Few individuals reach 100 years of age. Fewer still are those who get there with an indomitable zest for life, untiring determination and a profound spirit of giving
Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Henry Wolfe attended Boston Latin School (the oldest public school in America) and received a bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts. From there, he attended Boston University for his medical degree.

For some people, humility doesn’t require effort; it’s simply a way of life. Neil and Barbara Phillips are those kinds of people.
Neil grew up in the town of Pleasant Hill outside of San Francisco. Hired straight out of college into the fledgling industry of cable television, Neil was transferred to Southern California, where he met his wife, Barbara.

“Looking back, our first year has been amazing,” says Terry Wooten, executive director of operations at Mission Hospital.

The Judi and Bill Leonard Institute for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Wellness opened in November 2019. With its four-story, state-of-theart facility and personalized, molecular-based medicine, the Leonard Cancer Institute provides patients in our community with specialized cancer care — ensuring that residents of South Orange County have access to the most advanced oncology treatments available.

Katie Rommelfanger knew that she wanted to be a nurse at Mission Hospital from a remarkably young age and jumped at the chance to shadow a Mission nurse when she was just 15 years old. She eventually obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Texas at Arlington.

In 2016, Mission Hospital embarked on a vital fundraising initiative to expand the Emergency Departments at both locations: Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo. By 2019, the five-phase expansion and restoration of the Sue and Bill Gross Emergency Department at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach was completed.

The Mission Hospital family celebrated an exciting day in November 2019, with the dedication of the Judi and Bill Leonard Institute for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Wellness.

Fifteen years ago, Jean Glenn received a letter from Mission Hospital Foundation explaining the benefits of a charitable gift annuity. Well versed in financial matters and a dedicated hospital auxiliary member, Jean carefully reviewed the salient facts.

Last year, Alliant Insurance Services set out to expand its involvement in the community. Mission Hospital was chosen as the recipient of Alliant’s efforts, with the company making a generous $75,000 pledge to name the Wellness Room at the newly opened Judi and Bill Leonard Cancer Institute for Prevention, Treatment and Wellness.

The lives and legacy of Ray and Betty Ann Meliza have stood the test of time. You’ll not find their names on the credits of a Hollywood movie, or on a list of “Who’s Who.” Yet, because of their uncompromising values and integrity, they have left a lasting impression.

In 2016, Mission Hospital embarked on a vital fundraising initiative to expand the Emergency Departments at both locations: Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo. By 2019, the five-phase expansion and restoration of the Sue and Bill Gross Emergency Department at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach was completed.

Mission Hospital’s Women and Infants Institute now houses two new pieces of advanced technology. This leading-edge equipment helps caregivers deliver care to mothers and their newborns in a timely manner, all thanks to the generosity of Duane and Kelly Roberts.

The SAVI SCOUT® radar localization system is designed for use by surgeons and radiologists to precisely locate and guide the removal of a tumor during a lumpectomy or surgical biopsy procedure.

Kristy and her husband, Robert, were at a school event for their daughter when she began to feel the most incredible pain, like a hammer hitting her in the head. Kristy had migraines before, but this was overwhelming.

Tragedies often occur without warning or preparation but Mission Hospital’s Trauma Center is always ready. Just days before Thanksgiving, 24-year-old Alex was admitted to Mission Hospital. Alex had suffered a cervical spine fracture with traumatic brain injury during a waterslide accident while vacationing in Mexico with his family.

Kristy and her husband, Robert, were at a school event for their daughter when she began to feel the most incredible pain, like a hammer hitting her in the head. Kristy had migraines before, but this was overwhelming.

One minute Hari was enjoying a ride on his motorcycle in Irvine and the next he was launched into the air, when broadsided by a car. “I landed on my hands, breaking my wrist and the top of my left foot was completely ripped off,” recalls Hari. “I called my 911 and my wife, Asha.”

I was in unbelievable pain and finally, I gave in and asked my sister to take me to the hospital. We passed several hospitals as we traveled from Riverside to Mission Hospital. I remembered the amazing care Mission provided when my nephew was born there many years ago, and that’s where I wanted to go.

Even though many consider Friday the 13th to be an ill-fated day, Arlene says it was her lucky day. That’s the day they found her cancer. Arlene was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 4 pancreatic/liver cancer on Friday, June 13, 2014.

Jim Adam was raised with a love for cooking and food. This love of pizza, hot dogs and burgers was not only hereditary but an addiction. Though Jim didn’t exercise, he remarkably didn’t have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Sarah never saw the truck that ran the red light and crashed into her car. In fact, she has little memory of the six weeks following the accident. Her husband John remembers every moment of it, especially the phone call from Mission Hospital telling him that he needed to come to the hospital immediately.