Latest News

Wen Family Donates $20 Million to Support New UCI Health Center

Monday, June 27, 2022

Supported by a $20 million gift from Joe C. Wen and his family, the UCI Health outpatient clinical facility at the new UCI Health–Irvine complex will bring to the University of California, Irvine campus specialty clinical expertise to coastal and south Orange County residents. “The Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care at UCI Health–Irvine will play a special role in the life of south Orange County because of our unique ability to marshal all the resources of a comprehensive research university in support of delivering the best and most up-to-date care,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We are very grateful fo...

Chapman University to Launch STEM/MBA Program

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Students looking to be leaders in the tech industry can soon pursue a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) MBA at Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics. The program, which launches in fall 2023, will give Chapman students majoring in STEM subjects the chance to get an MBA in one additional year, following Chapman’s 4+1 academic timeline. “Someone with a science background who also knows something about business can add a lot more value to a company – they know the goals, can spot people a lot better, and be a lot more entrepreneurial,” said Thomas Turk, dean of Argyros Schoo...

UCI Paul Merage School of Business and Irvine Valley College Partner on New Master of Professional Accountancy Program

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

The University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Master of Professional Accountancy Program (UCI MPAc) and Irvine Valley College (IVC) have entered a student referral agreement whereby IVC students can use selected IVC accounting courses to meet accounting course prerequisites for the UCI MPAc and to raise awareness of graduate program options at the community college level. “We are very excited to be offering this program to IVC students,” said Burt Slusher, director, Recruitment and Admissions at UCI MPAc. “For the past several years, IVC has been the number one transfer school to UCI for undergraduate studies. This program will further rais...

Orange County Soccer Club Partners with Local YMCA for Youth Soccer Program

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Today, the Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) and the Anaheim Family YMCA announced a new one-year partnership making an impact in the Anaheim & regional communities of North Orange County through health equity and youth programming. As part of the collaboration, OCSC will serve as the “Official Youth Soccer Technical Partner” for the Anaheim Family YMCA’s youth soccer league, which will feature OCSC-branded YMCA youth soccer league jerseys. “We are thrilled to join together with the YMCA of Anaheim in this official partnership to support the Anaheim community,” said Jeff Garner, OCSC President of Business Relations, “With six YMCA soccer arenas in th...

Individuals, Organizations Receive Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2022 Celebrate Irvine Business Awards

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

The Greater Irvine Chamber presented its 2022 business awards during the Celebrate Irvine event on June 16 at the Irvine Marriott. Meet the award recipients: Business of the Year - Tax Relief Advocates The experts at TRA are committed to making a fundamental difference in the lives of its clients through knowledge and support to taxpayers to help them save money. TRA is is focused on its mission to advocate on behalf of its clients. The TRA team develops strategies personalized for each client to resolve outstanding tax balances and prevent future problems. Entrepreneur of the Year - Ramin Mousavi, President & CEO...

Chapman Real Estate Team Wins its First OC Competition

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Five students from Chapman University’s fledgling Master of Science in Real Estate program won a competition held by a national commercial real estate association. The Real Estate Challenge was held in Orange County for the first time by NAIOP, which has pitted USC against UCLA in a Los Angeles contest for 25 years. “Taking the ‘Orange Cup’ was a great signature accomplishment for the program,” said Chris Lowe, director of real estate programs at the George L. Argyros School of Business & Economics. The Chapman team – Isabella Zelinger, Darrah Shaygan, Robert Bond, Cole Fleming and Asher Friedman – is part of the secon...

Philanthropist Stacey Nicholas pledges $3 million to School of Education

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

A $3 million gift from longtime University of California, Irvine supporter Stacey Nicholas will advance the School of Education’s ambitious projects for improving environmental and climate change literacy in California’s classrooms. The funding will create a new $2 million endowment fund for the Stacey Nicholas Endowed Chair in Environmental Education to support the teaching, research and service activities of the chair holder. (A recruitment is planned.) The other $1 million from the gift will provide startup funding and operations support to establish a bipartisan advisory board and organize an annual summit on environmental education. “We are grateful for the generous gift fro...

