Loma Linda's Hospitals Prepares for Fiestas and Surfers

Several professional surfers and mixed martial arts athletes will be at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital at 2 p.m. today for the Grand re-opening of Unit 4200.

Professional surfers Kalani Robb, Barney Barron and Teddy Navarro will be on hand to meet and interact with the patients in their new unit. 

Unit 4200 is a second home to pediatric patients primarily with diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and cystic fibrosis. 

The new Hawaiian-themed unit was generously decorated by The Mauli Ola Foundation (MOF). Known for teaching cystic fibrosis patients how to surf, this is the first hospital unit the MOF has ever decorated. LLUCH staff and patients were also involved in the decorating process, along with professional surfer Kalani Robb.

Alane Albee, Unit 4200 charge nurse at LLUCH, is so grateful for the MOF and the work they provided. “We are unbelievably blessed to have the Mauli Ola Foundation to be a part of the re-creation of Unit 4200. Not only have they given us our dream unit, but more importantly a beautiful and comfortable place for our patients to heal.”

In addition to surfers, the MOF also works with MMA athletes in their ongoing commitment to making a difference with CF patients. MMA fighter Brian Ortega will also be in attendance at the grand re-opening.

The Spirit of the Season is upon us and community members are invited to celebrate as the Loma Linda University Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS) hosts its annual Community Christmas Fiesta, a holiday party for the families of San Bernardino on Dec. 3.

The fair will feature food, games, music, skits and — a special holiday treat — a visit from Santa Claus.

All students, faculty, staff, local church groups, family and friends are invited to attend. The Christmas Fiesta will be at SACHS/La Escuelita (1455 E. Third St. in San Bernardino; approximately 4 miles north of LLU) and runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed from 1:30 until 5 p.m.

To sign up to help, or for more information, call CAPS at 909–651–5011 or email caps@llu.edu.

Students of Ms. Nancy Bowman’s Advanced Honors Anatomy class from Westlake High School in Westlake Village traveled to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital recently to distribute presents to children waiting to get transplants.

The class raised $2,500 to purchase the presents, part of the class’ philanthropic efforts each year.

While at Loma Linda, the students, all seniors, also toured the Department of Anatomy and the Simulation Lab, where they got to experience what it’s like to be a medical student.