TheDifference2025 v8 FINAL

DIFFERENCE CELEBRATING 2025

Adventist Health Glendale 120 th Anniversary Gala

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP

02 120 th Anniversary Retrospective We continue making history by growing and advancing as a nationally acclaimed destination for world-class care. 04 120 th Anniversary Gala Adventist Health Glendale community came together to celebrate 120 years of health and healing, and raised more than $250,000. 06 Emeritus Board Members Honoring Mrs. Georgiana Wu, wife of Ronald Wu, MD. 07 In Memoriam Honoring Emeritus Board Member, Marguerite Marsh, PhD.

Dear Friends,

As we reflect on an extraordinary year for Adventist Health Glendale, we are filled with deep gratitude for the compassion, generosity, and partnership that continue to define our community. This year marked a truly historic milestone—our 120th Anniversary—a celebration of healing, hope, and unwavering commitment to exceptional care. Our commemorative 120th Anniversary Gala brought this legacy to life in remarkable ways, honoring the past, while inspiring the future. In the pages ahead, you will find stories and moments that highlight the heart of our mission. We pay tribute to our recently named Emeritus Board Member and lovingly honor the memory of Dr. Marguerite Marsh, whose wisdom, leadership, and friendship will forever remain part of our Foundation’s story. You will also meet the many partners who make our work possible—from our dedicated Corporate Sponsors to the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness, whose special service project transformed the waiting area of our Behavioral Health Center into a brighter, more welcoming space. This year also brought important transitions in Foundation and hospital leadership. We are pleased to introduce Sari Nabulsi,MD, our new Chief Medical Officer, and Anita Chou, our new Chief Financial Officer—exceptional leaders who bring vision and expertise to our continued growth. We are equally grateful for the strength and dedication of our Foundation Board as we navigate this new chapter together. Throughout this magazine, you will read patient stories of healing, resilience, and gratitude, reminders of why your support matters so deeply. You will also see the faces and moments from a year filled with celebration, connection, and shared purpose. Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and helping ensure that Adventist Health Glendale remains a place of exceptional care for generations to come. Our past 120 years have been remarkable, and with your partnership, our future will be extraordinary.

10 Corporate Spotlight Corporate sponsorships advancing healthcare 12 Leadership Transition

Robert De Pietro & Peter Lynch discuss the Foundation’s past and future.

14 A Dynamic Duo

22 Photo Collage Posh Pickleball, Lunch & Learn, Power of Pink, Advancing Healthcare Symposium, Sam Carvajal, MD Celebration and 120th Gala Celebration 27 Awards & Accolades 2025 Consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals. 28 2025 Board Members

Chip & Marilyn Brooks, Ambassador Program Members, giving back to Adventist Health Glendale.

20 Meet Our Executives 18 Gratitude & Healing

Donors and grateful patients Rick Kalish and Manny Mota

Sari Nabulsi, MD and Anita Chou, MHA join the Adventist Health Glendale family.

29 Meet Our Team

Our Foundation staff will provide you fundraising options that best meet your philanthropic goals.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Elizabeth LaBorde President Adventist Health Glendale Foundation

Peter Lynch Chair, Board of Directors Adventist Health Glendale Foundation

On the Cover: (L to R) Peter Lynch, Foundation Board Chair, Alice Issai, President, Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley Service Area, Elizabeth LaBorde, President, Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley Foundations, and Robert De Pietro, former Foundation Board Chair.

ADVENTIST HEALTH GLENDALE FOUNDATION

120th ANNIVERSARY RETROSPECTIVE Adventist Health Glendale

1905

and advanced gastroenterology to neurointerventional and comprehensive cancer care. Our award-winning programs in stroke and interventional pulmonology, nationally ranked orthopedic and cardiac services, and leading-edge capabilities in robotic-assisted surgery reflect a standard of care that rivals top academic institutions. Thank you for being an essential partner and for sharing our commitment to advancing healthcare for our community.

From humble beginnings anchored by health and wellness, Adventist Health Glendale reached an impressive milestone this year, celebrating 120 years of caring for our community. We continue making history by growing and advancing as a nationally acclaimed destination for world-class care, and more importantly, by expanding access to life-changing surgical services for patients across Southern California. Adventist Health Glendale is recognized as a regional tertiary medical destination offering advanced specialty care from structural heart

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1905

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A $220 million campus expansion created modern facilities for heart, vascular, orthopedic, and spine care. Campus Expansion

West Tower Phase 1 Opens Phase 1

Spine and Orthopedic Institute Opens. Institute

Debut of robotic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System and Cyberknife. da Vinci

West Tower Phase 2 opens, making GAMC the largest hospital in the San Fernando Valley. Phase 2