UCI Study Finds Affordable Housing Increases Property Values, Lowers Crime

Monday, June 06, 2022

(ABC 7 Eyewitness News) The need for affordable housing in Orange County is evident as the price to buy a home reaches record highs. George Tita, University of California, Irvine professor of criminology, law and society, directs UCI Livable Cities Lab. The lab conducted a study, which looked at the impact affordable housing has on communities in the O.C. "There is a shortage of 65,000 housing units in Orange County right at this moment," Tita said. He said the study looked at data three years before, and three years after affordable developments moved into neighborhoods. He said the findings of the study debunk the myth tha...

Kristine Collins Named Dean of UCI Division of Continuing Education

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

University of California, Irvine has appointed Kristine Collins to be its dean of the Division of Continuing Education, following a North American-wide search. She will assume the post on Aug. 22. The UCI Division of Continuing Education serves the lifelong learning and career development needs of individuals, organizations and the community on a local, regional and global scale. Through a wide range of educational opportunities, including certificate and specialized studies programs, short courses and strategic partnerships, the DCE provides learning pathways for those seeking career advancement or personal enrichment. DCE offers 2,500 classes per year, with nearly 23,000 enrollments. Additionally, throug...

OC Companies Present Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2022 Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Top Orange County companies joining City of Hope Orange County in presenting the Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Celebrate Irvine event are Corporate Sponsor Tax Relief Advocates, Community Sponsor Orange County Soccer Club, and Business Sponsors, FivePoint, The Collab Space, and University of California, Irvine. Celebrate Irvine also hosts tables by Albertsons Distribution Center, Antis Roofing, Chapman University, City of Irvine, Cox Communications, Easterseals, Edwards Lifesciences, Google, Greater Newport Physicians, HAMC Irvine Center, Irvine Marriott, Kaiser Permanente, Loko AI, New York Life, Orange County Power Authority, The Wooden Floor, Waste Management, Wells Fargo Bank, and Zillow Celebrate Irvine presenting sponsor City of Hop...

Irvine Summer Concert Season at FivePoint Amphitheatre

Thursday, May 26, 2022

(Orange County Register) FivePoint Amphitheater, which was constructed just outside the Great Park in Irvine following the demolition of the county’s beloved Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 2016, is back with another full season of rock, pop, hip-hop, and classical music concerts. The 12,000-capacity outdoor venue was meant to be a temporary solution until a larger venue could be built, but it will continue to operate as the Irvine City Council and concert promoter Live Nation work toward a permanent structure within the Great Park. FivePoint Amphitheatre is located at 14800 Chinon and is about a five-minute walk from the train station. General admissio...

City of Hope to Expand Supportive Care Program for Cancer Patients With $10M Gift From The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a national leader in providing cancer patients with best-in-class, integrated supportive care programs, has received a $10 million gift from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. The partnership between City of Hope and The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation will support City of Hope’s efforts to give patients across its cancer care system expanded access to its evidence-based supportive care medicine offerings and to advocate for establishing supportive care as a standard practice for cancer care in the United States. Beginning a...

C-SPAN Visits Irvine to Honor Local StudentCam Documentary Winners

Friday, May 20, 2022

C-SPAN and Cox Communications will join Mayor Farrah N. Khan on Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. PT to honor Sharon Chen and Amber Khauv for their winning entry in C-SPAN's annual student video documentary competition, StudentCam. Chen, an 11th grader at Portola High School, and Khauv, an 11th grader at Orange County School of the Arts, won Third Prize and $750 for the video, The Lasting Impact of Space Travel, and will meet with the Mayor at Irvine City Hall. The competition, now in its 18th year, invited all middle and high school students to enter by producing a shor...

