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Dr. Ozzie Statue Unveiled at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

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Dr. Ozzie Statue Unveiled at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children
News

News

Dr. Ozzie Statue Unveiled at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

2025-02-20 01:08 Last Updated At:01:21

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 19, 2025--

Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children ( LuskinOIC ) is excited to announce the installation of Dr. Ozzie, a 10-foot, permanent statue honoring its beloved mascot, Ozzie the Dragon. This new campus landmark celebrates Ozzie’s enduring legacy of care, strength, and healing for pediatric patients and their families.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250219667290/en/

Since his creation in 2014, Ozzie the friendly dragon has been a fixture at LuskinOIC, spreading cheer, high-fiving kids, and making special appearances at events. Inspired by a red dragon on the playground, Ozzie was designed by Dan Madden, Advisory Council member, to represent playfulness, resilience, and LuskinOIC’s mission of advancing health equity for every child in Los Angeles and beyond. Ozzie’s presence has since become a symbol of hope and comfort for children undergoing treatment.

“Dr. Ozzie’s statue, complete with signature lab coat and stethoscope will ensure Ozzie’s impact will be felt for generations to come,” said LuskinOIC Vice President Michael Sullivan. “His presence reflects our commitment to making every child feel safe, supported, and cared for throughout their medical journey.”

The statue beautifully captures Ozzie’s warm spirit and unwavering advocacy for accessible healthcare while serving as a source of comfort and encouragement to patients and their families. Whether welcoming visitors at LuskinOIC’s entrance or providing a beloved photo opportunity, the statue will stand as a beacon of resilience and joy.

Follow Dr. Ozzie’s adventures on social media @LuskinOIC

About Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC)

Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children was founded in 1911 as Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and today is the largest pediatric orthopaedic facility on the West Coast focused solely on musculoskeletal conditions in children. In alliance with UCLA Health and with the support of the LuskinOIC Foundation, we advance pediatric orthopaedics worldwide through outstanding patient care, medical education, and research. Our locations in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Calexico treat the full spectrum of pediatric orthopaedic disorders and injuries. For more information please visit luskinoic.org.

Dr. Ozzie and LuskinOIC Vice President Michael Sullivan (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Ozzie and LuskinOIC Vice President Michael Sullivan (Photo: Business Wire)

A Ukrainian drone strike killed one person and wounded three others in the Russian city of Voronezh, local officials said Sunday.

A young woman died overnight in a hospital intensive care unit after debris from a drone fell on a house during the attack on Saturday, regional Gov. Alexander Gusev said on Telegram.

Three other people were wounded and more than 10 apartment buildings, private houses and a high school were damaged, he said, adding that air defenses shot down 17 drones over Voronezh. The city is home to just over 1 million people and lies some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The attack came the day after Russia bombarded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight into Friday, killing at least four people in the capital Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.

For only the second time in the nearly four-year war, Russia used a powerful new hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine in a clear warning to Kyiv and NATO.

The intense barrage and the launch of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile followed reports of major progress in talks between Ukraine and its allies on how to defend the country from further aggression by Moscow if a U.S.-led peace deal is struck.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday in his nightly address that Ukrainian negotiators “continue to communicate with the American side.”

Chief negotiator Rustem Umerov was in contact with U.S. partners Saturday, he said.

Separately, Ukraine’s General Staff said Russia targeted Ukraine with 154 drones overnight into Sunday and 125 were shot down.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP)

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, listens to British Defense Secretary John Healey during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, listens to British Defense Secretary John Healey during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

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