Opened a 75-room Sanitarium focused on whole-person care. Sanitarium

Performed our first open-heart surgery. Surgery

Renamed Glendale Adventist Medical Center. First

Brought our first angioplasty, revolutionizing treatment for coronary heart disease. Angioplasty

The Healthcare Foundation is created to raise funds for new equipment and technology. Foundation

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120th ANNIVERSARY GALA Adventist Health Glendale

Peter and Marianne Lynch

Grace and Sam Carvajal

Lauren and Yaser Badr, MD

It was an inspiring evening at the Valley Hunt Club, where our Adventist Health Glendale community came together to celebrate 120 years of health and healing, and raised over $250,000 to advance our Surgical Services Expansion. Attended by physicians, donors, and community leaders, the focus in the room was both celebratory and earnest as we honored our past and invested in the innovative future of Adventist Health Glendale. Robert De Pietro and his sister-in-law, Susan De Pietro, were each honored for their nearly 50 years of service to Adventist Health Glendale—Susan for her unwavering dedication to the Ethics Committee, and Robert for his outstanding service as a Foundation Board Member

Michelle Kolsi, MD and Armen Gregorian, MD

Alice Issai, President, Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley Service A rea

and chair. We extend our sincere appreciation to Susan, Robert, and the entire De Pietro family for their steadfast commitment and generous investment in Adventist Health Glendale. We are grateful for the steadfast dedication to advancing our mission of health, wholeness, and hope, and for the support that ensures our community continues to receive award-winning, whole-person care.

Greg Tufenkian, Diana Garcia, Louise Skosey, and Ellor Parikh

Elizabeth LaBorde and Robert De Pietro

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2015

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Unveiled the philanthropically funded The Sam and Grace Carvajal Comprehensive Breast Center and re-opening of the Bhupesh & Kumud Parikh Breast Diagnostic Center. Philanthropy

Magnet

The first in California to perform TriClip transcatheter tricuspid-valve repair; and performed first robotic bronchoscopy to aid in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. First in California

First Annual Posh Pickleball tournament raises funds for surgical center expansion. Posh Pickleball

Received 22nd straight A-grade from LeapFrog for Hospital Safety, only one of 3 hospitals in the country to receive such designation Safety

Heart & Vascular Institute opens. Heart & Vascular

Received certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the first hospital in California to Stroke Center

Renamed to Adventist Health Glendale. New Name

Alice Issai

Symposium

Achieved Magnet certification for nursing excellence, one of only 9% of hospitals in the country.

Alice Issai is appointed President of Adventist Health Glendale, becoming the first woman and the first Armenian to hold this position.

Inaugural “Advancing Healthcare Symposium” at The Huntington Library to educate the community about the medical center and wellness.

receive this certification.

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EMERITUS BOARD MEMBER A LEGACY OF LOVE: HONORING MRS. GEORGIANA WU

IN MEMORIAM: MARGUERITE MARSH, PHD

We honor one of our most cherished pillars of the Adventist Health Glendale Foundation family. A longtime Board Member and community patron of numerous causes dear to her heart. Marguerite Marsh was always a bright and elegant addition to Foundation meetings and events. She dedicated her dynamic life to service and philanthropy and is greatly missed by her community, friends and family. Born in Shanghai, China in 1927 and raised in Takoma Park, Maryland, Marguerite’s upbringing in a Seventh-day Adventist family instilled in her a strong sense of faith-based compassion. A deep passion for music and singing led her to study voice at La Sierra University, USC, and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. Married to surgeon Robert L. Marsh, together they championed mission work abroad and at Adventist Health Glendale by establishing the hospital’s Ethics Committee and dedicating a Conference room in the West Tower in their names. The Marshes were constant and committed donors to the hospital’s mission of bringing whole-person care to their community. Marguerite embraced a multifaceted life of music, volunteerism, and Continued on next page

For over 29 years, Georgiana Wu, wife of Ronald Wu, MD worked tirelessly as a Foundation Board member, as well as being a Guild President and Gift Shop volunteer. She continues to be a jubilant patron of Adventist Health Glendale. As a graduate of the Pacific Union College School of Nursing at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center campus, her deep roots in Glendale continued as her OB/ GYN husband, Ronald Wu, MD made Glendale history delivering over 20,000 babies at Adventist Health Glendale Medical Center. Together, the Wus have long championed their hospital family. It was only fitting that the medical center honored them by naming the Dr. Ronald and Georgiana Wu Auditorium, which serves as the venue for many of our most significant community events, staff meetings, and celebrations, and where visitors can also view an impressive timeline showcasing Dr. Wu’s extraordinary career. In remembrance of Dr. Wu, Georgiana recently sponsored a meal for the entire medical center from In-N-Out and often brings meals to the night shift in Labor & Delivery, for obvious reasons, as it is the department closest to her heart. Today it’s a happy challenge keeping up with Georgiana, who is an adventurous global traveler, exploring new places and visiting her friends and family around the world. She fondly recalls her time on the Foundation Board. “I thoroughly appreciated how the Board is a conduit between the hospital and the community. Working with my fellow Board Members brought great satisfaction and friendships, as we supported and helped each other to contribute our best efforts for the hospital. It’s a job that you can keep as long as you’d like! And while it requires adaptability and flexibility to ensure that the community is best served, I’d like to believe that I have contributed to the longevity of our hospital.”

