Hear From Leadership
A Message From Our President
JUAN DE LA CRUZ
At Adventist Health White Memorial, our
dedication to East Los Angeles, Boyle
Heights and Montebello goes beyond
healthcare — it’s about fostering a
thriving community. Our community first
approach shapes every strategic move we
make, looking holistically at what it means
to live a healthy life.
My roots in Boyle Heights have given me a personal understanding of our community’s structural challenges. Food insecurity, scarce green spaces and language and cultural barriers are just as critical to health as diet and exercise. That’s why we focus on supporting initiatives and programs covering all these areas at the Adventist Health White Memorial Charitable Foundation.
With your support, 2023 marked a year of significant progress in creating a more equitable environment for our community. Our 2023 Impact Report narrates this journey, highlighting how we’ve combated food scarcity, championed youth development and cultivated a healthcare workforce as diverse as the community we serve. We raised over $1 million to support the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center through events like the Gala and Golf Classic. On September 7, the former Beverly Hospital site and its adjacent medical office building began operating as Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello, ensuring that the community will continue to receive care.
Yet, the heart of our mission is reflected in the personal stories of real people. One story that resonated with me was that of Yanira Hurtado, a high school friend I reconnected with at an event honoring
cancer survivors. There, I learned of her triumphant battle with cancer and the care she received at Adventist Health White Memorial. Her inspiring story of survival is a testament to the significant impact your support has made possible.
As you explore this report, try to see the echoes of your generosity within these pages. Your donations, time, and support have been crucial to our shared success. I sincerely thank you for embracing our mission and becoming a cherished part of our family at Adventist Health White Memorial.
Warm regards,
juan de la cruz
President, Charitable Foundation
Memorial Blanco de Salud Adventista
A Message from Our Board Chair
RUBEN MACIEL
On behalf of the Adventist Health White Memorial Charitable Foundation board of directors, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support in 2023. Your generosity has enabled us to create inspiring stories of impact, which we are eager to share with you. We believe these narratives will move and inspire you, illustrating the powerful difference your contributions make.
Our community helped us raise nearly $9 million to strengthen the critical services at Adventist Health White Memorial that save lives and give hope. We are incredibly proud that we received over $1 million in
charitable gifts to aid in expanding compassionate cancer care services provided by the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center. This achievement is a true testament to our community’s unity and will go a long way to assisting our communities’ most vulnerable patients.
While we celebrate our shared successes of 2023, we also look to the future with optimism. The philanthropic culture you have helped us cultivate will no doubt continue to grow, furthering the health and wellbeing of our loved ones in East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and Montebello.
We are deeply grateful for your partnership and thank you again for your unwavering support.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Rubén Maciel
Chair, Adventist Health White Memorial
Charitable Foundation Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND
ADVISORY MEMBERS
By The Numbers
Total Dollars Raised: $8,882,464
Stories of Impact
Adventist Health White Memorial is at the forefront of addressing food insecurity in our community, where the need is profound and persistent.
With the support of UniHealth Foundation and Good Hope Medical Foundation, we introduced the Homeless Health Navigation Project in November 2020.
Community and compassion are at the heart of associate giving.
The Healthcare Workforce Development Program, established in 2006 through a $1 million grant from Bank of America, helps high school and college students in our community build work and life skills.
Yanira Hurtado turned her cancer journey into an opportunity, becoming a breast cancer awareness advocate and raising funds to support families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
The Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center is setting a new standard for patient care in our community.
Events
The 2023 Golf Classic and Gala raised critical funds to support and enhance the life-saving resources of the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center.
2023 Golf Classic
Supporters teed off for health on May 1 at Porter Valley Country Club. Co-chaired by board members Sean King of PepsiCo and Frank Robinson of U.S. Bank, the event closed with a heartfelt story from Johnny Chavez, a local cancer survivor who was treated at the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center.
Gala 2023
With the theme of "Together Inspired. We Can Save Lives," sponsors and guests celebrated at the historic Vibiana on October 29. Co-chaired by board members Gina Orozco of Southern California Gas Co. and Elizabeth Martinez of Meruelo Enterprises, the event featured a butterfly theme, symbolizing hope.