Latest News

UCI to Welcome Inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy Class

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

The inaugural class of Pharm.D. students at the University of California, Irvine will begin their journey Sept. 24 at a White Coat Ceremony, a rite of passage marking the transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. The white coat is universally recognized as a symbol of the commitment students are making in joining a trusted health profession. “We are thrilled to welcome the first cohort of Pharm.D. students, who are the next generation of pharmacists who will help people live healthier, better lives,” said Jan Hirsch, founding dean of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. “At UCI, we wil...

UCI Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10 Public Universities for Seventh Consecutive Year

Monday, September 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine has been ranked ninth among the nation’s public universities – and 36th overall – on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 list of Best Colleges. This is the seventh consecutive year in which UCI has placed in the top 10. For the second year in a row, the university is ranked No. 2 in the subcategory of social mobility, which takes into account the graduation rate of students awarded Pell Grants. The latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings – now in their 37th year – assesses 1,466 of the country’s bachelor’s degree-granting institution...

Irvine-Based Brandman University is Now UMass Global

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine-based Brandman University, an offshoot of Chapman University, is now UMass Global. Officials Announced the hybrid-style school that offers online and traditional learning will now be part of the University of Massachusetts. The transition to the University of Massachusetts will have “absolutely no interruption” for current Brandman students, who will be able to continue their studies and receive either a Brandman University or UMass Global diploma upon graduation, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said. The two universities had been in discussions since 2019 on the deal, which Struppa said will help Chapman grow its endowment, a “crucial” part of “ensuring tha...

UCI Study of Traffic Sensors to use City of Irvine Streets

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Several roadways and intersections in Irvine are on the verge of getting a lot smarter thanks to a study of emerging technologies being conducted by the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering and the city. Twenty-five intersections in the city, including nine on the UCI campus, will be equipped with next-generation traffic sensors designed to collect data in real-time, with the information being used to implement instant adjustments to the flow of traffic, thus improving safety, traffic flow, and energy efficiency, officials said. For example, the advanced sensors will be able to detect the traffic flow and then respond b...

Multimillion-Dollar Gifts Create Opportunities for Chapman Faculty and Students to Study U.S. Presidents’ History, Impact

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Multimillion-dollar donations from Emeritus Chairman of the Board Doy B. Henley and James H. and Esther M. Cavanaugh have established a pair of endowed chairs in presidential studies at Chapman University, ensuring the university’s strong commitment to the study and teaching of the U.S. presidency, its history, influence and global impact. The gifts will advance a field of study with lasting significance and contribute to a greater understanding of the American experience, said Jennifer Keene, Ph.D., dean of the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where the chairs are centered. Expanding Presidential Studies “These two endowed chairs are recognition of th...

UCI Names New Chief Innovation Officer, Beall Applied Innovation Executive Director

Monday, August 30, 2021

Errol Arkilic, a nationally recognized leader in technology transfer and entrepreneurship, has been named chief innovation officer at University of California, Irvine and executive director for UCI Beall Applied Innovation (BAI). He will start Oct. 1. As chief innovation officer, Arkilic will oversee campus entrepreneurial engagement with community and corporate partners, intellectual property stewardship, a robust licensing and marketing program, and outreach/external relations connected to entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. He will also lead UCI Beall Applied Innovation, a dynamic platform that supports and offers resources to faculty, innovators and entrepreneurs. BAI plays a critical role in building the modern and inclusiv...

City of Hope Uses Genetics to Fight Cancer

Sunday, August 29, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) Tabitha Paccione was 34 years old and in the best shape of her life. So when her cough wouldn’t go away she just thought it was from the usual germs running around the first-grade classroom where she taught in Downey. This was December 2015. Doctors gave her antibiotics but the cough persisted, so bad that sometimes she woke up gagging. Then her voice went hoarse and her back started aching. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that a doctor figured out the problem: Stage-four non-small cell lung cancer. Her prognosis: 3-6 months. “By the time I was diagnosed the cancer was everywhere. Al...

Hoag is Among 11 US Hospitals with Top Ratings for Procedures

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Hoag is one of only 11 hospitals in the nation to receive the top rating of high performing in all 17 procedures and conditions in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals rankings. Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, a general medical and surgical facility, is nationally ranked in five adult specialties and rated high performing in two adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions. The evaluation of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian also includes data from Hoag Hospital Irvine. As part of the Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,000 hospitals for their handling of seven chronic condition...

