History-At-A-Glance

Torrance Memorial Medical Center takes its name from its founder, real estate developer, Jared Sidney Torrance, who was also the founder of the City of Torrance. Although he created the Torrance Hospital Association in 1920, Mr. Torrance died before seeing the hospital come to fruition. Mrs. Torrance fulfilled her husband's dream by opening the area's first hospital in 1925 on its original site on Engracia Avenue in what is known today as Old Downtown Torrance.

The current facility, located at 3330 Lomita Blvd., in Torrance opened in 1971. The new facility brought together two hospitals -- the 99-bed "Old" Torrance Memorial and the 96-bed Riviera Community Hospital. A nonprofit community medical center, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is governed according to its mission by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees which is made up of community members.

Today, with more than 2,500 employees, Torrance Memorial is one of the South Bay's largest employers. Its physician staff numbers over 1,000, and the volunteer corps also embraces nearly 900 members.

Below is a brief history of the evolution of Torrance Memorial.

1920s

In 1925, thanks to Helena Childs Torrance's efforts to keep her husband's dream alive, the Jared Sidney Torrance Memorial Hospital admits its first patients. During its first year, 521 patients were admitted to the hospital and 72 babies were born.

1930s

By the hospital's 10th anniversary, 10,711 patients had been treated and 1,701 babies (including 18 pairs of twins) were born.

1940s

In 1947 a 23-bed wing is built--the first major addition to the original hospital. Further expansion this year provided a total of 96 beds, all of which were immediately occupied, as Torrance Memorial was the only medical institution from Santa Monica to Long Beach rated by the American College of Surgeons as a "Class A" hospital.

1950s

Six women organize the Auxiliary in 1951.

1960s

Torrance Memorial and Riviera Community hospitals merge in 1967.

In 1968, construction crews break ground for the new hospital on Lomita Blvd.

1970s

1971 Opened 247-bed tower. Services included heart care, cancer care, gastrointestinal laboratory, general diagnostics, maternity services and emergency services.

1973 Opened the first cardiac catheterization laboratory in an area community hospital.

Burn Center established as only one in the South Bay and is today one of three regional burn centers in Los Angeles County.

1975 George Graham is appointed administrator and remains president and CEO today.

1978 Added three-story east wing.

1979 The facility's name changes to Torrance Memorial Hospital Medical Center and number of beds increases to 325.

Opened state-of-the-art Radiation Therapy Department.

1980s

1980 Received grant from National Cancer Institute to help fund free Breast Examination Training Program.

The Health Care Foundation is established, and Las Amigas is formed.

Introduced Sleep Disorders Program, the only such program available in the South Bay.

1983 Opened five-story, 78-bed north wing which features all private, single-bed rooms, and still represents the most spacious and modern medical/surgical facility in the South Bay.

1985 Opened area's first free-standing Breast Diagnostic Center.

1985 Started one of the country's first sick-child care programs, called TLC (Torrance Loves Children).

1987 Started the ADVANTAGE Program, a free network of services for people 50 and older.

1988 The medical center has 1,500 employees, 800 physicians and 400 volunteers.

1989 The facility's name changes to its current name, Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

1989 Cancer Program formed.

1990s

1990 Introduced area's first state-of-the-art biplanar cardiac imaging device in Cath Lab.

1990 Opened a 409-seat Health Conference Center.

1991 Added three-level West Wing and state-of-the-art Day Surgery Center.

1991 Opened Cancer Resource Center for cancer information and support.

1993 The medical center is selected as a "Top 100" hospital for the first time.

1994 Added 40 licensed beds for Transitional Care Unit to provide a high quality subacute care.

1997 Rebuilt power plant, adding a second generator and numerous energy efficient features, providing for complete energy self-sufficiency in case of loss of power.

