PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - The Irene Dunne Guild hosted their 10th Anniversary Think Pink for Women's Wellness event at the Bel Air Bay Club with a sold out crowd.  The event featured morning educational sessions on various health topics and a keynote address presented by notable speakers:

(Keynote) Assessing and Addressing the Gender Gap in Women's Health Care - Chloe Bird, PhD
Legacy of Great Parenting - Robin Berman, MD
Happy Heart, Healthy Heart - Nicole Weinberg, MD, FACC
Skin & The Immune System - Delphine Lee, MD, PhD, FAAD
Bone & Joint Health - Timothy Davis, MD

There was also an extensive shopping boutique with a large selection offered. A portion of all boutique proceeds benefits the Guild's Patron Drive Fund, used to support programs and equipment in departments throughout Saint John's Health Center. To date, the Guild has raised over $900,000 with their annual Patron Drive Fund for the benefit of Saint John's.

Saint John’s Health Center has been with Mary Flaherty through the best of times and the worst of times. The best times were when two of her three children were born at the Health Center: Mary Catherine in 1986 and Maureen in 1992.

The first of the worst times came in between those births when Flaherty was treated for breast cancer after being diagnosed in 1989 at age 32. Twelve years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer again and was treated at Saint John’s.

“That’s how I got involved in women’s health,” says Flaherty, a Foundation trustee and longtime Health Center supporter. “I feel you have to make lemonade out of lemons. Some good had to come out of it.”

Flaherty is grateful that the second cancer was a new primary cancer, not a spread of the original, which is a more challenging prognosis. She now mentors women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, focusing on education, prevention and encouragement.

"Saint John’s is special to our family. There is a spiritual aspect to Saint John’s, an emotional, social and psychological aspect to treatment that you don’t get elsewhere. That gives patients an extra advantage when it comes to healing.” – Mary Flaherty 

However, her dedication to the Health Center predates her personal experiences. You might say Saint John’s is a family tradition. Her father, Jim Hesburgh, is a trustee emeritus and former chair of the Foundation. Nearly 30 years ago, Flaherty, her mother, Mary, and Sister Marie Madeleine Shonka, SCL, met with Saint John’s benefactor, actress Irene Dunne.

“I was one of the founding members of the Irene Dunne Guild and was president when it was newly formed,” Flaherty says. She led the guild in 1989–1991 and 1994–1995.

The guild was just the beginning. Flaherty joined the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation board in 2003 and remains a trustee today. She also joined the Health Center board of directors in 2007 and chaired the board in 2011–2012.

“I really loved serving on the hospital board,” Flaherty says. “The board was able to accomplish many great things, and it was an amazing group of directors. It was a cohesive group of people who worked well together and had a commitment that is seldom found at other health care institutions.”

Most recently Flaherty was benefit committee chair for Power of Pink 2014: An Acoustic Evening with P!NK and Friends, held on October 23. Proceeds benefited cancer prevention programs at the Margie Petersen Breast Center.

Flaherty also serves on the board and is incoming chair of the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles. She had acupuncture during chemotherapy in her second battle with breast cancer. “I see a merging of Eastern and Western medicine throughout health care,” she says.

When she’s not busy with assorted boards and committees in her Westside community, Flaherty loves to travel and spend time with her far-flung family: a son and daughter in Illinois, a daughter in Texas and parents in Indiana. At home, she and her husband Jay have three dogs.

“I joke we replaced every child with a dog when the child left home,” she said. They now have two German shepherds and a golden mix. Two dogs are rescues.

During her time on the Foundation and Health Center boards, she has served on a multitude of committees including women’s health, board affairs, governance, strategic, finance, audit and quality control, to name a few.

“I feel like I earned a master’s or PhD in health care through my experience on these committees,” Flaherty jokes. “I’ve also made a lot of really wonderful friends through various committees. Saint John’s is special to our family. There is a spiritual aspect to Saint John’s, an emotional, social and psychological aspect to treatment that you don’t get elsewhere. That gives patients an extra advantage when it comes to healing.” And Flaherty understands healing very well.