Emile Haddad, Founder of Irvine Great Park Developer FivePoint, Leaving CEO Post

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Emile Haddad, the real estate executive who spearheaded the conversion of an old airbase into housing, athletics, and entertainment at Irvine’s Great Park Neighborhoods, is leaving his leadership role at the end of September. FivePoint Holdings announced late Monday, Aug. 23 that Haddad will transition Sept. 30 from day-to-day management of the company he founded to senior adviser. He will also remain on FivePoint’s board of directors and serve as chairman emeritus. FivePoint’s new management team includes Stuart Miller, executive chairman of FivePoint’s long-time partner and homebuilder Lennar; and Lynn Jochim, FivePoint’s chief operating officer, who is being promoted t...

Google Offers High School Students Career Certificates

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Google is partnering with the Anaheim Union High School District to offer students career certificates in data analytics, IT support, and project management, district officials announced Wednesday. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the nation. No prior experience is needed for the students to take Google’s online certification programs, which aim to prepare students for entry-level roles in fields that are projected to grow over the next 10 years. They are created and taught by Google employees. “We feel that these are important, transformative courses that allow a student to have hands-on, applied skills, which are needed i...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Prescribes Safe Disposal of Opioid Medications

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) At $1.10 apiece, they might seem like a trivial investment in the crucial fight against opioid abuse. But given what that money buys — a medication disposal kit that can keep potentially dangerous drugs away from people who might misuse them — the spending is anything but trivial. It’s why Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine soon will begin sending medication disposal kits home with patients who are discharged but still have the need for pain drugs. The problem the kits can help solve is huge. The misuse of prescription pain relief drugs accounted for about half of all opioid overdoses nationwide...

Chapman University is Presenting Sponsor for Greater Irvine Chamber’s Inaugural Distinguished Educators Event

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Chapman University, a Greater Irvine Chamber platinum-level Leaders Circle partner, is the presenting sponsor for the Chamber’s inaugural Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m., at the Hilton Irvine, 18800 MacArthur Blvd. “Chapman University is honored to be the presenting sponsor for such an important effort,” said Chapman Provost Norma Bouchard, Ph.D. “Orange County’s rich commitment to education at all levels is indeed both distinctive and admirable. We are grateful to be a part of this tradition at our campus in Orange and our Rinker Health Sciences Campus in Irvine. We look forward to this opportunity to honor some of the outstanding practitioners of educatio...

UCI-Led Study Finds Disparities in OC Rates of COVID-19 Infection, Mortality

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Socioeconomic, geographic and demographic factors all played critical roles in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality among Orange County residents last year, according to a study led by the University of California, Irvine. The findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, show that some groups were more likely to test positive and die from the virus. Furthermore, risk factors for infection shifted over time. “At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, cases were clustered in the more affluent coastal areas of the county but then shifted to north-central locations, particularly in the cities of Santa An...

Cox Helps People Connect to the Internet Through Federal Program

Thursday, August 12, 2021

A reliable internet connection can make all the difference by breaking down barriers and giving people the chance to participate in life more fully, even beyond their neighborhoods. That’s why Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to help people get connected to what matters most. The ECF program is open to students, educational staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. ECF will provide funding to schools and libraries to deliver interne...

OCTA Invests $2.7 million to Clean Orange County Water

Thursday, August 12, 2021

The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved nearly $2.7 million to improve water quality in Orange County cities from San Clemente to Stanton. The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation. “This is a great way to help protect Orange County’s natural resources while continuing to improve th...

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...

City of Hope Expands Its SoCal Presence With Acquisition of Cancer-Focused Medical Group, Adding Irvine and Six Other Clinics

Monday, August 09, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, today announced that acclaimed Pacific Shores Medical Group has joined City of Hope. This agreement significantly expands City of Hope’s clinical network and provides thousands of patients in Southern California with increased access to breakthrough discoveries and lifesaving treatments. City of Hope adds seven locations – Glendale, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Torrance, and two in Long Beach – in one of the largest clinical network expansions in its history. With locations across five counties, City of Hope is delivering advanced cancer care closer to where people live — alleviating the burde...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Monday, August 09, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to renew our membership with Greater Irvine Chamber at the Leaders Circle level. As a member since our doors opened in 2010, it’s a privilege to continue connecting with our fellow Irvine organizations in support of the Irvine community,” Hoag Orthopedic Institute Acting CEO, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Kim Mikes said. HOI was recently named in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 Best Hospitals list, ranking in the Top 1% nationally an...

Octane Announces New Leadership for LaunchPad and Enterprise Solutions

Monday, August 09, 2021

Octane, Orange County’s leading accelerator, announced the appointment of three new roles at the organization. Michael Hill has joined as Director of LaunchPad SBDC, Scott Lopez has joined as Director of Capital Markets at Octane Enterprise Solutions, and Dave Beck has transitioned to Vice President at Octane Enterprise Solutions. Michael is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor with a deep passion for helping startup tech companies advance their business models. He has co-founded, scaled and created liquidity for investors at two startup software companies and a professional services business which he ran for 25 years. Prior to leading his own ventures, h...

