By Celine Petrossian
Hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for adults and children was among the many offerings for the community at the Sept. 28 event.
(Photo/Paul Edward Robison)
More than 700 members of the Foothills community joined the wide array of cardinal-and-gold-themed festivities at the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Wellness Celebration on Sept. 28 on the USC-VHH campus. The event celebrated the new affiliation of the two organizations.
“I’m terribly in favor of the new partnership,” said Sunland resident Bob Pinkston, who attended the event with his wife Diane. “I love USC. Verdugo Hills has been a great hospital and the association with USC is a step up. All of my three children were born at this hospital.”
From cholesterol and bone density screenings administered by the USC School of Pharmacy students to balance and blood pressure screenings provided by the USC-VHH clinical staff, community members received their health check-ups and met many of the members of the Trojan Family. Car seat safety, hands-on CPR training and infection control methods were also among the educational activities offered at the event.
Debbie Walsh, the recently appointed CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, welcomes the Foothills community to the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Wellness Celebration.
(Photo/Paul Edward Robison)
Debbie Walsh, the new CEO of USC-VHH, welcomed the crowd to the celebration. “This partnership provides everyone who lives in the Foothills community the same great services and care from the physicians and staff you know and trust,” she said, “but also expands access to specialty services that a world-class academic medical center can offer.”
Event participants also enjoyed a visit by the USC Trojan Marching Band and USC Song Girls, and had an opportunity to take photos with Traveler, USC’s mascot. In addition, the Radio Disney road crew entertained children of all ages with games and prizes.
Other exhibitors included the Keck Medical Center of USC, Glendale Healthy Kids, Glendale Police and Fire Departments, and Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition.
Suzy Jacobs, executive director of Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition, said the new partnership between USC and Verdugo Hills Hospital is great for the community. “The hospital was already a great community resource, and now it’s even better,” she said.
The integration of Verdugo Hills Hospital into Keck Medicine of USC creates a unique opportunity for exceptional patient care in the community through synergies that enhance the strengths of both organizations. Keck Medicine of USC includes the Keck Medical Center of USC, the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Keck School of Medicine of USC.