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SUPPORT WHERE NEEDED MOST

IN MEMORIAM: MARGUERITE MARSH, PHD

Continued from pg.7

In April, the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness teamed up with the Rotary Club of Rancho Park for a special service project remodeling the waiting area at Adventist Health Glendale’s Behavioral Health Center. Thanks to the help of Rotary Club members raising funds, and volunteering their time, they designed and transformed a more welcoming, calming space for patients and families seeking support through Adventist Health Glendale’s inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Thank you to everyone who generously contributed materials, time, design, and heart to directly support the mental health needs of our community for more than 70 years.

exploration. Alongside raising two children, she extensively volunteered, traveled to over 90 countries, assisted with six medical missions in developing countries, and engaged in various cultural and civic organizations including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Music Center Blue Ribbon, the Adventist Health Glendale Foundation, and the Opera League of Los Angeles.

Competition and Scholarship at her alma mater La Sierra University, which became a vital platform for vocal students. Known for her elegance, empathy, and charisma, she was deeply passionate about the arts and music and was always interested in continuing to learn. She was always dressed to impress—an icon of fashion with outfits to match her extraordinary zest for life.

family generously requested that donations can be made in her name to any of the foundations that she championed and supported over the years including the Adventist Health Glendale Foundation. Son Christopher Marsh, MD, fondly remembers his parents’ dedication, “They proved that you could make a difference by participating in a small or

big way. My parents felt that this was their medical home.”

In her late thirties, Marsh embarked on a journey of discovery, pursuing interests such as flying, psychology, and dance. This led to earning a pilot’s license, a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling, and later a doctorate, establishing her own counseling practice.

Granddaughter, Meghan King relishes in memories of her Grandmere’s passion for peo- ple, during recent stays at Ad- ventist Health Glendale. “It felt like such a warm place when visiting. Grandmere would relish in introducing and sharing stories about the care staff she

The Marshes were constant and committed donors to the hospital’s mission of bringing whole-person care to their community.

Lazaro Mena, RN, Marianne Aquino, RN and Emma Standring-Trueblood

knew on a personal and micro level, as well as on a macro level. She valued her hospital family around her.” We celebrate Marguerite’s brilliant and vibrant life with the memories and indelible gifts of her incredible legacy in our community.

In 1990, Marsh’s enduring commitment to helping others led her to co-found The Wellness Community-Foothills in Pasadena (now Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley). In 2004 she established the Marsh Vocal

Marguerite was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert L. Marsh and daughter Victoria Marsh Tap- per. She is survived by her son, Dr. Christopher L. Marsh, granddaughters Heather K. Thompson and Meghan Marsh King and their families. Her

BEFORE

AFTER

To make a donation in honor of Dr. Marguerite Marsh please visit: AdventistHealthGlendale.org/HonorDrMarsh

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CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT

2ND ANNUAL POSH PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT Platinum Sponsor Pacific BMW Gold Sponsor Glendale Adventist Emergency Physicians, Mariner Health Care Silver Sponsor The Americana, Forest Lawn, Fuse Technical Group, Massis Kabob Floral Sponsor Glendale Career College & Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing Valet Sponsor Parking Company of America Water Sponsor Skywell Community Sponsors Office of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, ConAm Building Co, Vituity Hospitalist Group & Family Medicine Residency Faculty, Preferred IPA

2025 SPONSORSHIPS Our corporate partnerships are especially meaningful, as they allow us to work together in advancing the health and well-being of our community. Adventist Health Glendale is a nonprofit hospital, which means philanthropy plays a vital role in enabling the world-class, academic-level care we are proud to provide. We are

deeply grateful to our Corporate Sponsors, whose committed partnership strengthens our community by supporting key programs, annual events, and the hospital’s most pressing needs. Their generosity ensures that essential services have the resources they need as we carry forward our mission of health, wholeness, and hope.

Adventist Health Glendale Foundation is tremendously grateful for our partnership with Pacific BMW owner, David Ho, who has generously sponsored our first and second Posh Pickleball tournaments. Pacific BMW prioritizes their workforce’s health, and we are proud to offer onsite partnership for their recent Health Fair and informational session with Emergency Department Director and Foundation Board Member Sylvia Kotikian, MD. Thank you, Pacific BMW!

