Month: April 2026

LuskinOIC continues to strengthen its commitment to training future clinical leaders and collaborating with colleagues around the world. By engaging in global education and knowledge exchange, the organization ensures that its providers remain at the forefront of innovation and best practices in patient care.

Chief Medical Officer Mauricio Silva, Dr. Doris Quon, and Cindy Bailey represented LuskinOIC at the World Federation of Hemophilia Conference in Asia. This internationally recognized conference brought together leading experts, clinicians, researchers, and advocates dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with bleeding disorders. The event offered extensive educational programming focused on the latest advancements in treatment, care delivery, and patient support.

Participation in this global forum reflected LuskinOIC’s ongoing dedication to advancing specialized care through continuous learning and collaboration. By connecting with peers from around the world, Dr. Silva and Bailey gained valuable insights into emerging therapies, innovative care models, and strategies to enhance patient outcomes. These opportunities strengthened clinical expertise and fostered partnerships that could lead to meaningful improvements in care for patients locally and globally.

Through active participation in global initiatives like this conference, LuskinOIC continues to elevate its mission of delivering exceptional care while contributing to the broader advancement of healthcare worldwide.

More than 20 LuskinOIC volunteers supported the three-day Abilities Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center—one of the nation’s premier gatherings for the disability community—engaging with more than 5,000 attendees.

Led by Volunteer Coordinator Isabel Marquez, our team partnered with Angel City Sports, a national leader in adaptive sports, to power the annual Sports Zone. Together, they supported hundreds of participants of all ages and abilities as they explored adaptive equipment and played wheelchair basketball, pickleball, golf, and more—while also connecting attendees to local resources designed to help people with disabilities thrive.

For LuskinOIC volunteers, the Expo served as a hands-on learning environment—offering direct experience working alongside people with disabilities, strengthening communication skills, and reinforcing the role of adaptive recreation in advancing health, independence, and community inclusion.

The scale of Abilities Expo and the leadership of Angel City Sports continue to set the standard for inclusive, community-driven programming nationwide. Through this partnership, LuskinOIC is not only expanding access to adaptive sports but also helping train the next generation of disability-competent providers across Southern California.

LuskinOIC is proud to congratulate the UCLA Women’s Basketball team on claiming the 2026 NCAA National Championship. For the past three years, made possible through the leadership of our Board Chair Craig Ehrlich, we have had the honor of partnering with the Bruins. These student-athletes have visited our patients, energized our staff, and inspired our community in ways that will not be forgotten.

One moment stands out above the rest: Guard Kiki Rice visited LuskinOIC and shared her own experience as a patient, having undergone successful shoulder surgery at our downtown surgery center. For our patients facing their own recoveries, her story was nothing short of transformative.

The championship capped a remarkable season, and the recognition did not stop there. In a testament to the extraordinary talent on this roster, all six players were drafted in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, each within the first 18 picks. Lauren Betts went fourth overall to the Washington Mystics, followed by Gabriela Jaquez, fifth, to the Chicago Sky, Kiki Rice, sixth, to the Toronto Tempo, Angela Dugalic, ninth, to the Washington Mystics, Gianna Kneepkens,15th, to the Connecticut Sun, and Charlisse Leger-Walker, 18th, also to the Connecticut Sun. 

It has been an honor to support this team, and we could not be prouder of what they have achieved. Their dedication, generosity, and grace have meant as much to us as any trophy, and we are grateful to call them our partners.

Dodger Day brought together a team of 13 volunteers alongside our volunteer team to support the Dodgers Foundation and its community initiatives. Hosted in partnership with UCLA Health at Algin Sutton Recreation Center on April 11, the event brought together community members for a day centered on access, engagement, and care. Throughout the day, we helped serve hundreds of community members, ensuring a smooth, welcoming, and impactful experience for all. 

From sharing information about LuskinOIC’s services to providing on-the-ground support at the booth, every volunteer played a key role in the event’s success. Volunteers also led arts-and-crafts activities and interactive games, creating a fun and inviting environment where children and families could connect and feel supported. We’re proud to have contributed to a day centered on service, connection, and community impact.

