Beverly
Hargreaves Billey
While working for Paul Dodd, dean of UCLA
College of Letters and Science, the time came for 1954 UCLA
alumna Beverly Hargreaves Billey to undergo surgery to correct a
heart defect. Without it, the future Mrs. Billey’s chances of
having children or of living past 40 were dismal.
“In 1955, Dean Dodd arranged for me to
meet with the newly opened medical center’s
Dr. William P. Longmire, then chairman of the Department
of Surgery, and Dr. Rodney Smith, the chief resident surgeon at
the time. Under Dr. Longmire’s supervision, Dr. Smith
successfully repaired my heart and here I am today, a mother of
three grown children and grandmother of two.
“I felt very proud to be one of the
Medical Center’s first patients; and, although I was scared, I
had great confidence in the University and the kind of
professionals working there,” remembers Mrs. Billey.
Mrs.
Billey also fondly recalls that during recuperation from surgery
and the incision that spanned from her front to the middle of
her back, visitors, especially the guys, would regale her with
hilarious jokes, causing eruptions of painful – and almost
literal – side-splitting laughter. Not wanting to jeopardize
her healing, the hospital banned male visitors from her room;
so, when Dean Dodd wanted to visit, he had to send his wife
instead!
VIDEO:
50th Celebration [Windows
Media - Real
Media]
Brian
Hinsley
Brian Hinsley is a 44 year old and a
firefighter-paramedic for the County of Los Angeles Fire
Department. Over
fourteen years ago, Brian was diagnosed with a terminal liver
disease. With the
relentless support from his wife and his faith, he battled the
disease until he received a liver transplant at the age of 40.
After waiting nearly two years for a liver
transplant, Brian's life was saved when an anonymous donor gave
him the gift of life: a new, healthy liver. UCLA surgeon Dr. Ronald
Busuttil performed his liver transplant at UCLA Medical
Center. Brian returned from near death to a productive,
happy life as a fireman. He's back to work and saving the
lives of others.
Brian has become an enthusiastic
spokesperson, raising awareness to others about the importance
of organ donation.
He volunteers many hours to this effort.
Brian is actively participating in organizations such as One
Legacy, UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and as chairperson
for region 5 Patient Affairs Committee.
Brian, his wife and daughter were featured in an
Emmy winning documentary “No Greater Love”
that promotes organ donor awareness.
VIDEO:
No Greater Love [Windows
Media - Real
Media]
Joan
Neiman
“I was born on July 29, 1955. My dad and
others have told me that I was the first girl born at UCLA
Medical Center."
Joan
Neiman, born at UCLA Medical Center
“UCLA opened in 1955 when Joanie was
born, and I’ve had four others born there since. The
obstetrics and gynecology department was very, very, very good.
In fact all the departments were staffed with excellent people.
Many had been recruited from places back east such as Harvard
Medical School and Johns Hopkins. The initial crew was very
skilled and very talented and set a very high standard for
others to reach.”
Joseph
Carrabino, Ph.D., Joan Neiman’s father and UCLA emeritus professor of business
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Beverly
Hargreaves Billey
Brian
Hinsley
Joan
Neiman
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