A local health care executive, Bob Funari, donated a commissioned painting by legendary Long Beach artist Bob Senske to MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. The painting, with a view toward downtown and the Pacific reflects the integral role Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s fulfills in the health and well-being of the community.
“The bond between greater Long Beach and our hospital is wonderfully reflected in this beautiful painting,” says Blair Kent, chief executive officer, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “The fact that it was donated by a local health care leader like Bob Funari, and created by the preeminent painter of Long Beach scenes has deep resonance.”
As a patient of Long Beach Medical Center myself, I can confirm firsthand how much Long Beach Medical Center doctors and staff care for the community’s health needs. Every moment I’ve spent in this hospital has felt comfortable and familiar. I was happy to provide my artistic services when the Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Foundation asked to capture its impact in a painting.
Bob Senske
The idea for the painting began when Senske auctioned his original paintings at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach’s Foundation’s 12th annual “Dancing for our Stars” Gala. At the event, Funari donated a sizeable gift to the Foundation to buy one of Senske’s paintings and used the commission to have Senske paint Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital surrounded by the Long Beach landscape.
Bob Funari and his wife Pam have been long-term, generous supporters of both hospitals, with Bob serving on the Foundation Board, including his service as a previous chairman.
“As a leader in health care, I understand the importance of hospitals to dynamic, tight-knit communities, such as Long Beach,” says Funari. “My family and I believe in making a difference in the community by helping to provide quality healthcare to those in need.”
The donations from the Funaris and others at the Foundation’s “Dancing for our Stars” event directly benefited patients at both Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
“We are thankful to generous donors like the Funaris who help us provide the healthcare our community so desperately needs,” says Rob Gunsalus, president, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Foundation. “The extraordinary care our hospitals have been providing for more than a century has always relied on the generosity of community leaders. Together with our supporters, we are elevating the health and well-being of the region.”
The MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Foundation will be holding its 13th annual “Dancing for our Stars” fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 9 at The Westin Long Beach.