Crystal Ball to Honor Sherry and Shone Wang at 2018 Gala
For two decades, Sherry and Shone Wang have graciously given their time, energy and philanthropy to USC Arcadia Hospital while always trying to avoid the spotlight.
Working behind the scenes – and sometimes reluctantly sharing in the spotlight – the Wangs’ contributions are numerous. Sherry and Shone helped cofound USC Arcadia Hospital’s Annual Community Health Fair aimed at serving the Asian population, while also participating in many Hospital and Foundation committees. In 2016, Sherry even served as Chair of the USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation. In addition, the couple has always supported the Foundation’s annual Crystal Ball and Mardi Gras fund raising events during the past decade.
This fall, the Wang’s will be honored for their dedication and service as the honorees of Crystal Ball.
“When we were first approached to be the honorees at Crystal Ball, we were appreciative but we declined,” says Sherry. “We don’t do all of these things for recognition. We participate so we can help our hospital and our community.”
Though the Wang’s prefer to work inconspicuously, with a little convincing they agreed to be the honorees for the 29th annual Crystal Ball to be held Saturday, October 6th at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Last year, Crystal Ball raised $591,000 for Women’s Health Services at the hospital. Proceeds from this year’s Crystal Ball will support endovascular services and interventional radiology at USC Arcadia Hospital to meet the increasing need of stroke patients who require immediate neuro-intervention, as well as patients with vascular disorders in need of intervention and who are best served in a minimally-invasive setting. The hospital initiated its interventional radiology program in 2016 with the recruitment of Dr. K.C. Tan, one of just a few physicians in the country who is trained in both neuro-interventional and vascular interventional radiology.
"In January 2018, USC Arcadia Hospital was designated by Los Angeles County EMS as one of 17 Comprehensive Stroke Centers across the entire county, increasing our volume of ambulance deliveries and stretching the capacity of our interventional suites," says Dan Ausman, President and CEO, USC Arcadia Hospital. "In order to meet the growing demand for endovascular intervention, we intend to expand our ability to provide essential, minimally-invasive procedures that produce optimal outcomes for patients."
Our endovascular services, including comprehensive stroke care, have enabled USC Arcadia Hospital to achieve many successes and reach many milestones during the past few years, including accreditation by the Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. In addition, USC Arcadia Hospital's commitment to providing quality care according to evidence-based guidelines has earned the hospital major recognition from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
In their role as Crystal Ball honorees, Sherry and Shone will lead the Stroke Program fundraising efforts at this event. “We feel a responsibility to serve the hospital,” says Shone. “When the hospital calls, we answer. Our role as the honorees is just one part of the overall team effort involved in making the Crystal Ball a successful event. “
Sadly, the Wangs’ connection to USC Arcadia Hospital initially emerged out of tragic circumstances when in 1997 their 8-year-old son, Jesse, collapsed at school. He was taken by ambulance to USC Arcadia Hospital where he died of undetermined causes. Sherry and Shone still can recall every detail of their experience and speak highly of the hospital staff’s sensitivity and care for their family during this devastating time in their lives.
Two decades later, you can still see the pain in their hearts over their loss, but the family has persevered. Sherry & Shone’s middle son Jeremiah is now a medical student at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, and youngest son Cameron is a senior at Arcadia High School. Both sons speak three languages fluently—English, Spanish and Mandarin—which comes in handy when they volunteer with their parents at health fairs sponsored by the hospital. Sherry and Shone founded the hospital’s Community Health Fair in 2001 in honor of Jesse’s memory and eventually, with their friends from Hsi Lai Temple, moved the health fair into the USC Arcadia Hospital in 2004. The family volunteers their time working at the event each year. The project is hosted jointly with the leadership and volunteer efforts of the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.
The couple has always been supportive of activities throughout Arcadia, and it was a member of the City Council who initially encouraged them to volunteer at the hospital.
“I was volunteering on community events when Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic encouraged me to get more involved with USC Arcadia Hospital,” Sherry says. “Through our friendship with Dr. Andrew Lee and his wife, Ulanda, I was asked to serve on the hospital’s Bioethics Committee as a community representative to the group.”
Sherry explains the committee explores a variety of topics all centered on the efficacy of medicine and providing improved patient care at the hospital.
“All of the decisions made are founded on the welfare of our patients. Great people create a great hospital, and that’s what I truly believe about USC Arcadia Hospital,” Sherry says. She continues to serve on the Bioethics Committee and spearheaded development of educational training for hospital staff to better understand the needs and cultural differences when treating patients from the Chinese community.
Dr. Lee praises Sherry’s efforts as part of the committee. “Sherry is an amazing, warm person and has a personality that conveys a sense of caring with everyone she meets,” says Dr. Lee. “She is selfless and truly lacks ego, which is a rare trait.”
Former mayor Gary Kovacic is genuinely appreciative for all of their contributions to the community.
“Sherry and Shone have worked hard to bridge the gap between new and long-term residents, and improve a sense of community in Arcadia,” says Gary. “Their dedicated support of USC Arcadia Hospital is constant and consistent. They realize the important role the hospital plays in our community, and are always willing to help.”
Sherry has participated on the Hospital Foundation Board since 2008 while holding numerous leadership roles along the way. In the past, she has co-chaired the hospital’s Mardi Gras event which has raised over $600,000 for the Hospital during her tenure. In addition, she has served on the Foundation’s Partners in Health Committee.
“Sherry and Shone have been loyal and generous donors through the years and we are so grateful for everything they have helped make possible,” says Michael Driebe, President of the USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation. “Sherry is a tremendous advocate for USC Arcadia Hospital, working quietly behind the scenes to share the hospital’s story and build connections with the community we serve. She has been especially helpful in reaching out to the Chinese community here in the San Gabriel Valley.”
The Wangs are looking forward to Crystal Ball this fall, but they remain humble and even mildly uncomfortable with the attention being generated.
“We never sought or expected to be honored or recognized for our efforts,” says Sherry. “We are just doing what we all should be doing in our own way. Service is in everyone’s blood, we just have to show it.”