Member of the Month Archive

Irvine Unified Receives $2 Million From Irvine Company for Art, Music, Science Programs

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Irvine Unified School District on Jan. 19, received some much-needed financial assistance from one of its partners. A $2 million donation from the Irvine Company will help the district provide art, music, and science programs for students in grades fourth through sixth. The contribution is part of an ongoing 20-year, $45 million commitment by the Irvine Company’s Excellence in Education Enrichment program. Established in 2006, the program has helped Irvine Unified navigate declining state and local budgets and is now offering aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. “This commitment is essential in helping IUSD address the challenges brought o...

Nationally Recognized Radiologist, Nuclear Medicine Expert Joins Hoag Family Cancer Institute to Bring Molecular Imaging and Therapy to Orange County

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is building upon its personalized, science-based approach to cancer care with the launch of its Molecular Imaging and Therapy Program, led by nationally recognized expert Gary A. Ulaner, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Ulaner, who is dual board-certified in radiology and nuclear medicine, recently joined Hoag Family Cancer Institute from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he served as the PET/CT expert on the Breast Cancer and Myeloma Disease Management Teams. He is bringing with him multiple innovative clinical trials, some of which are federally-funded by the National Institutes of Health, that use molecular imaging to detect cancer a...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Announces David Gazzaniga, M.D., as First Division Chief for Sports Medicine

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, announced the election of orthopedic surgeon David Gazzaniga, M.D., as its Division Chief for Sports Medicine. Dr. Gazzaniga, who serves as head team physician for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, will be the first Division Chief of Sports Medicine at HOI and will be responsible for the continuum of care for the entire sports medicine service line. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute would like to congratulate Dr. Gazzaniga on his appointment as our first Division Chief for Sports Medicine,” said Jennifer Mitzner, CEO of HOI. “Dr. Gazzaniga is ...

Linda DiMario Joins Octane Team

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Octane has contracted with Linda DiMario to serve as Director of Community Engagement leading Octane Foundation for Innovation. In this role, DiMario will manage four key initiatives under OFI including STEM Fellows, Non-Profit Accelerator, NextGen, and Women Leaders of Octane. All were initiated during 2018-2019 and significant in the development of the Orange County innovation ecosystem. Recently retired as Executive Vice President of the Greater Irvine Chamber, DiMario is well established in the community. She continues to serve the Chamber as an economic development consultant. “I am excited to work with Octane, their very talented leadership, team, and Board to grow th...

James M. Cox Foundation Donates $75,000 To Feed Families Across Southern California During Pandemic

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Cox Communications is helping feed families throughout Cox’s California markets with $25,000 donations to Second Harvest Food Bank, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The grants, totaling $75,000 from the James M. Cox Foundation, will support local families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Cox has always supported the communities we serve,” said Sam Attisha, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications in California. “Now, more than ever, supporting our food banks and enabling access to nutritious food for families and children who need our help is so important. We’re committed to doing our part and will continue t...

Oso Parkway Bridge Virtual Grand Opening

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), County of Orange, and Caltrans will host a virtual grand opening on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. for the Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Highlights will include a clever “virtual ribbon-cutting” featuring local elected officials; remarks from Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and TCA Board Members; comments from stakeholders, including Caltrans; project video; drone footage; and more. Watch the Simulcast on Facebook.com/TheTollRoads, YouTube.com/TheTollRoadsOC. The Oso Parkway Bridge provides motorists with a direct connection between Los Patrones Parkway and State Route 241, improving safety and traffic flow on Oso Parkway. The bridge contains six lanes (three in each direction)...

