Dedication of Sue and Bill Gross Emergency Department

Sue and Bill Gross visited Mission Hospital Laguna Beach last week to get their first glimpse at the transformation currently taking place at their namesake – the Sue and Bill Gross Emergency Department. Last fall, the Grosses donated $10 million to enhance and expand emergency services and invest in superior imaging technology.

“Sue has a passion for our Laguna Beach community and a special interest in health care, particularly programs that support emergency services,” shared Bill Gross at a private reception at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. “We have been blessed with good fortune and we are delighted to share our resources with Mission Hospital Laguna Beach.”

The Spirit of Giving of Sue and Bill Gross will allow Mission Hospital Laguna Beach to implement a comprehensive plan that includes new imaging technologies, expanded and enhanced facilities, and the provision of emergency support services to ensure sustainability for generations to come.

This gift will support the hospital’s mission to continually improve the health and quality of life of people in the communities Mission Hospital is so privileged to serve.

“The need for advanced imaging technology is critical in caring for emergency medicine patients,” says Dr. Michael Ritter, medical director of Emergency Services at Mission Hospital. “The Gross’s gift will allow Mission Hospital Laguna Beach to invest in imaging enhancements that will enrich patient comfort and convenience, promote optimal healing and augment the efficiency of treatment.”

Among the new pieces of technology are a state-of-the-art open magnet MRI, portable X-Ray machine and portable C-Arm. “Portable imaging allows us to bring technology directly to the bedside rather than moving patients to the technology when they are too fragile,” shares Dr. Ritter.

In addition to technology enhancements, the Emergency Department will be reconfigured to accommodate higher volumes of patients with varying degrees of illness and injury. Individual treatment areas will be created to increase the functional space via protective walls that maintain patient privacy.

“Nearly six years ago Mission Hospital made a significant investment in the Laguna Beach community when we purchased South Coast Medical Center,” shared Mission Hospital President and CEO Kenneth D. McFarland at the celebration. “We recognized the vital role that the hospital plays in the community and saw a precious jewel that needed a bit of polishing to reach its full potential.”

Serving an average of 12,000 patients per year, the Laguna Beach Emergency Department is critical to the safety and well-being of Laguna Beach residents. With 24/7 access, it is the only Emergency Department in close proximity to provide services for the people who live, work and vacation in our coastal communities.

Also in attendance at the event were City of Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tempore Steve Dicterow, City Manager John Pietig and Chief of Police Laura Farinella. Mayor Pro Tempore Dicterow thanked the Grosses for helping to ensure that the finest emergency care will be available to Laguna Beach residents and visitors when they need it.

“I am inspired and humbled by the philanthropic leadership and compassion of Sue and Bill Gross,” said Kenneth D. McFarland, president and chief executive officer of Mission Hospital. “Their incredibly generous gift will have an immediate and substantial impact on the delivery of exceptional health care in Laguna Beach and the surrounding communities.”

To learn more about the exceptional care and services at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, please visit www.mission4health.com or call (949) 499-1311. To donate to Mission Hospital, visit www.mission4health.com/donate.