MEN OF MERIT 2024
Orange Coast magazine introduces the men of in uence and merit in OC
UCI Health Men of Merit are, (from left) Doug Niedzweicki, Joe Brothman and Brad Giafaglione.
UCI HEALTH
LEADERS ARE BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE, PATIENT-FOCUSED FUTURE FOR UCI HEALTH
Since UCI Health was established nearly 50 years ago, Orange County’s only academic health system has been blazing new pathways in healthcare and the patient experience. Three UCI Health leaders are carrying that legacy forward: Joe Brothman, director of facilities and general services; Brad Giafaglione, director of experience and operations, and Doug Niedzwiecki, vice president of health system integration.
Brothman always has his eye on sustainability. He oversaw completion of the Central Utility Plant at the new UCI Health — Irvine medical complex. It will be the first all-electric plant in the nation used to heat, cool and power a hospital. This will allow UCI Health to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint. Under Brothman’s guidance, state-of-the-art infrastructure like the new power plant is infusing sustainability with the future of medicine.
Giafaglione has brought MBA-level training and 15 years of healthcare experience to his role at UCI Health, where he has made excellence and empathy a systemwide priority. Under his leadership, the organization is emphasizing patient-centered services at the new Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care opening April 30 at the Irvine medical campus. For Giafaglione, creating a high-quality, frictionless journey for each patient and their loved ones influences the design of every element at UCI Health.
As UCI Health has expanded clinical services in recent years under the guidance of Niedzwiecki, outpatient care has seen not just a rise in patient encounters but also an increase in patient satisfaction.
Niedzwiecki, who was tasked with integrating four newly-acquired medical centers from Tenet Healthcare into the UCI Health system, is leading the way in building a more comprehensive and accessible wellness network.
With the opening of the Wen Center and the addition of the hospitals and associated medical facilities in Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Los Alamitos and Placentia, these three UCI Health leaders are using their unique talents to expand access to top-quality academic healthcare, all while caring for the individual patients and the environment at large. Brothman, Giafaglione and Niedzwiecki are more than just examples of stalwart leaders, they are putting UCI Health at the forefront of medical excellence and ecological responsibility.
CASEY LESHER
Casey Lesher Group | Coldwell Banker
Casey Lesher stands as a defining figure in Corona del Mar’s real estate scene, redefining both the client experience and property valuation. His unmatched instinct and seasoned experience have navigated clients through diverse market conditions over 15 years, proving his prowess in selling properties deemed challenging by others. Lesher thrives
in creating connections for every property, finding satisfaction in overcoming sales hurdles.
Rather than speculate on market trends, Lesher relies on his sharp instincts, honed over hundreds of transactions, including in complex markets, to guide clients to successful outcomes. As Corona del Mar’s top agent for nearly ten consecutive years in sales volume and units, his reputation extends statewide and nationally, emphasizing his influence and expertise.
Although Casey continues to sell property and represent clients throughout Orange County, his commitment and dedication to Corona
del Mar is reflected in his abiding contribution of resources and personal time to organizations supporting innovation and encouragement in the community he serves. He is a longtime fixture and lead corporate sponsor of the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk; the headlining sponsor for the Corona del Mar 5K; provides ongoing aide to the local schools and next generation business leaders; and works closely with Harvesters and The Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County.
Lesher’s office in Corona del Mar, established in February 2021, houses his support staff, allowing him more time to engage directly with clients and the community. His approach to real estate is not just about transactions; it’s about building relationships and enhancing the community’s value, making him a pivotal figure in Corona del Mar’s real estate landscape.
Casey Lesher Group
MEN OF MERIT
CASEY REITZ
President & CEO
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
As President and CEO of the largest multidisciplinary nonprofit performing arts organization in Orange County, Casey Reitz stands out as a visionary leader impacting the world of theater. From successfully leading the acquisition, renovation, and reopening of Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater to receiving three Tony Award® nominations and winner of Best Musical Producer for Dear Evan Hansen, he has solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry.
Reitz joined the Center in 2019. His steadfast leadership saw the Center safely and financially secure through the pandemic. He secured American Ballet Theatre as the Official Dance Company of the Center and launched the Headliners and Speaker series. Under his leadership, the Center has become a hub for creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence, reflecting Orange County’s cultural landscape. His passion for the arts is evident in every aspect of his work, from commissioning groundbreaking productions to fostering a vibrant community of artists, students, and audiences to currently serving on PBS SoCal Board of Directors.
With Reitz’s guidance, the Center thrives as a vibrant cultural institution that enriches the lives of all who attend. A true testament to the transformative power of the arts and the importance of forward-thinking in shaping vibrant and thriving communities.
2024
DANIEL S. YANNI, MD, FAANS
Disc Comfort, Inc.
DR. YANNI BRINGS BACK PATIENTS’ COMFORT
Dr. Daniel S. Yanni, MD is the bridge between pain and comfort. The Board-Certified, Spine Fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializes in spinal surgeries, helping people get back on their feet and thrive.