Sonesta Hospitality Portfolio Grows with Two New Irvine Hotels

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has introduced two of its newest properties in the U.S. in Irvine: Sonesta Irvine - Orange County Airport (formerly the Wyndham Irvine–Orange County Airport) located at 17941 Von Karman Ave., and Sonesta Simply Suites Orange County–Spectrum Center (formerly Candlewood Suites) at 16150 Sand Canyon Ave. With the addition of these Irvine hotels, Sonesta’s national footprint expands in a key tourism and business region. Sonesta Irvine is the company’s third full-service hotel in the California. Minutes away from Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, Sonesta Irvine boasts 335 rooms and suites and 11 venues totaling 7,500 square feet of flexible meetin...

MemorialCare is Presenting Sponsor for Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook

Monday, January 04, 2021

MemorialCare, a platinum-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber, is returning for the second year as Presenting Sponsor for the Chamber's Business Outlook featuring UCI's economy expert Chris Schwarz, and live-streamed on Thursday, Jan. 28, at noon. "The Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event couldn't come at a more important time, as our business community is focused on mitigating the fiscal impact that COVID-19 has had on employers," said Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., president and CEO, MemorialCare. "MemorialCare is honored to once again sponsor this timely event, as we join the community of Irvine and all of Orange County in gaining the vita...

Greater Irvine Chamber Member MemorialCare and Others Recognized Among OC’s Top Workplaces for 2020

Monday, December 21, 2020

The Orange County Register published its Top Workplaces for 2020. Based on employee feedback through a survey conducted by the Register with its Top Workplaces partner Energage, 105 Orange County employers earned the recognition, including Greater Irvine Chamber platinum-level Leaders Circle partner MemorialCare, and member companies Astronics Test Systems, CBE Office Solutions, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Insperity, and Vincit. MemorialCare hospitals were the only hospitals to be recognized this year and MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center has been honored with this distinction for eleven consecutive years. As Orange County hospitals are experiencing more COVID-19 positive patients, being recognized serves a...

TCA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Valarie McFall Named Woman of the Year

Friday, December 18, 2020

Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Valarie McFall has been named Woman of the Year by the Orange County Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) during a virtual ceremony held Dec. 17. The annual award honors a woman who is a leader in transportation and has made an outstanding contribution to the transportation industry. McFall joined TCA in 2000 and has spent 20 years spearheading management and restoration efforts of nearly 2,200 acres of land for mitigation of transportation projects. She has held several key positions within the Agencies that allowed her to perform this important work, progressing ove...

Hoag Earns Straight A's for Hospital Safety

Thursday, December 17, 2020

The Leapfrog Group has awarded Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian straight “A’s” on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for its hospitals in Newport Beach and Irvine. Achieving the nation’s top honor for patient safety, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and medical errors. “Patient safety has been, and continues to be, our priority and we are honored that Hoag has been recognized by Leapfrog as one of the top hospitals in the nation for keeping our patients safe,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and chief executive officer. “We are proud of and grateful fo...

UCI Health Receives COVID-19 Vaccine, First Batch of 3,000 to be Given to Frontline Healthcare Employees

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

UCI Health on Dec. 16 received an initial shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine at the UCI Medical Center and will begin providing the first round of injections to its front-line healthcare workers. UCI Health was allotted some 3,000 units of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. It will begin offering vaccinations to frontline healthcare workers today and continue with a full roll out tomorrow to its frontline clinical co-workers who care for patients in high-risk settings or patients with unknown COVID-19 status. UCI Health officials say they plan to vaccinate 2,000 people in this group, known as Group A, by Sunday and then begin t...

Hoag Hospital Expands Maternity Services with the Opening of the Fudge Family Birthing Suites in Irvine

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has announced the opening of the Fudge Family Birthing Suites at Hoag Hospital Irvine which reimagines pregnancy, delivery, and recovery for modern families -- with private birthing suites, a perinatal VR guided program, and a calming outdoor walking garden. Take a 360 virtual tour and watch the grand opening video. Already a leader in women’s health, with the most prestigious nursing credentials in the nation and the most trusted maternity staff in Orange County, Hoag has listened to the needs and desires of today’s new mothers in designing 12 birthing suites in Irvine that are unlike anything else available in a hospital setting...

