Medical Stabilization Program for Patients with Eating Disorders

Torrance Memorial Medical Center's Medical Stabilization Program for Patients with Eating Disorders was developed to complement and enhance recovery from medical complications related to an eating disorder. If you are medically unstable, you may require one or more weeks of hospital care. Our interdisciplinary treatment team will help you use this time constructively and help you begin to address the feelings, thoughts, personal relationships, and behaviors that are contributing to your illness. In addition to physician visits and nursing support, we offer individual psychotherapy, family therapy, and nutrition education to patients and their families. If you have been referred by a residential or intensive outpatient program, we will be happy to keep them informed as you progress, ensuring a smooth transition when you are ready to be discharged. If you have not made arrangements beyond entering the hospital, we will help you and your family to select a treatment setting that is right for you.

The Medical Stabilization Program is designed to help:

Adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13 and 28 with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related disorders.
Patients who are not eligible for admission to a residential or intensive outpatient treatment program because of low weight, abnormal laboratory findings or other medical concern.
People with eating disorders who become medically unstable at home or in a treatment setting.

"Thank you for saving me and my life. Most of all, thank you for never giving up on me, even when I gave up on myself."
Kathleen G., age 21

"Thank you for bringing our daughter back to us."
Mr. and Mrs. S., parents of Lori, age 18

"Our daughter's experience at Torrance Memorial was a breakthrough in her recovery from anorexia nervosa."
Mr. and Mrs. F., parents of Allison, age 17

Comprehensive Medical Treatment

Complete physical examination and laboratory testing.
Individualized medical treatment plan including vitamin and mineral supplements.
Daily medical visits with our adolescent/young adult medicine specialist.
Cardio-respiratory monitoring.
Nutritional needs assessment.
One-to-one supervision of meals and snacks.

Hospital Program Highlights

Comprehensive, multidisciplinary eating disorders treatment for teens and young adults.
Compassionate nursing staff experienced in the care of eating disorders patients.
Comprehensive discharge planning.
Accredited by the Joint Commission.

Specialized Services
(available as recommended)

Consultation with our pediatric/adolescent psychiatrist.
Family therapy and individual therapy with an eating disorders expert.
Private sessions with our dietitian.
Chemical dependency assessment and referral.
Therapeutic meals.
Private gentle yoga.
Individual psychotherapy two to three times per week with a Ph.D.-level psychologist.

Treatment Team Program Leader
Linda E. Schack, M.D.

Dr. Schack has been treating teenagers and young adults with eating disorders for more than 15 years. She is one of only a handful of adolescent medicine specialists in the country who treats teens and young adults exclusively in private practice. Dr. Schack has overseen the care of patients with eating disorders in residential, hospital and outpatient settings. She is a member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, the Academy for Eating Disorders and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Schack is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics Sub-board of Adolescent Medicine.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Torrance Memorial Medical Center continuously ranks first in the South Bay in overall quality and for having the best doctors and nurses (National Research Corporation consumer study). In addition, Torrance Memorial has been consistently recognized as the "South Bay's Best Hospital" in the Daily Breeze newspaper readers' poll. With 401 inpatient beds and associated facilities, Torrance Memorial is an innovative nonprofit hospital in the South Bay/Peninsula community. Since its founding in 1925, the hospital has earned its reputation for meeting the area's need for high quality and advanced healthcare services.

Contact Us

For more information about Torrance Memorial's Medical Stabilization Program for Patients with Eating Disorders, call 310-325-4353. Click here for Financial Information . Click here for FAQs .