UCI Ranked 9th University in Money Magazine’s Best Colleges 2022

Friday, May 20, 2022

Money magazine has ranked University of California, Irvine ninth in its 2022 list of the U.S.’s “Best Colleges” – making it the highest-rated California university. The annual ranking, released May 16, acknowledges UCI’s continued growth in providing accessible, high-quality education and fostering alumni success. “We are delighted that UCI has once again been recognized as one of the premier universities in the nation,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This ranking reflects our deep commitment to providing student opportunity and validates our intentional agenda to promote the American dream by being an engine of upward mobility through higher education.” According to Money, UCI score...

Hoag Unveils Innovation Center, and Telehealth App

Monday, May 16, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has launched a new health center and mobile app that will allow patients to receive the same care, whether they’re at home, in the doctor’s office, or on the go. The On-Demand Care and Innovation Center, which opened in late March, totals 12,200 square feet at 4699 Jamboree Rd. in Newport Beach, just shy of 9 miles from Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. Located on the corner of Jamboree and Campus Drive, the new center is also across the street from a $1.3 billion hospital complex being built at the University of California, Irvine. UCI’s children’...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Earn Place on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2022 List

Friday, May 13, 2022

Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Irvine Medical Centers have been awarded on Newsweek’s list of Best Maternity Hospitals 2022, a prestigious award presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. “We are proud of this accomplishment, which is a testament to the exceptional care provided by our physicians and staff,” said Mark Costa, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Orange County. “Having two of our hospitals recognized is a tribute to our dedicated care teams whose top priority is to provide our members and patients with high-quality personalized maternity care as they embar...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Nationally Recognized With Top Safety Grade

Friday, May 13, 2022

Kaiser Permanente Orange County hospitals have received an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes Irvine and Anaheim Medical Centers’ achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. "The health and safety of our patients and members is our top priority," said Mark Costa, senior vice president and are...

UCI Names Mary Lou Ortiz CFO

Friday, May 13, 2022

Mary Lou Ortiz has been named chief financial officer and vice chancellor for the Division of Finance and Administration at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. She will assume the post on July 18. Ortiz comes to UCI from The Pennsylvania State University, where she serves as associate vice president for budget as well as university budget officer. “Mary Lou Ortiz brings to UCI close to 30 years of outstanding experience in promoting financial stewardship, advancing the efficient use of resources, and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We all look forward t...

Patients Help Start Healing Garden at City of Hope OC's Irvine Cancer Care Center

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

(Orange County Register) The first plants for a “healing garden” will be dug into the ground Wednesday at the City of Hope’s new Orange County oncology center, laying the groundwork for a tranquil oasis for its patients and staff that will be lush with varieties that also carry potential medicinal benefits for people undergoing cancer treatment. Donning aprons and gardening gloves, patients and their families will help workers from Lowe’s – the home improvement company donated $1 million for the garden’s creation – in planting the species chosen because they are native to California or have health value, such as peppermint an...

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Receives $53M Donation

Friday, May 06, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange has received a record-setting $53 million estate gift from an Orange County couple who have requested to remain anonymous. The gift, the second-largest in Providence history and the largest in Southern California history, will create an endowment fund to support the greatest needs of Providence St. Joseph Hospital for years to come. The gift is a direct result of the care that the donors received at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, according to a statement from the hospital. The donors were also inspired by the service and sacrifice of Providence St. Joseph caregivers an...

City of Hope OC Presents Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

City of Hope Orange County is the presenting sponsor for the Greater Irvine Chamber Celebrate Irvine event on Wednesday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Irvine Marriott, 18000 VonKarman Ave. “Irvine has so much to celebrate, and City of Hope will add to this eventful year as we open The Lennar Foundation Cancer Center this year,” said Annette Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. “We’re grateful to be part of this thriving community where visionary leaders join with us to create a better and healthier tomorrow.” City of Hope is investing $1 billion to develop and operate a comprehensive cance...

