Month: November 2025

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the LuskinOIC community gathered in the Luck Family Conference Center for an afternoon dedicated to curiosity, reflection, and meaningful conversation. The occasion? A powerful workshop led by author and social entrepreneur John Kobara, inspired by his acclaimed book Quest.

Students, staff, and community members filled the Downtown LA campus, ready to explore themes of purpose, values, and the lifelong journey of understanding oneself. The room buzzed with energy as participants from Ortho High, local high schools, UCLA, USC, and other nearby colleges joined LuskinOIC staff for what would become an inspiring and introspective event.

An Interactive Journey Into Self-Discovery

To set the tone for the workshop, each attendee received a complimentary copy of Quest. Kobara opened the session with an engaging Q&A, offering candid insights into his writing process, what drives his work as a social entrepreneur, and the experiences that have shaped his belief in empathy, service, and continual self-inquiry.

His openness invited the audience to reflect deeply — not just on the book, but on their own lives.

Reflective Questions, Shared Stories

As Kobara guided attendees through select excerpts of Quest, he paused frequently to pose thoughtful, challenging questions. These moments of reflection encouraged participants to dig into their values, goals, and the choices that define their life paths.

But the workshop went beyond solo introspection. Attendees paired up for discussions that emphasized intentional listening and genuine connection. The result was an atmosphere of trust and curiosity, where students and adults alike shared personal insights and learned from one another’s diverse perspectives.

A Community Connected Through Conversation

Throughout the afternoon, conversations flowed effortlessly between participants of different age groups and backgrounds—a reflection of LuskinOIC’s commitment to community-building. The workshop reminded everyone that while the search for purpose is deeply personal, it is also a journey enriched by the people around us.

Leaving With Renewed Purpose

By the end of the session, participants walked away with not only a book in hand, but also new ideas, fresh perspectives, and motivation to continue their own “quests” of self-discovery.

LuskinOIC extends heartfelt gratitude to John Kobara for sharing his time, wisdom, and passion — and to all who attended this meaningful event dedicated to growth, connection, and reflection.

From the Desk of Michael Sullivan at the LuskinOIC Innovation Campaign Headquarters

It is with enormous pride and joy that I announce a record-setting moment for LuskinOIC: the Everychild Foundation has awarded us a $1,000,000 grant to purchase our very first MRI. This gift is our first seven-figure grant from a Foundation in our 114-year history – a milestone that fills every one of us with hope and deep gratitude.

The generous grant is the capstone of our efforts to raise $2.1M for this innovative MRI unit.

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, the Everychild Foundation’s mission is to ease the suffering of children in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Everychild Foundation unites 200+ Los Angeles women, each contributing $6,000 annually, to fund one high-impact project that meets a critical unmet need of local children. Their generosity – and high expectations for measurable results – will ensure the Everychild Foundation MRI becomes a bright, tangible symbol of healing for our children.

Leveraging the buying power of our partners at UCLA to reduce the purchase price from $2.8M to $2.1M, we will procure a Siemens 3T MRI.  It is the most advanced model on the market.  We will also conduct sedation MRIs that only a few hospitals in LA offer.  Today our kids wait an average of 2.5 months for an MRI but thanks to the members of the Everychild Foundation and the other 151 donors to this project, soon their wait will be less than 2.5 days!
 
I would like to thank our board members for authorizing this project, Director Maureen Stockton for inspiring others to donate by making the first major gift for our MRI, and Dr. Scaduto for his vision to do as much as possible to end the suffering of vulnerable children.
 
Led by Dr. Nick Bernthal, chair of the UCLA Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery  and Dr. Tony Scaduto, LuskinOIC president & CEO, we recently sent a team of 16 faculty, staff, board members and special guests to make a final presentation to the members of the Everychild Foundation.  I am grateful for their impassioned presentation which resulted in LuskinOIC winning this competitive grant.

As we prepare to launch our $80M Innovation Campaign in June, this grant gives us real momentum during the final months of the quiet phase. During this time, we will continue to look to those closest to us to consider making their commitment in helping see LuskinOIC reach new, innovative heights.

We are profoundly grateful to the women of the Everychild Foundation and to each of the donors who invested in our first MRI. We pledge to put your philanthropy to work for the resilient children and families we serve. Together we are turning hope into healing, and history into a brighter future.

Palm Drive was transformed into a Halloween festival full of tricks, treats, and spooky holiday fun for this year’s Ozzie Spooktacular! Guests joined the event’s activities, featuring the Los Angeles Ghostbusters, Photobooth Party LA and their 360-video booth, and other exciting vendors. Children decorated pumpkins, participated in a candy hunt on our Everychild Foundation Playground, and left messages to departed loved ones at the ofrenda hosted by Orthopaedic Hospital Magnet High School.

