2023 Foundation Annual Report
Philanthropy Lights the Way
The stars align because of you
Our community’s generosity, like a bright guiding star in the night sky, is illuminating CHOC’s mission for all to see—to nurture, advance, and protect the health and well-being of children. Together, we create a constellation of hope that lights the way toward a healthier future.
In this report, we share highlights of our donors’ brilliant impact over the past year and how philanthropy helps make our children shine.
A word from Jessica Miley
In bustling, crowded Southern California, stars can be hard to spot at night—but with the right tools and the right viewpoint, we find them.
Likewise, the serious conditions that children face make it tough for families to see a way toward healing, but CHOC has always looked harder and pushed further to use our resources and expertise to treat every patient—and celebrate the light and life within them.
You could say that everyone at CHOC is a stargazer—and that includes you because your philanthropy and compassion have been critical in CHOC’s success for the last 60 years.
Living out our shared calling to defend childhood begins with a heart for seeing every child for who they are, how far they will go and how we will help them get there. This calling drives us to attract, train and empower the brightest minds in pediatrics. It pushes us to advance technologies and amenities that treat a child’s diagnosis and their family’s well-being. It inspires us to seek answers in research that will become industry-leading treatments. And it moves us to give families a reason to celebrate childhood even through dark, uncertain moments.
Through our ability and your generosity, CHOC’s pediatric health system is successfully building partnerships to treat children across our region, gaining national recognition and educating global pediatric care. By working together and looking upward, we’re charting a path for kids to grow healthier and radiate joy.
Jessica L. Miley
Senior Vice President | Chief Development Officer
2023: Year In Review
Shining for our Brightest Stars
Together, the magic of childhood is kept alive for our patients and their families.
Panda Cares Centers of Hope delivers comfort and healing
The Panda Cares Centers of Hope are spaces designed to address patients’ and families’ entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Serving as a safe haven for those undergoing medical treatment, the centers’ specially curated programs promote healing, where families can spend a few minutes decompressing through activities like therapeutic play, art therapy, meditation counseling services and more.
Disney Mobile Movie Theater debuts for mental health patients
Disneyland® Resort and The Walt Disney Company donated a Mobile Movie Theater unit to the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center at CHOC. The mobile theater includes free access to both the Disney+ streaming platform and the Disney Movie Moments Program, which features newly released Disney movies that are still in theaters. The theater provides our mental health patients with smiles, comfort and laughter, gives them an authentic moviegoing experience and increases positive coping throughout their hospitalization.
Seacrest Studios celebrates 10 years
Seacrest Studios, our in-house multimedia broadcast center, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2023. Since its opening, this partnership between the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Department has provided children and families with entertainment programming, including musical guests, interactive activities and celebrity interviews. In 2023, CHOC patients enjoyed studio activities such as a Barbie-pink day complete with Barbie Bingo, a Taylor Swift musical celebration with friendship bracelet-making, and a surprise visit from Addison Rae and Ryan Seacrest.
Patient Spotlight: Kenny
Many doctors and nurses thought Kenny would not survive a harrowing infection that he contracted after a bone marrow transplant to treat his leukemia.
But Kenny persevered. The teen’s miraculous recovery exemplifies courage, resilience and CHOC’s expert care.
Illuminating the path to tomorrow
Together, we are revolutionizing pediatric health care and changing lives for the better.
CHOC Connect Answering Service takes off
The CHOC Connect answering service has expanded to provide nurse advice, telehealth services and 24/7 bilingual assistance, increasing accessibility to our pediatric healthcare experts to the community. This advice line, 1-844-GET-CHOC, is funded through philanthropy and provides families with answers they may need at any time, right at home.
Topping-off ceremony for new Southwest Tower
The new, nine-story Southwest Tower is the centerpiece of CHOC’s bold, sweeping plan to advance and innovate the way we provide care. This dynamic space will house both outpatient and research facilities and become our latest, multi-specialty, diagnostic and treatment tower. In May, we held a topping-off ceremony, as the highest beam was installed. For our community, the placement reflects hope for the future and marks great progress in building the tower, which will open in phases beginning in mid-2025.
CHOC Mission’s three decades of service
Born from CHOC’s vision to care for every child in Orange County, in 2023, CHOC at Mission Hospital marks three decades of innovation, advancement and care for its South Orange County community. Our Mission Viejo hospital’s commitment to excellence is stronger than ever today—read on to find out what makes CHOC Mission so special.
