CHOC named as a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report

Image courtesy of CHOC Mar182024 December 9, 2024 Related Bristol one step closer to final Santa Ana city council approval for mixed-use project Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has been recognized as a 2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The pediatric healthcare system ranked in eight specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, neonatology, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, urology, and behavioral health, a new survey specialty comprised of mental health, adolescent medicine and neurodevelopmental services. According to U.S. News, the rankings assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them. “U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Children’s Hospitals evaluation empowers parents and caregivers with a data-driven guide to help them find the best pediatric hospital to treat their child,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 108 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists. “At CHOC, we’re dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality care that helps ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients,” says Emma Sandhu, vice president and chief quality & patient safety officer, CHOC. “Our teams across our healthcare system take the trust families place in us very seriously and are steadfast in their commitment to advancing the health and well-being of children.” In addition to the U.S. News honor, CHOC has earned a host of accolades for its care. Most recently, CHOC was named to two lists of best hospitals by Newsweek, one recognizing hospitals’ excellence in specialized care and the other noting hospitals’ work in implementing medical technologies. CHOC also attained Magnet recognition for the fourth time, a testament to its ongoing commitment to nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. Last year, it became one of only eight children’s hospitals in the United States to be named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization known as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. CHOC’s asthma program was once again honored with the Gold Seal of Approval® for Pediatric Asthma Certification from The Joint Commission, in addition to other recognitions bestowed upon various specialties across the healthcare system. “It’s inspiring to witness CHOC’s commitment to excellence in every aspect of care and across our various healthcare settings. Our researchers, medical staff and employees collaborate with each other and with our patients and families to deliver safe, high-quality care and optimal outcomes to give children their best chance to enjoy happy, healthy lives,” says Sandip Godambe, MD, PhD, MBA, chief medical officer and senior vice president, medical affairs, CHOC.

OCBC Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Honorees

Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Honorees 2025 Honorees Launched in 2010, Orange County Business Council’s groundbreaking awards program, Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet, has become a model program implemented by cities across the country. The awards honor outstanding local agencies, programs and public-private partnerships that cut through red tape and encourage jobs and economic growth in Orange County. The 14th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Award winners have been announced! Below are the 2025 Winners and Honorable Mentions for each of the three award categories. The 14th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Award honorees will be announced live at OCBC’s 2025 Annual Dinner and Installation of the Board of Directors on February 27, 2025, in Anaheim. 2025 Honorees Announced soon Economic Development

OCBC Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Nominees

Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Nominees 2025 Nominees Launched in 2010, Orange County Business Council’s groundbreaking awards program, Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet, has become a model program implemented by cities across the country. The awards honor outstanding local agencies, programs and public-private partnerships that cut through red tape and encourage jobs and economic growth in Orange County. The 14th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Award honorees will be announced live at OCBC’s 2025 Annual Dinner and Installation of the Board of Directors on February 27, 2025, in Anaheim. Below are the 2025 nominees for each of the three award categories. Below are the 2025 nominees for each of the three award categories. 2025 Nominees Announced Soon Economic Development

Concordia University Irvine names new Dean for School of Business & Economics

Photo courtesy of Concordia University Irvine Mar182024 November 25, 2024 Related Bristol one step closer to final Santa Ana city council approval for mixed-use project After a national search, Concordia University Irvine announced on October 17 that Karl Hoenecke, MBA ’14, as Dean for the School of Business and Economics. Hoenecke has served as Assistant Dean and Interim Dean at Concordia since 2022. Prior to that, he taught for seven years as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business and Economics. “I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of Dean George Wright, who had a significant impact on the School of Business and Economics,” says Hoenecke. “I am excited for the School’s future and to build on the School’s solid foundation. It’s an honor to serve our students, alumni, business community, and our many constituents in Orange County.” Hoenecke brings decades of insights and connections from diverse business sectors. He also brings a broad view to business roles and responsibilities, having held positions from management trainee to president. Hoenecke holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia. “Concordia is blessed to have Professor Karl Hoenecke as the new Dean of the School of Business and Economics,” says Provost and Senior Vice President Scott Ashmon. “Karl has a love of learning and wide ranging practical wisdom to bring to this leadership role. His faith, business acumen, and desire to collaborate will shape a vision for the school that is faithful to the mission of university and relevant for the needs of the business community in Orange County and beyond.” In addition to academia, Hoenecke’s career path included management positions at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Great Clips, Inc., and Starbucks before working as the Vice President of Business Development for TeamLogic IT and most recently as the Director of Sales and Operations for sports and location-based event company GZ6G Technologies. His wealth of professional and instructional experience will enhance Concordia’s School of Business and Economics.

OCBC/CSUF 31st Annual Economic Forecast Conference Sponsor Opportunities

OCBC/CSUF 31st Annual Economic Forecast Conference Sponsor Opportunities Thursday, October 30, 2025 Hyatt Regency Irvine Additional Event Details Sponsor opportunities Coming Soon Thank you sponsors! Title Sponsor VIP Reception Sponsor Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Gold Sponsors Kaiser Permanente PNC Bank SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Corporate Sponsor Disneyland Resort For more information Lauren Martin Director of EventsOrange County Business [email protected]

OCBC 2025 First Responders Dinner Sponsor Opportunities

OCBC 2025 First Responders Dinner Sponsor Opportunities Thursday, September 18, 2025 The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel Additional Event Details Sponsor opportunities Coming Soon Thank you sponsors! Title Sponsor Luncheon Sponsor Legislative Sponsors Delegate Sponsors Metropolitan Water District SoCalGas For more information Lauren Martin Director of EventsOrange County Business [email protected]

OCBC 2025 Health Care Forum Sponsor Opportunities

OCBC 2025 Health Care Forum Sponsor Opportunities Tuesday, May 6, 2025 REGISTRATION: 8 a.m. | BREAKFAST & PROGRAM: 8:30 a.m. | ADJOURN: 10:30 a.m. The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel MEMBER TICKET: $115 | NON-MEMBER TICKET: $150 Sponsor opportunities Coming Soon Additional Event Details Deadline for ad inclusion and sponsor recognition in the printed event program is Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Director of Events, at [email protected]. Thank you sponsors! Title Sponsor Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Kaiser Permanente ACC-OC CalCPA Orange County Long Beach Chapter First Pacific Bank Goodwill of Orange County Haskell & White LSA Associates, Inc Michael Baker International PNC Bank RevHub OC UCI Chief Executive Roundtable Corporate Sponsors For more information Lauren Martin, Director of EventsOrange County Business [email protected]

Workforce Committee Meeting

November 13, 2024 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
2 Park Plaza, Suite 125, Irvine, CA 92614
Comprised of leaders in business, academia, and government, the Workforce Committee meets throughout the course of the year to discuss a variety of issues relating to career readiness in Orange County. Contact Jesse Ben-Ron for meeting details.