MemorialCare Requiring All Team Members Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19; Urges Public Vaccinations to Keep Staff, Patients, Families, Communities Safe

Friday, August 06, 2021

Citing its relentless commitment to end the pandemic by slowing the spread of disease, preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, MemorialCare is requiring all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and urged continued widespread vaccinations among the public as well. “MemorialCare has been unwavering in championing vaccinations as the most effective way to end this pandemic that has taken so much from so many,” said Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., President & CEO of MemorialCare that includes 225 community-based health care locations. In making this decision, Arbuckle cites the alarming increases in COVID-19 admissions in recent weeks with well over 90 percent of hospitalized patients bein...

Contributing Over $7 Billion Annually to Orange County, UCI is an Engine of Economic Growth

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

You’ve probably heard about the worldwide impact of University of California, Irvine's scientific research, technological innovations and successful startups. But UCI’s positive impact on our local community – as a wellspring of jobs, entrepreneurial investment, and billions in economic growth – is really something to talk about. Most who live near a typical college or university don’t really feel a deep connection to it. The institution might provide an interesting talking point when you meet new people – but little else. If you live in the city of Irvine, however – or anywhere in the broader Orange County area—the odds are hig...

Edwards Lifesciences Initiates $100 Million Social Impact Investment Fund to Advance Racial Equity

Tuesday, August 03, 2021

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has established a Social Impact Investment Fund to expand access to capital in underserved communities. The $100 million fund was created as a new portfolio of investments aimed at advancing racial equity through economic development, especially in predominantly Black and underserved communities in the United States. “Events in 2020 prompted reflection on how we could expand Edwards’ active community engagement to provide even more support for our employees and communities, particularly as it relates to social equity and justice,” said Scott Ullem, Edwards’ chief financial officer. “We believe that increasing the availability of capital in underserved areas can contribut...

UCI Medical Center Among America’s Best Hospitals for 21 Consecutive Years

Friday, July 30, 2021

For the 21st consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has recognized UCI Medical Center as one of America’s Best Hospitals. The annual rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients and conditions. This year, the report highlights the excellence of UCI Health programs in gynecology, No. 24; and geriatrics, No. 44, among similar programs nationally. The medical center is ranked No. 8 in the Los Angeles metropolitan region. “We are pleased to be recognized once again as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff reflect the unparalleled level of care only an academic health system can provide.,” sai...

Hoag is the Highest Ranked Hospital in Orange County in U.S. News & World Report's Latest Best Hospitals Rankings

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

For the 5th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals Rankings named Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County, the fourth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metro area, and ninth-best in California. The rankings also included national rankings in five specialty areas and recognition for Hoag's high performance in all 17 specialty procedures and conditions. After an unprecedented year through the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings serve as an important resource to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions and common elective procedures. "Receiving this prestigious national designation i...

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Named a Top US Mayor to Watch

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

(Route Fifty) Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has been named one of 10 Top Mayors to Watch in the nation by Route Fifty, a digital publication covering topics related to state and local government leaders. The past year or so has been one of unprecedented challenges and fast-paced problem-solving for local governments, as they've weathered the pandemic and are now moving to recover from it. In the meantime, city leaders have also had to continue grappling with long-standing difficulties surrounding issues like homelessness, affordable housing shortages, and aging infrastructure. Route Fifty regularly covers these topics and is recognizing a group of mayors it deems worth paying special attention to given the innovativ...

Kaiser Permanente Hospitals in Southern California Rank Among the Best in the State

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

U.S. News and & World Report announced that 11 Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Southern California, including Orange County, are ranked as being among the best in California based on its 2021-22 Best Hospitals Rankings/Ratings report. This recognition is significant in that more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide were evaluated in the magazine’s 32nd annual evaluation. The following Kaiser Permanente hospitals in its Southern California Region ranked as among California’s top hospitals and were ranked as follows: 18th (tied): Anaheim and Irvine medical centers 24th (tied): Fontana, Ontario, San Diego Zion, and San Diego medical centers 30th (tied): Los Angeles Medical Center 42nd (tied): Downey Medical Center 50th (tied): Baldwin Park, South Bay medical centers 56th (tied)...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Named Among Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, has been nationally ranked in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s “2021-2022 Best Hospitals” list. HOI’s ranking rose to number 27 in the nation from number 35 the previous year. In addition to this distinction, U.S. News has also recognized HOI as “High Performing” in Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement for 2021-2022. “HOI is honored to once again be included in U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals list,” said acting HOI CEO Ki...

