LOS ANGELES, CA, September 10, 2014—University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO) will honor businessman and cancer research advocate Barry Hoeven, University of Southern California (USC) Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Garrett, and philanthropist Lynda Oschin at its fifth gala dinner on Friday, September 12, 2014, at The Beverly Hilton. The evening will raise funds for the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM). Michael Feinstein will provide entertainment and Phillip Palmer, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor, will emcee.
The USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center will be part of the Keck School of Medicine at USC and will focus on both basic and applied research to identify the causes of, improve upon existing treatments for, and—ultimately—find a cure for all forms of kidney disease.
At the gala, UKRO will present its award for Outstanding Achievement in Business and Industry to Barry Hoeven, founder and chairman of Westport Properties, Inc., and US Storage Centers, Inc. Hoeven is a cancer survivor and also founded Kure It Cancer Research. “Barry’s amazing ability to balance his achievements in the business world with his serious medical challenges is an inspiration to everyone afflicted with multiple health issues, including kidney disease,” said UKRO President Kenneth Kleinberg. “Even from a hospital bed, he never stops raising money to fight kidney cancer. His indomitable spirit is truly remarkable and we are proud to recognize him on this occasion.”
USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Garrett will receive UKRO’s award for Extraordinary Achievement in Academic Leadership. As the university’s second-ranking officer, Garrett is responsible for a sustained effort to hire cutting-edge faculty members, particularly in the fields of the neurosciences, the humanities, and the social sciences. She has shown great dedication to invigorating the research capabilities and environment of the university. “Provost Elizabeth Garrett has a tireless commitment to building the University of Southern California and to elevating its position in the pantheon of top American universities,” Kleinberg noted, “not least through the school’s strategy of recruiting world-class talent for all academic and scientific disciplines. Together with USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen Puliafito, M.D., Ed Crandall, M.D., Ph.D., the Kenneth T. Norris Chair of Medicine, Hastings Foundation Professor in Medicine and chair, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine and Vito Campese, M.D., Professor of Medicine and chief, Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, Garrett has strongly supported UKRO’s efforts to make kidney disease a true center of excellence at the Keck School of Medicine, and for this we and all who battle kidney disease are grateful beyond words.”
Lynda Oschin, wife of the late Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist Samuel Oschin, is being honored for transformative philanthropy. She will be given UKRO’s Spirit of Life Award for guiding the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation in making contributions that reflect the interests of her husband, the needs of the community, and her wish to inspire children to explore the wonders of the universe. “Lynda Oschin’s leadership of the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation represents the very best of enlightened philanthropy,” Kleinberg said. “The foundation’s transformational gifts include the establishment of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and Outpatient Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, the renovation of the Griffith Observatory —in recognition of Lynda’s late husband’s love of astronomy—and its enormous contribution to the California Science Center that brought the Space Shuttle Endeavour to Los Angeles. Lynda is a wonderful woman with a huge heart. The citizens of our city, region, and entire country are the beneficiaries of this significant record of selfless charitable giving to benefit public health and the advancement of science and education.”
For event and ticket information concerning the UKRO gala, contact Mann Productions at 323-314-7000 or Mann@MannProductions.net.