance on opioid medications, speak with your primary care physician or specialist, or reach out to Torrance Memorial’s Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at 310-784-4879.

If you are suffering from pain and need answers, talk to your primary care physician when it affects your quality of life.

Kartik Ananth, MD, is located in Torrance at 23150 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 100 and can be reached at 310-437-7399.

Sina Samie, MD, is located in Torrance at 23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 120 and can be reached at 310-891-6795.

TorranceMemorial.org | 17

On Pace

Making a Plant-Based Diet Work for your Heart Health

Incorporating a selection of plant-based meals into your diet will help reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and other health-related issues.

C

ardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths worldwide. Research suggests almost one-half of cardiometabolic deaths in the U.S. might be prevented through proper nutrition. There is growing evidence supporting plant-based diets as an effective strategy for improving nutrient intake. High consumption of predominantly plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, beans,

18 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

peas and lentils, and limiting consumption of meats and processed foods is associated with a significantly lower risk of CVD. Plant-based diets are associated with decreased all-cause mortality, risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. The protective effects of these foods are likely mediated through their multiple beneficial nutrients, including monoand polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber and plant protein.

Here are some tips to get you started: Limit processed meats.

A good place to start is reducing or eliminating processed meats like sausage, bacon, hotdogs and other high-fat deli meats from your diet. Try replacing a grilled burger with marinated grilled portobello mushrooms or veggie burgers.

Eat more of the plant-based foods you already eat.

Do you eat PB&J sandwiches or oatmeal with nuts and fruit? Start by expanding these foods and meals.

Adding more fruits, vegetables and grains and reducing the portion of animal foods will slowly make your meals more plant-based.

Find recipes and cookbooks you like and create time to cook.

Search the internet for vegetarian and vegan recipes most similar to your cooking style. If you love the flavors and spices of your favorite beef chili, keep those same spices but substitute vegetables and grains—such as butternut squash and barley—for the ground beef.

Stock your kitchen with healthy, plant-based whole foods.

There are many plant-based foods in mainstream retail markets. Preplan to fill your pantry and refrigerator with a variety of plant-based selections, such as frozen vegetables or riced cauliflower, premade noodles, fresh pre-cut vegetables, dried or canned beans (don’t forget to rinse your canned beans!), nuts and seeds, and grains. When you are busy and pressed for time, a healthy meal will be just steps away!

What about protein? Can I get enough from plant-based sources?

Legumes, also known as beans, are not only an excellent, affordable source of plant protein but are also a rich source of soluble fibers (they also aid in the reduction of cholesterol and blood glucose), naturally low in fat, cholesterol-free, and high in vitamins and minerals. The improvement in blood lipid levels can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Soy products are associated with reduced LDL cholesterol levels, contain soluble fiber which improves blood glucose levels, and provide soy isoflavones, which may reduce inflammation related to heart disease.

Adopting a plant-based diet

1

Start with one plant-based meal each day.

2

Look at plants as the entrée and animal protein as the condiment or side.

3

Pick certain days of the week you will eat plant-based meals.

4

Make some of your favorite meat dishes into vegetarian options.

5

Shop at your local farmers market and see what’s in season.

6

Eat at a plant-based restaurant.

7

Start slowly. It does not need to be an all-or-nothing approach. •

TorranceMemorial.org | 19

On Pace

Listening to His Body An avid exerciser receives lifesaving cardiac care after speaking up about some concerning symptoms.

Written by Lisa Buffington | Photographed by Michael Neveux

T

om McCarthy, 67, has been an avid exerciser for 40 years. In 2022, after noticing a decrease in his ability to perform cardiovascular exercise along with an increased feeling of tightness in his upper right chest, McCarthy received lifesaving treatment from the team at Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute.

“At first I thought I might have pulled a muscle, but after years of performing intense exercise and tracking my performance, I knew something wasn’t right,” says McCarthy, who along with his wife, Laurie, is a hospital Patron. Laurie is also a member of the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Foundation Board.

Personalized Care When McCarthy was 50, he had a coronary calcium scoring (CCS) test, which uses CT imaging technology to measure the amount of calcium in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Although the test showed McCarthy’s heart was strong, it also showed high levels of calcium, or plaque, in his coronary arteries.

Plaque can cause blockages that increase the risk of heart attack.

“My results were in the worst 5% of 50-year-old males,” says McCarthy. “At that time, my cardiologist ordered all kinds of tests, which I passed with no problem.”

20 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

McCarthy continued with his exercise regimen and had follow-up stress tests, which measure the heart’s response to exertion, every five years.

During this time, he experienced no symptoms of coronary artery disease.

“I would see Tom at the gym,” says Lee Kissel, MD, a primary care provider with Torrance Memorial Physician Network.

“I knew he had a high score on his CCS test, and when I last saw him for a physical in June 2022, I encouraged him to go to a cardiologist.”

With an upcoming trip to Egypt and Greece on his calendar and his elevated risk of heart disease on his mind, McCarthy decided to follow Dr. Kissel’s advice and schedule an appointment with Ankush Chhabra, MD, Torrance Memorial interventional cardiologist and peripheral vascular specialist.

After reviewing McCarthy’s health history and his symptoms while exercising, Dr. Chhabra ordered another round of testing—including a stress test, which McCarthy again passed easily. “When I listened to Tom describe his symptoms, I was concerned—even after the test results came back normal,” says Dr. Chhabra. “Given Tom’s health history, I ordered an angiogram to check for blockages in his coronary arteries.”

The angiogram revealed Mc-

Carthy’s left anterior descending artery was 95% blocked—which could have led to a devastating heart attack. “Heart attacks resulting from blockages in this artery are known as widowmakers,” says McCarthy. “Fortunately, after years of exercising, I had built up collateral circulation in my other arteries, which were supplying extra blood to my heart.

Tom and Laurie McCarthy at home in their backyard in Manhattan Beach.

The Right Treatment On the same day Dr. Chhabra performed the angiogram, McCarthy and his wife—a former cardiac nurse— met with a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist to discuss treatment options.

“I could have either coronary artery bypass surgery, which would require a long recovery, or a minimally invasive angioplasty and stent procedure, which would have a much shorter recovery time,” says McCarthy.

“However, the stent procedure would be tricky due to where the blockage was located.”

McCarthy opted to have Torrance Memorial interventional cardiologist James Matchison, MD, perform his angioplasty and stent procedure.

Dr. Matchison specializes in challenging interventional cardiology cases, including treating blockages in the left anterior descending artery.

Through a small incision in McCarthy’s femoral artery, Dr. Matchison guided a balloon-tipped catheter to his left anterior descending artery, cleared the blockage and placed a stent to prop the artery open.

“We were able to restore 100% blood flow through Tom’s artery,” says Dr. Matchison. “Tom spent one night in the hospital and was back to normal activities within a few days.”

Returning to Baseline Although McCarthy missed the first leg of his trip to Egypt, he was still able to visit Greece— and his athletic performance quickly returned to baseline.

“After the procedure, I have no pain or pressure in my chest while exercising, and my perfor-

mance abilities have increased,” says McCarthy. “Two weeks after I got out of the hospital, I jumped off a 25-foot platform into the Aegean [Sea], and my doctors say there are no limitations to what I can do.”

McCarthy says although he initially ignored his symptoms and attributed them to normal

aging, he’s glad he spoke up—and thankful his physicians listened.

“It’s so important to know your body and take concerning symptoms seriously—especially if you have a history of heart problems.

I’m thankful my doctors listened to me and I had access to proven treatments provided by a team of cardiology experts.” •

In addition to hitting the gym regularly, morning walks with his 18-month-old labradoodle Lucy help Tom McCarthy stay on top of his health and fitness.

TorranceMemorial.org | 21

On Pace

In 2026 Torrance Memorial will debut a new two-story emergency department with expanded capacity, enhanced technology and improved efficiency.

Emergency Department Expansion Will Enhance Access To Care A new two-story facility will incorporate advanced technology and double the number of beds while increasing safety and efficiency.

Written by Lisa Buffington | Photographed by Vincent Rios

F

or nearly 100 years, Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Melanie and Richard Lundquist Emergency Department has provided award-winning, 24/7 care to South Bay residents—delivering critical health care services to more than 88,000 patients each year. In late 2023 Torrance Memorial will begin construction on a $40 million emergency department (ED) expansion project that will increase capacity, efficiency

22 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

and access to emergency care.

“Our ED has set the standard for exceptional and compassionate care in our community, and as a result we’ve seen consistent growth in the number of patients we serve each year,” says Gretchen Lent, MD, director of the Torrance Memorial ED. “Our team has done a remarkable job of making the most of our current space. An expanded, state-ofthe-art ED will allow our team to more efficiently

and effectively provide lifesaving care.”

The expanded emergency care facility, which is expected to open in 2026, will feature: • More than 80 treatment spaces including dedicated behavioral health rooms—double the department’s current capacity • A modular, open-concept design, including spaces that can be used for multiple purposes or modified depending on staff and patient needs • Rooms with glass partitions for enhanced viewing, safety, security and privacy • A pandemic-ready waiting room with two separate patient areas • Enhanced technology to improve efficiency and safety Collaborative Planning and Design with Leading-Edge Technology Torrance Memorial took a collaborative approach to designing the new ED. In addition to hiring Huddy HealthCare Solutions—a firm that has designed more than 300 emergency departments worldwide—the Torrance Memorial planning team included physicians, nurses and support staff in the design process.

“We invited our ED team members to give us input and feedback from the very beginning, which was even better than putting ourselves in their shoes,” says Gina Sulmeyer, MD, executive director of clinical informatics at Torrance Memorial.

“Working with Huddy HealthCare Solutions and our team members will ensure we get the most innovative, efficient space with maximized capacity,” says Dr. Lent. “Together we will not only build the department of our dreams but a space designed with future needs in mind.”