Record Home Prices, Scarce Supply; Businesses Brace for Impact on Job Market

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp., the most valuable public company in Orange County with a nearly $70 billion valuation, last week listed nearly 220 open positions for its expansive Irvine headquarters campus along Red Hill Avenue, where it has spent well over $200 million buying land and building new facilities the past several years. Electric vehicle upstart Rivian Automotive Inc., valued at around $30 billion as of last week, says it has openings for over 370 positions at its rapidly expanding Irvine headquarters, where it has already built a base of nearly 2,000 workers in ...

Irvine Teams with Live Nation to Identify Permanent Location for Concerts at Great Park

Monday, May 02, 2022

(Orange County Register) After years of portable stadium seating and a temporary stage, Irvine leaders are beginning the search for a location in the Great Park to replace the FivePoint Amphitheater with a permanent venue, teaming with concert promoter Live Nation to find an ideal spot and design. Live Nation has operated the temporary amphitheater since 2017; the property just outside the Great Park is owned by developer FivePoint. The location off Marine Way near the southern end of the park was always meant to be a for-now solution after the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre was razed in 2016. A new permanent venue was alway...

Three Seniors from High Schools in Irvine Among 30 Edison Scholars

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Thirty high school seniors in Southern California Edison’s service area have been named 2022 Edison Scholars and will be awarded a total of $1.2 million in scholarships from Edison International. The scholarships are intended to help these students pursue science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) studies. Among the students are three from schools in Irvine: Eric S. Lee, Irvine High School Monica Pal, San Joaquin High School Abigail Samson, Arnold O. Beckman High School Including Lee, Pal, and Samson, there are nine Orange County seniors receiving STEM scholarships of $40,000. Here is the complete list of the 2022 Edison Scholars: Halle Allen, San Pedro High School Eliana Amanuel, Whitney Hig...

UCI Names Tiffany Lopez as Dean of Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Tiffany Lopez, visionary artist and administrator and proven champion for diversity and inclusion, has been named dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. She will assume the post on July 1. Lopez comes to UCI from Arizona State University, where she serves as vice provost for inclusive excellence and as a Foundation Professor in the Sidney Poitier New American Film School in ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. “UCI’s visionary founders included a school of fine arts in our academic plan so that the study and creation o...

UCI’s Michael Méndez is named a 2022 Andrew Carnegie Fellow

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

University of California, Irvine’s Michael Méndez has been named to the 2022 class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows. The assistant professor of urban planning and public policy joins an exclusive cohort of 28 distinguished individuals nationwide selected from nearly 300 nominees. Each will receive $200,000 for a research sabbatical focused on their study in the social sciences or humanities – the most generous stipend of its type. “I am pleased to congratulate Professor Méndez on being named a 2022 Andrew Carnegie Fellow,” said Hal Stern, UCI provost and executive vice-chancellor. “This recognition will support his groundbreaking research on environmental policy and protection...

OC Companies Present Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2022 Business Outlook

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Top Orange County companies joining MemorialCare in presenting the Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Business Outlook event are Economics Sponsor Torrey Pines Bank, Community Sponsor Orange County Soccer Club, and Business Sponsors City of Hope Orange County, GDR Group, FivePoint, Parker Aerospace, and University of California, Irvine. Business Outlook also hosts tables by Albertsons, Allergan an AbbVie Company, Bank of Southern California, Chapman University, Cox Communications, Edwards Lifesciences, Google Fiber, Greater Newport Physicians, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Kaiser Permanente, New York Life, Southern California Edison, Octane, SoCal Gas Co, Waste Management, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable, Wells Fargo, and Zillow Group. Held in conjunction wit...

City of Hope OC’s Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Edward Kim is Guest Speaker at Greater Irvine Chamber’s May 5 Government Affairs Meeting

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., physician-in-chief at City of Hope Orange County and vice physician-in-chief at City of Hope National Medical Center, will be the guest speaker at the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs meeting on May 5, 8 a.m. Dr. Kim will provide an update on City of Hope’s soon-to-open Lennar Foundation Cancer Center at City of Hope Orange County, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center at FivePoint Gateway in Irvine. He will also speak about City of Hope’s Orange County network of care and plans to open the county’s only cancer specialty hospital in 2025. Lennar Foundation Cancer Center at Cit...