1998 Opened newly renovated and expanded Emergency Department.

1998 Built state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disease.

1999 The medical center employees care for more than 21,000 inpatients and 125,000 outpatients. The medical center has 2,000 employees, 1,000 physicians and 900 volunteers.

2000

The medical center offers the latest technology, PET Scan, to aid in the detection of cancer. Work begins on a major hospital renovation.

2001 Added second MRI, Carto EP Navigator System for enhanced diagnosis and mapping of atrial fibrillation, and Multislice Lightspeed CT upgrade for greater flexibility to customize patient procedures and perform new types of exams.

2001 Offers Vertebroplasty to treat osteoporotic compression fractures that have been unresponsive to medical therapy.

2001 Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for diagnosis of breast cancer is offered at Torrance Memorial.

2001 Endocopic fundalplication, the new minimally invasive outpatient procedure for some patients with GERD. Highly skilled endoscopists from across the country have been trained for this procedure and Torrance Memorial is one of the centers to offer this procedure.

2001 New neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), providing for care for as many as 20 newborn patients. The Unit is rated Level III allowing care for critically ill infants.

2002 Mammograms are processed from the Image Checker and areas that are suspicious are marked by the computer to help the radiologist make a final interpretation. Scientific studies have shows that use of this new system helps radiologists find up to 20 percent more cancers.

2002 Added the Argon Plasma Coagulator which allows for the non-invasive coagulation of intestinal surface bleeding. Benefits include improved wound healing, no contact with delicate tissues and uninterrupted coagulation of bleeding surfaces only. Argon-enhanced coagulation is used in a wide variety of endoscopic applications and can treat diseases including Barrett's Esophagus, gastric polyps and Watermelon stomach.

2002 Rehab Work Simulator was added to Rehabilitation Services. The new simulator can replicate hundred of functional activities for work, home or sports, from gripping a pair of pliers to driving a car and is designed for use with a broad range of patients.

2002 WalkAble, Pediatric Lite Gait is designed especially for children in rehabilitation services. It provides support for pediatric patients and promotes supported standing even for those patients with very limited trunk control.

2002 Added eight new ICU beds on the 7th Floor tower for both intensive care and cardiac intensive care patients; and opened a new Progressive Care Unit which offers seven private rooms and 10 semi-private rooms for a total of 27 new beds, augmenting the 47 PCU beds currently available on the sixth floor. All beds feature advanced telemetry technology to allow constant monitoring of patients with heart arrhythmias.

2002 Additional CT Scanner.

2002 Opened a new five-level, 600 space parking structure located on the east side of the medical center.

2002 Named as Top 100 U.S. Hospital for Cardiovascular Services by Solucient in a nationwide study.

2003 Torrance Memorial Medical Center's Burn Center, founded in 1973, marks its 30th Anniversary.

2003 For the 7th year in a row, Torrance Memorial was voted South Bay's Best Medical Facility in the Daily Breeze's 2003 Readers Poll.

2003 Expansion of the Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Program and renaming it the Thelma McMillen Center for Chemical Dependency Treatment.

2003 First phase of expanded imaging capabilities at the Polak Imaging Pavilion including a PET/CT scanner and outpatient CT and ultrasound capabilities.

