Laguna Hills, CA – May 1, 2024 – More than 90 members of Beauty In Grace women’s giving circle collectively raised $120,000 for the development of a new melanoma program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. The nonprofit hospital plans to invest in technology such as intraoperative radiation therapy and provide screenings and educational offerings in the community to prevent, detect, and treat skin cancer.
Each year, Beauty In Grace members pool their $1,000+ contributions for a specific need at the medical center. Since 2016, Beauty In Grace has raised $682,000 in support of various women’s and children’s services, such as advanced MRI technology for diagnosing and treating breast cancer, and NicView video streaming equipment to allow families to log in and watch their babies from smartphones while newborns are being cared for in the Irma Feldcamp Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
In March, nearly 80 Beauty In Grace members gathered for a beautiful luncheon on the Grand Lawn of the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach to celebrate their support of women’s health services at Saddleback Medical Center.
Members were treated to appetizers, champagne, and mocktails while mingling, and then were seated for a three-course lunch, hosted by Saddleback Medical Center Foundation.
A special guest panel, moderated by Saddleback Medical Center CEO Marcia Manker, discussed the topic of: “Beyond Wellness: Prevention, Survivorship, and Sexual Health.” The expert physicians specialize in areas related to women’s health, including dermatology, gynecology, oncology, hematology, menopause, and sexual health.
Tanya Evans, M.D., spoke about skin protection and early cancer detection with regular examinations. Medical Director of Women’s Health Services Michael Krychman, M.D., talked about survivorship medicine and sexual health in the face of cancer treatments and other diseases.
Priyal Dholakiya, M.D., Medical Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Saddleback Medical Center, discussed the value of whole-person wellness and the importance of physicians considering many factors such as fertility, cosmetic, and financial concerns when recommending treatment options.
Emphasizing the importance of integrative oncology and incorporating mindfulness-based practices, Bhavana Pathak, M.D., shared the benefits of using holistic strategies.
Manker highlighted Saddleback Medical Center’s focus on women's health care with the building of the new Women’s Health Pavilion dedicated entirely to state-of-the-art support for women’s health and wellness and scheduled for completion this summer.
“Women are often the ones taking care of everyone else and putting themselves last,” said Manker. “Through our new Women’s Health Pavilion, we have provided the programs to empower women to optimize their health care and live the healthiest lives possible.”
Christy Ward, president, Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, expressed her deep appreciation for the ladies by stating, “It is a very powerful and moving sight to see such a dynamic group of women coming together to make a profound impact on women’s health care in Orange County. We are so grateful to our Beauty In Grace members for helping to create meaningful change and inspiring others to do the same.”
To learn more about Beauty In Grace or to become a member, contact Saddleback Medical Center Foundation at (949) 452-3724 or [email protected], or visit memorialcare.org/BeautyInGrace.
2024 Beauty in Grace Members
| Joyce Averna Erica Bailey, MD Ada Baker Anouchka Balog Sandy Benson Joni Boranian Tracy Bremmer Amy Bremner, MD Melissa Bush, MD Brandi Cassingham Melissa Centeno Lily Chen, MD Rena Chin Gracia Covarrubias, MD Lisa Dow Lesley Dowd Veronica Duggan, PA Jacqueline Dupont Carlson, PhD, EdD Bonnie Eastman Tessa Edwards, MD Adeeba Evans Nora Evans, MD Resa Evans Tanya Evans, MD Michelle Fajardo, DO Penny Fosheim Jane Frederick, MD Michelle Giardini, PA Patty Glover Evelyn Grass Lisa Guerra, MD | Cathy Han, MD Young Han, MD Cindy Hanson Candace Haynes Theresa Henry Erica Hutchison Marj Ingram Hanna Ivanovic Cheryl Jacob Ebunoluwa Johnson, MD Jan Johnson, MD Judy Jones Patty Juarez Shela Kaneshiro Marybeth Keller Kelli Kimmel Jenny Klein Christy Koperek Joan Lautenschleger Dawn Levine Diane Libertella Claudia Looney Rhonda Longmore-Grund Mona Lopez Laurie Louie Gayle Luciano Carol Lullmann Barbara Machado Marcia Manker Wendy Mason True McMahan, MD | Vivian Mendoza, MD Susan Munden, MD Molly Naglie Sarah Nederlander Jean Nick Norene Norris-Walsh, MD Colleen O’Connor Diana Ortiz Mary O’Toole, MD Pam Pellizzon Rossana Powell Pamela Rende Tiffany Roberts Susie Roof Kelli Ruiz Meryl Sakwa Catherine Shitara Laurie Sicaeros Bebe Shaddock Smith Lisa Stafford, PhD Heidi Stoops Connie Swank Tammy Tang Karen Testman Elaine Tiber Michelle Tom, MD Saghi Valencia Christy Ward Ellies Watanabe Carla Wells, MD Mary Ann Wilkinson, MD |
About Saddleback Medical Center Foundation
Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, raises philanthropic support for MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, a community-based, nonprofit hospital. The generous support of donors enables Saddleback Medical Center Foundation to support the medical center’s leading edge health care, technology and medical expertise, as well as provide programs and services for the community. To learn more about supporting Saddleback Medical Center through the Foundation, please call (949) 452-3724 or go to memorialcare.org/smcf.
About MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is a member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated health care delivery System. Saddleback Medical Center has been recognized as a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report, with high performance rankings for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Attack, Hip Fracture, Kidney Failure, Maternity Care, Knee Replacement, Pneumonia, Spinal Fusion, and Stroke. It was named among Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals, Top 50 U.S. Cardiovascular Hospitals, Orange County Register Best Orange County Hospitals and Top Workplaces; received Magnet Nursing Excellence designation and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Care Gold Plus and among first U.S. hospitals earning Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Certification and Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. Centers of Excellence include cancer, heart, orthopedics, spine, neuroscience, gastroenterology, emergency and critical care, breast health, imaging, women's health, obstetrics, geriatrics, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/saddleback.
About MemorialCare
MemorialCare is a not-for-profit, integrated health care delivery system with 225 care locations including leading hospitals—Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach; MemorialCare Medical Group and Greater Newport Physicians; MemorialCare Research Program; MemorialCare Select Health Plan; and numerous outpatient health, imaging, surgery, urgent care, physical therapy, breast health and dialysis centers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. Accolades include Nation’s Best Health Systems and Workplaces, Top 50 U.S. Hospitals and Cardiovascular Hospitals, 10 Largest Children’s Hospitals, 100 Best Hospitals - Spine and Prostate Surgeries, Best of Orange County and Long Beach Hospitals and Medical Groups, U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and "high performing" in 31 clinical categories and Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals, Top 100 Hospitals, Best Maternity Hospitals – and more. Visit memorialcare.org.