Concordia University Irvine Earns Military Friendly School Designation

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Concordia University Irvine has earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation in the Silver Tier. This means Concordia is in the top 20% of most Military Friendly® Schools, excluding the top 10. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2022-2023 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined b...

Parker Aerospace Selected For Helicopter Development

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Parker Aerospace in Irvine will be playing a key role in a Sikorsky-Boeing team effort to win the prized contract for a new U.S. Army helicopter called Defiant X. The Sikorsky-Boeing team has selected multiple Parker technologies for its entry in the competition for the award to build what is called a “Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft,” one which is expected to eventually replace the Army’s aging Black Hawk helicopters. The agreement with Parker Aerospace covers hydraulics and flight controls. Financial terms of the partnership were not released. The Army will choose a winner—after a faceoff between Textron’s Bell and the Sikorsky-Boein...

Concordia University Irvine Offers Students Pathway to Serve Communities

Friday, April 08, 2022

Beginning Fall 2022, Concordia University Irvine will offer traditional undergraduate students to complete 450 hours of service over the course of the academic year in exchange for $10,000 toward their education in a new initiative called the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program is a service fellowship that provides students with college funding while engaging them in community problem-solving in the fields of education, climate action, and food insecurity. Over the next two academic years, Concordia students will have the opportunity to serve alongside local school districts and nonprofit organizations to solve real challenges and build healthier, more equitable communities. This program align...

UC Irvine Names Austen Parrish New Dean of Law School

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Austen Parrish, a respected scholar, gifted classroom teacher, and admired legal academy leader, will become the third dean of the School of Law at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Aug. 3. “Since it first enrolled students in 2009, UCI Law has been recognized as the finest young law school in the nation, one of the top public law schools overall and a model for combining academic excellence with service to the community,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “With his clear vision, proven leadership and stellar accomplishments, Austen Parrish is the right perso...

UCI Sets Location for its California Art Museum

Thursday, April 07, 2022

(Orange County Register) UC Irvine’s growing north campus has been chosen as the future home of the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art. Museum and university officials chose the location for the Langson IMCA, as it is being called, intentionally, said Museum Director Kim Kanatani, because of its proximity to the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, as well as the planned healing gardens at UCI’s expanding health campus still under development. “Its adjacency to nature is very critical for the museum,” Kanatani said. “It really resonates with our collections.” More than 3,000 works of modern art in a variety of mediums collected b...

CathWorks and Quest International Announce Global Partnership

Wednesday, April 06, 2022

CathWorks, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), with offices in Irvine, Israel, and Japan, and Quest International, a global service support provider to the OEMs, announced today they have signed a post-sales technical service support agreement that Quest International becomes the preferred technical service delivery partner for end-to-end service support of CathWorks' fast-growing install-base of customers globally. CathWorks plans to leverage Quest's capabilities to accelerate its commercial operations and expand its geographic footprint. "In pursuit of our mission of partnering with physicians to transform how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed and treated, we have become partners with Quest International because of their deep industry expertise an...

Chapman MBA Program Rises to its Highest Position Ever in U.S. News Rankings

Friday, April 01, 2022

Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics has vaulted to No. 72 in the latest Best Business School rankings by U.S. News & World Report, announced Tuesday, March 29. It’s the school’s highest-ever position in the prestigious rankings of business schools with full-time MBA programs. Since Thomas Turk assumed the role of dean five years ago, the Argyros School has jumped 26 places in the national rankings. “These 2023 rankings validate our position among the top private business schools on the West Coast as well as our overall position among all California schools,” said Turk, Ph.D., who holds the Robert J. and Caroly...

