RSVP : Pasadena Unveils New Huntington Hospital

Pasadena opened its big Christmas present--the new Huntington Hospital--early. On Friday night, lights outlined the Mediterranean edges of the $75-million three-story replacement structure at 100 W. California Blvd. One-thousand (at $200 a ticket) dined and danced to Wayne Foster for a “Pre-Op” party and first views of the elegant structure. Another 3,000 Huntington Hospital staff and their relatives toured Saturday and 300 more partied at the “Operation Party” Saturday night. Sunday afternoon the public swarmed in for the “Post-Op” party, a community open house.

“Yes, lots of comparisons to the Ritz Carlton,” said hospital president Dr. Allen Mathies, greeting guests with his wife, Weta.

The Friday night crowd meandered through admittance offices, and oohed and aahed over the gift shop, the newborn nurseries, 13 operating suites and the emergency department (including the San Gabriel Valley’s only trauma center).

The old core hospital building was erected in 1921. This evening was a goodby to grunginess. And hello to fresh paint and partying. In the huge white tent on the hospital parking lot, party co-chairs Katie Tuerk and Weta Mathies directed Cuisine Cuisine from Newport Beach to serve an antipasto salad, hot chicken and a fudge dessert. Ivy topiaries in the shapes of wreaths and Christmas trees dotted tables.

Pride was showing. Dinner co-chairs William K. Doyle and Dr. James P. Blitz said thank-yous, hosting tables with their wives, Cheryl Doyle and Pam Blitz. Doctors were in abundance: Popular Dr. Millard McLain, now retired, got more hugs than a teddy bear. There were Dr. Morgans galore--Dr. George Morgan and his son, Dr. Edward Morgan, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Karen Morgan, as well as Dr. Stan Morgan, not related. Dr. Bill Corey was on call; his wife carried his cellular phone.

Glitter was rampant. Shining in the masses of beads, bangles and diamonds were Pasadena-area leaders Verne (Huntington board chairman) and Sarah Orr, Stan and Marcia Hayden, Jane and Kris Popovich, Joan and Dean Schneider, Lorna and Chuck Reed, Dr. Bob and Jan Tranquada, Cornelius and Marjorie Pings, Patty and Davis Pillsbury, Bob and Louisa Miller, Dr. Bill and Susie Lattin, Dr. Mary Lee and Shelby Coffey III, Betsy and Frank Ulf, George and Chris Benter, Bill and Eileen Zimmerman, Henry and Nancy DeNero, Spike and Debby Booth, Bruce and Susan Seidel.