In celebration of September’s NATIONAL REHABILITATION AWARENESS WEEK, Community partner, Jollibee USA provided our dedicated rehab team whose expert and compassionate care helps patients regain function, rebuild confidence, and return to the activities they love. The rehab team’s hard work and commitment makes a real difference, bringing hope and encouragement to our patients every day.

120TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Presenting Sponsor

4 TH ANNUAL ADVANCING HEALTHCARE SYMPOSIUM

Presenting Sponsor Mariner Healthcare Panel Sponsor Sodexo

The De Pietro Family Supporting Sponsor

Our thanks to the generosity of our community in recognition of our very own superheroes.

Glendale Adventist Emergency Physicians JLK USA in Partnership with Lance Lee, MD

LUNCH & LEARN February – Massage Envy June – Prominent Financial Group October – Tri-Counties Bank November – Steve & Pat Crouch

Pat Crouch sponsored the November Lunch & Learn featuring Edward Samourjian, MD, joined by Lara Samourjian, MD, Pat Crouch and Elizabeth LaBorde

Tri Counties Bank sponsored October Lunch & Learn featuring Armen Gregorian, MD joined by Elizabeth LaBorde, Joy Garcia, and Tri Counties Bank employees

Massage Envy sponsored February Lunch & Learn featuring (L to R) Ramyar Mahdavi, MD, Helen McDonagh of Massage Envy and Elizabeth LaBorde

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SHARED GOALS Robert De Pietro and Peter Lynch Discuss the Foundation’s Past and Future BOARD LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

which should be very comforting for members of our community.

Robert: Yes, we are just a few minutes away and advertising the health and safety score rankings is something we can be very proud of. We welcome independent surveyors and are proud of the proven record of how we stand up to our competitors. Peter: I think it’s fair to say that Alice Issai and our terrific administrators are totally aligned with our Foundation Board. Robert: With Elizabeth and her Foundation Team, it’s a completely different experience than when I initially became a board member. The direction and speed at which the hospital is growing is essential for the community. The top-notch service lines in cardiology, neurology, and the Carvajal Breast Center have all burgeoned, and are offering access to the very best level of medical care. Peter: Healthcare is a tough business to get through and be able to continue to thrive. It’s these tertiary specialties that will continue to help. We are ready to take on all the challenges with an amazing team thanks to the hard work from all those who have volunteered before us. We are so grateful for the exemplary leadership of Robert and Peter as the Foundation’s past and current Board Chairs. It’s leaders like these who inspire progress, strengthen our mission, and help ensure our community receives exceptional, whole-person care.

Against the lively backdrop of the 2nd Annual Posh Pickleball tournament, our two most recent Foundation Board Chairs, Robert De Pietro and Peter Lynch, gathered for a thoughtful conversation about

and tertiary-care at our community hospital is extraordinary.

Robert handed over to me. Because we are a faith-based hospital, we stay humble and don’t spike the ball at the end of every accomplishment. As a result, we don’t get the kind of props, other than when our Awards and

I agree that Board members who have been grateful patients truly get the reason to give back. Also, CEOs within the community who believe in servant leadership,

their shared goals, leadership journeys, and aspirations for the future of the Foundation Board. Tell us a little about your respective journeys as the Foundation Board Chair. Robert: It’s been amazing, I didn’t realize how involved I was until [I wasn’t] as involved. I have a better

there’s no better way to be emotionally fed than to do better for others.

“Our focus of world-class healthcare close to home, speaks to our excellence of what we do and recognition of the solid foundation and history of 120 years available at your local hospital ...”

What Robert’s role and my role has always been with Board members is figuring out their place, where we can feed them in the best way to bring out the best of their personal gifts and if you can find them and click in, they can take off very quickly. Our focus of world-class healthcare close to home, speaks to our excellence of what we do and recognition of the solid foundation and history of 120 years available at your local hospital that you don’t have to question at a time of health crisis,

feeling for how much time I spent [on board business] now that I have some distance. When I started, I wasn’t completely aware of what the Board Chair’s role demands. Peter’s done this before, so he knows what goes into leading a Board.

Accolades from outside independent evaluations come back with repeated excellent ratings and straight “A’s”. I’m so excited about the future of the Board. Elizabeth and I just had a dinner with four new Board members and they’re top-cabin people with really great rich backgrounds connected in the community. Sharing excellence

Peter: I’m so thrilled with the incredible state of the Board that

Thank you Robert & Peter!

(RIGHT) Peter Lynch and Robert De Pietro

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A DYNAMIC DUO Chip & Marilyn Brooks

Waterhouse, Marilyn saw firsthand the distribution of financial payments. “If people knew how little hospitals receive from insurance, they may donate more. People would have so much more appreciation for the care the hospital provides.” The Brooks knew they had to give back to the caregivers who helped to save Chip’s life at several different moments of crisis.

