In the midst of springtime celebrations and graduations, Las Madrinas announced the 37 families and their daughters who will be honored for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at the Las Madrinas Ball on Saturday, December 21, 2013.
The Las Madrinas Debutantes include Jacqueline Alana Beyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert David Beyer (Los Angeles); Kara Domini Duncan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Douglas Duncan, junior (Los Angeles); Margaret Adair, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Laugharn Adair (Los Angeles); Alexandra Booth Murray, daughter of Mrs. Steven Michael Shafran and Mr. Palmer Neville Murray (Los Angeles); Anne Elizabeth McRoskey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick James McRoskey (Pacific Palisades); Lauren Ann Newby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Warren Newby (Los Angeles); Skye Annabel Montgomery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Watson Montgomery (Los Angeles); Victoria Kendall Shepherd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Paul Shepherd (Los Angeles); Caitlan Boyd Benell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Charles Benell (Pacific Palisades); Amanda Lee Harrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Edward Harrison (Cupertino); Clare Cardenas Hookstratten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Crowley Hookstratten (Los Angeles); Erin Colleen Hinds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Desmond Joseph Hinds, junior (Pacific Palisades); Lauren Elizabeth Beaver, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John William Beaver (Pacific Palisades); Casey Marie Burgess, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Michael Burgess (Los Angeles); Mary Shea Morrissey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Carroll Morrissey III (Pacific Palisades); Katherine Emilee Ewell, daughter of The Honorable Christine Cleveland Ewell and Mr. Charles Daniel Ewell (Los Angeles); Anne Fraser Hartmann Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Hill (Pacific Palisades); and Sophia Elizabeth Penske, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Penske (Los Angeles). (PHOTO ATTACHED)
On May 8, 2013, the Debutantes and their families gathered at the Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for an orientation and presentation by Dr. Theodora Stavroudis, Director of the Las Madrinas Pediatric Simulation Research Laboratory Endowment. Dr. Stavroudis gave an overview of this important project which provides healthcare professionals with a controlled environment to recreate and respond to the real-life patient care scenarios that are so important in the research and training process. She explained that this project will result in more accurate medical assessments, improved hospital safety, and enhanced patient care that will benefit countless patients. Following the presentation by Dr. Stavroudis, the families toured Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and witnessed a number of simulation team demonstrations.
The Debutantes, their mothers and their grandmothers were guests of honor at a Tea given by Las Madrinas at the home of Mrs. John Carroll Morrissey III (Colleen) on June 12, 2013. The President of Las Madrinas, Mrs. Victor Follen Hawley (Diane), formally welcomed the families and thanked them for their contributions and commitment to the Los Angeles community. Among the Las Madrinas members greeting the Tea guests were Debutante Chairman, Mrs. Charles Ward Cox II (Sarah), and Ball Chairman, Mrs. Jonathan Tebbetts Williamson (Shannon).
Las Madrinas was established in 1933 as the first Affiliate Group of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and has been supporting pediatric medicine for 80 years. Since 1939, Las Madrinas has honored families who have demonstrated a commitment to the civic, cultural, and philanthropic life of Southern California by presenting their daughters at the annual Las Madrinas Ball. Donations made in honor of the young women, together with the annual support of Las Madrinas members and friends, have enabled Las Madrinas to complete eight major projects at the hospital since 1988, including seven research endowments and a capital project on the Cardiovascular Floor. This year Las Madrinas is continuing to honor a $5 million dollar pledge for its eighth endowment, the Las Madrinas Pediatric Simulation Research Laboratory Endowment.
Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the top five in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. Children’s Hospital is also one of America’s premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.