Call to Cure supports USC Norris through art auctions

Art is supporting science thanks to DreamWorks Animation. Once per month for the next year, DreamWorks artists are donating original works for auction on eBay in support of Call to Cure, an organization supporting colorectal cancer research at USC. Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

L.A. benefactor pledges $5M to Alzheimer’s research at USC

Zlokovic named holder of newly endowed chair; brings total Zilkha giving to $30M

By Alison Trinidad

Los Angeles residents Selim Zilkha and Mary Hayley are raising the stakes in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot currently be prevented, cured or slowed.

Zilkha, a member of the Keck School of Medicine of USC Board of Overseers, has pledged a gift of $5 million to the school to fund a new endowed chair in Alzheimer’s disease research. This latest gift brings Zilkha’s total giving to neuroscience research at the Keck School to more than $30 million. Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Hospital Guild celebrates at fall benefit

The Sports Museum of Los Angeles was the setting for the Keck Hospital of USC Guild’s Oct. 13 fall benefit, “Celebrate an Afternoon Among the Superstars.” Thanks to the generosity of the private museum’s owner and collector Gary Cypress, guests toured more than 30 galleries devoted to sports memorabilia spanning the late 19th century to the present. Read More »

November 11th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck students, benefactors celebrate success at Scholarship Luncheon

By Ryan Ball

Donor Norene Zapanta with Maria Sandoval, recipient of the scholarship named for Zapanta’s late husband, Edward Zapanta, a USC neurosurgeon and the first Hispanic member of the USC Board of Trustees. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Donor Norene Zapanta with Maria Sandoval, recipient of the scholarship named for Zapanta’s late husband, Edward Zapanta, a USC neurosurgeon and the first Hispanic member of the USC Board of Trustees.
(Photo/Steve Cohn)

The daughter of undocumented immigrants, Maria Sandoval credits excellent mentoring for helping her become the first member of her family to graduate high school and college. Now in her third year at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, she’s getting another boost in her quest to become a primary care physician and practice in her underserved community in the San Fernando Valley.

Sandoval is the recipient of this year’s scholarship named for Edward Zapanta, MD, the late USC neurosurgeon and first Hispanic member of the USC board of trustees. She recently had to the opportunity to thank Norene Zapanta for continuing her husband’s support of Hispanic medical students. The two shared a meal at the Keck School’s annual Scholarship Luncheon, held on Oct. 2 on the Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad. Read More »

November 8th, 2013|Announcements|

Gala celebrates USC Norris’ 40 years of progress

By Sara Reeve

Actor-comedian Martin Short was the master of ceremonies for the gala. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Actor-comedian Martin Short was the master of ceremonies for the gala.
(Photo/Steve Cohn)

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has made tremendous advances in the understanding and treatment of cancer during its four decades of existence. At the gala anniversary celebration, “40 Years of Progress – Discovering New Cures,” held on Oct. 11, USC Norris leaders, researchers and supporters came together to honor that advancement.

“This is a very special night for us. We are here to recognize 40 years of movement toward the goal that Ken Norris Jr. set: to end cancer as we know it,” said Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

The celebration, which raised nearly $2 million to support cancer research at USC Norris, was held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, and attracted 500 guests. Actor/comedian Martin Short served as master of ceremonies, captivating the audience with his witty banter and his personal connection to the cancer center. Read More »

October 25th, 2013|Announcements|