Hoag Receives $3 Million for Expansion from Iacocca Family Foundation

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

(Newport Beach Independent) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has received a $3 million gift from the Iacocca Family Foundation that will expand and enhance a program for type 1 diabetes at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center. In appreciation of the generous gift, Hoag is naming the Mary & Lee Iacocca Program in Type 1 Diabetes to honor the Iacocca Family Foundation’s mission to fund innovative and promising diabetes research that will lead to a cure for the disease and alleviate its complications. Lee Iacocca established the Iacocca Family Foundation in 1984 in honor of his late wife, Mary K. Iacocca, who died fro...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation is Helping Make Irvine a Growing Startup Hub

Monday, July 26, 2021

An award-winning innovator who started an agricultural technology company. A University of California, Irvine alumnus who founded a medical device company. A UCI professor who’s producing rapid tests for COVID-19 and other diseases. Their backgrounds are as different as their companies, but they all launched their ventures at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. The City of Irvine recently landed on WalletHub’s list of the best big cities in which to start a business and was ranked first for access to related resources. That’s no accident. Irvine’s success is part of a concerted effort that kicked into high gear in 2014 when Applied Innovation opene...

UCI Team Readies Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Prototype for Human Trials

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Scientists with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute have designed a promising vaccine prototype aimed at preventing all coronavirus strains and variants, not just the one that causes COVID-19. The research team — led by Lbachir BenMohamed, Ph.D., director of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology and professor with the eye institute — hopes to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of the prototype’s safety by early 2022. “If this universal vaccine performs as we expect, it could prevent the spread of future coronaviruses by humans and animals,” said BenMohamed, a vaccinologist and immunologist who trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. “It would b...

UC Admits Largest, Most Diverse Class Ever; UC Irvine Makes the Biggest Jump

Monday, July 19, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) The University of California admitted its largest, most diverse undergraduate class ever for fall 2021 — but it was harder to get in as a record-shattering number of applicants vied for access to the renowned public research system, according to UC data released Monday. The UC system’s nine undergraduate campuses collectively admitted 132,353 prospective freshmen — including out-of-state and international students — an increase of 11% over last year. Among California applicants, Latinos were the largest group admitted for the second year in a row, making up 37% of those the 84,223 students offered freshman seats. Asian Americans made up 34%...

OCTA Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of 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. Leaders Circl...

City of Hope Named One of Orange County’s Best Places to Work

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The team to beat cancer is also the team to join. City of Hope Orange County was recently named a best place to work by Orange County Business Journal. The world-renowned center for cancer research and treatment is delivering on a $1 billion vision to expand access to its compassionate care and scientific breakthroughs in Orange County, keeping this promise to its patients and its employees. A growing team at City of Hope Orange County is developing a comprehensive cancer campus in Irvine and an Orange County network of highly specialized cancer care. The first clinical location in Newport Beach opene...

Distinguished Scholar Jon Gould Named Dean of UCI’s School of Social Ecology

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Jon Gould, a distinguished scholar in justice policy, social change and government reform who has held key positions in the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Science Foundation, will become the new dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Jan. 1, 2022. At UCI, Gould will lead the nation’s first school of social ecology, established in 1970 in response to high demand for more socially relevant research. For over 50 years, the school has been an internationally recognized pioneer in developing interdisciplinary approaches t...

Chapman University to Transform Old Packing House into New Dance Center with $5M Grant

Friday, July 09, 2021

(Orange County Register) A $5 million grant from one of Chapman University’s most generous donors will allow the university to transform the 100-year old Villa Park Orchards Association Packing House into the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, a 33,000 square foot complex which will serve Chapman’s 150 dance majors and host performances for the community. Located at 350 N. Cypress St. in Orange, the center is scheduled to be completed by next summer and be in use for the fall 2022 semester. The $5 million was donated by philanthropists Ron and Sandi Simon, who have gifted millions to the university over the years throug...

UCI's Joyce Yu-Chia Lee is the First Faculty Member to Earn Prestigious American College of Clinical Pharmacy Award

Friday, July 09, 2021

Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, Irvine, has received the 2021 Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. An advanced practice pharmacist, Lee is a founding faculty member of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the first to earn the prestigious recognition. ACCP is a professional and scientific society with more than 15,000 members from over 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy. Each year, the award is given to one member who has developed an innovative clinical pharmacy service, provided innovative documentation of the impact of clinica...

Greater Irvine Chamber 2021-2022 Board Slate Includes Three New Members and Incoming Chair

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber installed its new 2021-2022 Board of Directors during a July meeting held at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, kicking off the fiscal year term. The new slate includes incoming Board Chair Carlos Oregon, president/CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, who is assuming the gavel following outgoing Chair Jeff Davis, vice president, Entitlement, Irvine Company. Three executives from Orange County organizations have been appointed to the board: Wendy Aid, Director of sales, Cox Business With more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Wendy Aid is a results-driven leader with the proven ability to develop and lead sales teams to excee...

