Steve Ullman, a Santa Clarita businessman and philanthropist, was presented with the Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon Healthcare Leadership Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the hospital’s new Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and to the Santa Clarita Valley community and beyond.

Rep. McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, presented this year’s award to Ullman during a special ceremony on Dec. 16 at the Valencia Country Club and thanked himfor his commitment to the hospital and to the SCV community.

“I take my hat off to you for what you’ve done,” McKeon said. “You help all of us by helping the hospital provide great healthcare to this community.”

In accepting the award, Ullman commended the hospital and its commitment to the well-being of the SCV community, particularly to newborns. Through a personal experience several years ago when their granddaughter was born at Henry Mayo and needed to be transferred outside the area to a NICU in the Valley, they saw the need for a NICU in the SCV. The Ullmans provided major philanthropic support to Henry Mayo’s new NICU, kicking off the fundraising campaign with a $1.5 million donation. The new, $6 million state-of-the-art facility, which features 11 private rooms and is staffed by physicians and nurses specializing in neonatal care, opened its doors in 2012.

“We’re thrilled that this service is part of Henry Mayo, and is thriving,” Ullman said. “The NICU is the reward for us, knowing that new parents can be close to home with the knowledge that their baby is in good hands.”

In addition, on behalf of Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office, Dave Perry presented Ullman with a certificate of appreciation. Andre Hollings, representing State Assemblyman Scott Wilk, also presented Ullman with a certificate. Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean was also in attendance.

“We are all the better for your extraordinary efforts; thank you,” Perry said. “The hallmark of the SCV is Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.”

Steve Ullman and his wife Kim, residents of Santa Clarita for the past 35 years, raised their son and daughter here. They have four grandchildren. Ullman spilts his time between the family business, Ullman Investments, and the family’s philanthropic foundation, Ullman Foundation. Ullman Investments, which deals primarily in real estate and cattle ranching investments, has its corporate office in Santa Clarita.

In addition to Steve and Kim Ullman’s gift to the NICU, the Ullman Foundation donated $150,000. The foundation, which is managed by Ullman and his brother and business partner George “Corky” Ullman, and their children, supports many causes focusing on youth worldwide. Henry Mayo’s NICU with its focus on the youngest of patients fits perfectly into the Ullman’s philanthropic mission of helping to promote youth wellness, Ullman said.

“We’re happy to have been instrumental in providing a NICU that helps newborns who need this type of specialized healthcare,” Ullman said. “My parents taught us the importance of philanthropy and my greatest joy is the ability to follow their example.”

Ullman and his brother were raised in a household where philanthropy was encouraged. He remembers a good friend of his father describing the three phases of money– work hard and make money, accumulate it, then when you have the means, give it away. The last phase is by the far the most satisfying at this stage of his life said Ullman, who finds himself more and more involved in his family foundation.

“I am honored and humbled by this award and our lives are so much the better for it,” Ullman said. “We helped the hospital with the bricks and mortar but it is the staff and everyone at the hospital that brought the NICU to life. They are a group of remarkable individuals who strive to make peoples’ lives better.”

“It means so much to us to have your friendship. You gave us the opportunity to come into your family and for that I thank you.”

After thanking the Ullmans for their support of the hospital and new NICU, Roger Seaver, CEO and President of Henry Mayo, announced that the Ullman Foundation would provide a five figure sponsorship to the hospital’s annual golf tournament for “forever.”

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Healthcare Leadership Award was created by Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in 2006 to honor individuals or companies who exemplify the hospital’s values and who support the mission to improve the health of our community through compassion and excellence in healthcare services.

The inaugural Healthcare Leadership Award was presented to Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon in 2006 for his consistent and demonstrated support for quality healthcare in the Santa Clarita Valley. His advocacy for federal support for trauma services and hospital expansion has been important in the progress of healthcare in the Santa Clarita Valley, as has his leadership and guidance as a past member and chairman of the Hospital Board of Directors.

Past recipients of the Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon Healthcare Leadership Award include Roberta Veloz, 2007; Gary Cusumano, 2008; Vinod Assomull, MD, 2009; Linda Hafizi, 2010; James Hicken, 2011; and John Barstis, MD, 2012. For additional information on the Award, please contact Diana Vose, President, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation at (661)200-1200.

ABOUT HENRY MAYO

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is a 238- bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Henry Mayo is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and a STEMI Receiving Center. The hospital features state-of-the-art Inpatient facilities, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Catheterization Lab, Infusion Center, Breast Imaging Center and an Outpatient Surgery Center. Additional services include cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, intensive care, neonatal intensive care, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, spine and joint, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call (661) 253-8000.