Even Ozzie joined in on the fun, dressed up as the “Wizard of Oz(zie)” alongside the Tin Man and the Scarecrow!

A huge thank-you to our many volunteers and supporters who helped plan, set up, and run the event—and to those who donated candy and supplies to make it possible. The night ended with the much-anticipated “Best Trunk” award in our Trunk or Treat contest, celebrating our most creative participants!

We were so honored to host so many members of our community for such a fun-filled evening. Happy Halloween, and we’ll see you next year!

See our amazing attendees in our 360 video booth here!

Events Manager Destiny Jones and Volunteer Services and Community Engagement Manager Courtney Rojas proudly represented LuskinOIC at Los Angeles Trade Tech College’s 100th Anniversary Gala. Held on campus in the Culinary Arts building, the event featured a wonderful menu of dishes prepared by LATTC’s talented students and staff.

The evening celebrated a century of operations in Los Angeles, highlighting student stories and raising funds to enable LATTC to keep educating and uplifting people of all ages through education and technical training. Honoree and LATTC alum Herb Nadel, now a renowned architect,  shared his story of how the school was the foundation for his career. Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, highlighted the strong union connections across LATTC, with many graduates of the school going into the trades and becoming union members themselves.

The night concluded with a speech from student body president Destiny McLemore, who thanked supporters for making students’ dreams possible and reaffirmed the lasting impact of LATTC’s legacy in Los Angeles.

LuskinOIC was proud to support Angel City Sports Courage Weekend, a two-day celebration honoring veterans and first responders through the power of adaptive sports. The weekend began with an adapted golf clinic and nine-hole tournament at Westchester Golf Club, bringing together athletes of all abilities in a spirit of camaraderie and competition. Festivities continued at West High School in Torrance, where participants experienced wheelchair basketball, pickleball, and boccia.

LuskinOIC also joined the Triumph Foundation Over-the-Line Baseball Tournament at Miracle Field in Anaheim, where more than 30 athletes competed in an adapted three-on-three format that showcased teamwork and awarded bragging rights for next year’s games. 

As Los Angeles approaches its first-ever Paralympic Games—now fewer than 1,000 days away—LuskinOIC’s commitment to advancing adaptive sports continues to grow. Upcoming highlights include the LA Hotwheels Division I NWBA Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Cudahy (November 7–9) and the Triumph Foundation Wheelchair Sports Festival at Brookside Park in Pasadena (November 15), which will welcome more than 300 athletes for a day of inclusive clinics and celebration of athletic excellence.

By Coro Fellow Raiyan Kalam

As my time as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs at LuskinOIC comes to a close, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the past five weeks. Working alongside the Foundation to advance LuskinOIC’s mission of healing kids’ broken bones and brightening their futures has been nothing short of transformative. Under the inspiring leadership of Vice President Michael Sullivan and the direct guidance of Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications Dr. Eunha Choi, I’ve had the privilege of pouring my heart into projects that matter.

I threw myself into pitching new growth opportunities, connecting with i9 Youth Sports League and local Little Leagues to spread our mission. Setting up the official LuskinOIC GoFundMe and PayPal Giving Fund pages felt like opening new doors for kids in need. I’m especially proud of sparking a relationship with Zach Anner, a Cerebral Palsy advocate and influencer with more than half a million followers, whose passion could help amplify our cause. Contributing to cornerstone events like the 2025 Swing for Kids, which raised more than $300,000, and the Giving Tuesday campaign filled me with pride to be part of something bigger.

Being surrounded by LuskinOIC’s cluster of brave hearts and brilliant minds has been the highlight of my Coro placement. This team’s dedication is a breath of fresh air I’ll carry with me forever. Conversations with Chairman Craig Ehrlich, Chief Financial Officer Aaron Shimizu, and Assistant Vice President Mary Beth Perrine—who’s retiring after an incredible 35 years—have left a lasting mark on me. Their wisdom and warmth have shaped me, not just as a professional, but as a person.

To LuskinOIC, thank you for welcoming me into your family. I’m beyond grateful for the chance to contribute to your life-changing work. I’m leaving with a full heart, knowing I’ll always have a home here.

[Top photo: Coro Fellow Raiyan Kalam with the foundation team]

The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to spread cheer than by bringing smiles to children’s faces through our annual Toys & Joy drive! We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys now through December 5 to help ensure every child at our holiday party feels the magic of the season.

We’re asking for gifts and toys valued at around $15, suitable for children of all ages. Whether it’s a fun game, a stuffed animal, or a creative activity kit, your donation can make a lasting impact on a child’s holiday experience.

Donating is easy: drop off a new toy at our Downtown location, or shop directly from our Amazon Gift List for a quick and convenient way to give. Every toy donated helps create a joyful and inclusive celebration for families in our community. 

