The Valley Line: Celebratory gatherings held by hospital staff, LCF Junior Women’s Club and the Orthopaedic Guild
It was a fun-filled evening when the medical staff from USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, spouses and friends gathered last month for a party at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena.
The evening began with cocktails and lots of chatter. The Caduceus Society, which many of the doctors belong to, sponsored a beautiful ice sculpture. It served a dual purpose because it also was a “luge” from which martinis were poured. The Caduceus Society, formed in 1982 by the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation, has raised more than $1 million to help fund equipment and programs for the hospital.
There was a photo booth with all sorts of funny hats, boas and other crazy props for those wanting a quirky memory of the evening. The casino room was the most popular place at the party, where guests played craps, black jack and roulette.
The club’s chefs prepared a feast to end all feasts. There was a carving station featuring turkey and prime rib. The next buffet table was filled with mountains of crab, shrimp and salmon. The salad station was also a popular stop. Guests could find not only Caesar salad but also a choice gourmet macaroni and-cheese servings, including one with a white truffle sauce. What made it even more fun was that the macaroni was served in martini glasses. The dessert table that no one could pass up was loaded with every imaginable sweet.
Steven Hartford, the hospital’s chief of staff, attended the event with his wife Sandy. He greeted guests and later honored physicians. Stepping to the podium during the evening’s presentation were Satish Gupta and Kyoo Ro, both marking 40 years of service to the hospital. Celebrating 30 years on staff were Bradley Aguirre, Michael Klein, Eric Lee, Robert Loitz, Thomas Pocock, Jeannine Scheinhorn and Ronald Woodard. Recognized for 20 years affiliation with the hospital were Martin Kay, Elizabeth Maslow, Bharat Shah and Thomas Vander Laan.
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Jill Chapman, president of La Cañada Junior Women’s Club welcomed Pat Anderson, president and chief executive of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn., to a recent club meeting. Anderson presented a 50-year anniversary certificate of recognition to Chapman and to yours truly, as I was the founder and charter president of the club. I was so pleased to be there to share the moment with the group.
Laura Plourde opened up her home for the meeting that nearly 30 women attended. The award presented by Anderson marks the commencement of festivities leading into the organization’s Golden anniversary celebration.
For more information about the club and upcoming anniversary celebrations contact Brenda Gant at jamilalouise@yahoo.com.
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The first meeting of the year for La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild was held in early January at the home of Arlene Massimino. Calling the meeting to order was the new president, Marianne Jennings. Special guests were Karla Delgado, assistant director of development and community outreach and Mikie Willis, manager of volunteer services and community outreach from Orthopaedic Institute for Children.
The guild’s mission is to support the institute, where medical care is provided to any child with orthopedic problems. regardless of ability to pay. Guild members discussed their annual major fundraiser, the Book and Author Luncheon, which will be held in October.
Delgado reported that the Toys and Joys party held in December was a big success where between 900 and 1,000 children were gifted with toys.
Guild member Barbara Self reported that her 14-year-old granddaughter went to the institute for a second opinion for her scoliosis. Mary Beth Perrine, assistant vice president for the institute, was instrumental in arranging and shepherding Self’s granddaughter through the process.
It was also reported that through the generosity of individuals, companies and the efforts of guilds such as the LCF organization, $12 million has so far been raised toward a $20-million goal. The funds will be used to provide a new urgent care center, physical therapy department, fracture clinics, lecture hall and a pharmacy at the institute.
La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild members meet monthly. For more information, call Jeannie Long at (818) 248-7822.
Jane Napier Neely covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.