Chip and Marilyn Brooks are firm believers that when you find good healthcare and caregivers, you respond in appreciation. Enjoying vibrant and active lives, Chip drew on his love of horses and his Texas upbringing near President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch to make his way to Los Angeles, first as a horse-riding stuntman in western films, and later choosing a safer path as a film editor. Marilyn grew up in a family of eight, playing volleyball and

research Marilyn was surprised to learn how little hospitals are reimbursed for the services they provide, and this inspired her to give back as well with Annual Gifts and sponsoring a free meal for the hardworking nurses and care staff. Bit by bit, the Brooks family came to see firsthand how strained the American medical system can be, revealed through Chip’s long

From her keen financial perspective and profession where numbers are her game, Marilyn saw that hospitals cannot sustain a high level of care and stay in business. Understanding how little hospitals actually receive after the costs of insurance and expenses, the Brooks are clear that nothing in life is free, and that acute care can only

basketball, applying her voracious attention to detail as an auditor and later as a CPA for Price Waterhouse. Chip and Marilyn met at the Hollywood YMCA, where Chip enjoyed playing racquetball, and Marilyn caught his eye as the only woman who regularly joined the guys’ pickup basketball games. Enjoying the heyday

The Brooks knew they had to give back to the caregivers who helped to save Chip’s life at several different moments of crisis.

continue to exist if community partners support healthcare in their neighborhood. Without the commitment of community supporters, vital healthcare resources might not be there when they are needed most. This is why the Brooks continue to give, helping ensure world-class care is available when it is needed most.

of Hollywood shines through in their loving and playful exchanges as they share their story as a dynamic duo. In 2006, Chip had a stroke; “at 1AM the doctors were operating on Chip – they got the job done.” After staying in Adventist Health Glendale’s ICU for 4 days, Marilyn noticed an anonymous gift plaque and during those challenging days of Chip fighting for his life, Marilyn was appreciative of that generosity. Upon further

journey of recovery after they found themselves back in the hospital in 2013 when their house was broken into and Chip nearly died from the injuries he suffered. Again, Adventist Health Glendale was able to provide the compassionate care they needed. “The care was exemplary, and I was appreciative. We are not rich people and yet were treated with the utmost commitment. Having audited HMOs in her career at Price

Adventist Health Glendale is their highest philanthropic priority. The

Continued on next page

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Marilyn and Chip Brooks

CELEBRATING CAREERS IN COMPASSION CHERI WATSON, RN: OVER 45 YEARS OF CARING

Continued from pg.15

O ur recently launched Ambassador Program recognizes Adventist Health Glendale’s most consistent and impactful donors. The Ambassador Program was created to honor individuals as

Brooks are frugal to the highest degree. They waste nothing and know the value of their savings and giving to a cause that is truly in need gives them the greatest satisfaction. When it comes to designation of the gifts, Marilyn relies on the leadership. Marilyn was very impressed with the mission of the medical center after meeting with Alice Issai, President of Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley Service Area at a “What’s Up Doc” event. She says, “It is not what it is important to me, but what is needed. I trust the hospital to evaluate that appropriately. I always ask where they need the support.” Recently joining the Ambassador Program as Lifetime Members, with a generous bequest pledge, the Brooks chose to increase their planned gift to ensure access to the benefits of Ambassador Program membership. Their contributions will make their visits to Adventist Health Glendale on a simple level more comfortable with a private room if Marilyn needs to be bedside with Chip, and on a greater level, ensure that their community continues to have access to advanced, whole person care close to home. We thank the Brooks for their compassionate generosity and continued commitment to their caregivers and community.

AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Leading the path of exemplary care, we are proud to highlight just one of many exceptional caregivers at Adventist Health Glendale. Celebrating 120 years of providing healthcare excellence in the Greater Los Angeles community, we are honored to feature one of our longest-working nurses, Cheri Watson, a Rehabilitation RN who recently retired from an over 45-year career. Cheri fondly recalls attending the nursing school and living in the dorm at our hospital campus. Choosing

rehabilitation as her specialty, she has exhibited compassionate care throughout her career, with a warm empathy for patients needing to re-learn certain tasks or adjusting their lifestyles after a health crisis. Her commitment to faith-based healthcare was clear, seeing the importance of patients of all faiths having access to the spiritual care staff resulting in a whole-body healing for patients. As the only ANCC MAGNET-designated hospital in Glendale, it’s nurses

Ambassadors of the medical center, providing personalized guidance to make each visit as smooth, efficient, and comfortable as possible. Membership is a available to donors contribut- ing at a range of levels to the designated hospital fund of their choosing. In supporting Adventist Health Glendale by joining the Ambassador Program, your gift brings access to world-class healthcare in your community. Interested in learning more about the Ambassador Program? Give our Foundation Team a call at (818) 409-8055. We’d love to share more!

like Cheri, who help achieve nursing excellence. Thank you to all of our nursing staff for your dedication and valued hard work.

