Stay connected,
stay informed!
Join Our Newsletter

With profound gratitude and a touch of wistfulness, we announce the retirement of Mary Beth Perrine, assistant vice president of the LuskinOIC Foundation, effective November 7, 2025. For 36 years, her boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication have illuminated our halls and transformed countless young lives.

Since joining our team in 1989, Mary Beth has focused relentlessly on creating opportunities for children to receive expert care regardless of financial circumstances. Her innovative fundraising efforts and community partnerships have directly supported our ability to serve the 93% of our patients who are underinsured or uninsured.

Key Achievements

Mary Beth’s impact at LuskinOIC has been both substantial and measurable:

· Operation Impact: Alongside Captain, her beloved canine “Chief of Morale,” Mary Beth completed 50 therapy visits to 50 different patients over 50 days, raising $10,000 to fund 200 patient visits.

· Stand for Kids Gala: She transformed our annual gala into a premier fundraising event, most notably orchestrating the 2024 celebration at SoFi Stadium for 1,000 guests—balancing grandeur with our signature personal approach.

· Community Outreach: After gaining valuable experience elsewhere, Mary Beth returned to LuskinOIC in 2011 as senior director of community outreach, managing volunteer services and serving as liaison to our support groups.

· Toys & Joys: Under her leadership, our annual holiday celebration has brought joy to thousands. At the 2024 event, more than 1,000 patients and families participated in a day designed to care for the whole child—including a dramatic helicopter arrival from Santa. Mary Beth was the lead in establishing the now 30-plus-year relationship with LAPD SWAT.

· Patient Ambassador Program: Mary Beth’s first Patient Ambassador was Melissa Sanchez, who lives with arthrogryposis. Together, they raised funds by finishing the LA Marathon! A team of four pushed Melissa across the finish line! Since then, the program has grown exponentially under Mary Beth’s leadership and love.

· Personal Advocacy: Mary Beth and Captain became beloved fixtures in our hospital corridors, bringing comfort, encouragement, and moments of joy during patients’ difficult medical journeys. Her passion for the mission was as loud as it was warm and effusive, inspiring everyone around her.

Her rallying cry—“SAY YES TO KIDS!”—has inspired countless donors and volunteers to join our mission, creating a lasting legacy of expanded access to care.

Moving Forward

A retirement celebration is being planned—save the date: October 14 at LuskinOIC Downtown, for a HoeDown! To honor Mary Beth’s legacy, donations may be made to the Perrine Family Patient Ambassador Fund, established by Mary Beth in honor of her family’s decades of commitment to LuskinOIC children. This fund will support Patient Ambassadors’ special needs, wishes, and requests—whether medical or personal. Click here to make a donation today.