Torrance Memorial’s remodeled ED will feature a unique, two-story design—making it one of only a few double-decker EDs in the country. The Torrance Memorial team is visiting other double-decker EDs to learn best practices for managing various processes in a two-story environment.

The new ED will also be equipped with state-ofthe-art technology designed to enhance efficiency and safety. “Our patient spaces will have wireless systems that can record conversations between doctors and patients, extract the relevant information, and then automatically enter a note in the patient’s electronic medical record so physicians can talk with patients more freely,” says Dr. Sulmeyer.

“Team member badges and patient identification

bracelets will also be equipped with Radio Frequency Identification trackers so we know where they are in our facility, when they enter and leave specific areas, and how to call for help if needed.”

A State-of-the-Art Healing Space The Torrance Memorial ED team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work in a thoughtfully designed, healing space that pairs beautifully with the existing Lundquist Tower. But most of all, the team is looking forward to providing members of the community with enhanced access to emergency care for conditions including strokes, heart attacks, sepsis, accidents and more.

“Our new ED will be a reflection of our mission statement, which is to provide high-quality, timely and comprehensive emergency care, one patient at a time,” says Dr. Sulmeyer.

“Overall, it has been incredibly exciting, humbling and rewarding to be involved in creating the distinguished ED our team and community deserve,” says Dr. Lent. •

MELANIE AND RICHARD LUNDQUIST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RECOGNITIONS • •

•

Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center Designated as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Receiving Center

• •

•

Paramedic base station for Los Angeles County One of only three certified Burn Treatment Centers in Los Angeles County Recipient of the Lantern Award for extraordinary nursing care

To donate directly in support of the Torrance Memorial emergency department project, visit TorranceMemorialFoundation.org/ donate and select Emergency Department Expansion or call the Foundation office at 310-517-4703.

TorranceMemorial.org | 23

Clinical Feature

24 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

{

"If GI symptoms are bothersome or don’t improve over time, scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider or gastroenterologist is the first step toward feeling better."

When GI symptoms should prompt a doctor visit

D

An unhealthy gut may affect your immune system, contribute to disease, and impact mental health.

Screenings and proper diagnosis can help you get to the root of the problem.

Written by Lisa Buffington

igestive disorders affect millions of Americans each year. When symptoms cause significant or prolonged discomfort, they should prompt a visit to a primary care provider or gastroenterologist.

“Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance and celiac disease, as well as cancer,” says Shahina Hakim, MD, a gastroenterologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “Some of these conditions can cause similar, overlapping symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, rectal bleeding, trouble swallowing, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and weight loss, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from a health care provider if you notice something is ‘off ’ or isn’t getting better over time.”

“It is so important for patients to advocate for themselves and seek medical care if they are experiencing concerning symptoms,” says Tonny Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “If someone has a family history or risk factors for gastrointestinal conditions, such as colorectal or esophageal cancer, it’s especially critical to get symptoms checked out and be extra vigilant about ongoing monitoring.”

Clues to Guide Testing and Diagnosis Dr. Hakim says the symptoms a patient is experiencing provide clues that can be used to guide

the diagnostic process. “If the symptoms are in the upper GI tract, such as the esophagus or stomach, we might order blood work and an endoscopy to look at the lining of the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine. We may also order blood work for lower GI symptoms, but instead of an endoscopy, we would order a colonoscopy to look at the colon lining.”

Dr. Hakim says in some cases, imaging studies such as an abdominal CT scan or barium-swallow X-rays can be useful in diagnosing the cause of a patient’s symptoms. Dr. Lee says breath tests, stool tests and other studies can also be helpful.

Diagnostic Procedures Help Pinpoint Conditions During an endoscopy, a gastroenterologist inserts an endoscope—a thin, hollow tube with a light and video camera at the tip—through the mouth. The video camera transmits a magnified, real-time image of the upper digestive tract to a video monitor, which allows the gastroenterologist to look for problems and use special tools to take tissue samples which can be analyzed in the lab.

A colonoscopy is performed using a similar instrument called a colonoscope. The gastroenterologist inserts the colonoscope through the rectum, inspects the entire colon and takes biopsies as needed. If the gastroenterologist sees small growths in the colon lining called polyps, they may be able to remove them before they can develop into colon cancer.

TorranceMemorial.org | 25

Clinical Feature

“Taking biopsies can help us diagnose conditions that might not be visible to the naked eye, such as inflammation caused by microscopic colitis, changes associated with celiac disease, bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori or a high number of eosinophils associated with eosinophilic esophagitis,” says Dr. Hakim.

Start with an Accurate Diagnosis Having a colonoscopy or endoscopy may seem inconvenient, but combining these gold-standard tests with blood work, biopsies and imaging is the best way to help a gastroenterologist deliver an accurate diagnosis—and get patients on the path to feeling better.

“Some disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and other conditions, are functional conditions that can only be diagnosed after other problems are ruled out,” says Dr. Hakim. “After we arrive at an accurate diagnosis, we can develop an effective treatment plan.”

Many people experience occasional heartburn caused by acid reflux, but when it isn’t well controlled using over-thecounter medications or happens frequently, a visit to the gastroenterologist can help to determine if the symptoms are caused

by GERD. Reflux officially becomes GERD when contents from the stomach make their way back to the esophagus at least once a week, or when a person experiences other symptoms of reflux on a weekly basis. Almost half of North Amer-

icans suffer from reflux once a month, and 10% to 20% have full-fledged GERD. “Everyone has heartburn once in a while, and there are lots of over-thecounter medications available,” says Dr. Lee. “But when someone is having frequent heartburn and over-the-counter medications aren’t helping, they should see a gastroenterologist.”

An Integrated Physician Network Dr. Hakim says she works with other clinicians—including dietitians, primary care providers, allergists and mental health providers—to develop a plan to meet each patient’s needs and focuses on improving overall digestive health.

“I talk to patients about focusing on eating whole foods instead of processed items high in saturated fat, as well as taking steps to improve overall health such as getting adequate sleep, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking,” says Dr. Hakim.

“And because stress can be both a trigger and a symptom of digestive conditions, I help patients understand the mind-body connection and discuss stress management as part of their treatment plan.”

“Torrance Memorial has an integrated network of physicians who work together to focus on all aspects of patient well-being, and options like telemedicine make it even easier for patients to access the GI care they need,” says Dr. Lee. “We’re here to help, and we want patients to reach out instead of ignoring their symptoms.” •

DON’T WAIT TO SEEK CARE FOR SYMPTOMS Understanding what is normal for your body—and seeking medical attention when something seems “off”—is critical to maintaining your digestive health. This is especially important if you have a family history or are at high risk for certain GI conditions.

Although it might be easy to attribute uncomfortable digestive symptoms to stress, something you ate or a particularly severe stomach bug, some symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or gastroenterologist if you notice symptoms including: • •

Shahina Hakim, MD, is an attending gastroenterologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and sees patients at Digestive Care Consultants (digestivecareconsultants.net), 23451 Madison St., Suite 290, Torrance, as well as at the practice’s additional locations in El Segundo and San Pedro. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hakim, call 310-375-1246.

Tonny Lee, MD, is an attending gastroenterologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and sees patients at South Bay Gastroenterology Medical Group (southbaygastro.com), 23456 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 300, Torrance, as well as the practice’s additional location in El Segundo. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lee, call 310-539-2055.

26 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

• •

• • •

Rectal bleeding Trouble swallowing that doesn’t go away Unexplained weight loss Changes in bowel habits that don’t return to normal over time Vomiting or nausea with no obvious cause Black stools Persistent pain

TORRANCE MEMORIAL RANKED FIRST AMONG SOUTH BAY HOSPITALS BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, NEWSWEEK AND SOUTH BAY’S BEST 2022 AWARDS. AWARDS . When it comes to local expert care, it is important to know the facts. Torrance Memorial is leading the way in the South Bay for expert care, ranking among the best hospitals in California and the nation. TMGetTheFacts.org

#1 Ranked Hospital in the South Bay

Trust Your Health to World-Class Results -

Ranked in the Top 5 in L.A./ O.C. Region - U.S. News & World Report

Ranked #10 in California

- Newsweek

Top 3% Hospital in California

- U.S. News & World Report

Best Hospital in the South Bay

- South Bay’s Best 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards

Clinical Feature

What You— and Your Teens— Need to Know About Fentanyl No pill or street drug is safe.

Written by John Ferrari

28 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

I

Moe Gelbart, PhD, Director, Behavioral Health Torrance Memorial

“It’s Russian roulette.” That’s how Moe Gelbart, PhD, describes street drugs.

“People, especially young people, don’t believe they’re going to be the ones” to die of an overdose, says the licensed clinical psychologist, founder and executive director of Thelma McMillen Recovery Center and director of behavioral health at Torrance Memorial. “But it’s one of the top causes of death in the 18-to-45 age group.”

Experimenting with illegal or controlled subfentanyl is also available as a liquid or powder. It stances has always been risky, and the widespread can be swallowed, dissolved in the cheek or under availability of powerful opioids like hydrocodone the tongue, snorted, smoked, injected—even taken (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet— as eye drops. the drugs behind the nation’s opioid epidemic— Drug use among teenagers is down overall, has made it more so. But the emergence of fentanyl but fentanyl overdoses are up, notes Dr. Gelbart. as a common street drug has added something new. According to Los Angeles County Department of Some 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or Public Health data, fentanyl was responsible for morphine and 75 to 150 times more powerful than 55% of all reported accidental alcohol and drug oxycodone or hydrocodone, even small doses of overdose deaths in the county in 2021. Between fentanyl can flat-out kill someone.