Infusion Bays at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center Designed Around Patient Preferences

Friday, April 01, 2022

When designing Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, City of Hope Orange County put patients' needs first, placing special importance on the infusion center. Stepping into the treatment space located on the top floor of the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, the warmth of the sunlight fills the area from its large windows that look onto Saddleback Mountain, allowing strength and stability to flow in. It’s a patient-centered, peaceful environment that is comfortable and calm. “We’ve taken extra care to center the infusion bays around the patient experience,” said Wendy P. Austin, RN, MS, AOCN, COA, NEA-BC, FACHE, the senior vice president of operations fo...

CathWorks Presents New Data and Latest Innovations

Thursday, March 31, 2022

The results of CathWorks' most recent outcomes study on the CathWorks FFRangio™ system will be presented by Dr. Guy Witberg from Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel on Sunday, April 3 at the annual American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference in Washington, DC. Dr. Witberg and his co-investigators in Israel and Japan examined the 1-year clinical outcomes of 492 patients whose treatment decision was based solely on the CathWorks FFRangio™ System results. "FFRangio has been in use in our cath lab since 2016 and we have taken part in several studies demonstrating its excellent diagnostic performance compared to the gold standard wire-base...

UC Irvine Ranks Among U.S. News' Best Graduate Schools

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

The University of California, Irvine’s graduate programs in education and chemistry place in the nation’s top 10 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual graduate school rankings. Nine other fields of advanced study are in the top 20 among public universities, marking UCI as one of the leading locations in the country for students to pursue graduate degrees. “UCI has established itself as a world-class public research university in a wide range of graduate disciplines,” said Gillian Hayes, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate Division. “These rankings confirm that our campus offers challenging an...

UCI’s North Campus Site Provides Outdoor Vistas to Complement Indoor Masterpieces

Monday, March 28, 2022

Spellbinding views – both indoors and out – will grace the future home of the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art at the University of California, Irvine when it opens along Campus Drive near Jamboree Road – a location UCI officials announced today. The North Campus site – which is near where the UCI Medical Center–Irvine complex is also being constructed – will offer visitors “sweeping views of the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve to complement Langson IMCA’s remarkable collection of California impressionist and contemporary art and serve as a vibrant hub for discovery, exchange and engagement,” said museu...

Heather Vezner named new Dean for the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Heather Vezner, a lifelong teacher and leader in education, is the newly-appointed dean of Concordia University Irvine (CUI) School of Education (SOE). She succeeds Kent Schlichtemeier, who is now the director of the new Servant Leadership Institute, which works in close partnership with the SOE. Vezner was a primary leader in preparation for CUI’s site visit critical to the California Teacher Credential process. “It was hugely successful and showed a lot about why she needs to be in a position of leadership like she is in now,” Tim Schumacher, assistant professor of educational technology and chair of the search committee. Provost Scott Ashmon say...

Hoag Receives $50 Million Gift from the Sun Family Foundation; Announces Major Expansion in Irvine

Monday, March 21, 2022

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has received a $50 million gift from the Sun Family Foundation to serve as a catalyst for Hoag's ongoing expansion that will usher in major new health care facilities, technology and treatment protocols for the residents of Orange County and beyond. The gift – and the physical expansion and medical advancements it will help make possible – underscores Hoag's emergence as a global destination for medical excellence, unparalleled service, and patient-focused outcomes. "This remarkable gift from the Sun Family Foundation will enable Hoag to dramatically expand the breadth of outstanding health care services available to the Orange Count...

Leading-Edge Technology at City of Hope OC’s Lennar Foundation Cancer Center to Provide Advanced Treatments

Friday, March 04, 2022

Glimpses of Hope - March 2022 Update: Lennar Foundation Cancer Center at City of Hope Orange County will be the most advanced cancer center in the region, purposefully designed to be high touch and high tech. Patients will receive exceptional, compassionate care from our world-renowned cancer experts. They will benefit from innovations designed to get them back to their lives sooner and that make their care experience easier and more convenient. "Our comprehensive cancer center will be the center of innovation and home to the most advanced cancer treatments and technologies available," said Annette M. Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. "Thi...

