South Bay Hospital Receives $32 Million Gift

TORRANCE, CA — Philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist announced Thursday a $32 million gift to Torrance Memorial Medical Center, bringing their total donations to the hospital to $100 million.

The Lundquists made the announcement Thursday morning at a ceremony at the 470-bed nonprofit facility, attended by medical center CEO Craig Leach, county Supervisor Janice Hahn, Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey and mayors and council members from a number of South Bay cities.

A statement released before the news conference said the $100 million represents the largest contribution from one donor to a non-teaching/non- research hospital in the U.S.

The $32 million will be used to help to establish a Neuroscience Institute and an Orthopedic and Spine Institute at the hospital, where an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 orthopedic, spinal, neurosurgical and neurological patients were treated last year.

The focus on orthopedics and spine surgery will allow Torrance Memorial to expand its capabilities and recruit surgeons in these specialties, hospital officials said.

The hospital also intends to establish new ambulatory locations for orthopedic and spine medical treatment in Los Angeles County.

Additional funding will go to upgrade surgical and ICU capabilities at the hospital.

"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," Melanie Lundquist said. "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 to support the hospitals in your communities and help make them better."

Thursday's announcement follows Torrance Memorial's announcement last month of a proposed plan for a formal affiliation with Cedars-Sinai Health System, the parent company of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

"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," Leach said. "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."

— City News Service, photo courtesy of TM Health System.