2016 and 2021, fentanyl overdose deaths among Fentanyl’s potency explains its attraction to drug children and teenagers under 18 increased more cartels and street-level dealers—a little bit goes a than sixfold, from 5 to 31. long way. Street drugs can be cut with fentanyl to The danger to children, teenagers and young boost their effects and make them more addicadults is especially acute because not only are they tive, and often fentanyl is sold as a different drug more sensitive to the effects of opioids like fentanyl, entirely—anything from heroin to prescription they don’t have the experience or judgement to painkillers. critically assess a situation or think through the Pharmaceutical fentanyl is available as a pill, potential consequences of their actions. patch, lozenge or tablet. Illicitly manufactured While the causes of teen drug use are complex, TorranceMemorial.org | 29

FENTANYL OVERDOSE EMERGENCY INFO Torrance Memorial emergency medicine physician Richard Bracken, DO, sees fentanyl and other opioid overdoses on a regular basis. Cases are more common at the LAC-USC Medical Center, where he also serves as an emergency medicine physician, but “no place is immune from this crisis,” he says. "At Torrance Memorial, I’ve seen overdoses among teens and college-age students.”

Symptoms

The best advice for parents is to talk about drug use proactively. Don't avoid the topic—on a broad level and as it relates to fentanyl. Always keep the door open for discussion.

Dr. Gelbart points out two common contributing factors: peer pressure and issues such as depression and ADHD, which may be untreated or even undiagnosed. Working together though, parents and children can minimize the risks posed by fentanyl and other drugs. The key is trust and communication.

“Talk so your kids will listen,” Dr. Gelbart says, “and listen so your kids will talk.” That’s not always easy, but it’s important. “Don’t be judgmental. Listen to your kids. Honor what they say, which does not mean you have to agree, but validate them.

Recognize how they feel is correct for them from their perspective.”

Open, frequent parent-teen communication can uncover issues that could lead to drug use, allowing a team approach to addressing problems. “Ask your kids, ‘What are you feeling? And how can we get through it?’” Dr. Gelbart advises. “Keep your eyes and ears wide open. As parents, we need to pay attention to what teens tell us, directly and through their behavior.”

With fentanyl so prevalent in illicit drugs—even those sold as prescription medications—parents need to discuss substance abuse at two levels, Dr. Gelbart says: at the broad level of drug and alcohol use and specifically about fentanyl. “With fentanyl there’s an added seriousness,” he explains. “Parents need to be much clearer and adamant on the dangers so their children do not ever take a pill from the street. That’s the most important message.” •

30 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

Opioids, including fentanyl, kill by lowering the body’s respiratory drive. Breathing slows, and if the overdose remains untreated, it can stop entirely. The early signs of a fentanyl overdose include drowsiness, deepening into stupor, followed by diminished breathing and loss of consciousness. Breathing becomes increasingly shallow, and the individual’s skin may be white or blue due to lack of oxygen.

Treatment The treatment for opioid overdoses is simple and safe: the immediate administration of naloxone (Narcan), usually as an easy-to-deliver nasal spray. That’s Dr. Bracken’s #1 message: If someone may be overdosing on fentanyl or another opioid, don’t wait—administer Narcan.

“It’s a very safe medication,” he says. “Any delay is going to greatly increase the risk of death from the overdose. And always call 911 after Narcan use to follow up.” Calling 911 is important because more than one dose of Narcan may be needed, Dr. Bracken adds—and anyone who has potentially overdosed should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Dr. Bracken adds that primary care physicians and pediatricians can prescribe Narcan as a preventive measure. Emergency physicians can prescribe Narcan after treating a patient. “We always counsel our patients to have Narcan. It’s lifesaving.”

Prevention Keeping teenagers safe from fentanyl overdoses has an added challenge, Dr. Bracken notes. “They never want to tell their parents. My best advice for parents is to talk about drug use proactively. Don’t avoid the topic, and keep the door open to discuss it. And keep Narcan on hand, even if it’s just a precaution for your children’s friends.”

Hopefully teens and parents will never have to use Narcan, but if someone does overdose, says Dr. Bracken, “that’s the most important thing—getting that medication on board as soon as possible. Use Narcan. Don’t be ashamed or concerned—use it, and then call 911.”

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

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

Mental Health Corner

Replace New Year’s Resolutions with Intentional Behavior Written by Moe Gelbart, PhD, Director, Behavioral Health, Torrance Memorial

W

ith every new year comes New Year’s resolutions, which for most fade by the time February rolls around—resulting in guilt, disappointment and shame. Instead, I suggest we embrace intentionality in our day-to-day choices and behaviors.

Intentionality involves taking responsibility for our actions and making choices in line with our real desires.

I am a firm believer in the expression, “You always end up in the direction you are heading.” Much frustration and unhappiness result from believing you want one thing, and your actions are the opposite. It is like heading north on the 405 and believing you want to go to San Diego. You won’t get there, so you either need to turn around or accept you really want to go to San Francisco.

Let’s change resolutions from what you should or need to do to what you want to do. When we lay out a clear path, we can then make sure our behaviors are in the service of achieving those goals and be free to change our goals/direction, or change our behavior to reflect our desires. That is intentional behavior.

Committing to intentional behavior also involves a willingness to understand ourselves better and recognize there are many factors beyond the obvious. For example, a common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. Everyone knows that to lose weight, you need to exercise more, eat less and eat healthier. What is not so obvious are the layers of history, pain, sadness and trauma that remain unresolved and often prevent us from achieving our desires. This year, be kind to yourself and commit to being intentional in pursuit of your goals.

If you have a mental health question for Dr. Gelbart, please submit it in an email to publications@tmmc.com.

32 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

I am taking care of my 90-year-old mother, who has dementia. It is very stressful and difficult, and at times I feel I can’t take it anymore. I know I have no choice in the matter, but are there any suggestions for making my life a little more tolerable? – Laura S. I understand your situation, and please know you are not alone in what you are experiencing. It sounds like you are suffering from what is known as Caregiver Stress Syndrome. It is a condition characterized by physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. It typically results from a person neglecting their own physical and emotional health because they are focused on caring for an ill, injured or disabled loved one. Symptoms include mental and physical exhaustion, fatigue, anger and irritation, frustration, depression and a sense of hopelessness.

There are some important things you can do to help. First and foremost, take care of yourself. Just like when you are on an airplane and are instructed to put your own oxygen mask on before you help others, you have to do all you can to make sure you are in best condition to help another. Get some help, and don’t go at this alone. Make sure family members know what is going on and pitch in. Hire help for routine tasks like housekeeping. Don’t judge your feelings, and have an outlet to freely open up without being judged, i.e., talking to friends you trust. Seek out support groups in the community or through your church or synagogue.

Practice self-care in exercising, eating well and avoiding reliance on alcohol or other substances. If needed, seek professional help from a psychologist. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will not be in a position to take care of anyone else.

My husband passed away four years ago. He was very controlling, and now I don’t know how to be myself. I need to find my voice. – Maureen M. First, sorry for your loss. The problem you describe is most likely complex and long-standing, so my first suggestion is to be fair and kind to yourself and give yourself time to process these issues and work through them. There is, as you well know, no quick cure or simple answer to what you are experiencing. The most important area to work on is to create a social support system of people you can trust, can talk to openly and who will not judge you or tell you what you should do. Such a social support system will also provide people you can connect with and engage in activities with.

Take an inventory of your interests, and make sure you are pursuing them. Learning new things and meeting new people will help. There are many groups focused on a particular topic/ area but are designed to foster real and meaningful communication. Joining one of those groups could be helpful.

If you haven’t already done so, seeking out professional help from a psychologist or therapist could help you understand yourself better, and group therapy may be a good vehicle for “finding your voice.” Good luck in your future. •

Ask the Doctor

The Stuff You Need to Know About Stuffiness How to tell the difference between congestion and infection

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Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick

stuffy, sniffly, runny nose is unpleasant but usually passes quickly. Home remedies help with minor colds and irritations, but nasal congestion caused by a sinus infection can require a visit to the doctor. Board-certified otolaryngologist David Kim, MD, of Torrance Memorial Physician Network, offers suggestions for treating sinus congestion and infection—and how to tell which one you’ve got.

What causes an ordinary stuffy nose?

A stuffy nose is a common medical condition that is a result of inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages (also known as rhinitis). It can be set off by environmental allergies, infections (viral and bacterial), chemicals (tobacco smoke, car exhaust, perfume and chlorinated water), alcohol, certain medical conditions (including pregnancy and decreased thyroid gland function), medications (certain blood pressure medications, birth control pills and antidepressants) and weather changes. Abnormal anatomy of the nose can also contribute to feelings of stuffiness.

What causes a sinus infection?

A sinus infection (sinusitis) can occur with any condition that creates nasal inflammation and blocks the drainage of the sinuses. Allergies and upper respiratory infections are common triggers. People with nasal blockages due to polyps or a deviated septum, or who have a compromised immune system, can be also more susceptible to a sinus infection.

What are the specific differences between a stuffy nose and a sinus infection?

A sinus infection usually produces thick, discolored (yellow or green) mucus, but with an ordinary stuffy nose, mucus tends to be clear or white. A fever, significant pain or pressure on one side of the face, or pain in the upper teeth point to a sinus infection.

What are the best treatments for an ordinary or cold-related stuffy nose?

Remedies include using a humidifier/ vaporizer, staying hydrated and keeping your head elevated while sleeping. Preventive measures can involve avoiding an allergy trigger and irritants like cigarettes/ other forms of smoke inhalation and alcohol. A nasal saline spray and rinse is a safe, nonmedicinal option for reducing nasal congestion. Topical medicated nasal sprays and oral antihistamines can be used alone or in combination. And there are numerous over-the-counter (OTC) therapeutic options.

What is the right approach for a sinus infection?

Sinusitis is one of the leading reasons for antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient health care in the U.S. However, many cases are caused by viruses (not bacteria), and antibiotic treatment may not be helpful—and could be harmful in the long term. Many cases of sinusitis will resolve with the use of a nasal saline rinse, a warm compress, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. If a person has persistent symptoms for more than seven days or

develops a fever, significant facial pain or thick yellow or green nasal drainage, it is recommended to consult a medical professional.