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The Irene Dunne Guild recently announced a donation in excess of $100,000 to Saint John’s Health Center that is being used to help fund the Safe Patient Handling & Mobility Program. The gift enables the purchase of equipment to help lift, position and move patients. Safe patient handling is a term that refers to policies and programs that use technology and techniques to allow caregivers to safely lift and move patients without causing injury or unnecessary physical stress.

“We chose to fund this gift because the program strongly supports patients and caregivers at the same time,” says Kate Prudente, president of the Irene Dunne Guild. “This is specialized equipment that enhances the delivery of compassionate care in a manner that is safer for hospital staff and caregivers.

Among nurses, back injuries are the most common type of work-related accidents, Prudente notes. When used correctly, the new devices will help minimize the risk of injuries to caregivers.

Likewise, patients benefit from being moved in a manner most conducive to their safety and comfort. Safe patient handling has become a prominent issue in acute health care settings, she says, with legislation pending in some states to mandate more of these types of programs.

The guild’s gift is part of a larger patient handling and safety strategy at Saint John’s that will include in-depth staff training and support and a specialized lift team, Prudente says.

“The feedback I hear is that the nurses love the equipment, and the benefits for the patients are substantial,” she says. “The lift team is also very impressed with how easily they can move patients and assist all the nursing units in a more timely manner. This is an important program, and the guild is pleased and proud that we were able to help augment it at the Health Center.”

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A recent gift from a private foundation and a second gift from the Irene Dunne Guild have paved the way for the purchase of two Arctic Sun hypothermia devices for the Saint John’s emergency department. Arctic Sun is a temperature management system that is used to cool a patient’s body temperature in a safe and precise manner by circulating chilled water in pads or blankets applied to the patient’s skin.

Hypothermia treatment has been shown to limit damage resulting from cardiac arrest. Cooling puts the body in a slower metabolic state that curtails the cascade of chemicals released when cells are starved for oxygen. These chemicals can lead to permanent injury.

“The Arctic Sun improves the chances of a full recovery,” says Russ Kino, MD, director of emergency

services at Saint John’s Health Center. “Before Arctic Sun technology, hypothermia treatment was more challenging to administer. We can now manage these patients far more effectively.”

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SANTA MONICA, CA – The Irene Dunne Guild in partnership with the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, hosted the 2014 Caritas Gala Saturday night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills.  The annual black-tie event celebrates individuals who demonstrate compassion for others through exceptional service to the community.   Multi award-winning musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer and recording artist David Foster and his wife, television personality, model and interior designer Yolanda Foster received the Caritas Award; and Tonian Hohberg, president and founder of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising was presented the Spirit of Saint John’s Award.

 

Gala Chair Evelyn Guerboian and Chairman of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Board of Trustees, Dr. John Robertson welcomed the more than 550 guests , noting that since the Guild’s inception in 1987, its members have raised more than $11 million for Saint John’s.

Newly named Chief Executive of Saint John’s Health Center, Marcel Loh was introduced, remarking that “I was aware of the Saint John’s reputation before I arrived.  As you know, there are two very different skills required when working in medicine:  treating the illness and treating the patient.  I’m proud to say that here at Saint John’s, I’ve seen a wonderful balance of expert skill and compassion.”

Recipient of the 2012 Caritas Award and a member of the Saint John’s family since 1987, Sister Maureen Craig introduced Larry Wayne Morbitt, cousin of honoree Tonian Hohberg and an accomplished international vocalist, who sang a moving version of The Prayer of Saint Francis.

Introducing the Spirit of Saint John’s awardee, Sister Maureen described Tonian Hohberg , a  Foundation trustee, as “the personification of our spirit,” adding, “It took a spirit of adventure to come to California and start what was going to be a small school for talented young designers, but look what it’s turned into.  FIDM is an important and essential part of downtown LA with a reputation worldwide.” 