2004 Family Birth Center located on the Third Floor of the East Wing.

2004 Third Heart Cath Lab.

2004 Dialysis Center on the 6th Floor.

2004 Opening of the West Tower, including HealthLinks a resource center for education, resources and products.

2005 Grand Opening of the Polak Imaging Pavilion.

2005 Work begins to expand Emergency Services.

Mission & History Senior Management Ratings Community Benefit Report Managed Care Contracts Medical Groups Maps & Directions General Information Advance Directives Maps & Directions Patient Rights & Responsibilities Phone Directory Privacy Notice Registration Van Transportation Visiting Information Patient & Visitor Information ADVANTAGE Program for Adults Over 50 Cancer Resource Center Health Education Classes & Lectures DVD & Tape Ordering Medical Library Physician Education Support Groups Fitness & Exercise Speakers' Bureau Weight Loss Health Education Employment Opportunities Employment Opportunities: Physician Offices Volunteer Opportunities Student Programs Employment & Volunteering Services & Specialties Clinical Research Press Room	Related Topics History-At-A-Glance Our Values Home: General Information: Mission & History: History-At-A-Glance History-At-A-Glance Torrance Memorial Medical Center takes its name from its founder, real estate developer, Jared Sidney Torrance, who was also the founder of the City of Torrance. Although he created the Torrance Hospital Association in 1920, Mr. Torrance died before seeing the hospital come to fruition. Mrs. Torrance fulfilled her husband's dream by opening the area's first hospital in 1925 on its original site on Engracia Avenue in what is known today as Old Downtown Torrance. The current facility, located at 3330 Lomita Blvd., in Torrance opened in 1971. The new facility brought together two hospitals -- the 99-bed "Old" Torrance Memorial and the 96-bed Riviera Community Hospital. A nonprofit community medical center, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is governed according to its mission by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees which is made up of community members. Today, with more than 2,500 employees, Torrance Memorial is one of the South Bay's largest employers. Its physician staff numbers over 1,000, and the volunteer corps also embraces nearly 900 members. Below is a brief history of the evolution of Torrance Memorial. 1920s In 1925, thanks to Helena Childs Torrance's efforts to keep her husband's dream alive, the Jared Sidney Torrance Memorial Hospital admits its first patients. During its first year, 521 patients were admitted to the hospital and 72 babies were born. 1930s By the hospital's 10th anniversary, 10,711 patients had been treated and 1,701 babies (including 18 pairs of twins) were born. 1940s In 1947 a 23-bed wing is built--the first major addition to the original hospital. Further expansion this year provided a total of 96 beds, all of which were immediately occupied, as Torrance Memorial was the only medical institution from Santa Monica to Long Beach rated by the American College of Surgeons as a "Class A" hospital. 1950s Six women organize the Auxiliary in 1951. 1960s Torrance Memorial and Riviera Community hospitals merge in 1967. In 1968, construction crews break ground for the new hospital on Lomita Blvd. 1970s 1971 Opened 247-bed tower. Services included heart care, cancer care, gastrointestinal laboratory, general diagnostics, maternity services and emergency services. 1973 Opened the first cardiac catheterization laboratory in an area community hospital. Burn Center established as only one in the South Bay and is today one of three regional burn centers in Los Angeles County. 1975 George Graham is appointed administrator and remains president and CEO today. 1978 Added three-story east wing. 1979 The facility's name changes to Torrance Memorial Hospital Medical Center and number of beds increases to 325. Opened state-of-the-art Radiation Therapy Department. 1980s 1980 Received grant from National Cancer Institute to help fund free Breast Examination Training Program. The Health Care Foundation is established, and Las Amigas is formed. Introduced Sleep Disorders Program, the only such program available in the South Bay. 1983 Opened five-story, 78-bed north wing which features all private, single-bed rooms, and still represents the most spacious and modern medical/surgical facility in the South Bay. 1985 Opened area's first free-standing Breast Diagnostic Center. 1985 Started one of the country's first sick-child care programs, called TLC (Torrance Loves Children). 1987 Started the ADVANTAGE Program, a free network of services for people 50 and older. 1988 The medical center has 1,500 employees, 800 physicians and 400 volunteers. 1989 The facility's name changes to its current name, Torrance Memorial Medical Center. 1989 Cancer Program formed. 