Saddleback Memorial Hospital gala raises $245,000BY MARIE EKBERG PADILLA2015­05­06 11:05:45

More than 500 people raised $245,000 for the MemorialCare BreastCenter at Saddleback Memorial during its Spring Gala at the Ritz­Carlton,Laguna Niguel on April 25. Funds raised from the event will go toward athird Tomosynthesis imaging machine, which provides 3­D imaging thathelps detect breast cancer at an early stage.

Gary Levine, Saddleback Memorial’s new Medical Director ofMemorialCare Breast Centers, was the evening’s guest speaker.

The Evening of Gratitude gala, launched by the Saddleback MemorialFoundation, featured a live auction that raised $45,000 for the cause.

Auction items included a $7,000 Celebrity Chef Dinner for 10, won by Molly and Ron Naglie of Laguna Hills,hospital CEO Steve Geidt with his wife Ginger of Laguna Niguel, Lily and Sanford Chen of Laguna Beach,Saddleback Women’s Hospital Medical Director Michael Haydon and his wife Vena, and Saddleback’s ChiefMedical Informatics David Lagrew. Event chairs Bill Phillips and wife Mary O’Toole of Aliso Viejo won thebidding for one of the two $3,500 hospital VIP parking spots. Pediatrician Mary Ann Wilkinson of Laguna Nigueltook home the other spot.

It was sweet success for the event’s four unusual auction items, pies baked by the hospital’s CEO Steve Geidt,which sold for $3,000 each. Ginger and Steve Geidt also donated $10,000 to the Fund­a­Need/Gifts from theHeart campaign.

© Copyright 2015 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Site Map

6 newportbeachindy.com MAY 15, 2015

BenefitNewport MDs Support Saddleback Memorial at Spring Gala

Clockwise: Flavia and Charles Eifrig, MD of Newport Beach; Sima and Steven Abelowtiz, MD of Newport Coast; Leila Rasouli, MD (middle) and her parents Minoo and Matthew Rasouli of Newport Coast; Ellies and Michael Watanabe, MD, of Newport Beach.

Community leaders, physicians, donors and guests gathered at Saddleback Memo-rial Foundation’s Spring Gala, “An Evening of Gratitude,” on Saturday, April 25 at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel in support of the MemorialCare Breast Center at Saddleback Memorial.

The sold-out gala, attended by nearly 500 people, raised $245,000 to acquire ad-ditional state-of-the-art technology to help detect breast cancer at its earliest stage.

The evening’s special guest speaker was Gary Levine M.D., the new Medical Direc-tor of MemorialCare Breast Centers.

Dr. Levine, a nationally recognized breast radiologist, brings 20 years of breast imaging and breast center leadership to his new role.

During the evening, the live auction garnered an estimated $45,000 for the breast center.

Auctioned packages included popular homemade pies by CEO Steve Geidt, a Santa Barbara polo match, New York City Fashion Week and Dinner for 10 with celebrity Chef Dean Sheremet.

During the “Fund-a–Need” portion of the evening, $ 75,000 was raised for the acquisition of an additional 3-D Tomo-synthesis unit.

Additionally, the Opportunity Drawing raised nearly $11,000 from the sale of pink

ribbon shell necklaces also in support of the breast center.

Among the many attendees from New-port Beach: Ellies and Michael Watanabe, MD; Flavia and Charles Eifrig, MD; Laila and Dryden Pence of Pence Wealth Management; Jane Frederick, MD and John Giannone (Veterinarian at Newport Animal Hospital in Newport Beach); Leila Rasouli, MD, and her parents Minoo and Matthew Rasouli; Quinn and Brian Gilpin, MD, of Corona del Mar (they donated their home to be used for the “Chef’s Din-ner” auction package); Sally Anderson and Tom Rogers; Sima and Steven Abelowtiz, MD; Tammie Brailsford (MemorialCare Health System Executive VP and COO) and Paul Brailsford, MD.

Spring Gala 2015 Gold sponsors included Greater Newport Physicians and MemorialCare Medical Group.

The centerpieces were created by Roger’s Gardens of Newport Beach.

To learn more about Saddleback Memo-rial Medical Center, call (949) 452-3724 or visit memorialcare.org.

Bikram Yoga Laguna Beachis now

610 N. Coast Hwy, #208Laguna Beach, www.paci� cblueyoga.com

** Limited time only – for new students or those who haven’t been to the studio for over a year – OC Residents only – ID required.

REMODELED STUDIOWITH NEW

HIGH-TECH FLOORING!

FIRST WEEK FREE! **

WE HAVE EXPANDED!

MORE YOGA STYLES!Vinyasa • SCULPT

ASHTANGA • BIKRAM • YIN RESTORATIVE • MEDITATION

Susan G. Komen OC Plans Pink Tie BallFor the ninth consecutive year, Susan

G. Komen Orange County will unite hun-dreds of people with a common purpose at its signature Pink Tie Ball on May 30 at the Orange County Great Park.

Themed “A Blast for the Cure,” attend-ees will join the nonprofit as it “blasts” toward more effective breast cancer diagnostic and treatment options and improvements to life-saving research for women and men fighting the disease.