MemorialCare, Greater Newport Physicians Recognized as Top California Medical Groups

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

SCAN Health Plan®, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, has announced the top 15 performing medical groups in its California provider network. Making the list are MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians, based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics for preventive screenings, treatment of chronic conditions and appropriate documentation to ensure members get the care they need to remain healthy and independent. The medical groups recognized are the top 15 performers for care and service based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics. MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians are Leaders Circle partners of the Greater Irvine Chamber, at the platinum and silver levels, respectively.

Chevron Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Chevron has renewed as a bronze-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Established as the Pacific Coast Oil Co. in 1879, today Chevron is a leading energy provider worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by its people and their commitment to get results the right way — by operating responsibly, executing with excellence, applying innovative technologies, and capturing new opportunities for profitable growth. 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 highest level. For information on how to become a part of this elite Leaders Circle group...

$60 Million Wild Rivers Water Park at OC Great Park in Irvine to Break Ground this Month, Open Summer 2022

Friday, July 02, 2021

(Orange County Register) It won’t come in time to quench this summer’s heat, but a new Wild Rivers water park in Irvine could be ready to open its gates for swimming, sliding and splashing by summer 2022. Developer Mike Riedel said July 1, he now has financing all lined up for the $60 million park and he could start to break ground as soon as the middle of next week. The original Wild Rivers was a summertime fixture for 25 years before it closed in 2011 after the Irvine Company, which owned the land leased for the park, moved ahead with plans to buil...

Irvine Company Seeks Brand-Name Chain to Reopen Two Closed Hotels

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Irvine Company’s two shuttered hotels in Orange County will reopen after the company finds a new operator for its properties that cater primarily to corporate travelers and business events. The property giant said it is seeking a “world-class” brand-name operator to lease and run what’s currently the 536-room Hotel Irvine and the 295-room Fashion Island Hotel. The company will continue to own and operate its other hotel property, the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, which remained open throughout the pandemic. The two business hotels were closed by Irvine Co. in the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic throttle...

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

Monday, June 28, 2021

Kaiser Permanente has renewed its gold-level Leaders Circle partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans, serving 12.5 million members, providing high-quality, affordable health care services to the communities it serves. At Kaiser Permanente, physicians are responsible for medical decisions. The Permanente Medical Groups, which provide care for Kaiser Permanente members, continuously develop and refine medical practices to help ensure that care is delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible. Expert and caring medical teams at Kaiser are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Leader...

City of Hope-Led Research Identifies How the Most Common Type of Breast Cancer Becomes Resistant to Treatment

Thursday, June 24, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, has identified how cancer cells in patients with early-stage breast cancer change and become resistant to hormone or combination therapies, according to a new study published in Nature Cancer. About 80% of breast cancer cases are hormone receptor positive, meaning that these cancer cells need estrogen or progesterone to grow, according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors currently treat people with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer using therapy that inhibits both estrogen levels and cell cycle activity. While these therapies often initially shrink tumors, about 90% of metastatic patients an...

MemorialCare Surpasses 150k Vaccines

Thursday, June 24, 2021

MemorialCare, a leading Southern California nonprofit integrated health system, has administered more than 153,000 vaccine doses and counting in Orange and Los Angeles counties, including nearly 30,000 doses to the most vulnerable and hard to reach, since vaccines became available December 2020. MemorialCare has reached deep into neighborhoods to vaccinate some of the region’s most vulnerable populations – in their homes, in pop-up clinics, in senior facilities and at their hospitals. They have partnered with the cities of Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and community groups including the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, Centro CHA, Long Beach Forward, and the City o...

UCI Professor Wins Spain’s Prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific Research

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Philip Felgner, Ph.D., professor in residence of physiology & biophysics at the University of California, Irvine, is one of seven scholars worldwide to win Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in recognition of their contributions to designing COVID-19 vaccines. “It is a great honor, and I am so happy the jury selected me for this distinguished award,” said Felgner, who directs UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center. “It gives me the opportunity to reward my team for their years of dedication and commitment. I’m proud to be included with six other eminent recipients who’ve been workin...

Diamond Jamboree Renews as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Diamond Jamboree has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Diamond Jamboree has been a Chamber member since 2006. Diamond Jamboree is a vibrant, eclectic retail center conveniently located at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where Irvine business and residential communities meet. Featuring a range of services and dining destinations to please every palate, the center is representative of its diverse community. A unique Southern California destination that brings together a variety of cuisines and international flavors—Diamond Jamboree brings you the world. 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 rol...

