Los Angeles, California, April 25, 2011 – Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital will announce at its Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 26 that philanthropists Meyer Luskin and his wife, Renee, known for their passionate commitment to children’s health, education and social welfare, have committed a $1,000,000 gift to the organization.

Renee and Meyer Luskin at their home in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Bob Carey

The Luskin gift is the largest single gift made by an individual benefactor during his or her lifetime in the 100 year history of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. It will help to endow The James V. Luck, Jr., M.D. President and CEO Chair - providing sustainability for the institution and outstanding leadership as it enters its second century of service.




“I am deeply honored to have my name on the President and CEO Chair,” says Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital’s President and CEO, James V. Luck, Jr., M.D.“Renee and Meyer are dear friends and longtime benefactors to our institution and their support will go a long way to help further our mission of excellence in pediatric orthopaedic care, research and education.”




Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital was established as a clinic for children in 1911, and more than two million children have been treated since its founding. Today, the institution continues to provide excellent and accessible pediatric orthopaedic care as its core mission. Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital acts as a safety net of care that is unmatched in Los Angeles County, providing approximately 60,000 patient visits annually. All children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, receive timely and quality care with an emphasis on supporting the health of the whole child and the whole family.




The Luskin gift comes at a significant time for the institution. In addition to celebrating 100 years of healing and service to the community, Dr. Luck, who began at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital as a High School volunteer 52 years ago, is stepping down as President and CEO this fall, having served in this position for 23 years.

Renee and Meyer Luskin at their home in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Bob Carey

Mr. Luskin underscores the significance of both occasions when speaking about this gift. “The Hospital that we know today is more than a reflection of Dr. Luck’s incredible service to children and our community; it has been a part of his family. He has made a lifetime commitment to this institution, successfully leading it through a period of its greatest growth. It is the time not only to celebrate the quality and significance of the work being done by Dr. Luck and Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, but also to guarantee that these laudable efforts continue.”




The Luskins are also alumni of UCLA, an institution with which Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital has had a strategic alliance since 1998. The relationship between the two institutions is intended to enhance their respective capacity to lead advancements in musculoskeletal patient care, research, and education world-wide.




Speaking to the inspirational gift, Michael R. Lombardi, Chairman of the Board of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, says, "The gift from Renee and Meyer is a tremendous complement to our partnership with UCLA and our joint commitment to provide outstanding pediatric orthopaedic care to all children. With the new Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital scheduled to open at the end of this year, it could not come at a better time."

For a century, the mission of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital has been to provide outstanding care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders regardless of a family’s ability to pay and to advance care worldwide for all musculoskeletal patients through scientific research and medical education. With treatment and research locations in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Calexico, California, and with significant community partnerships, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, in alliance with UCLA Health System, is uniquely positioned as a leader in treating the full spectrum of orthopaedic needs. For additional information, visit www.OrthoHospital.org.