ADVISORY…for Wednesday, October 16

–(HISPANIC PR WIRE – BUSINESS WIRE)–

“While many of the nation’s hospitals struggle to figure out how to give appropriate service to ethnically diverse patients, the East L.A. Medical Office is a blueprint of how to do it gracefully, consistently and effectively. For us, culturally responsive care is not a health trend, it’s a way of life” — Frank Meza, MD, MPH, Physician-in-Charge, East Los Angeles Medical Office

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WHAT:

East Los Angeles celebrates expansion of Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices

DATE:

Wednesday, October 16, 2002

TIME:

5 p.m. — “Taste of ELA” Reception

6 p.m. — Program

7 p.m. — Facility tour and Interviews with Dr. Meza (in English and Spanish). Also attending: Supervisor Gloria Molina and Assemblywoman Judy Chu

WHERE:

East Los Angeles Medical Offices 5119 Pomona Boulevard (60 Fwy, Atlantic Blvd., South to

Pomona Blvd.)

BACKGROUND:

The new two-story, 60,000 square-foot building is replacing the facility built in 1966 as the first Kaiser Permanente medical office in Southern California.

The original clinic served an average of 7,000 patients per month, providing non-emergency services for Kaiser Permanente members, low-income families and senior adults with Medicare, as well as health education classes to the general public.

The East LA facility is also a Kaiser Permanente Center for Excellence, specializing in the treatment of diabetes, a prevalent disease among Latinos. In addition, the Center provides medical care for children who do not qualify for state funding due to immigration status, as part of the Kaiser Cares for Kids, Plan 2, pilot program.

“TASTE OF ELA” VISUALS:

— Artwork by Self-Help Graphics is displayed in waiting areas.

— Mediterranean-style building designed by Taylor & Associates Architects and landscaped by local firm, Barrio Planners.

— Food from Tamayos, La Serenata de Garibaldi, El Tepeyac, and El Gallo Bakery, along with local crafts.

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–30–MW/la* JAP/la

CONTACT:

Kaiser Permanente, Southern California News Bureau

Roberta Tinajero, 323/783-4496 Pager: 323/341-2297