Hydrogen's Role in Clean Energy to Take the Spotlight in SoCalGas' H2 Hydrogen Home

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

As part of its efforts to support California's climate change goals and its mission to become the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it will build a state-of-the-art demonstration project to show the role hydrogen could play in attaining California's goal of achieving carbon neutrality. Named the H2 Hydrogen Home, the project is the first of its kind in the U.S. and will include a home, solar panels, a home battery, an electrolyzer to convert solar energy into clean hydrogen, and a fuel cell to convert that hydrogen back to electricity. The hydrogen will also be blended with natural gas for us...

Mayor Farrah N. Khan Announces COVID-19 and Business Reopening Task Forces

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has announced the formation of COVID-19 and Business Reopening task forces to guide the city in 2021 and beyond. The City, in partnership with key business leaders, will coordinate establishment of the Business Reopening Task Force to assist the Mayor in her efforts to help promote small business growth, support local entrepreneurship, target industry relocation within City boundaries, and assist the City in remaining responsive to the business community. Additionally, it advises the Mayor on topics where the City has the ability to shape issues affecting the business community. The Taskforce provides a foru...

City of Hope’s Annette Walker Named Among Most Influential People in American Healthcare

Friday, December 11, 2020

Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County, was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2020’s 100 Most Influential People. This is the second consecutive year Walker has been honored for her legacy of healthcare contributions and transformational leadership centered on making a difference in people’s lives. “I’m extremely humbled by this honor during a year when we saw remarkable leadership, bravery, and resilience from people on the front lines. Helping others and improving the lives of people in our communities is the most important thing a person or organization can do. This award speaks to our incredible City o...

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Approves Plan to Refund Bonds for Significant Savings

Friday, December 11, 2020

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Board of Directors has approved plans to reduce debt service and save millions by refunding some of the Agency’s outstanding 2013A and 2013C bonds. The refunding is estimated to save the F/ETCA in excess of $100 million without expending cash or extending bond maturity dates. The refunding would also enhance the Agency’s cash position, which is key given the uncertainties of COVID-19, but also allows the Agency flexibility to pay down other bonds early – something the Board has expressed interest in – or invest the savings in key capital projects. “At the direction of ou...

UCI Joins National Manufacturing Cybersecurity Collaboration

Friday, December 11, 2020

The California Institute for Telecommunications & Information Technology at the University of California, Irvine is joining the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute, a national organization focused on improving cybersecurity and energy efficiency in American manufacturing. In late November, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) formally launched CyManII, a $111 million public-private partnership funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, to engage in collaborative research and development that will help U.S. manufacturers become more resilient against cyber threats. UTSA will lead the consortium of 59 proposed member institutions. U.S. manufacturers are among the top targets for cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries, impacting the productio...

CUI President Michael Thomas Delivers His First State of the University Address

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Dr. Michael A. Thomas in October gave his State of the University address, looking back on his first year leading Concordia University Irvine and sharing his vision for the university’s future. Despite a year of unforeseen challenges, Dr. Thomas expressed there is much for which to be thankful. “I want to first acknowledge all of the hard work, sacrifices, trust, shared communal spirit, and corporate faith that the CUI community has demonstrated over these last six months. And I do so with gratitude and thanksgiving,” Thomas said in his address. “So, thank you! Each and every one of you students, faculty, staff, deans...

Orange County SC-Rangers FC Soccer Documentary “Path To Glory” Picked Up by CBS Sports Network

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

The Orange County Soccer Club and Rangers Football Club original documentary, Path to Glory, presented by PRO EM Event Services, has been picked up by CBS Sports Network and will premiere on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. ET), with Episode #2 airing Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 3:30 PM/PT (6:30 p.m. ET). The final 2 episodes of the series will premiere on Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET). The four-part documentary follows the professional journeys of three young players from each club as they cross the Atlantic to live and train far from home in the other’s country (Glasgow an...

