PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Marie S.Torres, Ph.D. |
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Sr. V.P. Government Relations |
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AltaMed Health Services |
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(323) 725-8751 |
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AltaMed Advocates for Humane Immigration Policies,
Provides Medical Services at Downtown LA March
LOS ANGELES (May 1, 2006) – As a symbol of solidarity in support of the “Day Without an Immigrant” March and the plight of millions of hardworking immigrants in the United States, AltaMed Health Services Corporation is recognizing a Day of Advocacy today by its concerns about immigration policies to federal elected officials and providing medical services on site during the march in Downtown Los Angeles.
“AltaMed requests that humane immigration reform include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” said Castulo de la Rocha, J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of AltaMed. “Everyone, regardless of their national origin or legal residency, has the right to workplace protections and civil liberties, and organizations that provide humanitarian services must be protected from criminal prosecution.”
Founded as the East Los Angeles Barrio Free Clinic in 1969 by volunteer Chicano leaders, AltaMed has a longstanding history of serving immigrants in East Los Angeles and surrounding communities. The organization today is the largest community health center in the State of California yet remains dedicated to serving minority and economically disadvantaged patients of all levels by providing community access to health and dental care, youth programs and HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Serving more than 35,000 patients in medically underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County, AltaMed continues to live its mission of helping multiethnic and Latino populations access vitally needed health care.
“Reducing barriers and providing culturally competent care is our responsibility. We cannot abandon our mission and will stand proud to deliver services to individuals in need as we have done for more than 37 years” said de la Rocha. “Our roots in the East Los Angeles community and our unwavering convictions require us to take a moral stand on this issue.”
De la Rocha and several other AltaMed executives are meeting with federal officials to express their concerns about immigration policies and advocate for reforms. In addition, AltaMed is providing a mobile medical unit and team to assist at a first aid station in Downtown Los Angeles throughout the “Day Without an Immigrant” March.
ABOUT ALTAMED HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION
AltaMed is among five of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the United States. Community Health Centers are not required to be accredited; but AltaMed has three JCAHO accreditations in ambulatory care, home health and behavioral health, which validate its standard of providing excellent quality of care.
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Contact:
Patricia Suarez (323) 578-5022 cell
AltaMed Health Services Corp.
psuarez@altamed.org
World-Renowned Artist Helps Seniors
Over 90 Leave Their Mark
Nonagenarians help conceptualize
mural for AltaMed Health Services and receive special recognition
at event hosted by Senior BuenaCare
LOS ANGELES (November 30, 2005) – A group
of seniors over 90 years old today preserved their legacy for
years to come by helping to design a special mural with one
of Mexico’s most beloved artists, Raúl Anguiano
(also 90). The special activity was part of a nonagenarian celebration
hosted by AltaMed Health Services Corporation to recognize the
eldest seniors receiving care through its Senior BuenaCare,
Program All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), one of the
nation’s most innovative all-inclusive medical and social
services programs for the elderly.
“The seniors who participate in the Senior BuenaCare
program are very special to AltaMed,” said Castulo de
la Rocha, president and chief executive officer. “The
elderly are a connection to the past, giving cultures and communities
their roots.”
Joined by 100 friends, family and staff members, AtlaMed presented
the first-ever “AltaSilver Legacy Recognition” to
more than 20 nonagenarians, ranging in age from 99 to 90, who
are enrolled in the Senior BuenaCare program as part of a recognition
program to honor participants. The event was held at the Senior
BuenaCare Center, located at 5425 E. Pomona Boulevard in East
Los Angeles.
“The intent of the AltaSilver Legacy Recognition is to
pay tribute to the lives of our participants. We are honored
to serve our seniors and it is our goal to help them live with
dignity for the rest of their lives”, said Sophia Guel-Valenzuela,
program director and assistant vice president.
As an honored guest of the event, Anguiano worked with the
seniors to conceptualize the design for a mural by swapping
stories of the past and sharing memories with them during the
awards recognition presentation. Anguiano sketched out a mural
design featuring the honorees and illustrations of their experiences,
traditions and memories. The mural will be placed on a wall
at AltaMed Health Services.
Anguiano has painted murals for the A. Carrillo School in Mexico
City and National Museum of Anthropology, among others. Included
in the “Third Generation” of post-revolutionary
painters, Anguiano’s work radiates with flavors of the
Mexican people and its ethnic roots.