THOMAS JANSEN: 50+ YEARS OF DEDICATION

India, where his father was a chaplain and pastor in Delhi and Calcutta areas. As a baby, Thomas contracted an infection that inflicted brain swelling and ultimately cost him his hearing. With the patience and perseverance of his family, Thomas was never slowed down by this hearing loss, and he thrived in the mission field, where one of his fondest memories was riding bikes through the hills of Calcutta. In 1972, Thomas came back to the United States to attend Pacific Union College where he earned an AS degree in both Food Service Technology, and later a BS degree in Food & Nutrition. In this pre-digital era, Thomas became adept at calculating recipes for large-scale hospital menus and finding the best

way to prepare institutional-portions while maintaining home-cooked quality and flavor. As a Senior Cook, Thomas knows how to make the most of raw ingredients ensuring nothing goes to waste. The Garden Terrace cafe at Adventist Health Glendale makes many of its baked goods from scratch in-house, and thanks to Thomas, one of the favorite recipes is his banana bread, often packaged as a parting gift to patients. Adventist Health associates like Thomas, truly define our mission of instilling health and wellness throughout our team. The next time you see Thomas in the cafeteria prepping for the days’ meals, be sure and tap him on the shoulder, and say hello and thank him for a lifetime of continued service!

YOUR LEGACY CAN CHANGE LIVES

It’s behind the scenes at Adventist Health Glendale, that we celebrate one of our most beloved team members. Wesley Thomas Jansen, Senior Cook Nutrition Services has been a part of the hospital family for over 50 years. Born right here when it was the Sanitarium, Thomas went abroad with his missionary parents to

If you feel moved to partner with us in achieving our philanthropic goals, we invite you to explore how a thoughtful estate gift can make a lasting difference. Scan the QR code for inspiring ideas and receive a complimentary Estate Planning Guide to help you get started.

For questions or personal assistance, please call the Foundation at 818-409-8055.

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GRATITUDE & HEALING

GRATITUDE FOR OUR CHAMPIONSHIP HEALTHCARE TEAM When legendary Los Angeles Dodger Manny Mota suffered a severe stroke, the swift actions of his daughter and a family friend in calling 911 and the paramedics’ decision to bring him to Adventist Health Glendale, one of the region’s top hospitals for comprehensive stroke care — made all the difference. “We had to act fast with Manny. When he was brought to our Emergency Room, he was unable to speak and paralyzed on one side of his body. Time was of the essence to preserve his brain function.” Vascular and interventional neurologist Radoslav Raychev, MD, details how he quickly assessed Mr. Mota’s condition and performed a mechanical thrombectomy — a highly complex procedure to remove the blood clot and restore blood flow to the affected area of the brain. “With a stroke as severe as the one Manny endured, the window for optimal recovery is extremely tight. An LVO type stroke carries a high mortality and disability rate, if not treated at the right stroke center. There’s no better team trained to treat an LVO stroke than the one at Adventist Health Glendale,” shared Lance Lee, MD, Medical Director at Adventist Health Glendale’s Neuroscience Institute.

DONOR RICK KALISH – DOING HIS PART When Rick Kalish first visited Adventist Health Glendale, it was just a regular shortcut though Glendale on his bike ride home. The West Tower wasn’t yet built, and he never thought it would become such an integral part of his full and busy life with his wonderful wife Patricia, three children, and four grandchildren. About five years ago, congestive heart failure triggered the first of seven trips to the hospital. As a contractor and commercial developer of medical, pharmaceutical, and professional projects, Rick understands when a system is working well, and when it isn’t. What he experienced right away at Adventist Health Glendale was the compassionate and attentive care he received from the many physicians, nurses and caregivers at the medical center. One visit amid the pandemic, he had to wait in the Emergency Department for over 16 hours, yet his appreciation was not deterred. Rather, his insightful observations included how diligently

values every component contributing to a well-run medical center.

As a charitable donor to several different causes, Rick does his due diligence to understand how an organization stands behind its communications, and whether they are efficient in their appeals. He feels good supporting the causes he’s chosen, and while he knows no system is perfect, it’s clear that his success in life is credit to his optimism and curiosity about the underlying reasons of an organization’s success. Rick feels seen by Adventist Health Glendale, a system he relies on for his care. And as a frequent observer, he appreciates a medical center for the personal connections and conscientious caregivers. He knows that every gift matters, and recently increased his Annual contribution with an additional donation. By doing his part, he benefits his hospital and all those within it, to prosper. We are so grateful for thoughtful and generous donors like Patricia and Rick Kalish, who make every gift count. At Adventist Health Glendale, Annual Giving is just one way to keep the system of community healthcare available to all. Make your gift today!