Longtime friend of Caritas Award honorees Yolanda and David Foster, presenter Dr. Lawrence Piro, President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute and a member of the Saint John’s Health Center Board of Directors described the multi-talented duo as wonderful parents, great friends and people who live lives that embody the spirit of ‘Caritas’”.

Highlighting the evening was a special performance by David Foster and friends including soulful solos by jazz singer Brenna Whitaker, singer/songwriter Shalea, actor/singer/dancer Rogelio Douglas, Jr. and opera singer Nathan Granner.  The ensemble brought the crowd to their feet with a rousing rendition of “Happy.”  The evening continued with late night dancing to the music of the Cowling Band. 

About Yolanda and David Foster

David Foster has created albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions and has worked with Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder, among a host of others.  He has won 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and received three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song , been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame and received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.  In 2012, David entered into a new phase in his career, becoming chairman of Universal’s Verve Music Group. Making charitable work a priority, he founded The David Foster Foundation in 1985. In addition, he has volunteered his time and talent to more than 400 charities, including the annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night, The Andre Agassi Foundation and Carousel of Hope. 

Yolanda Foster is best known for her starring role in “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Born in Papendrecht, Netherlands, she was discovered at 16 by Eileen Ford, owner of Ford Models. She signed with Ford and modeled throughout the world.  Based on her own battle with Lyme disease, Yolanda has become an impassioned advocate for seeking a cure for the debilitating disease.  A dedicated philanthropist, she is a major supporter of the David Foster Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Belo Children’s Cancer Ward in Manila Hospital in the Philippines. She currently runs Hopelessly Romantic, a business to help men and women “get wise and keep their romance alive.” 

About Tonian Hohberg

Foundation trustee Tonian Hohberg was honored with the Spirit of Saint John’s Award for her inspirational service to Providence Saint John’s and its mission. Hohberg is president and founder of Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, an internationally recognized college with 7,000 students and more than 60,000 graduates. FIDM is a private degree granting institution of higher learning that specializes in preparing students for careers in fashion design, interior graphic, visual and entertainment industries. She also is founder and president of the FIDM Scholarship Foundation and the FIDM Library and Museum Foundation. A four-term commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission, Hohberg was a member of the American Council on Education Governmental Relations Committee and serves on the executive committee of the Central City Association. She has been honored by the National Women’s Economic Alliance Foundation, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and THE MUSES of California Science Center, among others.

The Caritas Gala is co-hosted each year by the Irene Dunne Guild in partnership with Saint John’s Health Center Foundation to honor individuals who exemplify dedication and commitment to the community and embody the philosophy and mission of Saint John’s. Proceeds from the gala benefit vital programs and services at the health center. Since 1987, the Guild has raised more than $11 million and has supported Saint John’s through a wide variety of innovative philanthropic, educational and volunteer programs and services. The Guild was named for the late actress Irene Dunne, considered the “First Lady” of Saint John’s.

Past Caritas Gala honorees include Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Martin Sheen, Vin Scully, Robert Wagner, Angela Lansbury, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards, Chris O’Donnell and Jimmy Stewart.

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Contact:

Katy Sweet/Pam Giangregorio                                  

Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations

(310) 479-2333 / Pam@KatySweetPR.com              

SANTA MONICA, CA (July 8, 2014) – The Irene Dunne Guild will co-host the 2014 Caritas Gala in partnership with the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation on Oct. 25 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills.  The event will honor multi award-winning musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer and recording artist David Foster and his wife, television personality, model and interior designer Yolanda Foster; and Tonian Hohberg, president and founder of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. The black-tie Caritas Gala will feature a special performance by David Foster. 

