White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) in Los Angeles unwrapped a $188 million gift to its community with a pair of celebratory events in early April. Guests got their first look inside the hospital’s new specialty care tower, an eight-story, 348,000-square-foot building that is the second major component of WMMC’s comprehensive campus renovation project.

Along with 167 patient beds, the tower is the new home for most of the hospital’s specialty care services, including surgical services, the Heart and Vascular Care Center, the Centers for Orthopedic Care, the Oscar De La Hoya Labor and Delivery Center, the Oscar De La Hoya Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the new Emergency Department. Patient convenience is paramount, with services grouped together to minimize the distance patients need to travel for related care.

An Evening of Recognitions

The celebrations started on an elegant note, with an evening event on April 6 to recognize and thank major donors, community representatives and physicians for their contributions. Guests heard from hospital, community and corporate leaders and enjoyed a dramatic light show, followed by dinner and tours of the new building.

“Adventist Health is extremely proud of its 93-year history of serving this community and the city of Los Angeles,” said Donald R. Ammon, president and CEO of Adventist Health. “We are committed to our mission in this community for years to come. That is why Adventist Health is investing in this project, which is by far the largest capital project in the corporation’s history.”

A highlight of the evening was the symbolic lighting of the new building, which replaced the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. Eva Guadiz, RN, a 40-year employee at WMMC, and Albert Deininger, vice president of construction, flipped a switch that set off a light and laser show across the face of the new tower.

A Community Celebration

More than 1,000 people gathered under sunny skies on April 9 to participate in a community-wide open house for the new building. The afternoon celebration included singer Ceci De La Hoya, sister of boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya; mariachi music; announcement of the winners of an art contest sponsored by the hospital; comments from hospital and community leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“At WMMC, our patients are our number-one priority,” hospital president and CEO Beth Zachary told the crowd. “Many of you or your family members have been patients in our hospital. I want to say thank you—thank you for choosing our hospital and trusting us with your care. This new tower is our gift to you.”

Afterward, guests enjoyed tours, specialty foods catered by a local restaurant, a children’s play area, photos and displays. The tower officially opened for patient care on April 26.

The campus renewal project will be fully completed in 2008. Remaining work includes renovations to two existing buildings, demolition of the current main building and construction of a new main lobby and entrance.