Las Madrinas recently announced 32 young women, including three from San Marino, who will be honored for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at the Las Madrinas Ball on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.
The Las Madrinas Debutantes from the San Gabriel Valley include Mary Elena Harding, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Milo Harding (San Marino); Mary Shea Holt, daughter of Mrs. Steven Ernest High (San Marino) and Mr. Douglas Guthrie Holt, Junior (San Marino); Erin Corinne McCloskey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin John McCloskey (San Marino); Perry Montgomery Hotchkis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Finlay Hotchkis, junior (Pasadena); Sarah Ann Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Conrad Johnson (Pasadena); Elizabeth Bayley Malloy, daughter of Ms. Joan Bayley Griffith Malloy (Alhambra) and Dr. Brian James Malloy (Great Falls, MT); and Charlotte Grace Watkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hughes Watkins (Pasadena).
The debutantes, their mothers and their grandmothers were recently guests of honor at a tea given by Las Madrinas at the home of Mrs. Michael Floyd Wright (Priscilla). The President of Las Madrinas, Mrs. Jon Warren Newby (Marcie), formally welcomed the families and thanked them for their contributions and commitment to the Southern California community. Among the Las Madrinas members greeting the tea guests were Debutante Chairman, Mrs. Henry Lea Hancock (Emily), and Ball Chairman, Mrs. Preston William Brooks (Seeley).
The debutantes and their families made a recent trip to The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for an introduction by Dr. D. Brent Polk, chairman of Pediatrics, and a presentation by Dr. Alyssa Rake, medical director of the Las Madrinas Pediatric Simulation Research Laboratory. Dr. Rake gave an overview of this important project that 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, the families toured the Las Madrinas Pediatric Simulation Research Laboratory.
Las Madrinas was established in 1933 as the first Affiliate Group of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and has been supporting pediatric medicine for 83 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 nine major endowments and capital projects at the hospital since 1988. This year Las Madrinas is continuing to honor a $5 dollar pledge for the Las Madrinas Pediatric Simulation Research Laboratory Endowment.
