Historic $100 Million in Gifts to Torrance Memorial Medical Center Marks
Largest Single Donor Contribution to a non-Teaching/Research Hospital
in United States
Latest $32 Million Donation by Melanie & Richard Lundquist Will Establish
Neuroscience Institute and Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Torrance,
CA Hospital
Torrance, CA (June 15, 2017) -- Torrance Memorial Medical Center leadership and community members were
joined this morning by local elected officials from throughout the South
Bay to announce a $32 million donation by philanthropists Melanie and
Richard Lundquist to establish a Neuroscience Institute and an Orthopedic
and Spine Institute at the 470-bed nonprofit medical center located in
Torrance, California. Today’s contribution, combined with the Lundquists’
previous contributions of $68 million to the hospital, gives Torrance
Memorial Medical Center the distinction of receiving $100 million from
a single donor -- the largest known contribution to a non-teaching/research
hospital in the United States.
“When paramedics respond to an emergency, they will most likely transport
you to your local hospital; it’s critical that as a society we build
the expertise, training and medical staffs of our local hospitals and
not focus philanthropic dollars solely on the major teaching and research
institutions,” said Melanie Lundquist.
“We are committed to Torrance Memorial Medical Center, which is extraordinarily
well-run and has been providing valuable medical care to South Bay communities
for over 90 years,” continued Mrs. Lundquist. “What started
out as a local community hospital has, through strong leadership, an exceptional
medical staff, financial stability and philanthropy, become a highly regarded
regional medical center. Our commitment of $100 million is intended to
send a clear message both locally and nationally—support the hospitals
in your communities and help make them better.”
The Lundquists’ $32 million donation will establish an Orthopedic
and Spine Institute as well as a Neuroscience Institute at the hospital
where 8,000-10,000 orthopedic, spinal, neurosurgical, and neurological
patients were served last year. The focus on orthopedics and spine surgery
will allow Torrance Memorial to expand its capabilities and recruit surgeons
in these specialties. The hospital also intends to establish new ambulatory
locations for orthopedic and spine medical services, reducing the need
for patients to leave the South Bay. The Neuroscience Institute—one
of the only such programs at a non-academic hospital in Los Angeles County—will
mean that patients with neurological needs, which previously had to be
referred out of the area, could be cared for at Torrance Memorial. Additional
funding will go to upgrade the surgical and ICU capabilities at the hospital.
Today’s announcement follows Torrance Memorial’s news last
month of a proposed plan for a formal affiliation with Cedars-Sinai Health
System, the parent company of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a world-renowned
886-bed medical center and multi-specialty academic health science center
serving the Los Angeles region. The agreement is designed to strengthen
both organizations’ ability to serve the community and to enhance
access, coordination and quality of care for the public.
“Melanie and Richard are true community heroes, as their financial
commitment will make a real and long-term difference in the lives of countless
people,” said Craig Leach, President/CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical
Center. “And the timing of their gift, following our affiliation
agreement with Cedars-Sinai, sends a powerful message about the positive
future of Torrance Memorial and the communities we serve.”
“The Cedars-Sinai and Torrance Memorial affiliation is great for
the community and creates a new frontier for the hospital,” said
Richard Lundquist. “The affiliation will provide a platform for
future collaborations in primary and specialty care. Torrance Memorial
and the community will benefit from access to the latest clinical trials
and sub-specialists at Cedars as well.”
The Lundquists’ commitment to Torrance Memorial stretches back to
1985 when Melanie was a volunteer at the hospital. Melanie’s inside
view of the hospital’s operations motivated her to become more involved.
Over the last 11 years, the Lundquists established a Cardiovascular Institute,
significantly expanded beds in the hospital’s Emergency Room and
helped to fund the Lundquist Tower, a 256-bed all-private room hospital.
The Lundquists provided in the $50 million donor agreement that their
name should be removed from the building when naming rights could be used
to attract another significant donor in the future.
“The $100 million contribution Melanie and Richard have made to
Torrance Memorial will have an immeasurable impact on the health of the
South Bay communities,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “By focusing
resources on improving a key community hospital, the Lundquists are helping
to strengthen the safety net for health care in our entire region. They
are also making a strong statement about the role of philanthropy in building
stronger communities by ensuring that healthcare is accessible and being
constantly improved.”
Before her election to the LA County Board of Supervisors this past November,
Hahn represented California's 44th District (including much of the
area served by Torrance Memorial) in Congress from 2011 to 2016.
About Torrance Memorial Medical Center Founded in 1925 by Jared Sidney and Helena Childs Torrance, Torrance Memorial
Medical Center is a 470-bed, nonprofit medical center established to provide
quality healthcare services predominantly to the residents of the South
Bay, Peninsula and Harbor communities. Torrance Memorial seeks to offer
the most current and effective medical technologies rendered in a compassionate,
caring manner. In 2012, it joined the ranks of the top hospitals in the
nation by earning coveted Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses
Credentialing Center, which recognizes nursing excellence. Torrance Memorial
also has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2016-17 in California
and the Los Angeles metro area for the fifth straight year by U.S. News
& World Report. For more information, please visit:
www.TorranceMemorial.org.
Torrance Memorial Media Contact
Ann O’Brien
Telephone: 310-517-4706
Email: ann.obrien@tmmc.com