Commentary: Ginny Ueberroth gift will benefit women throughout O.C.

When Orange County businessman and former Time Magazine Man of the Year Peter Ueberroth was asked by UCLA Anderson School of Management to list his mentors, the first person he named was his wife, Ginny.

Naming her was more than a sweet gesture by a loving husband; it is a testament to how significant Ginny Ueberroth’s influence is on everyone she meets.

And now, with a generous and transformative gift of $5 million to establish an endowed chair in honor of my work as executive medical director of the Hoag Women’s Health Institute, women throughout Orange County will get a chance to benefit from her vision, intelligence and curiosity.

Naturally, I feel grateful. But what truly makes me stand in awe of the Ueberroths is that they do so much good with so much humility.

The Ueberroths, who live in Laguna Beach, have been incredible supporters of Hoag for years without ever seeking the limelight. But in this case, I can’t help but flick the switch and shine a light proudly on Ginny. Like Peter, I consider Ginny a mentor, and I credit her for making so much of what we do here possible and better.

An unassuming woman who listens deeply, Ginny’s style of philanthropy has always amazed me. Ginny and Peter both roll up their sleeves and get involved. They sit on boards, talk with workers and take the time to meet with both the deliverers of care and the recipients of the programs that the Ueberroths help to fund.

Ginny also has a keen eye for detail and asks insightful questions that reveal the kinds of pitfalls, loopholes and lack of planning that could derail even the best ideas.

I am especially excited to work with Ginny on a new center for women’s health and wellness, which is obviously a passion of mine and a natural fit for Ginny. A champion for women, Ginny has long demanded that the programs she and her husband help to fund do right by the women and children they’re meant to support.

The center will offer integrated, collaborative and comprehensive care for women of all life stages in one location. The Ueberroths’ generous gift will also help Hoag recruit top clinicians to include acupuncturists, therapists, pre- and post-natal consultants, psychologists and nutritionists, who will work alongside physicians and nurse practitioners, including OB/GYNs, to offer women the highly personalized care they crave.

Ginny and Peter wanted to help families, and they understood that keeping women healthy is one of the best ways accomplish that.

In addition to the Ueberroths’ incredible generosity, the biggest influence Ginny has had on me, and the reason I call her a mentor, is that she is the perfect role model of what a busy mother should be — available and present for her own children, even when she’s busy bettering the world for everyone else’s. “Family first” is something a lot of people talk about; Ginny lives it.

Ginny is a giving woman who improves everything in which she becomes involved. And with this gift, so aptly named, she has the potential to improve the lives of every woman in Orange County.

Thanks to the couple’s generosity and vision, we can all now list among our mentors Ginny Ueberroth.

ALLYSON BROOKS is the Ginny Ueberroth executive medical director endowed chair at the Hoag Women’s Health Institute in Newport Beach.