Hoag at Home Launches Hospice and Home Visiting Physician Services to Orange County

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today the launch of Hoag at Home, a comprehensive home care service offering that provides patients with the high-quality personalized care they need in the comfort of their home. Hoag at Home represents an evolution in Hoag’s commitment to the community and a recognition of the changing demographics of the county. This new service allows Hoag to extend the world-class care that is delivered in Hoag hospitals, physician offices, and health centers right to a patient’s place of residence. “People are living and staying mobile longer, and there are more ways to allow people to age i...

UC Irvine Physicist Among Researchers Seeking to Bring Lithium-Ion Batteries to EV Market

Monday, June 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) To curb global warming, policymakers say, we need to switch from gas-powered cars to driving clean, non-polluting electric vehicles. Major automakers plan to make that happen, promising a full line of electric vehicles by 2030. But there’s just one little speed bump on the road to electrification: We don’t have the capacity to make enough batteries for all those plug-ins. Electric vehicle sales will jump four-fold in the U.S. in the next five years, climbing from 1.8% of all car sales in 2020 to about 7% in 2026, according to market research firm AutoPacific of Tustin. The U.S. Department o...

Ingram Micro Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Ingram Micro has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Ingram Micro has been a bronze-level partner since 2018. Ingram Micro helps businesses maximize the value of the technology that they make, sell, or use. With its vast global infrastructure and focus on cloud, mobility, technology lifecycle, supply chain, and technology solutions, the company enables business partners to operate more efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Ingram Micro delivers a broad and deep a spectrum of technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world, supporting global operations throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Lati...

UCI Medical Center Awarded the Highest Designation for Excellence in Caring for Older Hospitalized Patients

Thursday, June 10, 2021

UCI Medical Center has been awarded the highest designation for excellence in caring for older hospitalized patients from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The recent Level 2 designation of the Inpatient Care Unit as an Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence, follows IHI’s earlier Level 2 designation of UCI Health outpatient primary care services and Level 1 designation of the Emergency Department for their commitment to healthcare excellence for older adults. “This recognition for UCI Health is exciting because it shows that we demonstrate a commitment to the highest level of care for seniors,” says Dr. Lisa Gibbs, professor and chie...

Meet Frontline Community Heroes Honored During In-Person and Live-Streamed Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

During its 2021 Celebrate Irvine event, the Greater Irvine Chamber honored some of the community's frontline heroes who have performed above and beyond their normal work duties to serve the community's greater good. Meet the 2021 Celebrate Irvine honorees: Andrea Billeb - Office Administrator and Human Resources Manager, Jackson Tidus City of Hope Newport Beach Physicians & Staff Jacqueline Deats - Director of Student Health Services, Chapman University Jan Gameroz, MSN, RN - Manager of Oncology Administration Services and Community Relations, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Hoag Pharmacy Team Dr. Susan Huang - Medical Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UCI Health Michelle Laabs - Nurse Practitioner an...

Orange County Soccer Club Pays Tribute to Hoag Health Care Workers

Thursday, June 03, 2021

Orange County Soccer Club unveiled its 2021 kit this week, paying homage to Hoag health care workers of Orange County, who emerged among the many heroes of the community over the past thirteen months. To celebrate the sacrifice of these workers, OCSC invited a diverse array of Hoag employees to represent their workforce as official Hoag Community Champions this season. Hoag has been the shirt partner for OCSC since June 2017. Orange County Soccer Club hopes this kit launch brings attention to the tireless work done by health care workers in the community all year long. “In sports, we are taught t...

City of Hope Orange County’s Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., Named Among the Nation’s 25 Science and Policy Leaders

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Preeminent oncologist Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., physician-in-chief, City of Hope Orange County and vice physician-in-chief, City of Hope National Medical Center, has been named among the nation’s top cancer leaders by Friends of Cancer Research, a national organization dedicated to advances in science, policy, and regulations that speed lifesaving treatments to patients. Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is honoring Dr. Kim, a leading physician executive and world-renowned lung cancer specialist, for his tireless work to expand eligibility criteria for cancer clinical trials. Dr. Kim leads initiatives to reduce barriers to clinical trials and is passionate about ensuring that they ar...

Latest Chao Family Gift Will Name Cancer Center at New UCI Medical Center in Irvine

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

With its current gift, longtime UCI Health benefactor the Chao family has committed $50 million since 1995 to UCI Health toward advancing cancer care in Orange County and beyond. The family’s latest gift will name the cancer center at the new UCI Medical Center in Irvine, expanding access to leading-edge cancer treatments and therapies, promising clinical trials, and world-class cancer care driven by the latest in precision medicine. “Few families have been as generous in support of their fellow residents of Orange County as the Chao family,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This latest extraordinary gift is testament to their belief i...

