Stories of giving

Mitchell and Lisa Fuerst, simply put, make the world a better place. Individually successful, together they become a powerhouse and a force for good. Both smart, ambitious and dynamic leaders, Mitchell and Lisa have earned the titles of president and vice president, respectively. Both determined, they exhibit strengths derived from very different backgrounds.

Mitchell
Born, raised and educated in West Covina, Mitchell sustains a noteworthy passion for the San Gabriel Valley. As president of North-West College, a system of allied health colleges with ten campuses throughout Southern California, Mitchell learned about philanthropy from his mother Marsha, who founded the college in 1966. The college has been an integral part of the community for decades, and Mitchell is committed to preserving his mother’s legacy. The beloved San Gabriel Valley philanthropist, Vince Capitano, also served as a mentor and is the reason Mitchell found his way as a volunteer on the Emanate Health Foundation Board.

As the demands on Mitchell’s time increased, he passed the torch to Lisa and feels she is right for the times: “As a Hispanic businesswoman in the Southern California health care industry, Lisa knows the hospitals’ service area. She brings her entrepreneurial spirit to her leadership role of Emanate Health Foundation. We are involved because Emanate Health is important to us. We simply want people to have access to quality health care in our community.” Both Mitchell and Lisa understand the increasingly important role philanthropy plays in health care, both in providing access and keeping up with the costs of advancing technology.

Lisa
Lisa, current Emanate Health Foundation Board chairwoman, remembers a childhood where health care was a luxury. Her mother, a proud woman with an incredible work ethic, struggled daily to provide a home for her family. When the family could no longer afford their home, Lisa went to live with her grandmother, who eventually doled out silver dollars from her precious collection in order for Lisa to have gas money to travel to and from North-West College as a student. Many years later, by serendipity, Lisa met Mitchell and they later married.

After graduation, Lisa became an entrepreneur, built a successful medical billing company, and eventually became North-West College’s vice president. She feels strengthened by her past and appreciates the life she has with Mitchell and their two teenagers, Matthew and Farrah. Lisa’s gratitude heightens her desire to give back: “I am very proud to be a part of the Emanate Health family, including the Foundation Board. I want to have an impact.”

Their Legacy of Giving
As chairwoman of the 2018 Gala, Lisa knew that a successful and fun gala could re-engage the community in support for Emanate Health. With this goal in mind, the Fuerst family stepped up with the lead gift of “the ask”—the evening’s special appeal benefiting a new emergency department at Queen of the Valley Hospital. Lisa explains, “Mitchell and I understand that in order for more people to have access to quality health care in their community, we need to have a bigger and better emergency department at Queen of the Valley Hospital.”

The Fuersts knew it was the right time to deepen their legacy of giving. As Emanate Health continues its momentum as the dominant health care provider in the San Gabriel Valley, Mitchell and Lisa hope their gift will encourage many others to do the same.

“We are involved because Emanate Health is important to us. We simply want people to have access to quality health care in our community.”
Mitchell Fuerst, North-West College president

“I am very proud to be a part of the Emanate Health family, including the Foundation Board. I want to have an impact.”
Lisa Fuerst, Emanate Health Foundation board chairwoman