The 25th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest benefitting the Emergency Department at Methodist Hospital of Southern California will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25 at Sirona’s Restaurant in Santa Anita Park. Presented by the Methodist Hospital Foundation, the popular event will be once again be filled with great fun, prizes, and entertainment.

Mardi Gras will feature gourmet foods from more than 30 of the San Gabriel Valley’s most popular restaurants, as well as offering libations, a festive parade, crazy costumes, live music, an exciting silent auction, and mysterious raffle boxes all for a great cause. The event also includes dancing to the ’80z All-Stars live band, and the traditional Mardi Gras parade. More than 900 guests attended last year’s celebration benefitting the Methodist Hospital Cancer Program.

Funds raised at Mardi Gras this year will be used for the purchase of a CT Scanner dedicated to serving patients in the hospital’s Emergency Department, which will enable hospital staff to treat heart and stroke patients even faster. A computed tomography scan, better known as a CT scan, is a diagnostic test using powerful X-rays to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

“Our ability to provide state-of-the-art care has earned Methodist Hospital major recognition from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association as a center of excellence for both cardiac care and stroke care,” says Hospital President and CEO Dan Ausman. “We extend sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our donors for supporting our hospital over the years and we’re hopeful the community will support us once again at Mardi Gras. We also share our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our doctors, nurses and staff for their dedication to providing high quality, compassionate care to our patients every day.”

For his 30 years of dedication and service to the hospital and the San Gabriel Valley community, Emergency Medicine Specialist Jacob Fakoory, MD, will be honored as the King of Mardi Gras 2020.

“When I was first asked if I wanted to be the King of Mardi Gras, I just said that I’m not into that sort of thing. It’s just not me,” Dr. Fakoory says. “But if being the King of Mardi Gras benefits the ED program, then I’m all for it.”

Though he may not want the fanfare or attention, Dr. Fakoory is an extremely well-known person in our community. During his three decades with Methodist Hospital, Dr. Fakoory has treated more than 100,000 patients – enough to more than fill the Rose Bowl. In fact, it’s equal to the total number of patients treated in the ED over two full years.

During his 30-year tenure with the hospital which has included serving as Medical Director since 2006, Dr. Fakoory has seen many changes.

“The designation of Methodist Hospital as a comprehensive stroke center in 2018 is a huge accomplishment,” he says. Methodist Hospital holds a Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from independent rating agency DNV GL and is designated by Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services as one of only 18 comprehensive stroke centers serving the region. The hospital is also designated as a heart attack (STEMI) receiving center.

“I may be biased but our standards and care are just as good as the big centers,” Dr. Fakoory says. “Plus it’s such a huge benefit to people that if you’re having a stroke, we have the steps in place to quickly assess and treat patients that gives patients an excellent chance at getting back to a normal life.”

“Everything in an emergency situation is time sensitive,” says Dr. Fakoory. “With funds raised at Mardi Gras this year for the purchase of a CT Scanner dedicated to our Emergency Department, we will save up to 30 minutes when diagnosing patients, enabling us to treat patients even faster.”

To learn more about Mardi Gras Food Fest, please go to: www.mardigrasfoodfest.com. For advanced reservations or additional information call Methodist Hospital Foundation at (626) 898-8888 or email: mardigras@methodisthospital.org.

Media Contact: Brian Greene, Methodist Hospital

Cell: 626-354-1484

Email: Brian.Greene@methodisthospital.org

Mardi Gras King Jacob Fakoory, MD

From Left: Emergency Medicine specialist Phong X. Ngo, MD, Clinical Supervisor Vanessa Woo, RN, Emergency Services Executive Director Carlos McCormack and Emergency Medicine specialist Jacob Fakoory, MD.

Emergency Medicine specialist Jacob Fakoory, MD with Emergency Department staff members.