UCI Researchers Develop At-Home Coronavirus Saliva Test

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Researchers in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine announced promising results in the development of a noninvasive at-home antigen test to detect the spike of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in saliva. The team, led by Michelle Khine, professor of biomedical engineering, posted their findings on the preprint server medRxiv.org. Khine is proposing a point-of-care platform that uses saliva, an electrochemical reaction and the children’s toy Shrinky Dinks to create the low-cost electrodes. “A rapid, population-scale diagnostic and screening device is our goal, and we think our electrochemical aptamer-based assay could be an ideal candidate,” Khine said. Working with Khine...

The Toll Roads Again Offers Relief for Drivers Amid New Safer-at-Home Orders

Monday, December 07, 2020

Upon California’s implementation of the latest executive order urging residents to stay home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) acted immediately and again began waiving the $20 FasTrak account suspension fee that may be assessed when the account balance is negative and the method of payment is rejected by the issuing financial institution more than once. TCA previously suspended this fee from April to October to offer relief for drivers in the early days of the pandemic. Other temporary relief efforts remain in place: The timeframe to pay a toll at TheTollRoads.com, using The Toll Roads ap...

UCI Researchers Develop Rapid Antibody Generation Technology to Target SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Monday, December 07, 2020

Using the same strain of yeast that ferments wine and makes dough rise, a team led by University of California, Irvine and Harvard Medical School researchers has developed an in vitro technology that can rapidly hypermutate antibodies. The new technology generates antibodies faster than animal immune systems and better than current synthetic methods, giving researchers the tools for evolving exceptionally potent agents, including therapeutic candidates that target SARS-CoV-2. In the research, posted as a preprint on BioRxiv.org, the UCI/HMS team created the synthetic antibody generation system called autonomous hypermutation yeast surface display, nicknamed AHEAD. They demonstrated the power of their system in a number of experiments. “Ou...

City of Hope Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial to Test its First SARS-CoV-2 Investigational Vaccine

Friday, December 04, 2020

City of Hope has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial that will test one of its investigational SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 who have not had COVID-19. The investigational vaccine, known as COH04S1, aims to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, which can block the virus from entering cells, and also spur abundant T cells that are thought to provide the elusive long-term protection that could protect against future outbreaks. “Based on preclinical research, we are hopeful that the vaccine will protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection that can lead to COVID-19 disease, helping t...

UCI's Dr. Susan M. O'Brien named Giant of Cancer Care

Friday, December 04, 2020

Dr. Susan M. O’Brien, the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center’s associate director for clinical research, has been named a Giant of Cancer Care® for her sustained contributions in the field of leukemia. O’Brien was one of 15 international pioneers in cancer research and care to be honored during the Nov. 5 awards program ceremony, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is the eighth consecutive year the program has recognized the physician-scientists whose work has propelled the field of oncology across the spectrum of cancer types and created pathways for future breakthroughs. This year’s awardees bring to 113 the total numbe...

Cox Charities Grants $75,000 to Support Local Nonprofits

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Cox Charities surprised nine nonprofit organizations with grants totaling $75,000 to help them address the immediate needs of our local communities. The grants focus on three key areas of need: COVID-19 relief, the digital divide, and social justice efforts. Cox Charities is funded by employee donations that are matched by Cox and overseen by a volunteer advisory board of employees. Cox Charities members (employees who donate to the foundation) were given the opportunity to vote for which organizations they thought were making an essential impact in one of the three focus areas and should receive a grant The following Orange County an...

Hoag Orthpedic Institute Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Friday, November 20, 2020

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI) celebrated its 10th anniversary in November. In 10 years, HOI has grown into the largest orthopedic hospital on the west coast, earning many national accolades affirming its high quality of care. HOI has performed more than 148,00 procedures since 2010 and is the highest volume provider of joint replacements in California for the past eight years. Established in 2010 through a unique partnership between Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and a group of visionary Orange County orthopedic physicians, HOI is a specialty hospital that focuses exclusively on orthopedics. In its 10 year history, HOI has grown to includ...