Lance Lee, MD, Robert Battig, OT, Manny Mota, Manny’s daughter, Cecilia, Michelle Jocson, RN

way as the first in California to be accredited as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Equipped with the latest technology, a highly skilled team, and unmatched clinical expertise to diagnose and treat stroke patients, Adventist Health Glendale provides lifesaving stroke care – what Mr. Mota describes as “the real MVPs”. Recognizing the Adventist Health Glendale doctors, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists for their skill, encouragement and compassion being critical to his healing journey, Mr. Mota credits his incredible recovery to his lifesaving medical team. “I want to say that Adventist Health Glendale is one of the best hospitals. If you feel sick or when something goes wrong, come -to Adventist [Health Glendale]. They will do everything possible to take care of you and get you healthy.”

the care staff tended to patients even at full capacity. He noted the many sacrifices caregivers made during the pandemic, even if it meant risking bringing Covid home with them to their families. This keen understanding of what a health system requires to work at its best is why Rick appreciates every smile he receives and getting a response when sharing his admittedly dry sense of humor. His generosity also includes paying for a nurse’s parking or sharing a positive experience on the Daisy Awards form — a priceless effort demonstrating how he

Radoslav Raychev, MD and Manny Mota

patient like a Major League player, delivering compassionate, leading-edge care to our community. With your support, we will continue to build a stronger, healthier future. Join our team of healthcare heroes and donate today!

For more than 120 years, Adventist Health Glendale has treated every

Since 2015, Adventist Health Glendale’s stroke program has led the

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Medical Officer Sari Nabulsi, MD, Financial Officer Anita Chou, MHA MEET OUR NEW EXECUTIVES

Question: Do you have a go-to order at the cafeteria or favorite thing about the City of Glendale? Dr. Nabulsi: I have a sweet-tooth, and I have discovered the wonderful treats at Porto’s. We are lucky to have them right here in Glendale. Anita: I love the Asian selections available which are rare for a hospital cafeteria! I look forward to Make your Own Udon! Question: Describe the impact a community donor/sponsor can make at Adventist Health Glendale? Dr. Nabulsi: Thanks to the Foundation securing different sources of funding, we have viable pathways for our OR Expansion and advanced technology for our community. Anita: Every dollar and every hour volunteered counts. Healthcare is undergoing significant challenges under the current environment, and we will not be able to be successful without our community donors. Question: What’s your favorite way to relax? Dr. Nabulsi: I love traveling and experiencing new scenery and foods. I also love reading. I’m currently reading The 5 AM Club, it’s an inspiring formula for optimizing your day for increasing productivity and potential. Anita: Spending time with my kids. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anita Chou and Dr. Nabulsi for sharing their insights and for the leadership they bring to our service area. We are grateful for their commitment and excited for all that lies ahead.

Anita: It is the ethics that drive my decision-making every day. From a Finance perspective, it is not just about being the best stewards in utilizing the resources that we have; it is also to ensure that this is where I would like to have my care to be received for myself or my loved one. Question: What do you see as the hospital’s greatest strengths – and where are our biggest opportunities for growth? Dr. Nabulsi: I recently mentioned to my wife how important the hospital’s community outreach has been. Whether it’s through offering healthcare services at job or health fairs, our medical center often provides a first look at our community members’ health care needs. In today’s challenging climate, it is more important than ever to align with our community’s greatest needs. Anita: The reputation that AHGL has developed over the last 120 years in the community, including the fantastic quality of care, and complete array of services, similar to an academic medical center. Building upon these and without the red tape of academic medical centers is our greatest strength and opportunity for growth. Question: What was the first thing you appreciated most about working at Adventist Health Glendale? Anita: The teamwork and camaraderie of the team here. We all look out for each other and are truly aligned in what we need to do. Question: Do you have a favorite spot outside of your office on campus?

Dr. Nabulsi: The Healing Garden. It’s a wonderful, quiet space to solve a puzzle I might be having in my day and get some fresh air. I often run into a colleague there and strike up a conversation.

