2000 Honoree of The Mathies Award: Dr. Allen & Weta Mathies
Dr. Allen & Weta Mathies
Named for and in honor of their dedicated service to health and mental healthcare, VNA-LA, and to Partners, we salute this dynamic couple:
Allen W. Mathies, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Huntington Memorial Hospital Dean Emeritus, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Throughout his distinguished 39 year career in health care, Dr. Allen Mathies has sought continual improvement in patient care, first as a physician and researcher and then with increasing responsibilities in medical education and health care administration.
After graduation from Colorado College with a B.A. in Zoology, Dr. Mathies proudly served as a U.S. Army Laboratory Technician in a U.S. Army Hospital from 1953-1955. He then earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in Parasitology from Columbia University. Dr. Mathies received his M.D. degree cum laude from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in 196.
Dr. Mathies began his medical career in Los Angeles with his internship and residency at the Los Angeles County General Hospital. He joined the faculty of the University of Southern California School of Medicine, progressing through the years to Professor of Pediatrics. He served as Dean of the School of Medicine for 11 years. Dr. Mathies also served as Head Physician of the Communicable Disease Service and Senior Attending Physician at Los Angeles County Hospital as well as a member of the professional staff of Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.
Dr. Mathies was named President and CEO of Huntington Memorial Hospital in 1985. In 1993, he became President and CEO of Southern California Health Systems and President Emeritus of Huntington Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1995.
Author of more than 70 publications in medical and scientific journals, Dr. Mathies is the recipient of numerous honors and awards: most recently, the Pasadena Distinguished Community Leadership Award from the Anti-Defamation League, Pacific Southwest Region, and the Louis T. Benezet Award for Distinguished Achievement from Colorado College.
In addition to his professional board service with the Audio Digest Foundation, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Huntington Medical Foundation, Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, and the U.S.C. School of Medicine, Dr. Mathies extends his concerns into the community.
Dr. Mathies' extensive background and leadership skills led to his appointment as a director of community organizations, including: CARES Advisory Council, Occidental College Board of Trustees, American Red Cross, Los Angeles Chapter and Southern California Blood Region, Visiting Nurse Association of Los Angeles and the VNA Foundation (now Partners in Care Foundation). Over the course of his career, he has served as board member, committee head and chair of nearly 30 professional and community organizations.
Dr. Mathies is a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Society, the California Medical Association, as well as numerous other medical societies and is currently a consultant with the Licensing Division of the Medical Board of California.
Dr. Mathies chaired the VNA-LA in challenging times and led it to a safe landing. He co-chaired the founding Board of Partners
Weta Mathies
Lewise Austin Mathies, but much better known as Weta, has been an active community leader in Southern California for 37 years, reflecting a keen interest in furthering the cause for many diverse cultural, social service and health care organizations.
She is currently a member of two support groups of Childrens Hospital: Las Madrinas and Pasadena Guild, and is an active committee member of several major organizations. She serves as Chair of Development Committee for the Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA Board, and serves on the Community Advisory Committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
Her tradition of community leadership began in 1968 with the Las Hermanitas Guild of Childrens Hospital where she served as Benefit Chair and President. Since that time, she has served as President or Chair of: the Medical Faculty Wives, U.S.C School of Medicine, CARES (Auxiliary of the Los Angeles County/U.S.C. Medical Center), Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Country Medical Auxiliary, District 2, and Pacific Clinics (Pasadena Guidance Clinic).
Mrs. Mathies has also contributed her time by serving on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Dispensary of Huntington Memorial Hospital, the All Saints Episcopal Church Child Care Center and the President's Committee of Huntington Memorial Hospital. She was a VIP Hostess, Track and Field Los Angeles Coliseum for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games in 1984.
After receiving her B.S. from Colorado College in 1955, she and Dr. Allen W. Mathies were married in 1956. Making their home in South Pasadena since 1967, Weta, and Allen are parents of two sons, William and John, and proud grandparents of Amanda and Riley.
