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PrintLaura Schenasi, Executive Vice President, Health Care Foundation
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
3330 Lomita Blvd. in Torrance 310-517-4708 www.torrancememorial.org
Opened in 1925, Torrance Memorial Medical Center was the first hospital in the South Bay, and it is currently undergoing a major expansion with the addition of a new 390,000-square-foot main tower. Laura Schenasi is the executive vice president of the Torrance Memorial Health Care Foundation, which she joined in 2001 after 19 years of fundraising experience at the University of Southern California. “It was when I was working as USC’s director of major gifts at the Keck School of Medicine that I realized my true passion—raising funds for health care,” she says.
What would you like potential donors to know about your organization?
“Not only is Torrance Memorial’s mission to help others when they enter our doors, but we are also out in the community partnering with other organizations to support the goal of improving our community’s health. We are in a unique situation in that we are not owned by any health care corporation, which allows us to make decisions based on the community we serve. After my years at USC, I feel like I am doing something valuable in our community—raising funds to help ensure we always have a state-of-the-art medical center right in our own back yard!”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Everything! I am grateful to work with our incredible, generous donors, amazing and talented Foundation Board members, and selfless volunteers to raise significant donations. Together we ensure Torrance Memorial achieves its goal of providing excellence in health care for our community now and for generations to come. I also enjoy helping people navigate the hospital system—when people are ill, being a helpful friend is always rewarding!”
How do you give back to your community?
“I love volunteering for our community. Whether it is helping youth sports organizations, working at the thrift shop for National Charity League, giving lectures at other non-profit organizations or chairing a special event, I love giving back. I inherited that trait from both my Mom and Dad. In fact, my Mom helped raise funds for Torrance Memorial in the early 70s!”