Thousands of Top U.S. Hospitals Encourage Everyone to #MaskUp

Thursday, November 19, 2020

One hundred of the nation’s top health care systems, representing thousands of hospitals in communities across the U.S., have come together with an urgent plea for all Americans – mask up, because wearing a facemask is our best chance at slowing the surging COVID-19 pandemic now. More than 11.5 million Americans have tested positive for the virus – including an additional one million in just the past week – leading to nearly 250,000 deaths. The current trends are daunting and frightening. If the nation stays on its current course, hospital leaders are increasingly concerned that more healthcare facilities will be overwhelmed as shortage...

Hoag to Launch Health Clinic at JWA

Monday, November 09, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced it will open a clinic inside Orange County's John Wayne Airport in the spring. Ahead of the clinic opening, Hoag will offer flu vaccinations and screenings, nutrition and exercise tips and virtual reality mindfulness activities at JWA beginning today. The Fly Well Clinic, an 850-square-foot facility, will offer Covid-19 testing, flu and other vaccinations, urgent care services, telehealth consults, vital screenings and more. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world’s travel habits, shining a spotlight brighter than ever on passengers’ health and travel safety,” Robert Braithwaite, chief executive of Hoag, said in a statement. “Hoa...

Kaiser Permanente Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Monday, November 09, 2020

Kaiser Permanente has renewed its gold-level Leaders Circle sponsorship with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of its members and the communities it serves. As a nonprofit health care system, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and their respective subsidiaries advance this mission through investments in high-quality integrated care and coverage to make health care more affordable. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highes...

Hoag Hospital Irvine Expansion Helps Position City as Patient Care Hub

Saturday, November 07, 2020

(Orange County Register) Already known as a hub for medical technology and research firms, Irvine is also increasingly becoming a center for direct patient care, with a proposed expansion of Hoag Hospital Irvine as the latest example of the trend. Hoag in Irvine is moving forward with plans that would expand its Sand Canyon Avenue facilities to more than double the number of patient beds and add nine buildings, reorganizing the hospital into specialized institutes of care. While the hospital is already allowed some expansion under city rules, updates and additions to older plans will go before the city’s Planning Commission late...

Kaiser Permanente Issues $1.5 Million in Grants to Southern California Nonprofits to Promote Disease Prevention Among the Homeless

Thursday, November 05, 2020

To help protect the most vulnerable in our communities, Kaiser Permanente has awarded $1.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Southern California, aimed at supporting the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 for people experiencing homelessness in Southern California. The money will aid individuals who access homeless shelters and have an increased risk of developing and transmitting infectious diseases because of challenges to their overall living conditions. Homeless shelters and other housing and supportive service sites are often faced with limited resources and staff capacity, and outbreaks can cause increased strain to these organizations. Funding from Kaiser Permanente will support the collaboration betwee...

Edison’s Looking for the Makers of Tomorrow and Giving Them $40,000 STEM Scholarships

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

Edison Scholars recognizes students that want to be makers of tomorrow – the dreamers, inventors, guardians and pioneers – those that dare to be great. Each year, Southern California Edison awards $40,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors who want to make a difference in the world by studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) in college. Last year, Orange County had eight Edison Scholars with four scholarship recipients from Irvine. From preventing greenhouse gas emissions to increasing access to clean energy in underserved communities, real issues need bright ideas to create change. This is a chance for students to stand up...

The Toll Roads Fully Open Following Closures Prompted by Silverado Fire

Monday, November 02, 2020

Closures to The Toll Roads that were in place last week due to the Silverado Fire have been lifted. All portions of the 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads that were impacted by the fire have been reopened after diligent work by partner Caltrans (owner of The Toll Roads) in close coordination with Toll Roads staff. Portions of the 133, 241 and 261 were closed by the California Highway Patrol beginning Nov. 2, when the Silverado Fire gripped Orange County and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents in Irvine, Lake Forest, and surrounding cities. The Orange County Fir...