Colleen Dillaway Named Market Vice President for Cox Communications in Orange County

Wednesday, March 02, 2022

Colleen Dillaway has been named market vice president for Cox Communications in Orange County, Calif. Dillaway, who is the first person to hold this newly created position, will join Cox's California senior leadership team and report to Ingo Hentschel, senior vice president and region manager for Cox’s California region. In her new role, Dillaway will work with business and community partners in Orange County and Palos Verdes, represent Cox in the community, and serve as the market spokesperson. Dillaway joined Cox in 2018 as director of public affairs where she was responsible for community relations, philanthropic giving, external communications, and employee communications acros...

UCI Celebrates 20 Years of Octane OC Building Entrepreneurial Innovation Ecosystem

Wednesday, March 02, 2022

Genuine collaboration and building a community that hasn’t formerly existed doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it may take decades and, much like any startup, it experiences ups and downs. This year, Octane a non-profit organization that drives technology and growth by connecting ideas and people with resources and capital is celebrating two decades of building the now budding innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem that sprawls across Southern California. The UC Irvine ecosystem partner’s very seed was planted in Irvine with roots dating back to UCI’s Division of Continuing Education. That seed has grown over 20 years and continues to cultivate entrepreneurial, investment, and workforc...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Welcomes Shoulder & Elbow Specialist Hafiz Kassam, M.D. to Medical Staff

Monday, February 28, 2022

Hoag Orthopedic Institute, one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, has announced that it has added Hafiz Kassam, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery, to its medical staff. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Hafiz Kassam to Hoag Orthopedic Institute,” said Steven L. Barnett, M.D., chief medical officer of Hoag Orthopedic Institute. “We are confident Dr. Kassam will be able to contribute to our collective high-quality care notability, high standards, and superior patient outcomes.” Dr. Kassam has extensive experience in complex shoulder and elbow surgery, sports injuries, and traumatic orthopedic reconstruction. He is Boar...

UC Irvine Launches AI-Powered Institute for Precision Health

Friday, February 25, 2022

The University of California, Irvine today announced the launch of the Institute for Precision Health (IPH), an endeavor that marries UCI’s powerhouse health sciences, engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, clinical genomics and data science capabilities to deliver the most effective health and wellness strategy for each individual person and, in doing so, confronts the linked challenges of health equity and the high cost of care. The institute will bring a multifaceted, integrated approach to what many call the next great advancement in healthcare. Precision medicine collects patient data – history, exams, demographics, molecular and diagnostic tests – and uses the powe...

CathWorks Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as Silver-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

CathWorks, a medical technology company dedicated to improving the care of patients suffering from coronary artery disease, has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner. “CathWorks is excited to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce toward achieving our vision of leading innovative digital health platforms that improve the lives of patients globally. Together, we are building a community that attracts and cultivates the next generation of top talent, entrepreneurs, and investors who share the common passion for helping patients,” said Ramin Mousavi, president and CEO, CathWorks. CathWorks, is a global company with offices in Israel, Japan...

Five Point Holdings, LLC Announces Appointment of Daniel Hedigan as Chief Executive Officer

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

Five Point Holdings, LLC, an owner and developer of large mixed-use planned communities in coastal California, today announced the appointment of Daniel Hedigan as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately, and that Lynn Jochim, president and chief operating officer, will step down, effective as of Feb. 14, 2022. Mr. Hedigan is an industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in the residential real estate sector and extensive expertise in mixed-use planned communities. Most recently, Mr. Hedigan served as President of Land Sales & Home Building at the Irvine Company from 2013 to 2021, where he oversaw all aspects of development...

