Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has received a generous $10 million gift from the Wyss Foundation to expand and enhance its pediatric orthopedic care services. This funding will not only continue supporting the Hansjörg Wyss Orthopedic Trauma Initiative but also enable CHLA to bring orthopedic services to its Santa Monica Specialty Care Center—bringing specialized care closer to families on the Westside and in the South Bay.
The Wyss Foundation has been a committed partner of CHLA since 2020, when it established the Hansjörg Wyss Orthopedic Trauma Initiative. This program significantly improved access to trauma-related orthopedic care, allowing CHLA—the only freestanding Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in Los Angeles County—to offer 24/7 emergency coverage through on-call orthopedic specialists. The foundation’s continued investment builds on these advancements, with the latest gift allocated for expanding clinical space, upgrading equipment, and recruiting new specialists.
Paul S. Viviano, CEO of CHLA, emphasized the transformative impact of the Wyss Foundation’s support, noting that the initial gift in 2020 allowed the hospital to double the number of trauma-related orthopedic patients treated while also reducing wait times. The most recent donation, he said, will strengthen this momentum and extend CHLA’s mission of delivering timely, expert care to more children.
The Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA is one of the nation’s leading pediatric orthopedic programs, caring for half of all pediatric complex orthopedic cases in L.A. County. With over 40,000 patient visits annually at CHLA’s Sunset campus and regional specialty care centers, that number is expected to grow as new services are added in Santa Monica with support from the Wyss Foundation.
Molly McUsic, President of the Wyss Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting CHLA’s work, particularly in underserved communities. She highlighted CHLA’s vital role in providing world-class, compassionate care for vulnerable children—an ongoing priority for the foundation.
Since its initial support began, the Wyss Foundation has been instrumental in helping CHLA address the rising demand for pediatric orthopedic services. Its founder, Hansjörg Wyss, is known for his contributions to medical technology, and the foundation’s philanthropy reflects that legacy through its support of innovative and urgent care solutions.
CHLA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Alexandra Carter, expressed deep gratitude for the Wyss Foundation’s continued partnership. She emphasized that, as demand grows, the foundation’s support ensures more children and families receive critical, life-changing care at the moments they need it most.