1990s 1990 Introduced area's first state-of-the-art biplanar cardiac imaging device in Cath Lab. 1990 Opened a 409-seat Health Conference Center. 1991 Added three-level West Wing and state-of-the-art Day Surgery Center. 1991 Opened Cancer Resource Center for cancer information and support. 1993 The medical center is selected as a "Top 100" hospital for the first time. 1994 Added 40 licensed beds for Transitional Care Unit to provide a high quality subacute care. 1997 Rebuilt power plant, adding a second generator and numerous energy efficient features, providing for complete energy self-sufficiency in case of loss of power. 1998 Opened newly renovated and expanded Emergency Department. 1998 Built state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disease. 1999 The medical center employees care for more than 21,000 inpatients and 125,000 outpatients. The medical center has 2,000 employees, 1,000 physicians and 900 volunteers. 2000 The medical center offers the latest technology, PET Scan, to aid in the detection of cancer. Work begins on a major hospital renovation. 2001 Added second MRI, Carto EP Navigator System for enhanced diagnosis and mapping of atrial fibrillation, and Multislice Lightspeed CT upgrade for greater flexibility to customize patient procedures and perform new types of exams. 2001 Offers Vertebroplasty to treat osteoporotic compression fractures that have been unresponsive to medical therapy. 2001 Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for diagnosis of breast cancer is offered at Torrance Memorial. 2001 Endocopic fundalplication, the new minimally invasive outpatient procedure for some patients with GERD. Highly skilled endoscopists from across the country have been trained for this procedure and Torrance Memorial is one of the centers to offer this procedure. 2001 New neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), providing for care for as many as 20 newborn patients. The Unit is rated Level III allowing care for critically ill infants. 2002 Mammograms are processed from the Image Checker and areas that are suspicious are marked by the computer to help the radiologist make a final interpretation. Scientific studies have shows that use of this new system helps radiologists find up to 20 percent more cancers. 2002 Added the Argon Plasma Coagulator which allows for the non-invasive coagulation of intestinal surface bleeding. Benefits include improved wound healing, no contact with delicate tissues and uninterrupted coagulation of bleeding surfaces only. Argon-enhanced coagulation is used in a wide variety of endoscopic applications and can treat diseases including Barrett's Esophagus, gastric polyps and Watermelon stomach. 2002 Rehab Work Simulator was added to Rehabilitation Services. The new simulator can replicate hundred of functional activities for work, home or sports, from gripping a pair of pliers to driving a car and is designed for use with a broad range of patients. 2002 WalkAble, Pediatric Lite Gait is designed especially for children in rehabilitation services. It provides support for pediatric patients and promotes supported standing even for those patients with very limited trunk control. 2002 Added eight new ICU beds on the 7th Floor tower for both intensive care and cardiac intensive care patients; and opened a new Progressive Care Unit which offers seven private rooms and 10 semi-private rooms for a total of 27 new beds, augmenting the 47 PCU beds currently available on the sixth floor. All beds feature advanced telemetry technology to allow constant monitoring of patients with heart arrhythmias. 2002 Additional CT Scanner. 2002 Opened a new five-level, 600 space parking structure located on the east side of the medical center. 2002 Named as Top 100 U.S. Hospital for Cardiovascular Services by Solucient in a nationwide study. 2003 Torrance Memorial Medical Center's Burn Center, founded in 1973, marks its 30th Anniversary. 2003 For the 7th year in a row, Torrance Memorial was voted South Bay's Best Medical Facility in the Daily Breeze's 2003 Readers Poll. 2003 Expansion of the Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Program and renaming it the Thelma McMillen Center for Chemical Dependency Treatment. 2003 First phase of expanded imaging capabilities at the Polak Imaging Pavilion including a PET/CT scanner and outpatient CT and ultrasound capabilities. 2004 Family Birth Center located on the Third Floor of the East Wing. 2004 Third Heart Cath Lab. 2004 Dialysis Center on the 6th Floor. 2004 Opening of the West Tower, including HealthLinks a resource center for education, resources and products. 2005 Grand Opening of the Polak Imaging Pavilion. 2005 Work begins to expand Emergency Services.
	3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance CA 90505 (310) 325-9110 © 1998-2006 TMMC. All Rights Reserved