Beauty in Generosity: Women's Giving Circle Raises Over $100,000 for MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center's Midwife Program

Since inception, Beauty In Grace has raised nearly $790,000 for women's health services at the nonprofit hospital

Laguna Hills, Calif. - April 3, 2025 - Members of the Beauty In Grace women's giving circle collectively raised more than $100,000 for the advancement of the Midwife Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. This philanthropic investment will enhance maternity care by providing a holistic, personalized approach to childbirth, ensuring expectant mothers have access to midwifery services alongside 24/7 obstetrics and gynecological specialist availability.

This year marks a significant milestone for Beauty In Grace, as the women's giving circle has now surpassed 100 members for the first time since its inception, with 106 members. This growth reflects the increasing commitment of women in the community to making a lasting impact on women's health care at Saddleback Medical Center.

Christy Ward, chief development officer of the MemorialCare Orange County Region and president of Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, emphasized the impact of the Beauty In Grace women's giving circle, encouraging members to continue spreading the word and inviting friends to join in making a difference for women's health care in the community.

"Beauty In Grace is more than a giving circle-it's a community of women who embody beauty in generosity and have made a greater impact in transforming women's health care together."

- Christy Ward

Each year, Beauty In Grace members pool their $1,000-plus contributions to enhance women's health programs and services at the medical center. Since 2016, Beauty In Grace has raised nearly $790,000, including funding for advanced MRI technology for breast cancer detection, NicView video streaming equipment for families with newborns in the Irma Feldcamp Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and last year's investment in the development of a new melanoma program.

This March, Beauty In Grace members gathered for a luncheon on the Ocean Lawn at Montage Laguna Beach to celebrate their collective impact on women's health at Saddleback Medical Center.

Members enjoyed a welcoming reception with appetizers, champagne and mocktails before sitting down for an elegant three-course lunch, hosted by Saddleback Medical Center Foundation.

A distinguished lineup of speakers engaged guests in an educational discussion on Saddleback Medical Center's commitment to women's health.

Brandi Cassingham, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, highlighted the importance of the Midwife Program, emphasizing that Saddleback Medical Center is not just a place where people seek medical care when they are ill, but also where they create joyful memories, such as delivering their babies.

"The addition of the Midwife Program at Saddleback Medical Center is more than just expanding maternity services-it's about empowering women with choices in their childbirth experience. Every mother deserves compassionate, personalized care, and thanks to the generosity of Beauty In Grace members, we are able to provide a nurturing environment where families can welcome their little ones with confidence and support."

- Brandi Cassingham

Jessica Solano, RN, shared her dual perspective as both a labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum nurse at Saddleback Medical Center and a patient who delivered her second child through the hospital's Midwife Program earlier this year. She spoke about the personalized prenatal, delivery and postpartum care she received from her midwife.

Mandy Trimmell, RD, a certified nutrition support clinician at Saddleback Medical Center, provided an educational component for attendees, tying in March as National Nutrition Month. She shared insights on nutrition for women at all stages of life, covering essential nutrients, cycle syncing and building a healthy relationship with food.

Beauty In Grace members are welcome year-round, and every membership directly supports its designated purpose. To learn more or to become a member, contact Saddleback Medical Center Foundation at (949) 452-3724 or [email protected], or visit memorialcare.org/BeautyInGrace.

Beauty In Grace Members 2025

Joyce Averna Erica Bailey, MD Ada Baker Anouchka Balog Lisa Becht, MD* Joni Boranian Tracy Bremmer Amy Bremner, MD Diana Brutoco* Marisa Brutoco* Juliana Brutoco-Bianchi* Jacqueline Dupont Carlson, PhD, EdD Marygrace Carpenter* Brandi Cassingham Melissa Centeno Linda Chan, MD Rena Chin Shannon Chua, MD* Gracia Covarrubias, MD Louise Doslu* Lisa Dow Lesley Dowd Veronica Duggan, PA Bonnie Eastman Montessa Edwards, MD Adeeba Evans Nora Evans, MD Resa Evans Tanya Evans, MD Michelle Fajardo, DO Janet Feldmar Penny Fosheim Jane Frederick, MD Michelle Giardini, PA Jill Gim* Patty Glover

Lisa Guerra, MD C.C. Hafner* Cathy Han, MD| Young Han, MD Cindy Hanson Candace Haynes Theresa Henry Gina Romano Hernandez* Cynthia Heydt* Monique Hieber* Laura Himelson* Erica Hutchison Marj Ingram Cheryl Jacob Ebunoluwa Johnson, MD Judy Jones Karen Jordan* Shela Kaneshiro Marybeth Keller Kelli Kimmel Jenny Klein Christy Koperek Zelyne Lane* Joan Lautenschleger Doris Law* Sharon Lee, MD* Dawn Levine Diane Libertella Claudia Looney Mona Lopez Laurie Louie Gayle Luciano Carol Lullmann Marcia Manker Carol Manning* Wendy Mason

Cecelia Matthews* True McMahan, MD Wendy Mulvihill* Susan Munden, MD Molly Naglie Sarah Nederlander Jean Nick Nahal Nikroo, MD* Colleen O'Connor Mary O'Toole, MD Bhavana Pathak, MD* Pam Pellizzon Rossana Powell Tiffany Roberts Susie Roof Kelli Ruiz Meryl Sakwa Laurie Sicaeros Bebe Shaddock Smith Lisa Stafford, PhD Jayne Stewart* Agnes Swanson Tammy Tang Misty Teng* Karen Testman Lindsay Thomas* Elaine Tiber Michelle Tom, MD Saghi Valencia Barbara Victor, MD Christy Ward Ellies Watanabe Carla Wells, MD Mary Ann Wilkinson, MD Dania Youssef, DO*

About Saddleback Medical Center Foundation

Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, raises philanthropic support for MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, a community-based, nonprofit hospital. The generous support of donors enables Saddleback Medical Center Foundation to support the medical center's leading edge health care, technology and medical expertise, as well as provide programs and services for the community. To learn more about supporting Saddleback Medical Center through the Foundation, please call (949) 452-3724 or go to memorialcare.org/smcf.

About MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is a member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare delivery system - proudly serving the residents of south Orange County for over 50 years. Centers of Excellence include cancer, heart, orthopedics, spine, neurosciences, gastroenterology, emergency and critical care, breast health, imaging, women's health, obstetrics, geriatrics, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. Saddleback Medical Center received U.S. News & World Report high-performance rankings for cardiology, diabetes, knee replacement, and stroke to name a few. It also was named among Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals, Top 50 U.S. Cardiovascular Hospitals and received Magnet Nursing Excellence designation. In addition, it is a certified geriatric ED Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center and holds Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/saddleback.

About MemorialCare

MemorialCare is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare delivery system with 225 care locations, including leading hospitals-Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Long Beach Medical Center, and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach; MemorialCare Medical Group and Greater Newport Physicians; MemorialCare Research Program; MemorialCare Select Health Plan; and numerous outpatient health, imaging, surgery, urgent care, physical therapy, breast health and dialysis centers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. Accolades include Nation's Best Health Systems and Workplaces, Top 50 U.S. Hospitals and Cardiovascular Hospitals, 10 Largest Children's Hospitals, 100 Best Hospitals - Spine and Prostate Surgeries, Best of Orange County and Long Beach Hospitals and Medical Groups, U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and "high performing" in 31 clinical categories, and Newsweek World's Best Hospitals, Top 100 Hospitals, Best Maternity Hospitals - and more. Visit memorialcare.org.