“The Caritas Gala celebrates individuals who demonstrate compassion for others through exceptional service to the community,” said Bob Klein, President and CEO, Saint John’s Health Center Foundation.   “Clearly, our honorees truly exemplify the spirit of Caritas and we are extremely grateful for their generosity and myriad contributions.” 

“All of our honorees not only are accomplished figures in their respective professional arenas, but each is personally dedicated to creating healthier communities,” said Kate Prudente, president of the Irene Dunne Guild. “It gives me great pleasure to be among those celebrating these remarkable individuals.”

The 2014 Caritas Award will be presented to David and Yolanda Foster for their continuous support of Providence Saint John’s. David is one of the most successful record producers in history.  He has created albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions and has worked with Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder, among a host of others.  David has won 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and received three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” He has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame and received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.  In 2012, David entered into a new phase in his career, becoming chairman of Universal’s Verve Music Group. He has made charitable work his life’s other priority, founding The David Foster Foundation in 1985. David has volunteered his time and talent to more than 400 charities, including the annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night, The Andre Agassi Foundation and Carousel of Hope. 

Yolanda Foster is best known for her starring role in “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Born in Papendrecht, Netherlands, she was discovered at 16 by Eileen Ford, owner of Ford Models. She signed with Ford and modeled throughout the world.  Based on her own battle with Lyme disease, Yolanda has become an impassioned advocate for seeking a cure for the debilitating disease.  A dedicated philanthropist, she is a major supporter of the David Foster Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Belo Children’s Cancer Ward in Manila Hospital in the Philippines. She currently runs Hopelessly Romantic, a business to help men and women “get wise and keep their romance alive.” 

Foundation Trustee Tonian Hohberg will be honored with the Spirit of Saint John’s Award for her inspirational service to Providence Saint John’s and its mission. Hohberg is president and founder of Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, an internationally recognized college with 7,000 students and more than 60,000 graduates. FIDM is a private degree granting institution of higher learning that specializes in preparing students for careers in fashion design, interior graphic, visual and entertainment industries. She also is founder and president of the FIDM Scholarship Foundation and the FIDM Library and Museum Foundation. A four-term commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission, Hohberg was a member of the American Council on Education Governmental Relations Committee and serves on the executive committee of the Central City Association. She has been honored by the National Women’s Economic Alliance Foundation, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and THE MUSES of California Science Center, among others.

The Caritas Gala is co-hosted each year by the Irene Dunne Guild in partnership with Saint John’s Foundation to honor individuals who exemplify dedication and commitment to the community and embody the philosophy and mission of Providence Saint John’s. Proceeds from the gala benefit vital programs and services at the health center. Since 1987, the Guild has raised more than $11 million and has supported Providence Saint John’s through a wide variety of innovative philanthropic, educational and volunteer programs and services. The Guild was named for the late actress Irene Dunne, considered the “First Lady” of Providence Saint John’s. This year’s event chair is guild member Evelyn Guerboian.

Past Caritas Gala honorees include Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Martin Sheen, Vin Scully, Robert Wagner, Angela Lansbury, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards, Chris O’Donnell and Jimmy Stewart.

Individual tickets to the Oct. 25 Caritas Gala are $500 and sponsorship packages are available. For more information, please contact Tess Csiszar at the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation at (310) 829-8168 or email at Tess.Csiszar@stjohns.org.

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Contact:
Katy Sweet/Pam Giangregorio                                  
Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations
(310) 479-2333 / Pam@KatySweetPR.com 

New leadership team reaffirms Guild’s strong commitment to support the Health Center.
WRITTEN BY SANDI DRAPER PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN PRESSEY

Ana Belden, left, and Kate Prudente will lead the Irene Dunne Guild in 2014.
Kate Prudente and Ana Belden are following in the footsteps of Irene Dunne, an actress in the 1930s and ’40s and five-time Academy Award nominee. No, the two aren’t walking the red carpet. Rather, they are following Dunne’s leadinglady role as a philanthropic supporter of Saint John’s Health Center. Prudente and Belden are the new president and vice president, respectively, of the Irene Dunne Guild (IDG), a group of philanthropic women that has been raising funds for programs and services and volunteering in many ways at the Health Center since 1987.Prudente became involved with the Guild in 2006 when she attended its “Think Pink” women’s health educational event and luncheon. She became acquainted with Belden through various Guild events.

