Memorial Medical Center Foundation announces its new president

Sharon Thornton has been named president of the nonprofit Memorial Medical Center Foundation, it announced this week.
The foundation has philanthropically supported and represented Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach for more than 50 years and raises between $7 million to $15 million annually with a team led by a 26-member board of directors, according to the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.
As president of the foundation, Thornton will oversee the fundraising activities for both hospitals, serve as the liaison between hospital administration and the board of directors and provide oversight for the development and implementation of strategy to strengthen and grow fundraising support.
Thornton has more than 22 years of experience in development and a background in law. Prior to her new role, Thornton served as the executive vice president/chief philanthropy officer for the Sun Health Foundation in Surprise, Ariz., chief development officer for the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield, Ore. and positions at the Hoag Hospital Foundation in Newport Beach and the University of California, Irvine.
From 1996 to 2000, Thornton was the director of Planned Giving at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. During her time at Saddleback Medical Center, she managed the identification of several hundred new donors and developed a marketing plan that expanded the gift pipeline, according to the foundation.
“We are looking forward to having Sharon join our foundation team,” said John Bishop, CEO of Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, in a press release this week. “Many of our programs are not reimbursed at a level that enables long-term growth. Fundraising is one way that we can support these underfunded programs to ensure that these programs are available to our community. Sharon’s experience in fundraising and leadership is a perfect fit with our goal of supporting these programs. We are happy to welcome her back to the MemorialCare family.”
Thornton echoed Bishop’s thoughts and said she is proud to return to the foundation in her new role.
“I am happy to be back with the MemorialCare family representing Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s,” Thornton said. “My goal is to build strong relationships with our donors and the community.”
Source: Memorial Medical Center Foundation