SANTA MONICA, CA (October 25, 2015) – The Irene Dunne Guild co-hosted the 2015 Caritas Gala in partnership with the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation board of trustees October 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The black-tie event honored Wendy Goldstein, executive vice president and head of urban A&R at Republic Records; civic leader Raylene and husband Bruce Meyer, president, Meyer Pacific; and philanthropist Merle Mullin and husband Peter Mullin, co-founder and chairman of the board of M Financial Holdings and chairman of Mullin │ Barens │ Sanford Financial.  The evening featured a special performance by DNCE which is fronted by Joe Jonas, with JinJoo, Cole Whittle and Jack Lawless.

Gala Dinner Chairs were Abbott L. Brown, Donna and David Elmore, S.H. Ho Foundation, Darcie Denkert Notkin and Shelby Notkin and Dominic Ornato.

Gala Chair Judy Beck and Dr. John Robertson, Chairman of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Board of Trustees welcomed the more than 450 guests.  Beck enumerated the work of The Irene Dunne Guild, “supporting Saint John’s Health Center for 27 years with human and financial resources raising critical funds …supporting Saint John’s Emergency Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Units, the Child and Family Development Center and much more.”

Dr. Robertson thanked the honorees and gala guests as “those who give back to their community because they are compelled by a compassion for others and an honest desire to strengthen their community.”  He then welcomed Marcel Loh, Chief Executive of Saint John’s Health Center. 

“In 2015,” Loh said, “Saint John’s Health Center was cited as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals, marking the ninth straight year the Health Center has earned this distinction,”  leading him to announce the Center’s new branding campaign, “A place you can believe in. 

Dr. Lawrence Piro, President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, presented the 2015 Caritas Award to Wendy Goldstein, executive vice president and head of urban A&R at Republic Records. Goldstein’s focus has cultivated and bolstered the label’s presence within the urban realm. In 2013, she collaborated with Ariana Grande on the conception and release of her full-length debut, Yours Truly, which debuted #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and yielded the #1 double-platinum smash, The Way. Under her tenure, Republic Records signed Bay Area hip-hop sensation Sage the Gemini, soul crooner Adrian Marcel and super producer DJ Mustard. In addition, she handled artist & repertoire duties for Enrique Iglesias, Mika and Colbie Caillat among others. A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists including Ariana Grande, Black Sabbath, Florence + the Machine, Godsmack, Gotye, James Blake, Of Monsters and Men, Owl City, The Weeknd and Hailee Steinfeld

 Donna Tuttle presented The 2015 Spirit of Saint John’s Awards to Bruce and Raylene Meyer and Peter and Merle Mullin for their inspirational service to Providence Saint John’s Health Center and its mission. Bruce Meyer is president and founder of the family real estate investment company, Meyer Pacific, Inc. He presided over the Beverly Hills landmark retailer GEARYS for 35 years which remains in the family and is run by his nephew, Tom Blumenthal. Bruce is a long-time collector of vintage automobiles, historic race cars, and motorcycles and is actively involved in the Petersen Automotive Museum where he served as the first chairman of the board and still remains on its board today. He is a past president of the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation.

Raylene Meyer shares in her husband’s passion for family, philanthropy and automobiles.  Active with the Los Angeles Music Center, she is a member of the Blue Ribbon and chairs the organization’s 2016 Children’s Festival as well as past president and a current member of the Symphonians. A member of the Junior League of Los Angeles, Raylene has also served on the board of The Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Art Museum and is a member of the board of The Diadames of the Child Care League.  A long-time supporter of Children’s Hospital, she has served on the boards of their affiliate groups, Las Madrinas and Children’s Chain.

Peter Mullin is co-founder and chairman of the board of M Financial Holdings Incorporated and chairman of Mullin │ Barens │ Sanford Financial, an independent executive benefits and solutions provider and member of M Financial Group. He serves on the board of the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, the Art Center College of Design, Guggenheim Foundation Advisory Board and Occidental College. He is also chairman of the Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation, chairman of the Peterson Automotive Museum and president of the American Bugatti Club.

Merle Mullin holds several board positions including the National Trust of Italy (FAI), the Blue Ribbon of the Music Center of Los Angeles, Diadames, and the Board of Visitors, UC Davis School of Viticulture and Enology. She is a fellow of the Huntington Gardens and Library and director of the Mullin Automotive Museum. The Mullins are proprietors of Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma, where they produce outstanding, highly rated pinot noir, syrah, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.

The Caritas Gala is co-hosted each year by the Irene Dunne Guild in partnership with the Saint John’s Foundation board of trustees to honor individuals who exemplify dedication and commitment to the community and embody the philosophy and mission of Providence Saint John’s. Net proceeds from the gala benefit vital programs and services at the Health Center. Since 1987, the guild has raised more than $11 million and has supported Providence Saint John’s through a wide variety of innovative philanthropic, educational and volunteer programs and services. The guild was named for the late actress Irene Dunne, considered the “First Lady” of Providence Saint John’s.

Past Caritas Gala honorees include Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Martin Sheen, Vin Scully, Robert Wagner, Angela Lansbury, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards, Chris O’Donnell, David and Yolanda Foster, Tonian Hohberg, and Jimmy Stewart.