“He was the hands of God working in my back,” said patient Stephen Busch, who had been told by two other physicians that he would never walk again. After a marathon 10-hour surgery, Yanni proved them wrong.
“[Busch] was an FBI agent, and he was involved [in a mission where] his spine was ripped in half,” Yanni. “Surgeons told him it would take multiple surgeries, and then render him paralyzed. No more legs. Well, I don’t know how they hunted me down. But they got him transferred to me.”
Yanni uses a variety of methods in surgery, most significantly a minimally invasive procedure involving key-hole-sized incisions that allow for a quick recovery time. He said that the majority of his clients, however, don’t end up needing surgery at all.
“Anybody with neck pain and back pain, we’re the best shot,” Yanni explained. “Because we’re incredibly conservative. I will tell you that over 80% of the patients that show up in our office do not get surgery. I will refer them out to avoid the operating room.”
His fascination with anatomy began in high school, and his concentration quickly focused on the spine. He went to UCLA for neuroscience, and he later received his medical degree from UC San Diego. His interest led to a career where he has the unique opportunity to make people feel whole again.
“I was impressed by the anatomy and the wiring in the brain and spine –how electric signals are translated into motion, sensation, memories and speech,” he recalled.
Yanni also ushers the next generation of physicians, initially by imparting his wisdom for several years as a professor at UC Irvine, and now by teaching physician assistant and medical assistant students in his private practice. He also serves as the Co-Director of Development for the Lumber Spine Research Society.
“I enjoy teaching surgeons techniques and troubleshooting, and I mentor younger, recent graduated surgeons,” he explained.
Yanni said that, ultimately, he hopes to use his talents to help patients find their own zen.
“We want happy patients,” he said. “Happy patients … that makes me happy.”
MEN OF MERIT
MICHAEL FARAH
Farah Private Wealth Management
FARAH MANAGES WEALTH WITH HEART
The namesake of Farah Private Wealth Management has built his institution into an award-winning staple of Orange County. Established in 2005, Michael Farah’s company has been featured in The Wall Street Journal as a 5-star wealth manager, has received multiple U.S. Commerce Association Awards and is regularly named as the “Best of Newport Beach.”
Before launching Farah Private Wealth Management, Michael Farah had been a powerhouse on Wall Street for 30 years. Some of his clients have stuck with him through the entirety of his career, creating generations that have benefitted from Farah’s acumen.
“We are [actually] now dealing with the fourth generation of families,” Farah said.
His half-century of experience leads a company that has first-hand expertise at tailoring portfolios to each client’s unique circumstances. With Farah, individuals can meet and exceed their retirement goals, with income, growth and dividend return squarely centered as the company’s primary objectives.
“Farah Private Wealth is a Fiduciary obligated to put its clients first,” Farah professed.
The portfolio wealth management services at Farah have no commissions to the firm itself, eliminating any conflict of interest in broker-client relationships – all of this while offering innovative private banking services.
Farah himself pays forward his success through a variety of philanthropic activities. He’s known nationally for his participation in educational programs, children’s charities and work with preserving national monuments.
Farah also managed to raise a daughter as a single father in the process, and she has followed in her father’s footsteps by giving back to the community.
“Together [we] founded the Michael and Christine Farah Family Foundation,” he said. “I’m traveling every other weekend to charitable events around the country.”
Farah also founded the American Polo Association, which is the largest charity polo group in the world.
At Farah Private Wealth Management, clients can be assured they are resting their financial future in the hands of a company that truly cares.
GREGG FEINERMAN, MD
LASIK and Cataract Surgery
DISCOVER A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: THE 20/20 VISION OF DR. GREGG FEINERMAN
Walking out of Dr. Gregg Feinerman’s office marks the beginning of seeing the world through a new lens—literally. As a dedicated ophthalmologist with a deep-rooted passion for ocular surgery, Dr. Feinerman has spent his career bringing clarity into the lives of his patients.
His journey in vision correction began as a medical student at UC Irvine, where he was captivated by the groundbreaking LASIK technology and its ability to transform vision almost instantly. “The advanced technology and remarkable recoveries attainable with LASIK fascinated me. It was clear to me then that I wanted to dedicate my career to enhancing people’s lives through vision correction surgeries,” Dr. Feinerman shared.
Specializing in LASIK for individuals aged 20-40 and recommending lens replacement for those over 50, Dr. Feinerman envisions a world where visual aids are no longer a barrier to experiencing life’s moments to the fullest. “Imagine embarking on a vacation without the hassle of glasses or contacts, or enjoying a sports game with crystal clear vision. This is the reality for patients under my care,” he stated.
His approach is tailored to each patient, offering a spectrum of procedures including LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, SMILE, and lens replacement surgery, ensuring the best possible outcome for each individual.