Hoag Partners with Irvine Company to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Irvine Spectrum Center

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

To continue expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines, Hoag is partnering with the Irvine Company to bring COVID-19 vaccine clinics to Irvine Spectrum Center. Hoag will be operating a COVID-19 vaccine clinic every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the former 24 Hour Fitness Space located near the Regal Cinemas. “We are proud to partner with the Irvine Company to offer this convenient and accessible vaccination option in the heart of Orange County,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and CEO. “We are making good progress on fighting this virus and the vaccine is our best chance to protect ourselve...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Announces Election of Jeremy Smith, M.D., as Division Chief of Surgical Spine

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, announced the election of orthopedic surgeon Jeremy Smith, M.D., as its Division Chief of Surgical Spine. Dr. Smith will work to identify necessary program elements and resource requirements for developing, implementing, and maintaining the surgical spine program. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to congratulate Dr. Smith on his appointment as our Division Chief of Surgical Spine,” said Steven L. Barnett, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of HOI. “We have complete confidence that Dr. Smith will continue to uphold HOI’s unparalleled standards in surgical spine care.” Dr. Smith aims to improve publi...

Cox Permanently Increases Speed for Low-Cost Internet and Offers Discount through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Monday, May 17, 2021

Cox Communications announced that the increased internet download speed introduced at the onset of COVID-19 for its low-cost internet package Connect2Compete is now permanent. The speed was temporarily increased from 25 to 50 Mbps in March 2020 to support families in greatest need. “During the pandemic, we had provided an internet speed boost to our Connect2Compete participants to ensure families could continue learning and working from home without interruption,” said Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications in California. “Now, many restrictions are being lifted in our communities and students and workers are heading back to schoo...

Hoag Vaccine Clinic Opens at John Wayne Airport

Monday, May 17, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Hoag Hospital began offering COVID-19 vaccines to travelers at John Wayne Airport on May 13. The Fly Well Clinic, located post-security in Terminal B across from Gate 10, also provides urgent care, telehealth consultations, and vital screenings. In addition, Hoag is hosting rapid COVID-19 testing for all airport visitors at pre-security in Terminal B on the Departure Level. “It’s so important that people get vaccinated against this deadly virus, and the Fly Well Clinic and the Rapid Testing Clinic are important new resources for helping us reach out to the community in a number of ways to ensure everyone receive...

UCI Health Earns 14th Consecutive "A" Grade in Patient Safety From Leapfrog Group

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

UCI Health has received a 14th consecutive “A” grade in The Leapfrog Group’s biannual Hospital Safety Grade, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries and infections. The spring 2021 Hospital Safety Grade is compiled by The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit patient safety watchdog organization, that assessed patient safety among more than 2,700 hospitals in the United States. “The safety of our patients is the highest priority for everyone at UCI Health and this grade from The Leapfrog Groups reflects our team’s laser-like focus even during the height of the COVID pandemic,” said UCI Health CEO Chad T. Lefteris. “Th...

Concordia University Irvine Forensics Teams Score Back-To-Back National Awards

Monday, May 03, 2021

Concordia University Irvine’s (CUI) forensics teams—debate team and speech team—recently won their fourth national championship, and placed third nationally respectively—in separate national competitions. “These championships demonstrate Concordia’s commitment to remaining one of the top forensics programs on the West coast and the nation,” said Concordia University Irvine President Michael Thomas. Concordia Irvine’s debate team edged out 18 universities to win the national title, taking first place in the championship round of the National Christian College Forensics Association Invitational in March. This marks the debate team’s fourth national championship since 2011. Securing the national title were senior Kaitlyn Gleeson of Byron, CA and junior Sean Nowlan of Elk Grove, CA with th...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Earn Top Grade for Patient Safety

Monday, May 03, 2021

Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Irvine Medical Centers have received the prestigious “A” grade for excellence in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, which released ratings as part of its spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report. This report is a biannual scorecard of nearly 2,700 U.S. hospitals. "The health and safety of our patients and members is our top priority," said Mark Costa, senior vice president and area manager. “This past year has been unlike any other. We are very proud of this recognition, as it further exemplifies the continuous commitment of our physicians, clinicians, nurses, and staff to prioritize patient safety, even during thes...

Orange County Soccer Club Announces New Family Game Night and 2021 Season

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

After a year of challenges unlike any other, The Orange County Soccer Club is excited to announce its promotional schedule, The NEW Family Game Night, a series of innovative and safe programming options designed to bring fans back into our community safely. The New Family Game Night includes two post-match firework shows, three Beer Fests, a unique set of five specialty nights designed to support family fun, and a weeknight program designed around $1 beers and affordable food offerings. Additionally, the 2021 schedule features theme nights, premium giveaways, and community nights with more events being added prior to the season opene...