CHOC and UCLA Health’s unique partnership launches
CHOC and UCLA Health launched an innovative joint pediatric heart program that is enhancing access to world-class congenital cardiac care for children and families across Southern California. This unique partnership is already saving lives—read how CHOC and UCLA Health teamed up for the treatment of patient Cash, who went into cardiac arrest during a football game due to an anomalous coronary artery.
Patient Spotlight: Henry and Hugo
When Megan and Levi Heacock found out they were expecting twin boys, they were overcome with joy. However, in the middle of the night after barely reaching 22 weeks and 6 days, Megan had a placental abruption; their boys needed to be delivered that day.
With CHOC’s advanced and compassionate care, Henry and Hugo are the youngest infants to graduate from CHOC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Small Baby Unit.
Glimmers of Hope
With you lighting the way, CHOC is providing the best possible care for children of all ages in Orange County and beyond
Philanthropic Highlights
| Giving by Area/ Donation Breakdown | Total | % |
|---|---|---|
| Kids CARE | $19,820,960 | 40% |
| Patient and Family Centered Care | $15,056,086 | 30% |
| Leadership and Education | $4,421,316 | 8% |
| Groundbreaking Research | $2,786,917 | 5% |
| Deferred | $6,283,765 | 14% |
| Innovative Technology | $130,114 | < 1% |
| Other | $1,148,211 | 2% |
| Grand Total | $49,647,314 | 100% |
$182 million+ in community benefits
Each year, CHOC treats over a quarter-million children, providing more than $182 million in total community benefits such as increased access to pediatric healthcare resources and information, behavioral health services, disease and injury prevention interventions and volunteer leadership. Of that, more than $164 million—nearly 90%—is uncompensated care that ensures all children receive the services they need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
CHOC Foundation Spotlight:
Jessica Miley, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
We are delighted that 2023 brought Jessica Miley on board as senior vice president and chief development officer of the CHOC Foundation. In her role, she is leading and directing all fundraising and development programs that advance the mission and vision of CHOC.
Award-winning pediatric care
Our community’s generosity helps propel CHOC to the stratosphere, and closer to being the leading destination for children’s health. In 2023, we garnered the following national honors:
Ranked among nation’s Best Children’s Hospitals
CHOC is ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 best children’s hospitals rankings. CHOC also ranked in eight different specialty areas: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; neonatology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology.
Level 1 Children’s Surgical Verification
CHOC became the first hospital in Southern California and one of only four in the state to be granted Level 1 Children’s Surgical Verification by the American College of Surgeons, recognizing excellence in quality improvement and patient safety.
Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator
Through Charity Navigator’s new Encompass Rating System, the CHOC Foundation maintained its “Four Star” rating, the highest possible in recognition of its strong financial health, and earned a 100% rating in Leadership and Adaptability. The CHOC Foundation also ranked 10th out of 96 on the 2022 Orange County Business Journal list of nonprofits, our first time in the Top 10.
Four-time Magnet status
Only 10% of U.S. hospitals are Magnet-designated from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and CHOC has attained this recognition for the fourth time. Magnet status is the highest and most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care.
2023 Leapfrog Top Hospital
Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, CHOC has once again been named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. Only eight children’s hospitals in the United States earned this distinction.
Patient Spotlight: Damian
Damian was born with the extremely rare congenital heart condition of ectopia cordis – Latin for “out of place heart.”
Thankfully, with care from a collaboration of experts at the CHOC Heart Institute, neonatal intensive care unit, and the Fetal Care Center of Southern California, Damian is not only surviving, but growing.
Astronomical moments
CHOC gained a significant amount of media attention in 2023. News stories drew from material developed by CHOC from its website and blogs reached an estimated 1.2 billion people—yes, with a “B!” Top outlets that incorporated existing CHOC content include: The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, MSN, Yahoo! and Web MD.
Here’s a look at some key media relations efforts in 2023:
CHOC’s mental health expertise, leadership takes national stage
Further solidifying CHOC’s leadership in the topic of mental health, Dr. Heather Huszti, CHOC’s chief psychologist, appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss the immediate and potential long-term impact of COVID on children’s mental health. This popular weekend news magazine show drew an estimated reach of 37 million people.