Let’s come together and make this holiday season unforgettable—one toy and smile at a time!

Amazon Gift List link- Choose your Gifts Here

By Dr. Hervey 

At LuskinOIC, our Sports Medicine Center plays a vital role in keeping high school athletes healthy, strong, and game-ready. Each fall, our dedicated sports medicine doctors are on the sidelines at Santa Monica High School, El Segundo High School, and Culver City High School, offering expert on-field coverage during football games for freshman, JV, and varsity players. From immediate injury assessments to ensuring swift medical care, we keep student-athletes safe and ready to compete.

Beyond game days, our sports medicine fellows, led by Fellowship Director Dr. Goldman, host weekly training room sessions at these schools. These sessions focus on injury prevention, strength conditioning, and personalized rehabilitation, equipping athletes with essential skills to protect themselves and enhance their performance on the field. Dr. Goldman announced that our 2025–2026 fellows are Dr. Kimberly Burbank, Dr. Alex Soto, and Dr. Kyle Lau.

LuskinOIC is also proud to serve as a Clinical Rotation Site for sports medicine fellows, offering hands-on experience in delivering world-class orthopaedic care. We are expanding this program to reach more schools and include LuskinOIC’s orthopaedic and family medicine residents. This collaboration will strengthen our mission to ensure that every student-athlete, regardless of school or sport, has access to top-tier medical support.

At LuskinOIC, we believe every young athlete deserves the chance to shine. Through our Sports Medicine Center, we’re not just treating injuries—we’re building resilience, fostering confidence, and helping high school stars chase their goals, one play at a time.

The MRI project, part of the Innovation Campaign, has inspired record-breaking generosity across LuskinOIC. It’s the top need identified by LuskinOIC’s medical staff, and we’re proud to announce that 100% of our faculty and an incredible 89% of all employees have contributed to making it a reality.

According to America’s Charities, the national average participation rate for employee giving is around 10%. Even the highest rate reported by United Way campaigns tops out at  67%. LuskinOIC’s 89% participation is nothing short of extraordinary—and a true reflection of our team’s dedication to our mission.

Thanks to your support, we’re one step closer to dramatically improving access to care. Currently, pediatric patients wait 2.5 months for an MRI. Once we have our own machine, that wait time will drop to just 2.5 days—eliminating an estimated 4,235,475 total wait-days for children. That is something to support, celebrate, and be proud of!  

Photo caption: Employees started contributing at the LuskinOIC Employee Day of Giving in June, and have continued to sign up to support the MRI project to reach an outstanding 89% participation!

This incredible level of support wouldn’t have been possible without our resident campaigner extraordinaire, Mary Beth Perrine, who personally visited every corner of the campus to encourage employee giving for the MRI project. Mary Beth will be retiring next month, and her enthusiasm, passion, and boundless energy will be greatly missed. Though the weather tried to rain on her parade, Mary Beth’s Retirement Hoedown has been rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 17, at 11:30 a.m. Friends, family, donors, staff, and faculty will all mosey down to Palm Drive to celebrate Mary Beth’s 36 years with the organization.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, LuskinOIC delivered a powerful and impassioned presentation at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles during the final round of the Everychild Foundation’s highly competitive grant process. This pivotal moment brought us one step closer to securing a transformative $1 million award to fund our MRI project—a cornerstone initiative that will revolutionize pediatric diagnostics and drastically reduce wait times for children in need of critical care.

The morning began with LuskinOIC team members gathering for a group photo in the Skirball courtyard alongside Everychild Foundation leaders Jackie Caster, Beth Parks, Elisabeth Lesser, and Lisa Cleri Reale. After coffee and refreshments, the program opened with remarks from Caster and Parks that set an inspiring tone for the presentations ahead.

Opening remarks by Jackie Caster and Beth Parks, delivered by 9:15 AM, ignited the session with inspiration. From 9:30–10:00 a.m., LuskinOIC’s 30-minute presentation unfolded with compelling urgency, as Dr. Anthony Scaduto began by outlining the critical need for a dedicated MRI machine. Jamie Wells and Maureen Stockton then spoke to the operational impact across our hospital, and Dr. Nicholas Bernthal closed with a powerful call to action, reaffirming LuskinOIC’s unwavering commitment to equitable access and exceptional care.

The presentation highlighted how the grant would eliminate more than three million days of waiting for children needing scans, addressing the unacceptable two-month delays currently hindering timely diagnosis and treatment. A dynamic 20-min- ute Q&A followed, allowing Everychild Foundation members to engage deeply with our vision. Before the presentation, the Everychild Foundation toured the LuskinOIC campus to see firsthand the depth of our dedication to pediatric care. With a final decision expected in early November, this grant represents a beacon of hope. LuskinOIC stands ready to transform lives, ensuring no child waits for the care they deserve.