When should an individual see a specialist for sinus congestion?

If you experience persistent or worsening nasal congestion or frequent sinus infections that do not respond to OTC medications, consult an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist) for a comprehensive head and neck examination. It would also be helpful to see an allergist for an allergy test. A stuffy nose and a sinus infection are best managed by treating the source and the symptoms at the same time.

When is sinus congestion an emergency?

Sinus congestion can become an emergency when it moves into surrounding structures in the head, especially the brain and the eyes. This can cause symptoms such as eye swelling/ pain, vision change, fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, altered mental status and neurological deficits. A sinus infection that spreads is serious and potentially life-threatening and requires prompt hospitalization with intravenous antibiotic treatment and surgery. You should seek medical attention immediately if you have experienced a sinus infection and develop any of these symptoms. •

David Kim, MD, practices at Torrance Memorial Physician Network ENT in Torrance at 23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 125. He can be reached at 310891-6733.

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Clinical Feature

Mina Diaz has a new lease on life after a diagnosis and complex spine surgery for a genetic degenerative spinal condition.

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TORRANCE MEMORIAL

EMPLOYEE PAIN-FREE RECEIVES SECOND CHANCE TO WALK

After complex spine surgery to treat a genetic condition, Mina Diaz, 44, is back at work and grateful to the team of clinicians who made her recovery possible.

Written by Lisa Buffington | Photographed by Vincent Rios

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n her 22 years working as a unit secretary in the Torrance Memorial Medical Center emergency department (ED), Mina Diaz has never called in sick. But in March 2021 she began to experience nerve pain that radiated down the back of her leg, making it difficult for her to walk, work and perform her normal activities.

As a member of the ED’s Stroke Committee, Mina worked closely with Paula

Eboli, MD, medical director of Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Neurosciences Institute Neuroendovascular Surgery Program. Dr. Eboli is a neurosurgeon who provides general spine care and specializes in treating neurovascular conditions such as aneurysms and stroke.

“I told Dr. Eboli, ‘I think I have to come and see you’,” says Mina, who had already tried anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy to manage her pain.

TorranceMemorial.org | 35

A Surgical Solution for a Genetic Spinal Condition Mina scheduled an office visit with Dr. Eboli, who ordered an MRI. The MRI revealed Mina had a genetic, degenerative spinal condition called pars defect/spondylosis, which causes the spine to become damaged and leads to stress fractures, muscular weakness, and problems with spinal discs and joints.

“Not everyone with this condition has pain, but Dr. Eboli told me if you’re going to have problems, they usually occur in your 40s,” said Mina, who is now 44. “I was miserable.”

“We decided to try a nerve block and steroid injections to see if that would help relieve Mina’s pain,” says Dr. Eboli, who referred Mina to Torrance Memorial interventional radiologists Donny Baek, MD, and George So, MD. 36 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

Although Mina’s nerve block and injections helped for a few months, the relief didn’t last. By this time, she was unable to bear weight on her left leg, causing it to drag when she walked.

Dr. Eboli referred her to Lindsey Ross, MD, who specializes in complex spine surgery. Dr. Eboli and Dr. Ross are Cedars-Sinai neurosurgeons who bring their expertise to South Bay patients through the affiliation of Cedars-Sinai and Torrance Memorial.

“I needed to have surgery, and when Dr. Eboli referred me to Dr. Ross, I knew she would take the best care of me,” says Mina. “I was also relieved to be able to have my surgery at Torrance Memorial—close to home and among familiar people and surroundings.”

“When I met Mina, I could see the problem in her spine right away, and I knew the surgical solution I was offering was going to help,” says Dr. Ross.

Lindsey Ross, MD, Mina Diaz and Paula Eboli, MD

Today Mina is back to work at Torrance Memorial, where she is a unit secretary in the emergency department.

Complex Surgery Yields Outstanding Results Three days before her birthday, Mina underwent a two-stage, minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure. By her side, were Dr. Eboli, Dr. Ross, vascular surgeon Amir Kaviani, MD, and anesthesiologist Ronald Rothstein, MD. “Mina’s surgery was complex because we had to access the spine in two stages—from both the front and the back of her body—to make the repair,” says Dr. Ross. “Having Dr. Kaviani on our team was critical because we needed him to move Mina’s major blood vessels out of the way so we could access her spine through her abdomen.”

And although Mina says she was nervous before her procedure, she felt confident her surgical team would take excellent care of her.

Gratitude for a Second Chance Mina came through the seven-hour procedure flawlessly and was able to walk a few steps the next day. She spent five days in the hospital before returning home, where she received several weeks of occupational and physical therapy. She wore a back brace and used a walker for a month, followed by a cane for another month.

Throughout her recovery, Mina says the encouragement she received from her Torrance Memorial coworkers and prayers from family and friends kept her going. She says a day didn't go by when she didn’t receive a text from someone asking how she was doing. Although it was tough to be away from work and her normal activities, Mina’s experience gave her a new appreciation for things she previously took for granted.

“By month three, I was walking a mile a day,” she says. “By month five, I was able to come back to work, and by month six, I was back to my everyday activities and exercise routine with only a few restrictions.”

“Mina was an excellent patient, and she did really well. Her story illustrates how the Torrance Memorial team takes care of every patient in our community who needs our help,” says Dr. Ross, who points out Mina’s complete recovery will take a year or 18 months. She will continue to follow up with Mina until the two-year mark.

“I would choose the Torrance Memorial team all over again,” says Mina. “They gave me a second chance to walk without pain, and I will forever be thankful to all the surgeons who made this possible. I am so blessed.” • TorranceMemorial.org | 37

Cedric Jones spars with student mentee Neko Scott during an MLK Day demonstration and fundraising event at his Beastie Academy in Manhattan Beach on January 16.

Zest for Life

Raising Beasties Written by Diane Krieger | Photographed by Siri Berting

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edric Jones knows all about clawing up from rock-bottom while chasing a dream. He came to Los Angeles 20 years ago to become a movie star. Three months later, he was living on the street and begging for food.

Today he’s a successful businessman, a happily married father of three, and the surrogate dad to more than 30 boys and young men who call themselves the Beastie Academy. Jones is the owner of Beastie—a boxing gym in Manhattan Beach. The grit he demonstrates in his life makes him a powerful role model.

“I always tell my boys, ‘Anything you want in life, it takes patience.

You’ll go through some adversity, but don't give up. It’s about chasing dreams, it’s about really believing in yourself and being competent.’ And they can honestly see that’s what happened to me,” he says.

At 45, Jones still wants to be an actor. On lunch breaks in the middle of his busy day, he’ll dash off to audition. When he doesn’t get a callback, the boys console him.

“They’ll say, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get the next one. Don’t quit, don’t give up.’ It’s so inspirational to see them trying to tell me the same stuff I tell them when they see me going through my struggles.”

Jones’ passion for mentoring started 10 years ago with a kid he met at Ross. The boy’s sneakers were in tatters, but his aunt said she couldn’t afford a new pair. Jones paid for new shoes, exchanged phone numbers with the aunt, and that boy became his first project. As Jones added more kids to the Beastie Academy roster, the older boys started mentoring the younger ones. All have stayed involved, including five who are now in college—three of them All-American football players.

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Zest for Life Working out alongside gym members and Jones’ private clients, the boys get to know successful adults who sometimes step up as academy sponsors and volunteer drivers. Beyond gym workouts, there are organized activities for the Beastie boys: a book club, financial literacy workshops, neighborhood cleanups.

On Monday nights everyone gathers for a weekly Zoom meeting, where the boys share their successes and failures, aspirations and worries. They also connect daily through an open chat, where they can count on receiving unconditional support anytime.

There’s no application process for academy membership. It all happens informally, by word of mouth. Most of the boys come by bus from places like East L.A., Compton, South Central and Watts.

If they need a ride, Jones will send an Uber or pick them up himself. “One way or another,” he says, “I make sure they get to me.”

Jones used to only take underprivileged youths, but rich kids, he has found, can be just as troubled as poor ones. Some of the newer boys are well-off South Bay locals.

“It has nothing to do with financial status,” Jones explains. “Sometimes kids just aren’t willing to listen to their parents. I try to be that extra voice, that extra discipline, that extra push.”

The mother of a “privileged” Beastie boy recently called Jones to gush about “the huge turnaround” she’d witnessed in her son academically, mentally and physically. Another newbie, a 9-yearold from the inner city, recently lost his brother to gang violence.

Cedric Jones has many dreams and aspirations but always puts mentoring young boys in need of guidance as his top priority.

40 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

“He’s a great kid, but he was definitely on his way down the wrong road,” Jones says. “The gym is the perfect place for him. He gets to punch the bags and let all that frustration out.”

If that isn’t enough, Jones lets boys gut-punch him until their arms give out. “I want them to learn to burn off that extra energy. I tell them, ‘Don’t go drink and smoke and do crazy things. Come to the gym with me.’”

Cedric grew up in Macon, Georgia, the son of a minister and a nurse. A “theatre kid” since age 7, he attended a performing arts academy in Atlanta and earned an associate degree in dance before moving to L.A. With only $5,000 in his pocket and no job in sight, he soon ran out of rent money. Jones lived on the street for more than a year.

Random acts of kindness by complete strangers made all the difference. An older woman, who turned out to be an executive with a temp agency, got him a construction job, then a retail job and eventually full-time employment in the call center of Beachbody, where he worked for eight years.

On the side, he was boxing. Two pro boxers he met while living on the street had offered to train Jones for free. His dancer’s physique and iron discipline—at no point did Jones fall prey to alcohol or substance abuse—allowed him to excel in the sport.

He boxed in more than 120 amateur bouts and qualified at the Olympic trials in the light-heavyweight category before pulling the brakes on his boxing career.

“I wasn’t committed to it,” he explains. “My dream was to be an actor.”

