18 BUZZ 26 HOME 28 ACTIVE 30 DRIVE
EBB & FLOW
KEEPING CURRENT ON THE COAST
Hoag Hospital Newport Beach
A GENEROUS GIFT
This fall , Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian received a record-breaking $ 106 million donation from the estate of Audrey Steele Burnand . This unprecedented gift is the largest contribution received by Hoag in its nearly 70-year history — and it ’ s not the only time her family has donated to the nationally recognized health system , which has a hospital in Newport Beach . Over the years , the philanthropic Steele family has given more than $ 134 million to Hoag , leaving quite a legacy of helping others . Burnand , who died in 2020 , was the daughter of Harry and Grace Steele . In the early 20th century , Harry Steele guided the U . S . Electrical Manufacturing Co . into one of the country ’ s top motor manufacturing companies ; it later merged with Emerson Electric Co . The family began donating to Hoag back in the 1960s with contributions for cancer and cardiology research and treatment . The latest gift will help to significantly expand the hospital ’ s acclaimed health care research and treatments . ( 949-764-4624 ; hoag . org ) — Sharon Stello
DOCTOR OF SUSPENSE
Local cardiologist Dr . Cristina LePort has released her first book , “ Dissection ,” a thriller that brings together complex characters and cutting-edge medical technology . The believable tale ’ s medical science backdrop is informed by LePort ’ s three-decade medical career . The fast-paced story , set in Washington , D . C ., follows heart surgeon Dr . Steven Leeds , who becomes inundated with several complicated stroke and heart attack cases , all caused by dissection , which is a rare medical condition . Even more mysterious , each victim had received a card declaring “ Your heart attack / stroke will arrive within one hour !” As a private detective and FBI agent investigate , they begin to suspect Leeds ’ former lover , a brilliant scientist with a grudge against the victims . But then , in a plot twist , prominent government leaders start to receive these same cards and die of the same cause . LePort , who was born in Italy , is a longtime doctor and also the chief medical officer and co-founder of biotech company Genescient . She was inspired to write a novel after listening to Ayn Rand ’ s lectures , “ The Art of Fiction .” “ Dissection ,” is available online and with advance order at Lido Village Books . ( Cristina LePort : cristinaleport . com ) ( Lido Village Books : 949-220-7632 ; lidovillagebooks . com ) — S . S .
David and Victoria Collins present the Legacy Award to Gena Reed ( right ).
Dr . Cristina LePort ( right ) and her first book , “ Dissection ”
TOP HONORS
Gena Reed of Newport Beach was among OC ’ s top philanthropists , business leaders and other individuals to be recognized at the 37th annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Nov . 17 at City National Grove of Anaheim . The event is presented by the OC Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals . Since its inception in 1986 , the event has honored more than 1,000 local leaders for their work to help the community . Newport residents Victoria and David Collins , this year ’ s honorary event chairs , presented the Legacy Award to Reed , who has supported groups that champion the environment , women ’ s rights and children ’ s education throughout her career at a major pharmaceutical company and after launching a contract research company with her husband , growing the business into an international enterprise . When she became involved with nonprofit Girls Inc . and charter school Samueli Academy , it opened her eyes to how uneven the playing field remained for girls and women , leading her to offer college scholarships . She also built a training center in one of the poorest communities of Panajachel , Guatemala , after attending a Spanish immersion program in the country and seeing that girls faced the same struggles there . ( 949-436-2939 ; npdoc . org ) — S . S .
TOP : COURTESY OF HOAG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PRESBYTERIAN ; MIDDLE RIGHT : BRUCE BORTZ ; BOTTOM : CARLA RHEA
18 NEWPORTBEACHMAGAZINE . COM