2021 Foundation Annual Report
Charting New Territories
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Pushing the Boundaries of What Is Possible
In 2021, we not only adapted to the new challenges presented by the pandemic—we also took advantage of the new opportunities to push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to caring for children.
Philanthropy gave us hope to look forward to the future and embark toward uncharted destinations where we can advance and transform pediatric healthcare. In this report, we share highlights of the incredible impact that our donors have made over the year.
A MESSAGE FROM DOUG CORBIN
Senior Vice President &
Chief Development Officer
At CHOC, we stop at nothing to continue serving our mission to “nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children.” Not only has our work continued uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also has, in many aspects, accelerated.
The challenges posed by the pandemic propelled us to reinvent the ways we deliver care and have unlocked unimaginable opportunities to map the future. The generosity of our community is what allowed us to look beyond the crisis, innovate and re-frame the obstacles into pioneering plans and aspirations for CHOC to become the best place in the nation for pediatric healthcare.
CHOC is shaped by our dynamic donors and the instrumental roles they play in our progress and growth. With your support, kindness and generosity, we are able to lead the way in pediatric healthcare, be equipped with the latest technologies and provide new programs and services that enhance our young patients’ and their families’ journey to wellness.
Philanthropy is imperative to the success of what we do as we continue to move toward unprecedented destinations and chart new territories. Thank you for realizing the full measure of CHOC’s mission and believing in our goal to create healthier tomorrows for children now and for generations to come.
Douglas J. Corbin, CFRE, CSPG
Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
HIGHLIGHTS
Elevating the Patient Experience
Enhancing CHOC magic with Disney stories
Through beautiful art installations, our patients and families can virtually and physically interact with their favorite Disney friends throughout CHOC’s main campus and the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center in Orange, Calif.
Welcoming resident dogs
Unlike pet therapy animals brought to hospitals by volunteers, resident dogs are trained from birth to be an integral part of therapeutic treatment.
Supported solely by philanthropy, Lois and Odessa, CHOC’s two resident service dogs, are bringing joy and healing to our patients.
Navigating hospital hallways with a mini-electric vehicle
Partnering with American Honda Motor Company, Inc., CHOC introduced “Shogo,” an electric ride-on vehicle for kids that is designed by Honda engineers. CHOC is the first hospital to utilize Shogo in caring for young patients to help make their stay and transportation more enjoyable.
NEW LOCATIONS
Expanding CHOC’s Reach
Last year, CHOC launched four new centers. These openings reflect CHOC’s movement into a transformative era to help meet the regional health needs of today’s and tomorrow’s generations. Read More
Outpatient Heart Center
This flagship, 10,000-square-foot space on CHOC’s main Orange campus, provides multidisciplinary pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery outpatient services—all under one roof.
Fetal Care Center of Southern California
In partnership with UCI Health, this new venture is filling an unmet need in the region as one of the first fetal care centers in Southern California, bringing together experts in maternal-fetal medicine and pediatrics, so both mom and baby are cared for—no matter the diagnosis.
Primary Care Clinic
Designed to maximize access, CHOC’s five Primary Care Clinics offer a vast array of critical services, including urgent care, pediatric psychology, social services, radiology and even outpatient rehabilitation. The newest clinic in Orange, a one-stop experience, serves as a model for the way kids receive care.
Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Suite
CHOC is proud to open the only nuclear medicine program in Orange County dedicated exclusively to pediatrics. All equipment in this space is calibrated specially for children, and it has a full suite of radiology offerings for patients to receive assessments and diagnoses with a precision that cannot be matched by other exams.
DRIVING INNOVATION
Finding New Ways Forward with One Wish Grants
Through philanthropic support, One Wish Grants (OWG) is funding inventive programs and services—created by CHOC physicians and staff—designed to drive CHOC forward. Here are some projects that are helping make a difference.
Music Therapy Recording Booth
A dedicated space created for patients, caregivers and therapists, allowing them to record high-quality voice and instrumental arrangements to support creativity and provide comfort during difficult procedures.
Expansion of Culinary Medicine Mobile Kitchen
The Culinary Medicine Program improves patients’ long-term nutritional health through the combination of cooking and medicine. The funds from OWG allowed this program to expand to 48 demonstrations per year, up from 12.
Nurse-Delivered Aromatherapy
A safe and effective nurse-delivered aromatherapy pilot program helps manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients of The Dhont Family Foundation Outpatient Infusion Center and Glass Slipper Guild Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.
