Sum T. Tran, MD
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Flame of Life Burns Bright in SCV1
By Margie Anne Clark
Dr. Sum Tran with Todd Donoho accept Flame of Life Award.
The Flame of Life volunteers honored local plastic surgeon Dr. Sum Tran and radio personality Todd Donoho at Robinson Ranch on August 16, 2002, at the seventh annual Flame of Life Dinner and Awards Program. Keeping the light of life burning was the message of the evening. We in the Santa Clarita Valley are fortunate to have a trauma center located in our own back yard.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Trauma Services, one of 10 such services in Los Angeles County that provides progressive lifesaving services in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“It is better to light a candle than to strive in the darkness. I am but one in the system,” said Tran as he accepted his honor. “It gives me the utmost satisfaction to know that I can be of help to someone when they are in their most dire need. It is the most precious gift I can share in the community,” he said.
Tran’s rise to excellence in the medical field came after he moved to the U.S. from Vietnam, after completing his medical training in his homeland. He continued his medical studies in the U.S. and since that time, Tran has continued to treat severe trauma victims and has successfully salvaged or repaired a severed or near amputated appendage.
Millie Jones, senior deputy for Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, lauded Donoho for his work on behalf of The Flame of Life organization.
“It is rare for an individual to attain real celebrity status,” Jones said, adding that Donoho has been very generous in making his talents and name available to make a difference in the community.
Within the community, Donoho is often seen promoting and helping at several local nonprofits events. He is currently the host of ESPN Radio 1110 AM “The Todd Donoho Show,” after recently serving as sports anchor on Fox Sport Net and KABC Channel 7 News.
“I am one of hundreds who give of their time – there are so many dedicated volunteers and I applaud all of you,” Donoho said. “I am not a doctor and I don’t save lives. I am just a sportscaster who volunteers along side of you and I thank you for this,” he added.
Florence Ravitz, president of the board of Flame of Life Volunteers, introduced all of the Flame of Life Volunteers to the guests while lauding their efforts on behalf of the community.
Diana Vose, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation, introduced trauma patient Michelle Haase who gave a moving account of the importance of the HMNMH Trauma Center.
“I am here today as good as new. They’ve given me a second chance and I want to say thank you,” Haase said.
Roger Seaver, president and CEO of HMNMH, spoke about the workings of the trauma system while emphasizing the benefits of having a trauma center (one of 10 trauma centers in the county) located in Santa Clarita. “The trauma center deserves your support,” Seaver said.
Ravitz summed up the sentiment of the evening when she said, “The trauma team a Newhall Memorial provides lifesaving services to rekindle the flame of life and keep it burning for all of us,” she said.
Source: The Signal, August 2002.