OCTA Renews Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Sponsorship

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed its silver-level Leaders Circle sponsorship with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since its formation in 1991, OCTA has kept residents and commuters moving throughout the 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. OCTA’s responsibilities, programs and services impact every aspect of transportation within the state’s third largest county. A member of the Chamber since 2016, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on our local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs. Leader...

UCI, OC Health Care Agency Lead State’s First Study to Widely Test Representative Sample of Residents for COVID-19 Antibodies

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Testing a representative sample of Orange County residents for a wide range of coronavirus antibodies, University of California, Irvine researchers found that 11.5% of them have antibodies for COVID-19, in contrast to previous estimates of less than 2%. Latino and low-income residents had the highest prevalence of SARS-CoV-02 antibodies with rates of 17% and 15%, respectively. UCI researchers led the actOC project in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency, which provided funding, testing sites and input on the study’s survey methods and scripts. Study results appear on the pre-print server site medRxiv. “This rigorously designed surveillance study offers important information about how many residents o...

MemorialCare Links With Alignment for Medicare

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) MemorialCare Health System, Orange County’s largest nonprofit health system and a platinum-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber, is linking up with the area’s fastest-growing healthcare insurance company, in the latest sign of expansion for its value-based approach to care. Orange-based Alignment Healthcare this month said that Fountain Valley-based MemorialCare, which generated $2.4 billion in revenue in fiscal 2019 and employs about 5,400 workers in the county, will join its provider network at the start of 2021. Alignment Healthcare is a provider of Medicare Advantage insurance plans and has more than 61,500 members in the state. “MemorialCare an...

Hoag Memorial Selected as Trial Site for Promising COVID-19 Vaccine

Friday, October 23, 2020

(Orange County Register) Recent UC Irvine graduate Chen Cao became the first of 35 people to be vaccinated in NantKwest Inc. and ImmunityBio’s phase 1 clinical trial for COVID-19, happening only at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. “I want to do something good,” Cao, 25, recently said. Around the world, 44 vaccine candidates are in clinical evaluation, and another 154 in preclinical evaluation, according to the World Health Organization. Most target the coronavirus’ signature spike protein, which prompted its name — “corona” means “crown” in Latin. NantKwest/ImmunityBio’s vaccine does that, too, but it also goes, quite literally, deeper, targeting structures within th...

Easterseals Southern California Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Sponsor

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) has renewed its Leaders Circle partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a bronze-level sponsor. Easterseals Southern California has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2018. For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for people with disabilities and their families. The services provided by Easterseals Southern California—in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties—make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work, and play in our communities. With nearl...

UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation

Monday, October 19, 2020

University of California Irvine, a platinum-level Leaders Circle member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, celebrates 10 years of lifesaving innovation out of the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. In this Q&A, center director Aileen Anderson discusses some key accomplishments and describes the importance of stem cell research – how it’s the key to fighting some of the most tragic illnesses, from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to conditions such as blindness and the infectious disease of most concern today, COVID-19. Why is stem cell research so important? Does it really play a role in fighting disease and helpin...

Seven Executives Appointed to Greater Irvine Board of Directors

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Seven executives from organizations either headquartered or with offices in Orange County have been appointed to the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. The Chamber welcomes to its Board: Mayssa Attar, Ph.D., DABT, Vice President, Non-Clinical and Translational Sciences, Research and Development, AbbVie Attar leads an AbbVie integrated Translational Sciences unit with a team of scientists primarily focusing on neurotoxins, eye care, and aesthetics product development. Attar spent more than 21 years at Allergan (a company of AbbVie). Prior to joining the industry, Mayssa was an academic research scientist at the Loeb Research Institute in Ottawa, Canada. Since 2005, Attar has taught a...

