Insights and perspective on the new ed
Elisa Anhalt, MD, is a Southern California native whose career reflects both compassion and determination. After graduating from Mount St. Mary’s University, she pursued medicine at UCLA, completing her degree, residency and service as chief resident. A board-certified emergency physician, Dr. Anhalt has been caring for patients in Torrance Memorial’s emergency department since 1999 and served as chief of the ED from 2015 to 2018.
Dr. Anhalt’s commitment to service extends beyond the hospital. She has held leadership roles with the Lunada Bay Elementary and Palos Verdes Intermediate PTAs, the Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club and the Peninsula Chapter of National Charity League. Married with two children, she values time with family and friends, traveling and skiing.
A founding physician member of the Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance, Dr. Anhalt joined the Ambassadors in 2020. She has become a strong supporter of Torrance Memorial fundraising efforts—whether attending the Fashion Show with ED colleagues or opening her home for a Chef Sam dinner with staff. She looks forward to the Holiday Festival each year as a signature celebration of philanthropy.
For Dr. Anhalt, being an Ambassador member means advancing innovative, accessible health programs that strengthen the South Bay community.
What does the emergency department expansion mean for the South Bay community?
Our current emergency department has served the community well, but we have outgrown its capacity. The increasing demand for emergency services has highlighted the need for a larger, more modern space to accommodate our patients and staff effectively. The new, state-of-the-art facility will provide expanded treatment areas, enhanced privacy and a more comfortable environment for patients and their families. With this additional space and advanced design, we will be better equipped to deliver timely, compassionate and high-quality care to everyone who turns to us in their moment of need.
How will the new space be different for physicians, nurses, staff, patients and families?
The open design of the new emergency department will foster collaboration, communication and efficiency among staff and physicians. By providing clear lines of sight across key patient care areas, clinicians will be able to monitor patients more effectively and respond swiftly to changes in their condition. The layout will promote teamwork by allowing staff to share information easily and coordinate care in real time. Centralized workstations and strategically placed support areas will reduce unnecessary movement and streamline access to essential resources, enabling physicians and nurses to focus more time on direct patient care. This thoughtful, open configuration will enhance both operational flow and the overall quality of care delivered to our patients.
Why Ambassadors?
It is truly remarkable how deeply our community supports Torrance Memorial Medical Center. The fact that the emergency department expansion will be fully funded through community contributions is a powerful reflection of that commitment. I am profoundly proud to have spent my entire career at Torrance Memorial, working alongside dedicated colleagues who share a passion for excellence in patient care. As we continue to grow and serve, I am honored to give back through annual giving in the Ambassador Program—supporting the hospital that has given me so much and ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from its outstanding care.