CHOC’s clinical excellence, leadership highlighted nationally
Becker’s Hospital Review – a top national healthcare trade publication – included CHOC’s Hyundai Cancer, Neuroscience and Orthopaedic Institutes in its lists of notable programs among U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems. Additionally, the publication listed President and Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Chavalas Cripe as one of 177 female hospital presidents and CEOs to know, and named Chief Operating Officer Kim Milstien a “COO to know.”
CHOC’s signature combination of compassionate, family-centered care and clinical innovation gets spotlight
In a moving piece from Fox 11 TV, a young oncology patient shares the story of the battle he fought against a rare cancer with the help of an innovative treatment at CHOC, oncologist Dr. Van Huynh, and CHOC’s many special features and amenities, including the Monica and Christopher Furman Family Resource Center.
Patient Spotlight: Katherine
Seven-year-old Katherine can now look her family members in the eye and smile. Something that wouldn’t be possible without the care from the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC. Since her first visit six years ago, Katherine’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment has been an ongoing journey, a balance of challenges and exciting progress.
Raising our patients’ potential
From fitness challenges to bake sales to gaming live streams and tribute gifts, CHOC Raise Up enables our community to create their very own fundraiser to support CHOC in a way that’s unique to them. To date, we have collectively raised over $1.6 million and counting.
Some of our top 2023 fundraisers:
Top Holiday Fundraiser
Santa’s Helpers Ride for CHOC’s Metabolic Disorders and Nutrition Clinic
Top Anniversary Fundraiser
15th Annual KatrinaKures for Type 1 Diabetes Research
Top Milestone Challenge
Caleb’s 100-mile Challenge for CHOC Foundation
Kelly Lee Tarantello Outstanding Volunteer
Carol Cox
Outstanding Board Member
Tusdi Vopat
Outstanding Foundation
BraveOnes Foundation
Nick G. Anas, MD Outstanding Medical Staff Member
Dr. Michael Weiss
Outstanding Corporation
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Charley Awards: A beacon of light toward a healthier future
Every year, the CHOC Foundation honors donors who have made a lasting impact on CHOC through our annual awards ceremony. Here, these supporters are celebrated and are bestowed with our highest honor, the Charley Award, named after our prominent donor Charles Hester. Each recipient has set high standards for the generous contribution of time, talent and philanthropy that have nurtured CHOC since its founding in 1964. In 2023, we are grateful to recognize: BraveOnes Foundation, Carol Cox, Dr. Michael Weiss, Tusdi Vopat and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
CHOC Foundation Spotlight:
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (FCU) has helped write countless stories of recovery and hope for CHOC’s patients and families. In the 2023 fiscal year, their generosity, as a lead donor for Credit Unions for Kids, helped expand the Wellness on Wheels program, providing underserved communities with access to care and resources directly in their neighborhoods. SchoolsFirst FCU teammembers also continue to passionately give back through their volunteer involvement and participation in CHOC Foundation signature events like the CHOC Walk in the Park, presented by Disneyland® Resort where they were named 2023’s top corporate fundraising team. In addition, SchoolsFirst FCU’s deep-rooted support of our patients’ greatest needs with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped build our quality of care across our campuses, from major programs to peaceful moments for our CHOC families.
“We admire CHOC’s commitment to providing exceptional and innovative care and are proud that we have supported this cause for more than 20 years,” said Bill Cheney, chief executive officer at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. “Our partnership with CHOC is rooted in our people helping people philosophy. We look forward to continuing our support of CHOC into the future, helping us strengthen our ties to our Members and our community.”
Top corporate donors of 2023
Thank you
Your generosity has always been the heart and soul of CHOC. With unwavering dedication for CHOC’s mission, you have made an indelible impact, shining a beautiful light on the path we tread in caring for children.
We extend our sincere thanks to our CHOC Foundation Board of Directors. Your thoughtful leadership not only ignites our efforts in pediatric healthcare but also creates a fire of community and shared purpose. Through your spirit of kindness, you have inspired others to join in and become passionate advocates for the well-being of our patients.
We are also endlessly grateful to the individuals, organizations and foundations who continue to partner with us in this valuable work. Your commitment serves as a symbol of hope for families who find solace in knowing that there are people like you who care deeply about their children.
Your collective philanthropy lights the way forward for our efforts, bringing us one step closer to a future where every child has the best chance to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Thank You to Our Donors