$57M Gift to UC Irvine Will Establish World-Class, Campuswide Depression Research Center

Monday, February 07, 2022

The estate of Audrey Steele Burnand has gifted $57.75 million to the University of California, Irvine to fund the creation of a new campus-wide center that will pursue research into the causes and treatment of depression and also support the UCI-managed Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. More than $55 million of the gift is earmarked for advancing depression research at UCI. It’s believed to be the largest philanthropic donation to a U.S. university to support research focused solely on depression, which is the most prevalent mental health disorder in the U.S. “This is a truly transformative gift from a longtime and great supporte...

W.M. Keck Foundation Awards $1M to UCI Team to Study Cartilage Formation

Thursday, February 03, 2022

The W.M. Keck Foundation has awarded $1 million to an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine to study the formation and health of cartilages, tissues that are vital to skeletal structures. A particular focus for the UCI team, which includes scientists from the School of Biological Sciences and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, will be an examination of “peculiar cells” that are giant in size and packed with lipid molecules, according to co-principal investigator Maksim Plikus, professor of developmental & cell biology. These cells come together to form and provide mechanical structure to cartilages in the nose, ear...

Big Goals for OC Roadways

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

(Orange County Register) Continued work and future project planning on major freeways and toll roads throughout Orange County promise to make 2022 another busy year in transportation activity. Construction should ramp up on the 405 improvement project — entering its last full year before completion — and crews will continue making headway on the last two-thirds of work to be done on the 5 Freeway widening between the 73 and El Toro Road. After years of planning, a project to widen a key stretch of the 55 Freeway should begin midway through the year, launching a four-year construction process. And the OC streetcar, connectin...

Meet the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 Honorees

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Forty outstanding Orange County next-generation professionals were recognized during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 awards presentation on Dec. 9 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, for their demonstrated leadership and accomplishments advancing their industries and the Orange County community. “The Greater Irvine Chamber is honored to recognize 40 of Orange County’s most accomplished young professionals, each a promise of continued innovation for our region,” said Bryan Starr, the chamber’s president and CEO. “I congratulate them all for what they have achieved, the example they set, and I look forward to their future contributions.” View and download the event program here: Meet the Greate...

Verizon Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Verizon has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner. “Verizon is eager to serve as a Leaders Circle partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber to help drive innovation and move community connection forward,” said Jesus Roman, vice president of Government Affairs for Verizon in the West. Verizon Communications Inc. was formed in 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information, and entertainment products and services. With a presence across the globe, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers voice, data, and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers&rsquo...

Irvine: The City of Education

Monday, October 04, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Destination Irvine As published in the Orange County Business Journal, October 4, 2021 (Text included below flipbook.) It’s not surprising that Irvine is one of the best places in the nation to receive an education, from K-12 to Ph.D. More than six decades ago, Irvine was master-planned with education in mind. Visionary city leaders knew that prioritizing education would be the key to the city’s long-term economic vitality and quality of life, so they designed the city around a research institution — known today as the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As the cit...

Bryan Starr Discusses the Legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan in Podcast

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

In a recent radio interview with OC Talk Radio, Bryan Starr, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber and its destination marketing and economic development divisions, discussed the legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan, the city’s many assets, and the Chamber’s role as convener, champion, and catalyst for economic vitality in the greater Irvine area. “Everything comes back to the master plan,” Starr said, referencing Irvine centered around what is now University of California, Irvine. “The initial step, right away, made us a city of innovation, a city of education, that has been perpetuated into the 21st century.” Impact OC Talk Radio...

Sight Restoration Center to Open at UC Irvine

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) In the latest boost to Orange County’s thriving ophthalmology industry, the area will house the second center in the U.S. to restore sight to patients blinded from severe ocular surface disease by 2023. The Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration is building its first “Center of Excellence” at UC Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute on the western edge of the university’s campus, where it expects to recreate the ocular transplant program at Cincinnati’s Center for the Restoration of Sight. The foundation plans to open five other centers across the country over the next few years. The Holland Foundation was founded i...

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