Spring Gala 2018

From left, Spring Gala Co-Chairs Ginger and Steve Geidt; MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center CEO Marcia Manker, Will Manker, and Saddleback Medical Center Foundation President Cecilia Belew

Saddleback Medical Center Foundation surpassed its $7 million fundraising goal for the $16 million renovation

More than 400 physicians, philanthropists and community supporters stepped into the splendor of Japanese elegance at Saddleback Medical Center Foundation’s Spring Gala 2018. The black-tie event, held June 2 at Monarch Beach Resort, netted more than $290,000 for I’MAGINE, the space redesign project for MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, bringing the grand total raised over three years to $8.25 million, surpassing the $7 million goal for the $16 million project.

After a hosted cocktail hour, guests were greeted in the ballroom by the enchanting musical artistry of a koto, a Japanese stringed instrument. The program began with a welcome by Marcia Manker, Saddleback Medical Center CEO.

“For the last three years, we asked the community to ‘imagine’ a new hybrid operating suite for physicians, patients healing in private rooms, and patients using a new rehabilitation gym before going home,” Manker said to guests. “Tonight, because of your amazing support, what we have imagined for so long can finally be finished on behalf of our physicians, nurses and our patients.”

A dynamic auctioneer brought a new level of excitement to the live auction, which featured some new items, including a child’s mini Tesla, a Las Vegas getaway package, and seven-night stay at a Caribbean villa in St. Kitts. Steve’s Pies, an auction tradition of homemade pies baked every month for a year by Foundation board member and former CEO Steve Geidt, sold three times. The live auction raised more than $43,000.

MemorialCare CEO Barry Arbuckle and Gina Arbuckle
MemorialCare CEO Barry Arbuckle and Gina Arbuckle

After the live auction, I’MAGINE campaign chairs Sam and Tammy Tang introduced a video and challenged guests to open their hearts for the Fund-A-Need; the goal for the evening was to raise $100,000 to fund the renovation of the rehabilitation gym. The Tangs reminded the guests that whether the doctors are saving lives with advanced medical equipment, patients are recovering in the peace of a private room, or therapists are teaching patients new skills in the rehabilitation gym, the goal is always the same: to get people back to living life.

The video spotlighted Saddleback Medical Center physicians and staff who are benefiting from the renovations that have already been completed: a new main nursing station on the second floor, new surgical staff locker room and lounge, and a reconfiguration of the entire surgical unit, where the pre-op area is now within the unit. Still to be completed are the private rooms, the rehabilitation gym renovation (that will include a new simulated car, stairs and bathtub), and the addition of a new hybrid operating suite. After the video, the Fund-a-Need raised more than $104,000 for the gym.

“The ballroom was filled with devoted supporters, dedicated physicians, loyal friends, and amazing volunteers,” said Cecilia Belew, president of Saddleback Medical Center Foundation. “I am always humbled by the magnitude of their generosity in support of Saddleback Medical Center and the patients we care for. Because of our sponsors, all of the money we raised that night will directly benefit this project.”

Spring Gala 2018 Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center (2 Tables); MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Medical Staff

Gold Sponsors: Gary Damsker, MemorialCare Medical Group and Greater Newport Physicians, OC Surgeons, Pediatrix and Obstetrix Medical Groups, Surgical Care Affiliates, Sam and Tammy Tang, Vituity

Silver Sponsors: California Anesthesia Associates, Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, Steve and Ginger Geidt, Dawn and Gary Levine, MD, Monarch HealthCare, O'Connor Mortuary, Arnold Schwartz, Bebe Shaddock and Russell Smith, Tiller Constructors