MENTAL HEALTH
Strides in Pediatric Mental Health
At CHOC, we believe that pediatric mental health treatment should be fully integrated with physical health treatment. Here is how we are addressing the current mental health crisis.
Expanding Therapeutic Support Groups
In response to a 108% increase of children hospitalized with eating disorders during the pandemic, we started seven-day-a-week sessions for these patients, for a total of seven support groups.
91% Average Utilization Rate For the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center
When the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center first opened in 2018, only 10% of patients were under the age of 12. In 2020, that number began to increase. Now, it has more than doubled and the center is almost always full.
Piloting Five WellSpaces in Orange County
First-of-its-kind for Orange County, a WellSpace is a safe and welcoming school-based oasis, where students may access support and information on a variety of physical and mental health topics, improving their overall well-being. In partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, the creation of WellSpaces is a unique approach to comprehensive care as it removes barriers to critical resources that children need to thrive. Our goal is to have this space at every school in the county.
ON THE FRONTLINES
Protecting Our Community From COVID-19
CHOC has been here for pediatric COVID-19 patients since the pandemic’s start. Last year, we escalated our service to the community through a variety of opportunities.
23,614
COVID-19 Vaccines
Administered
7,936+
COVID-19-Positive Patients Treated*
Accepted COVID-19-Positive Patients Into Our Mental Health Inpatient Unit
At the height of the pandemic, we were the only institution in Orange County supporting these patients.
Supported St. Joseph, Our Neighboring Hospital
by temporarily lending dedicated CHOC neonatal intensive care unit space at St. Joseph Hospital for use with COVID-19 patients last winter.
*as of January 12, 2022
AWARD-WINNING PEDIATRIC CARE
Consistently Named a Top Hospital
CHOC has continued to earn the distinction of being named a Top Children’s Hospital by prestigious industry groups.
Ranked Among Nation’s Best Children’s Hospitals
in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 rankings. CHOC also ranked in seven different specialty areas: cancer; diabetes and endocrinology; neonatology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology.
2021 Leapfrog Top Hospital
The Top Hospital Award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. Of the 2,200 hospitals considered, only 149 were honored this year. CHOC is among eight children’s hospitals to receive the award, and one of only two from California.
Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
CHOC has been verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level I pediatric trauma center, the highest ranking for trauma centers. This designation recognizes CHOC’s commitment to providing the best possible care for all injured children, as well as serving as a trusted pediatric resource for the community. CHOC is currently the only Level I pediatric trauma center in Orange County and the fourth in Southern California.
Four-Star Rating
Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator, awarded the CHOC Foundation with a four-star rating for its strong financial health and for receiving a 100% score for its commitment to accountability and transparency. Fewer than 25% of all nonprofits achieve the four-star honor and the CHOC Foundation has earned this elite distinction 13 times since 2005.
FINANCIALS
Giving by the Numbers
2021 was off the charts! Here is a look at the financials for the past fiscal year.
$46,106,000
Total Donations
19,922
Total Donors
56,948
Number of Gifts
| Giving by Area | % of Total |
|---|---|
| Greatest Needs | 38% |
| Patient & Family-Centered Care | 25% |
| Deferred | 20% |
| Board Designated – CHOC | 13% |
| Groundbreaking Research | 3% |
| All Others | 1% |
$149+ million in uncompensated care
Each year, CHOC treats over 185,000 children and teens, providing more than $159 million in total community benefit—of this provision, $149 million is uncompensated care, which aids families without insurance or who have inadequate coverage.
$1.2 million raised from the first virtual CHOC Walk
The Virtual CHOC Walk, presented by the Disneyland® Resort, drew more than 8,000 participants who walked more than 74,000 miles.
WITH GRATITUDE
Thank You
The kind generosity of our supporters has enabled CHOC to deliver the best patient and family-centered care, build state-of-the-art facilities, remain resilient in a continuing pandemic and embrace opportunities to chart new territories.
We extend to our Board of Directors a heartfelt thank you for your valued leadership and passionate efforts to inform, inspire and engage our community and generate philanthropic support for the health and well-being of children.
During this climate of uncertainty, we are tremendously grateful to the individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations who continue to stand alongside us.
CHOC is leading the way as a model for pediatric health care, and our success would not be possible without your support.
Together, we are giving children the best chance of growing into healthy and happy adults.
Thank You to Our Donors
