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Visionary donors go “behind the scenes” to see the impact of their giving

In a remarkable display of unwavering dedication, longtime donors Wo Kong Kwok, Ph.D., and Olga Denton-Kwok have once again assisted the hospital in acquiring advanced technology.

The Globus ExcelsiusGPS® Interbody System, funded by philanthropy, brings new robotic capabilities to our physicians to conduct minimally invasive procedures for spine surgery. The family’s gift to establish the Wo Kong Kwok, Ph.D., and Olga Denton-Kwok Neurosciences Innovation and Implementation Fund has helped finance this advance, offering many benefits to patients and surgeons. Their steadfast support not only fuels the growth of Providence St. Jude Medical Center’s Neurosciences Institute but also solidifies its status as a leading institution.

Globus Medical, the market leader in robotic solutions for spine surgery and developer of the ExcelsiusGPS platform, recently designated Providence St. Jude as the state’s only Premier Center. With only a handful across the nation, this recognition identifies the hospital as an observation and training site for the state-of-the-art robotic platform.

In gratitude, the couple was treated to a “behind the scenes” experience in the surgery suite. “We gave them a live demonstration of what the tech can do,” says Bowen Jiang, M.D., Providence St. Jude neurosurgeon. “Our generous donors allow us to build our nationally renowned robotic spine program. I was honored to show them how this technology is transforming the lives of so many here in Orange County.”

Legacy of extraordinary generosity

This gift is the latest in a long history of giving to benefit the community. In 2017, Dr. Kwok’s $2 million gift established the Wo Kong Kwok and Tzu-Wen Kwok Clinical Capacity Endowment Fund.  In recognition, the medical center named the Tzu-Wen Kwok Diagnostic Imaging Center in honor of his late wife.

The family’s history of support includes the Wo Kong Kwok, Ph.D., and Olga Denton-Kwok Neurosciences Innovation and Implementation Fund, one of the first named funds created at Providence St. Jude. They also made a significant matching gift for the 30th Anniversary of A Walk Among the Stars Fashion Show & Gala to generate support for 3D mammography.

Additional gifts through the years have supported technological innovation, such as da Vinci Xi robot, palliative care, emergency preparedness/response and various areas where the need was greatest.

“The impact on patient care made by Dr. and Mrs. Kwok is tremendous,” says Dub Drees, chief philanthropy officer. “Their support has ignited a wave of inspiration for others to rally behind the hospital’s mission. They’ve touched nearly every area of Providence St. Jude with their generosity, and we are grateful beyond measure.”