A word from our Chief Executive
In nature, spring is a season of renewal and growth. That’s a good description of our mindset at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center as we embrace new partnerships with the City of Hope, USC Cardiovascular, Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Coastal Ortho—institutions that have joined us to meet our community’s health needs.
Throughout our hospitals and partner institutions, we emphasize cutting-edge, multidisciplinary care. On page 18 of this issue of In Good Company, you can read about the Providence Spine Institute, where neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pain management experts and rehabilitation specialists work together to provide the best possible care. A Gardena man was a recent recipient of our patient-centered approach. Randy White suffered a horrendous jet ski accident that initially left him paralyzed. Thanks to the dedication and superior skills of two Spine Institute surgeons and a team of rehab specialists, Randy is now walking again.
Our new partnership with City of Hope brings that same kind of dedication to cancer care, expanding access to academic-based, innovative, high-quality services in the South Bay. On page 22, we tell the story of Lynn Flemer, a local woman who began searching for the very best doctors after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her search led her to Dr. Carey Cullinane, a City of Hope South Bay breast surgeon who told her: “Diseases are different, breasts are different and patients are different. We make an individual treatment plan for every patient.”
Also in this issue, we reflect on our mission to improve the health of the community. One way we do that is through the Choose to Change program, which helps people with pre-diabetes avoid developing full-blown diabetes. We also provide weight-loss services that can dramatically reduce the risk of obesity-related illnesses. Please read the story of Galo Franco (page 26) who went from living in constant pain to playing with his son and running 10k races after diet and exercise counseling and bariatric surgery at Providence Little Company of Mary.
We also endeavor to meet our community’s needs through excellent emergency care. The San Pedro Medical Center Emergency Department will undergo an $8 million expansion this year (see page 30), resulting in 28 state-of-the-art, private treatment rooms. We’re excited to break ground on the project at a ceremony this spring.
I believe in the mission of Little Company of Mary and am humbled by the dedication of our caregivers. Together, we will strive to advance medical care and improve the health and wellness of our community.
Garry Olney
Interim Chief Executive
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers San Pedro and Torrance