B. Braun Investing $500M to Overhaul Irvine Campus

Friday, April 23, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) B. Braun, an infusion therapy company, is making good on its promise to help end IV fluid shortages in the country. It is about halfway through a $500 million overhaul of its plant and sprawling 30-acre campus in Irvine next to the Diamond Jamboree shopping center. The German-based company, the fourth largest medical device maker in OC with 2,200 employees, is a manufacturer and seller of infusion pumps and IV fluids used to hydrate patients, administer drugs and replace lost blood volume on a daily basis. B. Braun’s ambitious plans in Irvine are for “the replacement of aging equipment, upgradin...

BIA Magazine Features Irvine’s Healthy Outlook

Friday, April 23, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in Building Industry Association Southern California Magazine, April 2021. For more than a year of collectively enduring the pandemic, good health has been a top concern for just about everyone. For Orange County’s health care providers, it has always been and remains the number one priority. As Irvine emerges as a national leader in direct patient care, major hospital expansion projects have been completed, and more are in various stages of development in the city and neighboring areas. It’s not only good for our health, but it’s also good for the economy. Followin...

Orange County Soccer Club Announces 2021 Schedule

Thursday, April 01, 2021

Orange County Soccer Club has released its full schedule for the 2021 season. The club will play 32 league matches stretching from May 16 to Oct. 30. The schedule will feature 10 Saturday night and 5 mid-week matches at Championship Soccer Stadium located in the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. View complete Orange County SC Schedule The 2021 Championship regular season will see each of the league’s teams play a 32-game schedule over a 28-week regular season, with the league divided into four divisions and two conferences. Playing in the USL Championship Pacific Division, OCSC will open the season on the road against Tacoma Defiance o...

City of Hope Receives $50M to Support Cancer Care Center to Open in Irvine in 2022

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) The size of the gift Lennar Foundation just awarded City of Hope Orange County is eye-popping: $50 million. The gift will support the development of a $1 billion, 190,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer campus in Irvine. Made public March 31, the money represents the biggest gift yet in the three-year-old effort by City of Hope to bring its expertise in fighting cancer to Orange County. It’s also the second-largest donation in City of Hope’s 108-year history. The organization has been known for its hospital and research center in Duarte, but the move into Orange County is part of an expansion that will includ...

Southern California Gas Company Sets Bold Net Zero Emissions Pledge

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), the largest gas utility in the U.S., today announced the company's bold commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. View/Download the Report This commitment makes SoCalGas the largest gas distribution utility in North America to set a net-zero target including scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, which would eliminate not only its own direct emissions but also those generated by customers' energy delivered by SoCalGas' energy infrastructure. SoCalGas' commitment aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement's recommendations and reflects the company's focus on supporting California with a resilient gas grid through the energy transition t...

UC Irvine Makes Top Ten Public Colleges in the West List

Thursday, March 04, 2021

(Wall Street Journal) The University of California system has the four highest-ranked public schools in the West in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. In all, it has six of the top 10 public schools in the region, with University of California, Irvine ranked seventh. The University of California, Santa Barbara ranked sixth. Among private schools, two of the country’s top 10 colleges of any kind are located in California—Stanford University, ranked No. 4 overall nationwide, and the California Institute of Technology, No. 7 overall. The WSJ/THE ranking is based on 15 factors across four main categories: Forty percent of each school’s overal...

Irvine, Orange County: Leader in Patient Care

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Feb. 15, 2021 issue of the Orange County Business Journal Irvine is a well-established global leader in life sciences, innovation, and medical technology and manufacturing. With companies like Allergan, B. Braun, Biolase Technologies, Edwards Lifesciences, and Kahala Biosciences located in Irvine, and Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Bausch & Lomb, and Beckman Coulter close by, Orange County is a life science innovation hub and has been fairly described as the medical device capital of the world. As reported right here in the pages of the Orange County Business Journal over the past severa...

John Wayne Airport Lands Direct Route to Hawaii, Resumes Flights to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, February 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) After a nine-year hiatus, a direct flight to Hawaii from Orange County is returning to John Wayne Airport. As of Feb. 13, travelers were able to start booking summer flights from John Wayne Airport to Honolulu aboard a daily United Airlines flight. The daily route, according to an announcement by the airline, begins May 6 and is scheduled to depart SNA daily at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in HNL at 11:30 a.m. The return flight leaves Honolulu at 12:50 p.m. Hawaii time and lands at 9:10 p.m. in Orange County. Direct flights from Santa Ana to Hawaii’s islands have had a stop-and-star...

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