They also have children of similar ages, so their paths crossed for several years before they joined forces for the Guild. In addition, Prudente’s husband is an internist and current chairman of medicine at Saint John’s Health Center, and Belden “comes from a family of doctors.”

“I wanted to find a way to become involved,” Prudente says. “I started out in the membership committee, but for the last few years have served on the committee that selects which new hospital projects we will fund, which is extremely gratifying.”

The Guild has about 120 members who are asked to volunteer for at least one Guild program. “Some members definitely have favorite projects,” Prudente says. “But ideally, they rotate in and out of committees so that they can work with different women in the Guild and use their skills and energies in new ways.”

She adds, “Our outgoing president and vice president, Catherine Corlin and Judy Piro, are terrific examples, as they have both served the Guild in countless ways, including chairing the Caritas Gala and serving on numerous Guild committees. It is an honor to follow in their footsteps and represent this group of women who accomplish wonderful things for Saint John’s in a very understated way.”

Guild participation is a wonderful way to give back to a hospital that’s dedicated to the community, says Corlin. “The care at Saint John’s Health Center is compassionate and also cutting edge. We are ranked one of the 50 best hospitals in the country. The members of the Guild are very dedicated to the Health Center. Most of them receive their care here.”

Guild members range in age from their 20s into their 80s, Corlin notes. Members can become deeply involved in activities or, if they work or are are busy with young children, can volunteer for a minimum number of hours.

The new team of Prudente and Belden will bring out the best talents of the members, Corlin predicts. “I’m really looking forward to working with them. They will be a great leadership team.”

Prudente says Guild members are proud to represent the Health Center. “For the coming year, I hope to emphasize our role as goodwill ambassadors to the community as in our mission statement. With the new sponsorship of Saint John’s, I believe Guild members – who are active, dynamic women in the community – can play a key role in helping communicate some of the changes at Saint John's.”

And speaking like a true vice president, Belden says: “My #1 goal is to serve Kate, our members and our Foundation. If I do that, I know I will be serving the hospital and the community and its needs.”

Among the Guild activities are:

• The Patron Drive, a letter-writing fundraiser campaign held each year that has raised more than $850,000 for special projects at the hospital.
• Caritas Gala, an annual black-tie dinner award ceremony hosted in partnership with the Foundation trustees that has raised more than $11 million, since inception, for the benefit of the Health Center.
• The Irene Dunne Guild Gift Shop, started with a grant from the IDG and staffed with Guild members and hospital volunteers.
• Angels of the ER, a nationally recognized program that trains volunteers to assist patients and families in the emergency room.
• Think Pink, a women’s health and wellness educational event held each May.
• A multi-media library, which provides books, CDs and DVDs for patients and their loved ones and magazines in hospital waiting areas.
• Treats for Caregivers, which provides monthly healthy snack baskets to various departments on a rotating basis.
• Toys in the ER, which provides toys to pediatric patients and to children waiting with patients in the emergency room.
• Care and Share Closet, which is maintained by Angels who organize donated, gently used clothing to distribute to patients, as needed.

Actress Irene Dunne became known as the “First Lady of Saint John’s” for her more than four decades of contributions to the Health Center. One of her granddaughters continues the family tradition as a Guild member.

“One of the most attractive things about the Guild is the many ways that members can get involved—from distributing treats for caregivers in the hospital and volunteering in the gift shop to helping plan and execute our major events,” Prudente says. “The Guild offers a nice mix of ‘front-line’ and ‘behind-the-scenes’ volunteering. We are very excited about the future of Saint John’s.”


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