Among the countless success stories, Dr. Feinerman recalls restoring vision to a 96-year-old deaf and mute man who had a severe cataract in his only eye. “His family escorted him in because he could not walk without assistance. I performed his surgery successfully, which restored vision to his only seeing eye,” Feinerman related. After surgery the man could walk on his own again.
Amy C’s story stands out as particularly transformative. Born with severe nearsightedness that was far past the limits of LASIK and having faced
two retinal detachments before the age of 22, Amy found hope in Dr. Feinerman’s expertise. Opting for EVO ICL, which is an implantable lens that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism, she experienced immediate and life-changing results, achieving better than 20/20 vision. Minutes after her surgery, Amy could clearly read the street signs on the way home. The next day her vision was better than 20/20 for the first time in her life.
Beyond his practice, Dr. Feinerman extends his impact globally through medical missions in Asia, where he has changed the lives of many, including a blind elderly Vietnamese farmer who regained her independence after cataract surgery. “On the day after her surgery she entered the clinic dancing and smiling from ear to ear! When she saw me, the elderly woman smiled, danced around, and gave me a big hug,” he remembered. “The smile on her face confirmed why I pursued a career in ophthalmology.”
Dr. Feinerman performing volunteer surgery in Vietnam
ALI ELAHI, MD
DR. ELAHI BRINGS A PROGRESSIVE, MODERN, APPROACH TO NEUROLOGY AND NEUROPSYCHIATRY.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Ali Elahi has been leading the way in neurology and neuropsychiatry. Dr. Elahi believes that its time to bring new paradigm to the practice of medicine—a new approach that eliminates the ‘medication-big-pharma’ and ‘biginsurance’ dogma that has ravaged medicine and people for decades. Dr. Elahi works hard to replace the “business as usual” way of helping humankind with, instead, modern, advanced diagnostic and non-medicationbased treatments. “We really need to utilize the tremendous advances modern technology has brought in the 21st Century to medicine and move on from the age-old medicationdispensing methods.”
At NeuroSpa Brain Rejuvenation Centers Inc., Dr. Elahi practices in a way that puts the patients’ well-being first, and doesn’t
Brain Rejuvenation Centers, Inc.
just fill cabinets with unnecessary pills and prescriptions.
Dr. Elahi says he’s “always been interested in the brain and how it works.”
In the year 2000, he received his medical laurels from the University of Pittsburgh. He later founded NeuroSpa as a bastion for patients seeking scientific, evidencebased, modern technology for diagnosis and treatment of brain and spine disorders. The comfort and well-being of the individuals, precise diagnosis and treatment success remain the prerogative.
“We provide world-class diagnostics and treatments that are only available at a handful of high-profile academic institutions around the world,” Dr. Elahi explained. “We have patients travelling from all over the nation and world to undergo treatments here.”
Among the conditions his facility treats are severe depression, dementia, chronic pain, severe headaches, severe anxiety and insomnia.
“I have published papers regarding our work in changing lives, including treatment
of Alzheimer’s [disease],” he said. “We use modalities that have proven helpful via rigorous science including double-blind randomized controlled trials.”
NeuroSpa methods are not “standard.”
Instead, “advanced nuances,” as Dr. Elahi explains, translate to big successes, including through treatment options like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The list of clients who’ve benefited from Dr. Elahi’s work is endless. He recalled one patient who struggled for more than four decades with PTSD and depression. Medications didn’t work. Other treatments didn’t work. Enter Dr. Elahi and NeuroSpa.
“[They] responded very well to advanced brain stimulation strategies available at this office,” he said, allowing a long-suffering human being a new lease on life.
A neurological illness had paralyzed another young patient. With Dr. Elahi’s help, they regained the ability to walk again.
At NeuroSpa, the future is painless, and comforting miracles are within reach.
Neurospa
IVAR ROTH, DPM, MPH
Medical Expertise - with compassion
Dr. Roth is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He performs his hospital surgeries exclusively with Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Dr. Roth was the first podiatric foot and ankle surgeon on staff at Hoag hospital to have been awarded full surgical privileges in his specialty. Dr. Roth was trained by world famous foot and ankle surgeon Lowell Scott Weil, DPM in Chicago at Mount Sinai Hospital when Dr. Roth was Chief Resident. Dr. Roth enjoyed 15 years of volunteering as Medical Director of Ballet Pacifica - O.C.
Dr. Roth’s philosophy is to carefully explain his protocol before any treatment begins. Dr. Roth emphasizes conservative, non-surgical care as well as his patent pending Paincur procedure, which has the ability to turn off the pain receptors for long term relief, for all lower body pain.
With a focus on challenging cases, he is launching a Saturday clinic to address unresolved foot and ankle issues, aiming to restore mobility and comfort for his patients. Dr. Roth invites direct inquiries, underscoring his commitment to personalized care.
If you have any questions, Dr. Roth will personally take your call. 949 650-1147
Concierge Podiatry & Spa
485 East 17th Street, Suite 500 Costa Mesa 949 650-1147
conciergepodiatryspa.com paincur.com
