My name is Genavieve, and I recently spent four weeks at the LuskinOIC Foundation as part of the Marketing Team, exploring ways LuskinOIC could connect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games while supporting other marketing initiatives to spotlight staff and events.This experience was part of the Coro Southern California Fellows Program in Public Affairs, a full-time fellowship designed to equip emerging civic leaders with the skills to make a meaningful impact in their communities and organizations. During my time here, I gained invaluable insights into nonprofit healthcare, the inner workings of a foundation, and how to uplift children of all abilities.

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At LuskinOIC, community is part of everything we do. I saw the power of community in the eyes of our trick-or-treaters at Spooktacular, filled with wonder and excitement. I saw it at our Company Health Fair, watching doctors and interns alike enjoying smoothies and excitedly showing off their newly potted succulents.I saw it in Craig Ehrlich — LuskinOIC board chair, Coro Southern California honorary board member, Fellows Program in Public Affairs alumnus, and 2024 Coro Alumni Impact Award Honoree — who graciously invited me and the other Coro Fellows to his home for conversation and a home cooked meal.

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Community was present among our staff as we celebrated Ezra Frech’s victory in the 2024 Paralympics, and among our dedicated volunteers who spend countless hours to keep LuskinOIC moving. And of course, I see it in the generosity of our donors, who continue to make our work possible year after year so they can see the children of our community thrive.

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From pro bono care for children around the world, to supporting adaptive sports, to training the next generation of doctors—the more I learned about LuskinOIC, the more I saw this golden thread of community. Everyone in the LuskinOIC family cares so deeply about the people around them, and about making a difference for children.

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I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder at 15, and after spending my teenage years in and out of emergency rooms, I had grown cynical about the healthcare system and its exorbitant costs. I thought it was beyond fixing. But community changes the game. LuskinOIC is a place of joy and love where all patients are met with compassion and kindness.

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As I leave LuskinOIC, I take with me a profound hope for the future of healthcare and a commitment to serving my community every day. To the LuskinOIC team: thank you for inspiring me, for giving so many children a brighter future, and for showing me what’s possible when community is at the heart of everything.

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