Left: (From left) Bob Clearmountain, Betty Bennett and Bennett’s daughter Alexandra Jackson with their dog. Center: Betty Bennett (left) with Dr. Brandon Koretz. Right: Johnese Spisso (left) and Betty Bennett. Photos: Jessie Cowan
On November 20, 2019, family and friends of Betty Bennett and Bob Clearmountain, along with UCLA faculty members, gathered at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica to celebrate the opening of the Dolores Bennett Shade Garden in memory of Bennett’s late mother Dolores and the philanthropy of Bennett and Clearmountain.
The generosity of Bennett and Clearmountain will provide support for multiple areas and services at UCLA, including the UCLA Division of Geriatrics and Dr. Brandon Koretz (RES ’99, FEL ’00), division co-chief and James and Carol Collins Chair in Geriatric Medicine; UCLA People-Animal Connection (PAC), UCLA Health’s animal-assisted therapy program that provides more than 12,000 patient visits per year; and No One Dies Alone, a hospital program that ensures compassion and reassurance for patients as they pass. It also will fund the UCLA Health President’s Fund for Greatest Needs, which provides care for UCLA’s neediest patients.
“The Dolores Bennett Shade Garden is a peaceful respite for everyone at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica,” said Johnese Spisso, president of UCLA Health, CEO of the UCLA Hospital System and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences, in her opening remarks. “It is named in loving memory of Betty’s mother, and we are grateful for the vital support of our patient-care programs from Betty Bennett and her husband Bob Clearmountain. We are delighted to celebrate their support while honoring Dolores's legacy of kindness.”
Dr. Koretz shared his heartfelt memories about Dolores, as well as, Betty and Bob, and he thanked the couple for their support of UCLA Geriatrics. Bennett then spoke and, together with Clearmountain, unveiled the memorial plaque in the garden.
“Our family is grateful to UCLA for its caring approach to patients and families,” said Bennett. “From Dr. Koretz’s warmth in leading the geriatrics program to the canine companionship of the PAC dogs, kindness is key. I know my mom would be happy knowing there’s a garden in her memory at the hospital that patients, visitors and staff can enjoy always.”
For more information, contact Ellen Haddigan-Durgun at: 310-206-3878