Boxing continued to open doors, however. Jones started auditioning for roles in movies and landed a small part in the 2015 boxing film Southpaw. He’s had several other movie roles, including in the new Will Smith drama Emancipation.

In 2014, Jones opened his Beastie gym in Manhattan Beach. Around the same time, he established the BMoved Foundation—the formal name of his nonprofit.

Although he currently trains only boys, Jones believes his 14-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, shows the most raw talent. “My daughter is a beast. She’s probably a better boxer than all of them.” Jones plans to open the Beastie Academy to girls once he recruits a strong female leader. He also wants to lease a separate facility for the academy, underwritten by grants for which he currently has no time to write proposals.

Jones lives at a furious pace. (His wife, Barbie, sometimes wonders if there are two of him.) His alarm is set for 3:30 am, and he starts the day with a 7-mile run. His young sons Braxton, 9, and Bryson, 5, ride with dad from their Compton home to the gym, where Jones’ first private training session begins at 5 am. He drops the kids off at school before his 8:15 am client arrives, and picks them up again in the afternoon.

His wife is a wardrobe stylist who runs her own boutique in Inglewood, but when they met, Barbie was working for the sheriff 's department. Jones was living in transitional housing for formerly homeless men.

“The first time she came to my place, I was so embarrassed,” he recalls. “But she never said one word about it. We fell in love, and we’ve been together ever since,” Jones says, beaming.

Life would be easier if Jones gave up his dream of acting.

Emancipation was filmed on location in New Orleans. “That was rough. They kept me out there for six months,” he says. Though his on-screen role was

small—Jones plays a soldier—he also worked as a stunt man and project adviser. He and Will Smith became friends, and the movie star has promised to meet the Beastie boys in L.A. While away, Jones left the academy in the hands of gym staffer and longtime friend Christopher Ananeh-Firempong. The two men met back when they were both homeless, and later learned to box together. Jones also gets help from devoted foundation board members Heidi Thompson, Marci Cullen, Ryan Green and Megan Phillips.

Though stretched to the max, Jones won’t compromise. He’ll keep mentoring his boys. And he’ll keep auditioning for parts.

“My story is not over,” he says. “I want to leave a mark. When people speak my name, I want them to relate it to hope, inspiration, being able to thrive and go get it.” •

BMoved and Beastie Academy's goal is to support young men from whatever age to help them make wise decisions and keep them in a positive mental and physical space despite their circumstances.

Owner and founder Cedric Jones knows how to motivate a crowd!

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Community Benefit Dr. Stephen Keller stepped down as RBUSD superintendent in December 2022 after a 16-year tenure where he had a big impact on teaching kids about hearthealthy choices while raising over $1.4 million in the process.

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Students Raise $1.4 Million in Kids Heart Challenge Recently retired RBUSD Superintendent Steven Keller’s legacy of kid heart health philanthropy Written by Laura Roe Stevens | Photographed by Vincent Rios

42 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

nspired to give back and boost kid-heart health awareness, a local superintendent created a legacy of student philanthropy and health awareness. It all began in 2007, when Dr. Steven Keller, Redondo Beach Unified School District superintendent, partnered with the American Heart Association for its Kids Heart Challenge, formerly called Jump Rope for Heart. The goal of this program, open to all Redondo Beach students, is to inspire kids to become more physically fit and to make better nutritional choices—while also raising funds for cardiovascular disease research.

To date, $1.4 million has been raised

by Redondo Beach students—that’s more than any other school district in California. Dr. Keller says the program also helps “instill a sense of philanthropy in students. It’s important to give back and help others. It’s never too soon to start to do this. And don’t even get me started about nutrition. The earlier kids become aware of healthier choices, the better it will be for their hearts and longevity.”

In play at all Redondo Beach schools, the program’s focus is on fundraising through physical activity, such as jumping rope. Students are also required to attend educational programs about heart health and nutrition.

A Heartbeat Away When presented with the opportunity in 2007, Dr. Keller says he didn’t hesitate. He knew from experience how critical heart health awareness can be.

“On a personal note, I’m passionate about heart health awareness as I lost both my parents to heart disease. It’s important to advocate for better choices—in nutrition and exercise—to avoid heart disease and stroke,” explains Dr. Keller. In his own life, he aims to exercise daily and opts for more fruits and veggies and low-sugar snacks.

Poor heart health is linked with higher obesity and diabetes rates, and in America childhood diabetes is on the rise. According to American Diabetes Association’s current statistics, 35% of American children under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2). Diabetes was listed as the seventh cause of death in America in 2019 too.

Why is this important? Diabetes is directly linked to heart disease. And Type 2 diabetes can be avoided, as it is created by a diet filled with excess sugar. This type of food intake taxes the body’s ability to create insulin, which

converts sugar into usable energy.

Additionally, increasing levels of heart disease make the Kids Heart Challenge program even more important today. In fact, 2022 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) place heart disease as the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. “One person dies every 34 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease,” the latest CDC report found.

“When we help children embrace exercise and healthier nutritional choices, we are creating future adults who will be less at risk. And we are likely educating their parents as well.

We’re all busy. It’s easy to pick up pizza or fast food for dinner. But many kids are eating candy during the day and drinking soda too. It adds up,” Dr. Keller noted.

He hopes future generations will continue to take note of how powerful our healthy choices are. •

Not one to stand by on the sidelines, Dr. Keller took part in the Kids Heart Challenge activities yearly.

Dr. Steven Keller is widely credited with making the Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) what it is today during his 16-year tenure as the school district’s superintendent.

He attended Walteria Elementary, Newton/Richardson Middle School and South High in Torrance. Dr. Keller began his journey in education as a 22-year-old teacher in Rancho Cucamonga in 1986. His career included stops in Fullerton, Baldwin Park and Laguna Beach, where he rose as an assistant superintendent before taking the helm at RBUSD. This community has always been home to him, and it still is today. After 36+ years in public education, he retired at the end of December and plans to “dabble” with a few part-time jobs, such as consulting companies and coaching seniorlevel administrators for districts.

While he’s excited to spend more time with his family, Dr. Keller admits, “I’m going to miss this job and the people I work with.” They are clearly going to miss him too.

His words of advice to them (and us): “Work doubly hard to find time to exercise, eat well and find calm in the middle of the day.”

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Helping Hands

Jenkins Family Day Care Providing loving care for South Bay children for 36 years Written by Laura Roe Stevens | Photographed by Philicia Endelman

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enerations of South Bay families have attended Jenkins Family Day Care of Carson.

Local families have described this small, family-run day care as “a godsend” and “a home away from home.” Now, after 36 years of providing affordable care for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 8 years, the beloved center will close its doors in June.

“The Jenkins Family Day Care has been an oasis of peace and love for my family for 35 years,” says Rita Rubin, a mother of three from Carson. Her daughters, Ralana, 35, Raquel, 32, and Ramara, 28, attended when they were young, and her granddaughter Averi, 3, currently goes to 44 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

the day care.

“You can smell the delicious meals before you reach the house,” she says.

“School days are filled with fun learning, laughter, singing and plenty of gooood food! No one wants to leave.”

Rita remembers the Jenkins family “going the extra mile” to help Raquel, who had childhood asthma. “Harriet Jenkins and her amazing family carried Raquel and her nebulizer everywhere. She attended all school activities, events and field trips.”

“Harriet and her family, day care and staff will be truly missed. They will forever represent a place of love, hope, encouragement and success in our hearts,” Rita adds.

Top: Harriet Jenkins and daughter Catherine Hargrove Above: Harriet and one of her many happy students

A Family Labor Of Love Harriet, now age 80, opened Jenkins Family Day Care in 1988 to provide affordable and loving care for children. The center cares for a maximum of 14 children at a time. The home environment is one where children can freely play outside, participate in arts and crafts, learn through play, visit local parks and gardens, and enjoy home-cooked meals made daily by Harriet. Families are often surprised by the low rates.

“When I asked my mom why she continued to charge only $125 a week (her rate when opening the day care in 1988) to care for children from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, my mom said: ‘This is the rate God wants me to charge.’ She just wouldn’t budge,” explains Catherine Hargrove, RN, one of Harriet’s daughters, who runs management operations and curriculum for the day care in her “free time.” She has worked as a nurse at Torrance Memorial Medical Center since 1995 and now is the manager of health education.

“My mom feels it’s important to help families who need to go to work. And she loves children.

When parents arrive to pick up their children, there will be a few wrapped around my mom’s legs not wanting to leave! It’s always been that way,” Catherine shares with a laugh.

A special component of Jenkins Family Day Care is the family involvement. Harriet’s husband, Allen, 80, has always been handy and fixes anything around the center. Harriet’s four children and two granddaughters have worked (or still do) at the center. Catherine says she’ll retire when her mom does in June.

Catherine’s two daughters, Adrianna and Briana, both worked for 10 years at the day care. While Catherine’s siblings are now out of state, they too used to work at Jenkins Family Day Care and are also now in the health care field.

Catherine’s sister Regina Jenkins-Lynch, RN, was a labor and delivery nurse with Torrance Memorial for 23 years and is now working in perinatal care in Ohio. Catherine’s brother Christopher Jenkins, RN, is a respiratory director with Baylor hospitals in Texas.

“Growing up, we all helped with the day care. We all love children and believe you can never have too many hugs!”

During the pandemic, Catherine used her nursing and hospital skills to create safety protocols for the day care. They never had one outbreak or had

to shut down, allowing grateful parents to go to work.

“I did the paperwork [to follow guidelines set by Torrance Memorial and the CDC for safety protocols.] I bought boxes of masks, and each child had their own box that was by their cubby. So each morning they’d get a new mask to put on, and they were eager to put them on and show us how they could wear them. Even during nap time, when they could take them off, they’d usually keep them on. It was so cute.

