OUR LAGUNA: Hospital gala a shot in the arm

The 25th annual South Coast Medical Center Gala was a tribute to the hospital’s efforts to reach out to folks who might have lost touch, as well as those who treasure it.

More than 600 supporters and volunteers attended the Saturday night event at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Almost every city in South Orange County was represented by elected officials as well as hospital well-wishers.

Laguna’s entire City Council, the City Clerk and Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates were among the guests.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the gala is that it gives us the chance to reconnect with the communities the hospital serves,” said Elizabeth Schneider, South Coast Medical Center Foundation executive director and chairwoman of the gala. “We are delighted that so many are willing to demonstrate their support for this incredibly valuable asset.”

It was the most lucrative fundraiser since donations built the hospital in the 1950s. Proceeds from the gala, expected to be more than $100,000, will be used to buy new equipment and help pay for renovations.

The necessity for renovations to meet state-mandated, but unfunded, seismic standards almost forced the sale of the hospital by Adventist Health, and certainly stopped the plans to build a new cancer center. The retro-fitting is estimated to cost $65 million.

Laguna Beach City Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman led the charge to keep the hospital in town. Her efforts were recognized at the gala. She was presented with a plaque lauding her for her “unwavering support.”

“We are indebted to Cheryl for keeping us on the front burner of issues in Laguna Beach,” hospital CEO Bruce Christian said.

Kinsman teamed with Mayor Pro Tem Jane Egly and Assistant City Manager John Pietig to forge a working relationship with the health center on which to build a viable future. She paid tribute to them and to the efforts of Christian to keep the hospital here and to improve it.

“I want to thank the hospital for sticking with us in Laguna,” Kinsman said. “Five years ago, when we started our crusade, an event like this [gala] wouldn’t even have been possible.”

Kinsman said the hospital has been rejuvenated by Christian, who has big plans for the future.

“It is a new day at South Coast Medical Center,” Christian said. “We are committed to this community and I believe this community is committed to us.”

The hospital officials would like to build senior housing on land it owns to help fund the construction of a new patient care building that would meet the state’s seismic retrofit requirements.

“We are not interested in a bond or in asking the taxpayers to pay for our rehab or new building,” Christian said. “It just isn’t necessary.”

The plans to update the facility and construct the new building site got a shot in the arm — you should excuse the pun — from Carl and Cheryl Post.

“We felt it was important that we be one of the first to endorse the hospital’s plans to remain and expand,” Carl Post said. “Our hope is that others will follow our lead. In our view this hospital is critical to the residents of South County.”

Schneider had invited the Posts to become active at the hospital. Cheryl Post became a member of the resuscitated Women’s Advisory Council and helped with the foundation’s fashion show in September.

A tour of the hospital convinced the Posts the hospital needed some help.

“After seeing the cardiac rehab and physical therapy facility, we felt there was a critical need for new equipment,” Cheryl Post said. “And because of the hospital’s focus on baby boomers — who have a major concern for heart-health, we believed we could help with the cardiac unit as well.”

The Posts’ $100,000 gift to the hospital was announced at the gala.

Another highlight of the gala was the video of testimonials, featuring such familiar faces as former Mayor Kathleen Blackburn, Laguna Beach County Water District General Manager Renae Hinchey, Bluebird landslide victim John Gustafson, Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. board member Pauline Walpin and Michael Gosselin.

A display of historical surfboards showcased by the Surfing Heritage Foundation set the tone for the evening. The guest list included Heritage Foundation founders Dick Metz and Bill Blackburn, and legendary surfer Mickey Munoz.

The gala theme was the Heritage of South West Orange County, the cradle of surfing in the United States. Surf trips, surfboards and board bags were among the auction items. Beach band, “Papa Doo Run Run” entertained. Guests were invited to dress in finery or flip flops.

It was no coincidence that Hobie Sports owner Mark Christy was on the gala committee — as if the native Lagunan’s connection to the surfing community wasn’t enough, he knows the recipe for the original Royal Hawaiian Mai Tais.

Also on the committee: Waste Management’s Michelle Clark, architect Lance Polster, Tight Assets owner Heidi Miller, former county CEO Ernie Schneider, Julie Christian, John Adams, hospital foundation publicist Wendy Allen and Community Relations Manager Kate Tschudin, Joel Bishop, Susan Morrison, caterer Maggie Hempen, Debbie Santoro, Helen Simpson, Kristine Thalman, Tom Pezman, Kate Mullins, Kay Kearny, Bonnie MacMillan, Laguna Niguel Mayor Gary Capata, former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anne Morris and chamber President Dave Sanford.

“The hospital is so important to our city — that’s why we are here,” Sanford said.

Among the 600: “Andy” and City Clerk Martha Anderson, Al Roberts and Ken Jillson, Leslie and Laguna College of Art & Design President Dennis Power, Nicky and Michael Kinsman, Athens Group publicist Joan Gladstone, Kerri and Chamber President-elect Jeff Redeker, Faye and Planning Commissioner Bob Chapman, Peggy Pietig, Steve Dotorotos, Lyn and Tim Carlyle, Pam and Sam Goldstein, Ann Quilter and brother-in-law Chris Quilter, Greg Vail, Frank and Laguna Beach Woman’s Club President Lee Winocur Field, Martha Lydick and Wayne Morison.

“There isn’t a hospital executive anywhere that wouldn’t give an arm and a leg to have an audience like we have here tonight,” Christian said.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to Suite 22 in the Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.