Zillow Group Continues Partnership with Greater Irvine Chamber

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Zillow Group, Inc. has renewed its partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor. Zillow has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2012. Zillow is the leading real estate and rental marketplace serving the full lifecycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling, and more. It starts with Zillow's living database of more than 110 million U.S. homes, including homes for sale, homes for rent, and homes not currently on the market, as well as Zestimate home values, Rent Zestimates, and other home-related information. Zillow operates the most popular suit...

Transportation Corridor Agencies Expand Online Educational Resources for Kids

Monday, October 05, 2020

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA)—a bronze-level Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber—have expanded their successful online Educational Resources program for children. Launched in the spring as parents and teachers were thrust into a world of distance learning, the library of content caters to students from preschool to middle school. New content added for fall at TheTollRoads.com/Educational-Resources enhances the already rich assortment of activities available on the new webpage. Younger children will enjoy a connect-the-dots activity that forms the shape of Orange County. Preschoolers will also have fun with worksheets that guide them through cutting practice (with safety scissors – of course!)...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Receives Three Press Ganey Guardian Patient Experience Awards

Saturday, October 03, 2020

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, has received three Press Ganey Patient Experience awards for 2020, including, the Guardian of Excellence® for Patient Experience for the seventh consecutive year, the Pinnacle of Excellence® for Patient Experience in HCAHPS for maintaining consistently high levels of excellence over multiple years, and the Pinnacle of Excellence® for Patient Experience in Inpatient for maintaining consistently high levels of excellence over multiple years. The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally recognized symbol of achievement in health care. Presented annually, the award honors clients who consistentl...

UC Irvine Partners with O.C. Businesses to Develop Safe Reopening Protocols

Friday, October 02, 2020

(Los Angeles Times-Daily Pilot) UC Irvine is providing consulting services to private businesses to develop rules and procedures to keep employees and customers safe from COVID-19 as the economy starts to open up. “As the only program in public health in Orange County, we have an obligation to assist our community,” UCI professor Karen Edwards said in a press release. “I think there’s a gap in this area for us to step up and offer these types of services. This has the potential to have a major positive impact.” Orange County was on track to move into the state’s less restrictive orange tier until th...

UCI is No. 1 in Sierra Magazine’s 2020 ‘Cool Schools’ Ranking of Sustainability Leaders

Monday, September 28, 2020

Sierra magazine has named the University of California, Irvine (UCI) No. 1 overall in its annual “Cool Schools” ranking of sustainability leaders among U.S. and Canadian universities and colleges, marking the fourth time in the last seven years that UCI has topped the widely acclaimed list. UCI’s history of environmental stewardship dates back to the Nobel Prize-winning research by chemistry professor F. Sherwood Rowland into the depletion of the ozone layer almost five decades ago. This work led to the development and growth of UCI’s campus culture of eco-friendly practices, groundbreaking sustainability research, and remarkable green accomplishments that has put th...

Hoag Hospital Irvine Will Deliver New Maternity Services this Winter

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Hoag’s family of maternity services is growing. Thanks to the generosity of Gary Fudge, the Tsao family, and other visionary philanthropic donors, Hoag Hospital Irvine will open 12 new birthing suites this winter which reimages the evolving trends in maternity care in one of the county’s fastest-growing communities. The Fudge Family Birthing Suites will offer a unique birthing experience for pregnant women and their families. Already a leader in women’s health, with the most prestigious nursing credentials in the nation and the most trusted maternity staff in Orange County, Hoag has listened to the needs and desires of today’s new mothers in designing the birthing suites whic...

John Wayne Airport Once Again Ranked Among the Nation’s Best

Thursday, September 24, 2020

John Wayne Airport (JWA) ranked #2 among large airports in North America by J.D. Power's 2020 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, continuing its record of top rankings since it was elevated to the large airport category in 2017. The Airport was ranked #1 among large airports in 2017 and 2018. "We are pleased that our efforts to continually elevate the guest experience are reflected in the customer satisfaction survey," said Airport Director Barry Rondinella. "I am proud of our entire team for rising to the unique challenges we encountered this year. It is through their dedication and commitment that we continu...