They were proud to be able to wear them and to wash their hands,” explains Catherine. •

Jenkins Family Day Care has served generations of the same families in the Carson community for the past 36 years.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A QUALITY FAMILY DAY CARE Catherine Hargrove has helped operate Jenkins Family Day Care for nearly 25 years. She advises parents to look for the following qualities when choosing a day care: • Small numbers. Seek a day care with 12 to 14 children max, or a 7-to-1 ratio between caregivers and children.

• Seek a day care with good ratings, happy children and staff and with no—or few—COVID-19 outbreaks.

• Ask about the day care’s employee turnover rates. You want one with low numbers.

• Ask about the curriculum. Even at a young age (baby through toddler), there should be a curriculum to challenge, engage and encourage fun exploration for children.

• Day cares with home-cooked meals or gardens to teach children about good nutrition and how produce grows enhance children’s health. Be wary if a day care has too many snacks with food coloring, sugar and preservatives.

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Family Focus

The Palos Verdes Peninsula offers easy hikes with breathtaking views.

Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run or explore other outdoor activities, the South Bay has a lot to choose from.

1. GEORGE F. CANYON NATURE TRAIL Location: 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates Stats: Open year-round, pets welcome, private parking lot Level of Difficulty: Easy, 1.8 miles

Written by Jill Biggins Gerbracht

Pulse magazine has compiled a list of six easy hiking trails along the Palos Verdes Peninsula, including kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. All hikes are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of any skill level.

Generally considered an easy route, this trail takes an average of 52 minutes to complete and is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding and walking. Easy incline for an adult but could seem a little steep for young children.

Bluff Cove to Lunada Bay Trail

2 Ranch Trail

3

Palos Verdes Estates Loop Palos

Verdes Estates

5

Linden Chandler Preserve Trail Loop 4

Rolling Hills Estates

1

George F. Canyon Nature Trail

Lunada Bay

Rancho Palos Verdes

6 Point Vicente Trail

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2. BLUFF COVE TO LUNADA BAY TRAIL

5. PALOS VERDES ESTATES LOOP

Location: Start at 672–650 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates Stats: Open year-round, no pets, street parking Level of Difficulty: Easy, 1.7 miles

Location: Parking lot at Palos Verdes Boulevard North at Via Anita, Palos Verdes Estates Stats: Open year-round, pets welcome (must be on leash), street parking Level of Difficulty: Easy/Moderate, 4.8 miles

This out-and-back trail is generally considered an easy route and takes an average of 41 minutes to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

3. RANCH TRAIL

Generally considered an easy route, this is a peaceful trail with some moderate incline and takes just under two hours to complete. A great way to explore Palos Verdes. Hikers recommend watching out for sand patches on the route, which increases the level of difficulty.

Location: Start at 1704 Via Arriba, Palos Verdes Estates Stats: Open year-round, very little incline, street parking Level of Difficulty: Easy, 1.2 miles Popular for hiking, running and walking, this route is considered easy and takes an average of 28 minutes to complete. The trail is beautiful to visit anytime.

6. POINT VICENTE TRAIL

4. LINDEN CHANDLER PRESERVE TRAIL LOOP

Location: 31550 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes Stats: Open year-round, pets welcome (must be on leash), street parking Level of Difficulty: Easy, 1.6 miles

Location: Start at 95 Buckskin Lane, Rolling Hills Estates Stats: Open year-round, pets welcome (must be on leash), street parking Level of Difficulty: Easy, 1.0 mile

This trail is well-marked, has amazing cliffside views and easy walking paths, and takes around 35 minutes to complete. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot some whales during the right season! •

This popular 30-minute trail is primarily for birding, hiking and horseback riding. It involves some short, steep elevation gain/loss. A hidden gem if you enjoy spectacular views, Because it is popular for horses, beware of droppings along the trail.

Resources: alltrails.com and townandtourist.com TorranceMemorial.org | 47

Community VIP

Estela Rivas-Bryant, a longtime ice hockey enthusiast, is the founder of Empowerment Effect, a nonprofit that introduces ice hockey to girls from underserved communities.

48 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

Ice Powered Estela Rivas-Bryant empowers girls through ice hockey.

Written By Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Michael Neveux

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ome are in the foster care system. Others have single parents. All come from circumstances that don’t normally allow for participating in private sports. Yet these 12 girls have all found an unlikely home on the ice, thanks to their involvement in the Empowerment Effect.

The fledgling nonprofit introduces ice hockey to girls from underserved communities.

Estela Rivas-Bryant founded Empowerment Effect in the fall of 2021 to foster confidence among girls who could use a boost. The group holds practice clinics twice a month as well as a monthly mentorship or community service activity.

“Being able to conquer something so different and unique really brings out the best in these girls,” says Rivas-Bryant, a production manager for a company that makes sports documentaries. “And it extends beyond the ice. We see them taking home and school responsibilities more seriously.”

Along with Rivas-Bryant, a group of seven other women ice hockey players—all with other day jobs—forms the volunteer board of directors. An additional 14 women volunteer as coaches.

“The whole project is built on mentorship. These women want to be the example they didn’t get to see in their own youth,” says Rivas-Bryant.

The group currently consists of 12 girls, and Rivas-Bryant aims to recruit a total of 30 participants. While comprised of girls ages 7 to 16, the focus is on those ages 7 and 8. Referrals come from social service providers such as the Torrance office of Los Angeles County Child Services.

Empowerment Effect aims to teach participants things they might not otherwise learn.

For example, at one session a banker spoke to the girls about credit and budgeting.

The Los Angeles Kings sponsor Empowerment Effect through their We Are All Kings program, providing ice time at their Paramount facility and funds toward gear and equipment. At a Kings game in November, the girls lined up in the player tunnel and gave high-fives to the players as they skated into the arena. Rivas-Bryant and representatives from two other community service organizations dropped the ceremonial puck. The National Hockey League also gave a grant to Empowerment Effect.

Rivas-Bryant discovered the sport as an adolescent, and it became an integral part of her life. She played ice hockey at West Los Angles College and met her husband on the ice. She says Empowerment Effect is “a group project” for her family. Her husband and son attend practices and her son, 14, acts as a junior coach for the youngest players. “I couldn’t do it without their support,” she says.

Rivas-Bryant believes in giving back—something she thinks everyone who is able should do.

“I love hockey. It’s given me confidence, and I want to share that with others.” •

Participants gather at the LA Kings Iceland facility in Paramount while RivasBryant and her coaching staff empower these young women through teamwork, talent and sportsmanship on the ice.

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Community VIP

Thank You for the Music Glen Kamida brings music education to children in Torrance and beyond.

Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Michael Neveux

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Glen Kamida leads a class of eager music students at Arlington Elementary School in Torrance.

t was hard to miss Glen Kamida at the Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival last December. Bedecked in a red holiday print suit and Santa hat, he stood out even among the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees.

The Torrance Unified elementary school music teacher had come in his volunteer role as music director of the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble, referred to as nTyme (pronounced “in time”). Two of nTyme’s ensembles performed that night—the Jazz Band and Community Orchestra—and both received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

“He is amazing and goes nonstop,” parent Ximena Salazar says about Kamida. She was delighted both her son, Daniel Lowry, and husband, Greg Lowry, were playing that evening as members of nTyme’s Community Orchestra (Daniel on trumpet and Greg on saxophone). The Lowry's are one of three parent-child musician pairs currently involved with nTyme.

Kamida created nTyme soon after starting his job in Torrance 22 years ago. He and some parents saw a need for practice outside the regular school day, and Kamida agreed to run the sessions. They quickly expanded.

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Today nTyme comprises 14 groups with an all-volunteer teaching staff of six. “The quality of the staff is wonderful. We’re very fortunate,” says Kamida. “And I couldn’t do the job without parent volunteers, especially our founding president, Hiroko Eddo. Her children finished school seven years ago, yet she continues to stay involved.”

Practices take place Tuesday evenings for ukulele and jazz, Wednesdays for band, Thursdays for the string orchestra and Saturday afternoons for the various other orchestras. Kamida teaches eight groups.

“When you learn and appreciate music, you develop life skills—resilience, flexibility, caring, compassion, working with others, resolve,” says Kamida. He describes nTyme’s philosophy as putting students in positions where they can succeed.

“It’s a team sport. We don’t bench.”

The Community Orchestra includes musicians from ages 8 to 87. Members range from having no experience to being semiprofessional. The group’s senior player hadn’t played violin for 65 years before picking it up again. nTyme emphasizes community involvement.

In addition to performing in concerts for churches and community events, the group provides Thanksgiving meals to 100 needy area families.

On weekdays, Kamida shares his music knowledge and enthusiasm with approximately 800 students in five Torrance elementary schools. “There’s so much pressure on kids with their academic requirements. Music can be a welcome relief,” he says. “It’s academic but without the pressure.”

He sees himself as the crazy, spoiling uncle to his many students. “My teaching is traditional, but my delivery isn’t. I don’t take myself too seriously.”

Kamida’s love of music began as a child enjoying the big band/jazz sound of Lawrence Welk’s orchestra. He started playing clarinet in fourth grade. Now he ignites that passion in others. One of his proudest moments occurred in 2008 when he conducted nTyme’s Youth Symphony Orchestra on stage at Carnegie Hall.

“When you’ve got the music bug, you want to share it.” •

Glen Kamida's love of music from an early age has led him to bring the joy of music to kids and adults in the South Bay for over two decades.

TorranceMemorial.org | 51

Community VIP

Janet Jones learned from her own struggles as a single mother that she wanted to help other moms in her situation with financial relief and recognition. She started the Single Mom Project in 2020 to do just that.

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Mother Nurture Janet Jones gives a lift to struggling single mothers.

Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Micheal Neveux

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anet Jones knows the difficulties of single parenthood. When she found herself raising 10- and 7-year-old sons on her own, she says, “I had to take a lot of jobs to get by.” A freelance television producer and writer, she switched careers to work for Northrop Grumman—a job that provided greater stability. She also worked as a substitute teacher and ran an Airbnb.