On Friday, April 3, LuskinOIC patients, families, and staff flocked to Perrine Way for Ozzie’s Birthday Eggstravaganza! More than 300 guests joined us to celebrate the spring season and our favorite red dragon. The highlight of the afternoon was the egg hunt hosted on the Everychild Playground. Guests also enjoyed crafts from Mail a Smile and Healing Clay, facepainting with artists from Paint On Your Face, bubble activities with Bubblemania, and the 360 photobooth from Photobooth Party LA. The event capped off with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” to Ozzie and enjoying cupcakes from Hansen’s Cakes. 

Special guests for the afternoon included Kieran Tamondong (“Monster: A Jeffrey Dahmer Story”), Aiden Coleman (“Jane the Virgin”), Bella Blanding (“9-1-1 Lone Star”), and singer/songwriter Elizabeth Sams. Elizabeth even had a surprise performance, singing “Happy” by Pharrell. LuskinOIC is incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers and volunteer groups, without whom events like this would not be possible. Our deepest thanks to Ortho High student volunteers, Project Sunshine, Las Madrecitas and Las Niñas, Las Amigas and Los Amigos, and USC Delta Delta Sigma.

This spring, we are proud to share the story of Samantha Rodriguez, the patient at the heart of our 2025 spring appeal campaign.

Samantha is 4½ years old and was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare condition that causes extremely fragile bones. She has already experienced 32 fractures in her short life. Despite everything, she learned to walk and dance. By age three, however, repeated fractures and a femur deformity made walking too painful to continue. Her family sought care closer to home, but nothing available locally was equipped to meet her needs. That search brought her family to LuskinOIC and to Dr. Bowen.

What makes Samantha’s story so compelling for this campaign is not only her resilience but her family’s deep and lasting connection to this institution. Samantha is the fourth generation of her family to receive care here. Her grandmother first walked through our doors in 1987. Her mother, Karla, and her aunt became patients in 2002, both with the same diagnosis. Now Samantha is our patient too.

Her mother, Karla, a former patient herself, said it best: “My surgery changed my life. I want that for Samantha. I want her to start kindergarten this September with confidence, ready to take on the world.”

Samantha’s story reflects everything we stand for, and it is a reminder of the impact each of us contributes every single day.

LuskinOIC, the largest provider of pediatric orthopaedic care on the West Coast, was proud to be represented at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, April 14, when Dr. Nicholas Bernthal threw the ceremonial first pitch during Healthcare Appreciation Night.

Dr. Bernthal is an attending pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and board member at LuskinOIC, as well as chair and executive medical director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The evening honored healthcare professionals across Los Angeles for their dedication to their patients and communities, a recognition that reflects the values at the core of LuskinOIC’s mission every day.

For 115 years, LuskinOIC has been a trusted leader in pediatric orthopaedic care in Los Angeles. As a nonprofit children’s orthopaedic hospital, LuskinOIC provides innovative treatments for children with musculoskeletal injuries, bone disorders, and complex orthopaedic conditions, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. With more than 80% of patients underinsured, LuskinOIC relies on donor and sponsor support to ensure every child has access to world-class orthopaedic treatment. The institution is guided by a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the freedom to move, grow, and play.

In alliance with UCLA Health, LuskinOIC welcomes more than 60,000 pediatric patient visits each year, serving families throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. The institute’s commitment to accessible orthopaedic care extends globally, with pro-bono treatment offered to patients in Calexico, Mexicali, and communities around the world. Dr. Bernthal’s appearance on the Dodger Stadium mound was a proud moment for the LuskinOIC community and a reflection of the passionate physicians and staff who advance pediatric orthopaedic medicine every day.

The Charles L. Lowman, M.D. Visiting Professor Lectureship at LuskinOIC is a distinguished annual event dedicated to advancing excellence in pediatric orthopaedics. Named in honor of Dr. Charles Leroy Lowman, a pioneer in pediatric orthopaedic care, the lectureship reflects his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children through innovation, education, and compassionate care.

Each year, the Lowman Visiting Professor Program recognizes an outstanding leader in pediatric orthopaedics and invites them to share their expertise, research, and clinical insights with residents, faculty, and the broader orthopaedic community. This year, LuskinOIC welcomed Dr. Jonathan G. Schoenecker as the Visiting Professor. 

During his visit, Dr. Schoenecker delivered a featured presentation titled “Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down: The Endothelial Cell is the Emperor of Bone Biology” at the UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds. He also engaged directly with residents, participated in case conferences, and reviewed research presentations, fostering meaningful academic exchange and mentorship throughout his time with us.