The evening will see seven new male breast health supporters (rumor has it that at least one is from Newport Beach) honored with the prestigious title of “Pink Tie Guy,” the special distinction given to a select few for outstanding support of Ko-men Orange County’s mission of ending breast cancer locally. The inducted men will join the ranks of 56 predecessors who have also devoted themselves to the fight

against breast cancer over the years.Pink Tie Ball has raised more than $2

million since its inception. “A Blast for the Cure” promises to

delight guests with a magical evening of gourmet food, entertainment and danc-ing, along with live and silent auctions with stunning prizes. Event and jewelry sponsor Black, Starr & Frost of Newport Beach will offer an opportunity drawing to win a $10,000 gift card and a hosted dinner on the patio of the elegant store.

Along with the Race for the Cure, which will be held this September in Fash-ion Island, Pink Tie Ball is one of the most significant fundraisers for the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen.

Tickets for the Pink Tie Ball are $350 each. For information please contact Stacy Davis at sdavis@komenoc.org or call (714) 957-9157, or visit komenoc.org/pinktieball.

OC Museum of Art Serves Art of Dining Art and dining often go hand in hand,

so it’s fitting that the Orange County Museum of Art’s annual gala is dubbed The Art of Dining.

Held this year on May 30 and presented by Louis Vuitton, the black-tie affair will find guests dining on the Bridge of Gar-dens at South Coast Plaza—a recognized architectural gem in Orange County.

Celebrating excellence in creativity, this year’s gala honors Orange County artist Tony DeLap and the late Orange County visionary real estate developer, patron

of the arts, and philanthropist, Henry T. Segerstrom—two individuals who have contributed significantly to the art world.

The dining experience for the evening will be created by celebrated chef Joachim Splichal, followed by dancing, cocktails and dessert late into the night.

Tickets to the dinner and after party start at $1,250. Tickets to just the after party, which begins at 9 p.m., are $150.

For tickets, call OCMA Development at (949) 759-1122 extension 203, or visit OCMA.net to purchase tickets online.

‘An Evening of Gratitude’ Full of Gratitude

15TuesdaySEP 2015

POSTED BY DONNA BUNCE IN EVENT COVERAGE

Joining me at the Saddleback Memorial Foundation Gala, “An Evening for Gratitude,” were

gala co-chairs, Saddleback Memorial Medical Center’s Dr. Mary O’Toole and her husband Bill

Philllips, who is chair of the foundation’s board of directors and Mayor of Aliso Viejo

Saddleback Memorial Foundation President Cecilia Belew captured the evening by

saying, “I am so thankful for this charitable community and the philanthropic efforts that

continue to help us invest in the latest technology, programs and services. It’s these

advances that enable us to continue our commitment to fighting cancer and create a local

healing environment right in our patients’ backyard.”

The nearly 500 guests who attended the sold-out Saddleback Memorial Foundation’s

“An Evening of Gratitude” gala at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel helped net $245,000 in

support of the MemorialCare Breast Center atSaddleback Memorial Medical Center to

acquire additional technology to help detect breast cancer at its earlier stage.

Kudos were also in order for the recent addition to Saddleback Memorial of nationally

recognized breast radiologist Gary Levine, M.D., the new medical director

of MemorialCare Breast Centers and the gala’s special guest speaker. Dr. Levine said he

believes that the evolution in breast screening technology will soon see the 3-D

Tomosynthesis imaging machine as the new gold standard, replacing 2-D digital

mammography for all women. To that end, the gala’s “Fund a Need” raised $75,000 for the

acquisition of the third unit for Saddleback Memorial.

Saddleback Memorial CEO Steve Geidt lauded the donors, volunteers and dedicated

staff, who he said helped Saddleback achieve the recentHealthgrades ‘America’s 50 Best

Hospitals Award,’ which is 1% of 4,500 hospitals in the country. “We truly have so much

to be thankful for this year,” he said.

Auctioneer Dan Walsh, who attributed his successful 1996 quadruple bypass surgery to

Saddleback, led a spirited live auction, which featured a Santa Barbara polo match, New

York City Fashion Week and a Broadway show, dinner for 10 with Celebrity Chef Dean

Sheremet, a superb collection of fine wines, and a chance to acquire a reserved parking

spot in front of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. Gala chairs Dr. Mary O’Toole and Bill

Phillips won it (they won it last year!), but this year, two were offered, and Dr. Mary Ann

Wilkinson, a pediatrician with Sea View Pediatric Medical Associates, won it as well.

However, the hot auction item was the home baked pies – one a month for one year –

baked by Steve Geidt. Thanks to the generosity of the Saddleback CEO, four people we’re

able to purchase the pies (they item went for $3,000 each). They included Doris and David

Law, M.D., Pam and Peter Pelizzon, Ellies and Michael Watanabe, M.D., and Erin and

Scott McPherson. Smiles abounded!

Guests who purchased a “Pink Ribbon Shell Necklace” for $100 ($11,000 was raised) had

the chance to win the opportunity prize, which included driving a one-of-a-kind Aston

Martin to The Ritz-Carlton for a two-night stay in a Club Level guest room, with culinary

offerings, including dining at Raya restaurant.James Theel, husband of Machelle Theel,

Executive Director of Clinical/Quality Improvement at SMMC, was the winner.

Grateful Saddleback patient Kim O’Donoghue, who was in attendance, was featured in a

moving video, where she stated, “I would like to tell everyone on my care team how much I

appreciate them. I’m here today because of you.” O’Donoghue’s breast surgeon Dr.

Michele Carpenter and oncologist Dr. Merry Tetef were also gala guests.

Always a dancing crowd, the evening segued to the dance floor and the musical stylings of

the talented Derek Bordeaux Band.

Photo of Kim O’Donoghue with Drs. Michele Carpenter and Merry Tetef by Paul Gero