“So many single families get fractured,” she says. “My goal was for our family to stay strong and intact.”

Jones succeeded in her goal, and she wants to help others do the same. (Her sons, Carter and Evan, are now ages 30 and 33.) In 2020 Jones founded the Single Mom Project to provide monetary gifts to single moms who receive services from the Richstone Family Center. The Hawthorne-based child abuse treatment and prevention center provides a variety of services including individual and family therapy, after-school programs, early childhood intervention and parenting classes.

Jones knew the pandemic caused extra stress and hardship for the Richstone families. She decided to give grants to help the moms find steadier financial footing. To raise funds, Jones approached her family members, friends and friends of friends, having no idea how much she might collect. She raised enough to provide $500 stipends to 13 moms and presented the awards at a Mother’s Day ceremony.

“They were shocked, amazed and thrilled,” she says of the recipients. While $500 might not sound sizeable, Jones says it can make a huge difference to the honorees. Several told her they weren’t eating in order to save food for their children. One used the funds for gas for commuting to

work. Another was told by Child Protective Services she risked losing custody if she continued to sleep in the same bed with her 4-year-old. She used the $500 to purchase a bed for her child.

“Richstone is an 11-minute drive from our home,” says Jones, a Manhattan Beach resident. “But that world is so different and so much more difficult.”

Jones raised funds for additional grant ceremonies in 2021 and 2022. To date the Single Mom Project has awarded more than $30,000. Jones plans to increase grants to $1,000 in 2023 and hopes to continue growing the program.

She says besides providing some financial relief, the grants recognize the women and their challenges. “We give confidence to deserving moms,” she says. “They stand a little taller when their struggles and successes have been acknowledged.”

Richstone development director Allison Tanaka concurs. “Janet understands the challenges our moms go through and makes them feel seen. She makes them feel valued and validated, which gives them strength to keep moving forward.”

Jones drew inspiration for the Single Mom Project from recognition she received. Some years earlier, a close friend who was dying sent her a Mother’s Day card. He enclosed a check for $5,000, writing that he wanted Jones and her children to thrive. “That was so meaningful. He knew being a single parent wasn’t easy and acknowledged my struggle,” says Jones. “That became the catalyst for my project.”

Jones and her sons, who participate in the project, have worked with the Richstone Family Center since 2006. As a high school freshman, her younger son collected sweatshirts for a community service project. The family chose Richstone as the recipient agency. He collected 400 sweatshirts that year. By his senior year, he amassed 2,000. The Joneses grew attached to the center and its clients. Over the years, they organized events that offered free haircuts and family portraits for Richstone clients.

The Single Mom Project was a natural outgrowth of the family’s involvement. “These women are under so much stress and strain,” says Jones. “If we can alleviate that even a little, they will be better parents. They so deserve this help, and so do their children.” • TorranceMemorial.org | 53

Calendar

MARCH 7 – APRIL 25 TRANSCENDANCE™ WITH DIDI Tuesday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

TranscenDance™ takes the mindfulness of yoga off the mat and infuses it with free-form, joyful movement. This class helps shake off stress, release tension, rejuvenate the body and center the mind. All fitness and mobility levels are welcome (can also be done in a chair or bed).

MARCH 6 – APRIL 24 MARCH 9 – APRIL 27 STRETCHING FOR BETTER BALANCE WITH RANDY Monday or Thursday, 10 to 10:45 a.m.

This fun workout done in a chair is designed to help increase flexibility and mobility to help prevent injuries.

MARCH 6 – APRIL 24 MARCH 9 – APRIL 27 MUSCLE STRENGTHENING WITH RANDY Monday or Thursday, 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Learn correct, safe techniques for strengthening your upper and lower body using a chair and flexible exercise bands.

MARCH 6 – APRIL 24 LYMPHATIC FLOW CHAIR YOGA WITH SHARMONE Monday, 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

A yoga class adapted to a seated chair position with the goal of gently stimulating lymphatic flow, which is especially helpful for those with compromised immune systems. It can reduce swelling and aid the body’s ability to ward off colds and flu.

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MARCH 6 – APRIL 24 YOGA BASICS WITH LAURA Monday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Harmonize body, mind and spirit through gentle stretching exercises, traditional yoga poses, breathing techniques and guided relaxation.

MARCH 7 – APRIL 25 YOGA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS WITH DEBI Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Class focus is on poses, breath work and body awareness to stimulate bone growth and range of motion in joints. Floor, chairs and standing poses.

MARCH 7 – APRIL 25 BEGINNING TAI CHI WITH RICHARD Tuesday, 2 to 3 p.m.

A sophisticated Chinese exercise that inspires physical and mental wellbeing. This class is an introduction to the form. It consists of slow, graceful, circular movements that improve balance and coordination.

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26 CHAIR YOGA FOR OSTEOPOROSIS WITH DEBI Wednesday, 11 a.m. to noon Designed for those with osteopenia or osteoporosis who can’t get up and down from the floor. The focus will be on strengthening your muscles, bones, posture, balance and fall prevention. Breath work for improved immune function and energy production. All levels welcome, and modifications will be offered.

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26

MARCH 9 – APRIL 27

INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI WITH RICHARD Wednesday, 2 to 3 p.m.

As students become more familiar with the techniques of balancing and relaxation, they will learn more of the movements to complete the form.

CHAIR YOGA FOR STRENGTH AND BALANCE WITH SHARMONE Thursday, 2 to 3 p.m.

This class uses a chair in seated and standing poses. Perfect for those with injuries or who need to get stronger overall. The focus is on strengthening muscles for balance, posture and core.

Need to See a Doctor?

MARCH 9 – APRIL 27

310-891-6717

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26 ADVANCED TAI CHI WITH RICHARD Wednesday, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Once the form is learned, students will go deeper into the fine points, refining the movements and their connections that lead to improved health and mental focus.

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26 LINE DANCING WITH SHARON Wednesday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Jump online and join the fun! In this beginner’s line dance class, you will learn country and western classics such as Electric Slide, Tush Push and Cowboy-Hustle, plus many more. Not only is line dancing great exercise, but it is also great for your brain. No partner needed.

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26 INTEGRATED YOGA WITH ROBIN Wednesday, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

A yoga class integrating pranayama (breath work), asana (postures) and deeply relaxing meditation, such as yoga nidra, which can be the equivalent of four hours of sleep.

YOGA FOR ANXIETY WITH LORRIE Thursday, 7 to 8 p.m.

This class offers the student tools to help self-regulate the stress response and build resiliency to stress and anxiety. We will explore gentle yoga postures, meditation techniques and focused breathing that allow both the body and mind to gain a sense of calm and ease.

We will be using a chair, yoga mat and yoga block in class. Postures will be done on the floor, in a chair and standing. No yoga experience needed.

MARCH 18, APRIL 15, MAY 20, JUNE 17 INFANT MASSAGE Saturday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Your baby will experience vital physical, psychological and developmental growth in his or her first year of life. Nurturing touch between you and your baby enriches the mind, body and spirit for both of you, thus helping your baby grow healthy and happy. Cost is $50 per session for 1 to 2 adults.

All classes are online and conducted over Zoom. Please call 310-517-4711 to register for all paid classes, or go online at TorranceMemorial.org/classes. Pricing is $80 for each 8-week class.

Call Our Physician Referral Coordinator to Schedule An Appointment.

Jennifer Park, MD

Family Medicine 3701 Skypark Dr., Suite 100 Torrance 310-378-2234

Sara Kanamori, DO

Internal Medicine 3400 Lomita Blvd., Suite 104 Torrance 310-784-8000

Maliha Khan, MD

Internal Medicine 705 Pier Avenue, Suite A Hermosa Beach 310-891-6708

Yusha Siddiqui, MD

Internal Medicine 602 Deep Valley Dr., Suite 300 Rolling Hills Estates 310-517-4692

Alya Torna, MD

Family Medicine 29409 S. Western Ave. Rancho Palos Verdes 310-891-6684

Mona Madani, MD

Family Medicine 2110 E. El Segundo Bl., Suite 200 El Segundo 310-517-7030

Offices located in: Torrance, Carson, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes and El Segundo

Appointments scheduled M-F , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TMPhysicianNetwork.org TorranceMemorial.org | 55

MD LOCAL

Aileen Takahashi,MD

El 90245

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Gundo

Aileen Takahashi, MD, knows how to wield a knife in the kitchen and the operating room. Her four-oven El Segundo kitchen is a dream come true for at-home meal prep, and it's where she and her husband love to entertain.

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Scalpel or Steak Knife?

Written by Diane Krieger | Photographed by Siri Berting

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f her patients knew what surgeon Aileen Takahashi, MD, had planned for dinner, they might be tempted to roll off the operating table and follow her home. Dr. Takahashi is a gourmet chef.

Those lucky enough to be invited may experience her puffy prosciutto-gruyere palmiers, followed by a porcini-rubbed tomahawk ribeye steak and brie-potato tartiflette, washed down with a fine grenache. For dessert, she may serve up a sinful chocolate-red wine cake.

It’s ironic, really. In her private life, Dr. Takahashi is all about expanding gastronomic horizons, while bariatric surgery—her medical specialty—is all about constricting gastric capacity.

There are four ovens in the custom-built kitchen of her El Segundo home, including a steam oven that lets her sous vide incredibly moist, brined turkey breasts for Thanksgiving. She and her husband (Charles) Bill Spenler, MD, like to host “wine pop-ups” with delicious food pairings. In the winter, they throw a truffle dinner, and each guest brings a course to be paired with the prized fungi, which Dr. Takahashi orders from France.

All of which begs the question: Why would a physician who is a hard-core foodie choose bariatric surgery? “Because,” she replies, “weight-loss cases are technically challenging, and it’s really rewarding to see patients change the quality of their lives.”

