The Orange County Division of the March of Dimes held its 7th Annual Excellence in Leadership Gala on Thursday, October 18, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Newporter in Newport Beach. The non-profit that saves babies' lives recognized four Orange County individuals for their contribution to the March of Dimes mission, and for their significant achievements and outstanding leadership in their fields. The black tie dinner was attended by over 352 participants and raised $140,000 in support of the March of Dimes.
The Jonas Salk Excellence in Medicine Award was awarded to M. Douglas Cunningham, M.D., Vice President, Special Projects, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. An accomplished physician, teacher and researcher, Dr. Cunningham was honored for his contributions to the field of neonatal-perinatal medicine.
The Excellence in Leadership Awards were presented to: Joe E. Kiani, president and CEO, Masimo Corporation, for his outstanding contributions in the biomedical technology field; Tim Smith, CEO and president, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center, for his ongoing effort and achievements in the medical field; and Alex Stenzler, vice president, Advanced Technologies, Sensor Medics Corporation, for his extraordinary endeavors in the biomedical technology field.
Heading the Honorary Committee were Bill Ross, honorary event chair and chief operating officer for Viasys Healthcare, along with Deborah Harrington, chair, Orange County Division Board of Directors and manager, Investment Management Services for Harrington Capital. Serving along with Ross and Harrington were Jeffrey C. Barbakow, Tenet HealthSystem; Valerie Begnoche, Masimo Corporation; Steve Bredehoft, Sensor Medics Corporation; Thomas J. Burnham, The Allergan Foundation; Michele Finney, Los Alamitos Medical Center; Lynn Hayes, Pediatrix Medical Group; Jannie Herchuk, Deloitte & Touche; Chris Kilpatrick, Arter & Hadden; Roger J. Medel, M.D., Pediatrix Medical Group, Kathleen O'Brien, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center; Meredith Rattay, Grossman Burn Center; LeAnn Spaide, Glendale Adventist Medical Center; and Mike Stephens of Hoag Hospital.
The annual gala helped increase awareness of the March of Dimes and its accomplishments in serving the mothers and babies of Orange County. Funds raised helped provide continuing support for research, community programs, public education and advocacy in the fight against birth defects, prematurity, and infant mortality.
The black tie evening began with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7:15 p.m. Tickets were $250.00. For additional event information, contact Hanna Koh at (949) 263-1100 or email [email protected].
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, prematurity, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community service, education, and advocacy to save babies. The Southern California Chapter serves a population of more than 20 million people and has divisions in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire. More information is available on the March of Dimes web sites at www.modimes.org and www.nacersano.org.
THE ORANGE COUNTY DIVISION OF THE MARCH OF DIMES 7TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP GALA 2001 HONOREES
JONAS SALK EXCELLENCE IN MEDICINE AWARD
M. Douglas Cunningham, M.D., joined Pediatrix as Chief Medical Officer in 1996 and has served on the Board of Directors for Pediatrix Medical Group since that time. Currently he serves as vice president of Special Projects at Pediatrix Medical Group. Dr. Cunningham has dedicated 32 years to research and clinical interests in pediatrics. He has co-authored a book that has been translated in four languages, 16 chapters have been utilized in medical textbooks, 34 articles have been published in medical journals and in 57 scientific presentations.
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Joe E. Kiani is the co-founder of Masimo Corporation. He has served as its president, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors since Masimo's inception in 1989. Kiani is an inventor on more than 30 patents related to signal processing, sensors and patient monitoring. Masimo licenses its technology to more than half of the world's patient monitoring suppliers, making Masimo SET® technology available to customers in a wide array of product configurations.
Tim Smith has served in the healthcare management field for 20 years and currently serves as president and CEO at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Regional Center. Smith is a Diplomate of the American College of Healthcare Executives and participates in the University of California, Los Angeles Mentoring Program. He is the recipient of the 2000 Ethics in America Award from Chapman University.
Alex Stenzler currently serves as vice president of Advanced Technologies for Sensor Medics Corporation and the Critical Care Division of Viasys Healthcare Corporation where he has worked for 10 years. Sensor Medics designs, manufactures, markets and services advanced diagnostic and therapeutic products for the respiratory care market. Stenzler, always concerned about the respiratory health of babies and adults alike, has done extensive research on the passive measurement system for respiratory mechanics.