Our Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley Service Area recently welcomed two new Executive Leaders. Both Anita Chou and Dr. Sari Nabulsi have already begun making meaningful strides in advancing our hospital’s strategic goals and strengthening our commitment to delivering high-quality care and responsible financial stewardship. In an informal Q&A, we learned what makes these exceptional leaders such valuable additions to our executive team. Dr. Sari Nabulsi brings extensive clinical and operational leadership to Adventist Health Glendale and Simi Valley, with a strong commitment to high-quality care and exceptional patient experiences. A board-certified pediatrician and experienced Chief Medical Officer, he most recently served at Riverside Community Hospital, where he advanced case management, physician programs, and clinical operations. Previously, he held CMO roles with HCA in Pasadena, Texas, and Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. Dr. Nabulsi is fellowship-

teams. Most recently, she served as CFO for St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino within CommonSpirit Health, overseeing financial opera- tions for an 873-bed, two-hospital submarket. Anita previously held system CFO roles at PIH Whittier and Verity Health. She holds a Master of Health Administration from USC and a Bachelor of Science from UC San Diego. Question: How do you ensure that compassion and whole-person care remain at the center of medical & financial decision-making? Dr. Nabulsi: After being in for-profit healthcare, I see first-hand how whole-person care is not just a slogan. Each day I see how the focus and priority here is always patient care. Before I started at Adventist Health, I watched an interview with CEO Kerry Heinrich speaking about the importance of patient safety and care. I wasn’t used to hearing these linguistics. It was the first time I saw a healthcare CEO value patients before profits.

trained in pediatric intensive care and holds an MD, MBA, and PhD, along with certification as a Physician Executive. Anita Chou is a seasoned financial executive with more than 25 years of experience in hospital and health system finance across Southern California. She is excited to partner strategically with leaders at Adventist Health Glendale and Adventist Health Simi Valley, collaborating closely with Revenue Cycle and Managed Care

Anita: The front lobby. I love the coffee cart and the fountain. It truly gives a peaceful location for insightful thinking while enjoying a wonderful cup of coffee!

20 THE DIFFERENCE 2025

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2 ND ANNUAL POSH PICKLEBALL LUNCH & LEARN

Emma Standring-Trueblood, Margi Kuhn, Peter Lynch and Louise Skosey

Kartik P. Kansagra, MD, Anita Yerevani and Joy Garcia

1. 2025 Posh Pickleball Attendees 2. Alice Issai, David Ho, Manny Mota and Elizabeth LaBorde 3. Adventist Health Glendale Foundation Staff and Volunteers 4. Alice Issai and Elizabeth LaBorde 5. Peter Baghdassarian, Hrair Koutnouyan, MD and wife Alina, June Moon, Laura Baker, Ellor Parikh, Helen McDonagh and Susie Scott 6. 2025 Posh Pickleball Champions 7. Lance Lee, MD and Manny Mota 8. Radoslav Raychev, MD, Manny Mota and Lance Lee, MD 9. Posh Pickleball Volunteers

Kristine Sansevieri, Estela and Cruz Castro, Rick and Pat Kalish; (standing) Margi Kuhn

Community Engagement Committee members: Betty Porto, Alina Koutnouyan, Pat Crouch and Yvette Davis

POWER OF PINK

Glendale Fire Department with Roubik Golanian, Glendale City Manager, Alice Issai, Elizabeth LaBorde and Jekwon Yey, MD

Grace Kwasman, RN, Jennifer Bentsen-Buchanan, Elizabeth LaBorde, Ramella Markarian, Peter H. Ashjian, MD and Louise Skosey

22 THE DIFFERENCE 2025

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ADVANCING HEALTHCARE SYMPOSIUM

David and Martha Ho, Doug and Natasha Wood

Brad Ball, Jim Ellis, Peter Lynch, Gail Ellis and Marianne Lynch

Alice Issai, Harout Dermendjian, MD, Harry Balian, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Ramyar Mahdavi, MD, James Tabibian, MD, PhD, FACP, FASGE, FACG, AGAF, Tina Storage, MD, Patrick Takashashi, MD, and Elizabeth LaBorde

(Front Row) Apala Parikh Parushek, Shailey Shah, Arju Parikh, Ellor Parikh, Bhupesh Parikh, Christina Hunt-Fuhr (Back Row) Diana Garcia, Javier Serna, Gianni Galati

Linda Hansen, William Li, MD and Georgiana Wu

Pat Crouch, Hasmik Danielian, PhD and Denise Anthony

Peter Lynch and William Li, MD

Ruby and Peter Baghdassarian

SAM CARVAJAL, MD CELEBRATION

(Front row) Emily Carvajal, Julio Quijada, Sam Carvajal, Sr., Grace Carvajal, Lisa and John Vigil (Back row) Heather and Sam Carvajal, MD, Wendy and Shane Thomas, Jennifer Carvajal

(LEFT) Alice Issai, Sam Carvajal, MD, Elizabeth LaBorde, Robert De Pietro (ABOVE) Richard Swanberg, MD with wife Jackie Swanberg, Louise Skosey and Page Whyte

24 THE DIFFERENCE 2025

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AWARDS & ACCOLADES Adventist Health Glendale is a 515-bed, non-profit tertiary care hospital founded in 1905. We are consistently ranked among the nation’s top hospitals for quality, safety, and patient experience.