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We are excited to share the latest updates, insights, and news from the IDG in our Fall 2025 newsletter! Click here to read the full newsletter.   The Annual Luncheon and 2026 Installation of Officers will be held on November 13, 2025, at the beautiful Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey. The event is for IDG members and their guests.
On Friday, September 26th, the Irene Dunne Guild came together for the annual Fiesta celebration — this year hosted at the restaurant El Cholo in Santa Monica. The evening honored the Guild’s commitment to supporting Saint John’s Health Center while celebrating the friendships and connections that make our community so special. Members and their partners enjoyed a warm and lively evening filled with good food, music, conversation, laughter, and the joy of being together. The festive atmosphere set the perfect backdrop for this cherished Irene Dunne Guild tradition.
A heartfelt thank you to Lucy Fisher, IDG Vice President, for bringing this wonderful gathering to life! Thank you to the Irene Dunne Guild volunteers for another incredible Treats for Caregivers!
Treats for Caregivers was held on Wednesday, Sept 17 from 1-4PM at Mullin Plaza. Treats for Caregivers is one of the Guild's signature annual events and this year we handed out over 800 ice creams to Saint John’s caregivers and medical staff across both the day and night shift. Attendees were also able to win gift cards donated from local businesses through trivia, hula hooping and cornhole. A special thank you to local businesses who supported with generous donations including Shake Shack, Randy's Donuts, El Cholo, Mendocino Farms, Lemon Nails & Spa, Uppers Cafe, Santa Monica Seafood & Cookie Good. Enjoy the photos by clicking on the slideshow. August Social Event: A Morning at the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
On August 12, 2025, the Guild’s Social Events Committee hosted a summer outing to the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden, thoughtfully organized by Carol Bullock. The group enjoyed an hour-long guided tour along the garden’s easy, scenic pathways, exploring a remarkable variety of plants from around the world. The collections—arranged by geography, climate, and theme—ranged from California natives and desert landscapes to tropical palms and the serene Ancient Forest. After the tour, members and guests gathered for a relaxed lunch at Plateia Restaurant in Westwood, where conversation and camaraderie continued over Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Participants included Carol Bullock, Suzanne Caldwell, Janis Gallo, Kim Kowsky (Foundation), Stephanie Malbasa, Elizabeth Mullan, Christine Ofiesh, Ilene Roper (prospective member), and Kathy Yawitz. It was a lovely day of discovery, connection, and summer beauty. IDG General Meeting – Brain Health Presentation by Dr. Amir Vokshoor.
The IDG General Meeting held on Wednesday, June 5, offered members a chance to connect and hear from Dr. Amir Vokshoor, Chief of Spine Surgery at Providence St. John’s Health Center and a specialist in brain and spine health. Dr. Vokshoor is also the founder of the Institute of NeuroInnovation and the NeuroVella Brain Spa. He gave an engaging and informative presentation on brain health, and shared both clinical insights and practical strategies for maintaining cognitive well-being. His talk covered a wide range of topics, including pain, dementia, depression, trauma, and Alzheimer’s disease, with a particular emphasis on prevention and long-term brain health. We thank Dr. Vokshoor for sharing his time and knowledge with the Guild and look forward to continuing these valuable conversations around health and well-being at future Guild meetings. Think Pink 2025 On May 7, 2025, the Irene Dunne Guild hosted the annual THINK PINK FOR WOMEN'S WELLNESS at the elegant Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The Guild's primary fundraising event, Think Pink for Women’s Wellness is held annually the first week of May. The event features morning speaker sessions with healthcare experts on a variety of topics, "Think Pink Shop Pink", a curated shopping boutique and an overall day of conversation and camaraderie. Born from the idea that women are the drivers of family healthcare, Think Pink not only raises vital funds for Saint John’s, but honors the women who embrace this role and provides them with the latest information. THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL THINK PINK! Morning Speaker Sessions POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME - SHANTHI GOWRINATHAN, MD, PSYCHIATRIST, SPECIALIZING IN WOMEN'S PSYCHIATRY & PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY HORMONES AND THEIR ROLE IN OUR OVERALL HEALTH - MARKI KNOX, MD, OBGYN, MEDICAL DIRECTOR HORMONE HEALTH PROGRAM, WOMEN'S HEALTH & WELLNESS INSTITUTE SEXUAL HEALTH THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE - JENNIFER LINEHAN, MD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR UROLOGY AND UROLOGIC ONCOLOGY TRUE OR FALSE? GENETIC TESTING IS A GOOD IDEA - MOLLIE FRANKLE, MD, LCGC, GENETIC COUNSELOR AI AND YOUR HEALTH-DEBORAH UNGER, MD, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS, PROVIDENCE SAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER Think Pink Sponsors Thank you to: TOWER SAINT JOHN’S IMAGING; ADRIANA SCHMIDT, MD, SANTA MONICA DERMATOLOGY GROUP; MARY LEE AMERIAN, MD; CONNIE MURPHY FITNESS. "Mindful Awareness & Self-Care event"
On May 13, Providence Saint John’s Health Center hosted the Mindful Awareness & Self-Care event, presented by Dr. Rebecca Crane-Okada for the Guild members. Following the event, a lovely reception was held for the Guild members to connect and continue the conversation. The materials from the session, including the presentation by Dr. Rebecca Crane-Okada and the handouts that were provided are attached below. Handouts_from_mindful_meditation.pdf Mindful_awareness___self_care_idg_5-13-25.pdf On March 20, 2025, members of the IDG had the privilege of visiting the Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica.
Guided by Dr. Matias Bustos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Translational Molecular Medicine, attendees explored the Institute’s cutting-edge research laboratories and advanced equipment, gaining insight into the innovative work being conducted to combat cancer. The Saint John’s Cancer Institute is renowned for its commitment to translational science and advanced therapeutics, focusing on a wide range of cancers including breast, colorectal, urologic, thoracic, gynecologic, and neurologic malignancies. The visit highlighted the Institute’s state-of-the-art facilities and the collaborative efforts of physicians and researchers striving to improve patient outcomes through groundbreaking research and clinical trials. Translational molecular medicine is a field of biomedical research that focuses on bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries at the molecular level and their application in clinical practice. A wonderful day for IDG members at the LA Louver Gallery in Venice! We enjoyed a special guided tour of the gallery’s 50th-anniversary exhibition, showcasing incredible contemporary art.
A big thank you to our Social Chair, Carol Bullock, for organizing this inspiring visit and the lovely lunch that followed. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect, appreciate great art, and celebrate the Guild’s community! |
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For information about joining the Guild or attending our events, please contact our Corresponding Secretary at [email protected] or contact Saint John's Health Center Foundation.
Irene Dunne Guild Gift Shop Phone: (310) 829-8601
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Saint John's Health Center Foundation Federal Tax ID: 95-6100079 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 SJHC Foundation Phone: (310) 829 8424 |
Supporting Saint John's since 1987, Guild members act as goodwill ambassadors to the community and are dedicated to supporting the charitable objectives of the Health Center by active volunteerism and raising funds.
Supporting Saint John's since 1987, Guild members act as goodwill ambassadors to the community and are dedicated to supporting the charitable objectives of the Health Center by active volunteerism and raising funds.
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© 2024 Irene Dunne Guild. All rights reserved.