A defining feature of the Lowman Lectureship is its long-standing collaborative partnership with Shriners Children’s Hospitals and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Now in its 24th year, this combined program brings together three leading pediatric orthopaedic institutions to promote shared learning, innovation, and collegiality across organizations. The joint format enhances the depth and breadth of the educational experience, offering participants exposure to diverse perspectives and expertise within the field.

Together, the Lowman Visiting Professor Lectureship and its combined program embody LuskinOIC’s commitment to education, collaboration, and leadership in pediatric orthopaedics, honoring Dr. Lowman’s legacy while shaping the future of care for children.

LuskinOIC’s commitment to accessible pediatric orthopaedic care extends well beyond the walls of our institution, and our recent trip to Calexico is a powerful example of that mission in action.

Led by the ICP Clinic and Dr. Baghdadi and his team of residents, 29 dedicated volunteers from our Las Niñas Support Group came together to serve families in need. Throughout the day, more than 45 patients received compassionate, specialized orthopaedic care, many of whom have limited access to this level of expertise close to home.

The day was about more than medical services. Volunteers donated three bins of toys and blankets and organized arts-and-crafts activities to create a warm, welcoming environment for children and their families. The goal was simple: to make every family feel seen, supported, and cared for from the moment they arrived.

This clinic was a true team effort, made possible by the generosity and dedication of everyone who gave their time and expertise. It is a meaningful reminder of what becomes possible when community and care come together, and a reflection of the values that have guided LuskinOIC for more than 115 years.

LuskinOIC has secured support from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to expand access to its annual Cerebral Palsy Summer Camp, taking place June 10–12, at the LuskinOIC campus in Downtown Los Angeles.

This partnership, supported by a $10,000 investment from Supervisor Mitchell’s office, ensures that 25 children with cerebral palsy—particularly those living in Los Angeles County’s Second District—can attend camp at no cost to their families, eliminating financial barriers to participation.

The three-day camp will feature adaptive sports and recreational programming led by LuskinOIC’s Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Department under the leadership of Chris Caron, in partnership with Angel City Sports. Activities include wheelchair tennis, adaptive cycling, group programming, a fully accessible water-play experience, and therapy-dog engagement through Canine Companions.

The camp will also serve as a hands-on training ground for dozens of clinicians and student clinicians from across Southern California, providing direct, supervised experience in disability care and adaptive programming—advancing LuskinOIC’s role in building a more prepared, disability-competent healthcare workforce.

Support from Supervisor Mitchell’s office advances LuskinOIC’s commitment to equitable access for children with disabilities. By prioritizing outreach across District 2, the partnership strengthens connections to families who have historically faced barriers to specialty care and adaptive recreation.

Our 2026 Stand for Kids Gala is fast approaching, and we are proud to recognize the continued generosity and leadership of LuskinOIC Board of Directors Chair Craig Ehrlich. For the fifth consecutive year, Craig has demonstrated his deep commitment to our mission through a remarkable $25,000 sponsorship. His steadfast support plays a vital role in helping us expand opportunities and create brighter futures for the patients and families we serve.

We are excited to welcome our donors, partners, and guests to an unforgettable evening at Manhattan Beach Studios on Saturday, June 6. This special event will bring together a community of champions dedicated to making a lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating the collective efforts that drive our work forward.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those who wish to support this meaningful cause. For more information, please contact Destiny Jones at dyjones@mednet.ucla.edu.

The LuskinOIC Foundation team is proud to share that we have received a generous $75,000 donation from Mark Kalmansohn. Mark, a UCLA alumnus, accomplished author, and retired attorney, has long demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing educational opportunities and supporting student success. He is also a passionate advocate for women’s athletics, having previously contributed to initiatives that supported UCLA’s Women’s Basketball championship-winning team.

This latest gift reflects Mark’s continued dedication to empowering student-athletes and expanding access to meaningful opportunities both on and off the field. His support will directly strengthen LuskinOIC’s NIL partnership with UCLA, helping to provide valuable resources in support of our mission to provide academic-level specialty care to our patients.

We are incredibly grateful for Mark’s generosity and vision. Contributions like his play a vital role in ensuring that student-athletes can thrive academically, athletically, and professionally, and we look forward to the continued impact of this partnership.