A fifth-generation Japanese American, Dr. Takahashi grew up in the Silver Lake area, raised by a single mother who worked for a telephone company. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in physical therapy and worked for several years at Little Company of Mary, in Torrance, which is where she met her husband.

Dr. Spenler was one the first plastic surgeons to do microvascular finger replant surgery in the South Bay. His patient had

severed three fingers in an industrial accident, and the reattached digits required highly specialized physical therapy.

“I liked him right away,” Dr. Takahashi recalls, after Dr. Spenler reached out to discuss the case. “He asked for my recommendation. At that time, PTs weren’t asked anything. We were just told what to do.”

That was in 1989. They’ve been a couple ever since. It was Dr. Spenler who convinced Dr. Takahashi to become a surgeon. Their relationship survived her four years at the New York Medical College, plus eight more years of residencies and fellowships at USC and UCLA. She’s been with the Torrance Memorial-affiliated Association of South Bay Surgeons since 2004—performing hundreds of surgeries a year. As medical director of the hospital’s Surgical Weight Loss Program, she standardized laparoscopic bariatric procedures and spearheaded the program’s rise to national accreditation in 2008.

While bariatrics is her primary focus, Dr. Takahashi still sees plenty of general surgery cases—stone-filled gallbladders, burst appendices, perforated colons, bleeding ulcers and hernias—during her call days in Torrance Memorial’s emergency room. But when the scrubs come off, she reverts to the single-minded pursuit of gastronomic excellence.

Recently, wine has come into sharper focus. In 2020 the couple bought a 10-acre spread in Paso Robles that includes 7 acres of vineyards. Last year they replanted with rootstock and plan to graft those vines with syrah, grenache and mourvèdre grapes. All are Rhône varietals known to thrive in the rich terroir (soil) of the Templeton Gap District.

Someday, Dr. Takahashi intends to live there. But not quite yet. “I’m not ready to give up this house,” she says, of their El Segundo mid-century modern. “The kitchen is perfect.” •

Vital Stats Hometown: El Segundo Family Ancestry: During World War II, her grandfather, Rev. Seytsu Takahashi, was held in isolation at a Japanese internment camp for fear that the bishop of Los Angeles’ venerable Koyasan Buddhist Temple might lead a revolt.

Spouse: Dr. (Charles) Bill Spenler, retired plastic surgeon, was the founder of the largest and longestrunning plastic surgery group in the Torrance area.

Weekend Getaway: 10acre ranch and vineyard in Paso Robles Favorite Restaurants: Pizzeria Mozza on Melrose, Kazan Beverly Hills, Jame Enoteca in El Segundo Favorite Wines: “Bubbles! They go with everything!” Also, Law Estates grenache, Clos Solène Hommage à Nos Pairs, and Clos Solène Hommage Blanc.

Culinary Ambition: “On my bucket list of things to make is a chocolate croissant. It’s going to take a whole day, but it would be something to be proud of—just to say I did it.”

TorranceMemorial.org | 57

Flash Events YPPA CASINO NIGHT MAKES A VALIANT RETURN Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance (YPPA) hosted its sixth annual Casino Night fundraiser at Scholb Brewery on Friday, September 16, 2022. The event honored our health care heroes, and guests came dressed in theme. With craft beer on tap, guests enjoyed blackjack, craps, roulette, poker and live music. Event proceeds support Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s emergency department. For more information on membership and upcoming events, visit TorranceMemorial.org/YPPA Photographed by Deidre Davidson

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Jamie McKinnell, MD, Colleen McKinnell, Cyndy Spierer, Joe Spierer Ernie Kwok, Monica Lee, MD, Erisa Pooee, Todd Schenasi Mona Madani, MD, Aamir Abdullah, MD Robbie Chambers, Tanica McZeek Stephanie Bezner, Tasneem Bholat, MD, Jenny Ryan Ben Archer, Melanie Archer Keith McBride, Tasneem Bholat, MD, Sam Alherech, Basil Younes, MD, Kara Younes

MIRACLE OF LIVING AT THE BEACH On October 11, 2022, Torrance Memorial’s Miracle of Living at the Beach hosted an in-person lecture at Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach. Speakers Nadia J. Curran, MD, cardiology and cirector of the Women’s Heart Health Clinic, and Brenton Bauer, MD, cardiology and cardio-oncology, informed the audience about the latest advancements in cardiology.

Highlights included how cancer treatments can affect the heart and how the cardio-oncologists minimize side effects of cancer treatments, as well as inequities in recognizing and educating women on heart disease symptoms.

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Mark Lurie, MD Brenton Bauer, MD, Judith Gassner, Nadia Curran, MD Wayne Bemis DDS, Peggy Bemis, Laura Schenasi, Richard Meyer, DDS.

BE YOUR OWN HERO EVENT On October 15, 2022, Torrance Memorial partnered with Coreology in Palos Verdes to celebrate female wellness, strength and empowerment during Breast Cancer Awareness month. Guest speakers included Melanie Friedlander, MD, and Julie Sim, MD, along with grateful patient Rhonda Gil, all of whom shared the importance of early breast cancer detection, self-exams and screenings.

Julie Sim, MD, Melanie Friedlander, MD, Rhonda Gil

1 TorranceMemorial.org | 59

Flash Events HOLIDAY FESTIVAL FASHION SHOW November 29, 2022 Torrance Memorial’s 39th annual Holiday Festival once again opened with a high-fashion runway show featuring couture fashions by designers Roger Canamar and Oliver Tolentino. An Argentine tango dance on the runway captivated the audience during the short interlude between designers. Nearly 500 guests enjoyed lunch and shopping at the Festival Boutique and with special vendors throughout the tent who donated 20% of their proceeds to support the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute.

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Kathy Santarosa, Lindsay Imwalle, Carla Zanino Cindy Percz, Kathleen Park, Jackie Geiger, Lisa Templeton, Lisa Smith Eunice Sheng, Judith Gassner, Hyejin Chung Fashion Show co-chairs: Joy Theodora, Judith Gassner, Allison Mayer, Linda Perry, Roxanne Mirhashemi Laurie McCarthy, Lisa Baronsky, Christine Carreon, Bharti Sheth, Kay Sheth Front: Holly Stocke, Melanie McLean, Marilyn MacLeod, Heather Kline, Patty Delcarson; back: Deena Ruth, Tracy Livian, Diane Hawke, Song Klein, Jennifer Brown, Laura Schenasi

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HOLIDAY FESTIVAL GALA December 2, 2022 In spite of the drizzling rain, Torrance Memorial’s 39th annual Holiday Festival Gala brought nearly 600 guests for a festive celebration under the big white tent. Auctioneer Fritz Coleman encouraged bids raising over $1 million in Gifts from the Heart, which president/CEO Craig Leach announced kicks off the Emergency Department Expansion campaign. Other proceeds from sponsorships, ticket sales, silent and live auctions support the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, wrapping up that two-year fundraising campaign.

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Emmanuel David, Ofelia David Front: Bob Habel, Mary Hoffman, Joyce Jimenez, Camilla Seferian; back: Terry Furey, Pat Furey, Carolyn Snyder, Sheri Messerlian, Jack Messerlian David Shaby, Natalie Shaby, Russ Varon, Staci Joiner Jackie Geiger, Greg Geiger Walt Zanino, Carla Zanino, Katie Zanino, Peter Zanino Jackson Yang, Julie Yang Brian Miura, MD, Brandy Van Zitter, Gretchen Lent, MD Lisa Nakkim, Eric Nakkim, MD

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A Look Back

FACTS ABOUT TORRANCE MEMORIAL’S CARDIOVASCULAR PROGRAM: • More than 1,000 heart failure patients are treated every year • 59 minutes door-toballoon (D2B) time—the fastest in the South Bay and among the top 25% in the United States • 35 cardiac research trials conducted at Torrance Memorial since 2002 • Leader in TAVR with 750+ total procedures • 3rd largest cardiovascular program in Los Angeles

Mark Lurie, MD, Reflects on the Evolution of Cardiovascular Care at Torrance Memorial

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hen Mark Lurie, MD, started at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in 1979, he couldn’t have predicted how far the field of cardiology would evolve—or that Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute would grow to become the South Bay’s premier cardiovascular program. However, in the more than four decades that Dr. Lurie has been at Torrance Memorial, the institute’s cardiovascular team has been at the forefront of every major evolution in cardiovascular care— from emergency treatment to surgery to valve disease and heart failure care.

Today the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute is ranked among Southern California's top heart care programs and is staffed by leading cardiologists across all 62 | Pulse Magazine Winter 2023

subspecialty disciplines. The team offers a full range of treatment options across interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery to treat coronary artery disease, including new minimally invasive therapies and advanced catheterization devices to treat complex conditions. Torrance Memorial was also ranked by Newsweek as a World’s Best Hospital for Cardiology for the past two years.

“When I first started, the treatment for heart attack was bed rest, and little could be done to reduce damage to the heart,” says Dr. Lurie, physician emeritus and medical co-director of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. “Over time, we learned emergently opening an artery could reduce muscle damage, and we found various ways to do this with clot-busting drugs, balloons and stents.” •

THE HUNT CANCER INSTITUTE AT TORRANCE MEMORIAL DELIVERS 360° EXPERT CARE. We are here for you from screenings to leading edge treatments and survivorship.

Through our affiliation with Cedars-Sinai Cancer, patients have access to more clinical trials and groundbreaking research.

Our team of experts share one goal to offer you the most advanced and comprehensive cancer care in the South Bay. Learn more at MoreCancerExperts.org

Expert Cancer Care Every Step of the Way

THE HUNT CANCER INSTITUTE

Featured: Rashaan Ali-Jones, MD, Breast Surgeon; Evelyn Calip, RN, Nurse Navigator; Thomas Lowe, MD, Hematology and Oncology; Sarina B. Pai, DO, Radiologist; Bryan Chang, MD, Radiation Oncologist

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