Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital (LAOH) and Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School (OHMMHS) were recently honored with the 2012 Pillar Partnership Spotlight Award, at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Principal for a Day Culmination Luncheon on the grounds of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

The Pillar Partnership Spotlight Award celebrates businesses and schools that exemplify the success of collaborative efforts to strengthen education and student development. Pillar, itself, developed from the joint efforts of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in order to build and support partnerships between businesses and schools that would provide guidance to students, educators, and administrators, as well as strengthen the application pools for industries.

The Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School (OHMMHS), opened in September 2004, is immediately adjacent to Orthopaedic Hospital and serves about 850 students who demonstrate interest in medicine and science. The school provides students from the inner city and surrounding areas of Los Angeles with a greater chance of success in life and to make meaningful contributions. Those who choose healthcare professions, whether as doctors, nurses, researchers or technicians, will continue Orthopædic Hospital’s proud tradition of making a difference in the world. Representatives from Orthopædic Hospital share their vision and are active in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) advisory committee to the High School. Orthopædic Hospital physicians and scientists participate in the design of the curriculum. After-school programs and volunteer opportunities at Orthopaedic Hospital are available for students to give them exposure to many careers in healthcare and research. Summer internships are especially attractive and receive many applicants.

Presented by Karen L. Hathaway, Chair of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Pillar Partnership Spotlight Award was accepted by James V. Luck, Jr., M.D., Professor, Executive Vice Chairman, and Program Director UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA/ Co-Director Hemophilia Treatment Center at LAOH; and OHMMHS Principal Erick Mata.

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About Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital:

For over a century and two million children served, the mission of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital (LAOH) has been to provide outstanding care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and advance care worldwide for all musculoskeletal patients through medical education and scientific research – and through the support of the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation – to provide care for children regardless of their families’ ability to pay.

In partnership with UCLA Health System and jointly funded by LAOH and UCLA the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, located on the UCLA Westwood campus, was constructed in 2007 and the new Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital opened in January 2012. With treatment and research locations in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Calexico, California, LAOH is uniquely positioned as a leader in treating the full spectrum of orthopaedic needs. For more information about LAOH, visit: www.OrthoHospital.org or www.facebook.com/OrthoHospital.