Kaiser Permanente is First US Health Care System to Achieve Carbon-Neutral Status

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

(Patch) Kaiser Permanente, the nation's largest integrated, nonprofit health system, has become the first health care system in the United States to achieve carbon-neutral status. With its longstanding commitment to improving conditions that lead to poor health, Kaiser Permanente has prioritized sustainability to contribute to and catalyze a green future free of the extreme climate conditions currently harming so many Americans. This move to carbon neutrality eliminates the organization's 800,000-ton annual carbon footprint, the equivalent of taking 175,000 cars off the road. The U.S. health care industry overall is responsible for roughly 10 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. "As wildfires rag...

Samuel Johnson Named CEO of Transportation Corridor Agencies

Monday, September 14, 2020

The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) two Boards of Directors, comprised entirely of elected officials, affirmed that Interim CEO Samuel Johnson will retain the role of CEO effective immediately. Johnson, an award-winning industry leader with nearly 30 years of public agency experience, has led the Agencies to key successes since being named Interim CEO in April against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among his recent accomplishments, Johnson reformed TCA’s internal audit function for increased transparency, oversaw the creation of a more robust consumer privacy policy, and worked with Board leadership to reduce the Agencies’ annual budget by 51% while preserving job...

Wells Fargo Gives $1 Million in Scholarships to Bridge Financial Gaps Faced by Students Amidst COVID-19

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Students dedicated to making a positive difference in the world offer the greatest hope for the future, but for many their plans are threatened due to the unexpected financial gap posed by COVID-19—sometimes prohibiting them from continuing and completing college. Wells Fargo wants to help close that gap by launching the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship. This new initiative will provide 200 students with $5,000 each—funds that could help them cover various costs for their instruction and potentially make the difference in being able to continue their education. Wells Fargo’s commitment will go beyond financial assistance to include an optiona...

Octane Has Released its 2019 Impact Report

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Octane has released its 2019 Impact Report. Orange County has become nationally recognized or creating high-quality ideas, entrepreneurs, and a lifestyle to build sustainable growing businesses. Octane portfolio companies raised a record $337M in 2019, up 57% from 2018. Today, Octane stands at a positive inflection point and is a powerful catalyst to position Southern California for sustained growth of companies, to create high-paying jobs, and to deliver successful financial returns for investors. Additionally, InSoCal, an organization that includes Octane, Connect/SDVG, LAVA, and Alliance for SoCal Innovation, has held multiple events and programs that have pushed innovation further for Southern California, drawing more than 6,000 people from acros...

HBLA’s Dov Lazarus, City of Hope’s Nisha Morris Elected to Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors

Sunday, February 09, 2020

Dov Lazarus, CPA, audit partner at HBLA Certified Public Accountants, Inc., and Nisha Morris, associate vice president, Marketing and Communications at City of Hope Orange County, have been elected to serve on the 2020-2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. Lazarus has more than twenty years of accounting and auditing experience, with significant experience serving companies in a variety of industries including importing, manufacturing, distribution, automotive and retail. He has serviced some of the firm’s more significant clients. He previously worked at Price Waterhouse South Africa and Price Waterhouse Australia. Lazarus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant...

Dr. Edward Kim to Lead City of Hope Irvine Campus

Monday, November 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) In their search for the right person to head up their as-yet unopened Irvine cancer center, officials at City of Hope Orange County wanted someone with experience in community medicine, expertise in care and research, and a hunger for innovation. They say they found all that and more in nationally recognized cancer researcher and oncologist Dr. Edward S. Kim, who today is being announced as physician-in-chief for the medical campus, which is part of a $1 billion investment by City of Hope in Orange County. “He is so much the right person,” said Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County. Walker touted Kim’...

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