“It is a pleasure to share my knowledge to help this
group express themselves through art,” said Anguiano.
“Each person’s story tells the strength and spirit
of this community.
“The Senior BuenaCare Center has made me feel at home,”
said Elena Moreno, who turns 99 on December 19 and was among
those honored today. “I am comfortable and am being cared
for by staff that love me and communicate effectively with me.”
Moreno was born in Jalisco, Mexico. Her favorite childhood
memory is helping her parents sell tomatoes and other products
from their farm. Moreno has participated in the Senior BuenaCare
program since 1998. Other seniors who were honored at the event
include:
• Adelaida Alvarez, 97 – Alvarez was born in Zacatecas,
Mexico. She said the most significant invention of her lifetime
was the radio. Her husband purchased a radio from an American
citizen and they were able to hear the news, music and the weather
forecast. Alvarez said that her greatest accomplishment was
coming to the United States in 1979 with her daughters. Alvarez
said that she enjoys getting out of her house and coming to
the Senior BuenaCare center. She said that she enjoys socializing
with people similar to her age and heritage. She also enjoys
the services that AltaMed provides, and she likes her provider.
• Justa Arechiga, 93 – Arechiga was born on July
6, 1912. She has been enrolled in the Senior BuenaCare program
since June 2003.
• Joe Dorado, 93 – Dorado is a lifelong resident
of Los Angeles; he was born here on February 16, 1912. He said
that the greatest invention he witnessed was the jet plane.
He is very proud of having worked in the construction industry
for 50 years. Dorado said that the AltaMed Senior BuenaCare
program provides him with a lot of help and that he really appreciates
everything that the program offers.
• Henry Esparza, 92 – Esparza was born in El Paso,
Texas. He believes that the greatest invention of his lifetime
has been the computer because it has the ability to store “so
much work into files” and has the ability to communicate
with others around the world in a matter of seconds via the
Internet. Esparza said that his family was very poor and the
only thing that helped him forget about his problems was boxing,
which became his outlet when he was a young man. He considers
raising his five children to be his greatest accomplishment.
Esparza is very happy in the Senior BuenaCare program because
he is able to get out of his house where he lives alone. Esparza
said that he enjoys socializing with others from his generation
and he no longer feels socially isolated.
• Aristeo Espinoza, 98 – Espinoza considers his
most significant accomplishment in his life was that he had
11 children. He said that his life is more comfortable now that
he is in the Senior BuenaCare program, as he has first-hand
access to his doctor and medications, which he did not have
prior to enrolling into the program.
• Nemesia Espinoza, 96 – Espinoza was raised on
a ranch and fondly recalls playing with her dolls and helping
her friend sew. She considers her most significant accomplishment
to be when she became a mom for the first time to her first
baby girl. She said that her life has been happier since joining
the Senior BuenaCare program. She finds it much more entertaining
to spend her day with other participants than at home by herself.
• Crescenciana Fragoso, 95 – Fragoso said that
her favorite childhood memories are when her mother combed her
hair and jumping rope with her friends. Fragoso thinks that
her life has been much happier and she has more friends since
joining the Senior BuenaCare program.
• Marco Garcia, 92 – Garcia said that his family
was very poor when he was young. He finished first grade and
later became a policeman, which Garcia considers to be his greatest
accomplishment. Garcia said that he is very thankful to AltaMed
for the Senior BuenaCare services such as medications, meals,
and medical services. He expressed his appreciation to the Senior
BuenaCare staff, particularly the Director.
• Maria V. Gonzalez, 91 – Gonzalez was born in
El Salvador. She remembers that most of her time as a child
and young adult was spent cooking with her mother. Gonzalez
said that she loves the AltaMed program and enjoys the activities
at the center.
• Maria Hale, 90 – Hale was born on August 2, 1915.
She has been enrolled in the Senior BuenaCare program since
February 2000.
• Georgina Holland, 92 – Holland fondly remembers
her first television and being able to see what was going on
around the world. She considers her most significant accomplishment
to be raising three children essentially on her own.
• Lydia Lopez, 94 – Lopez’ favorite childhood
memories are when she was cared for by her “nana”
while her parents worked in the family restaurant. Lopez said
that her most significant accomplishment in life is being a
businesswoman throughout her entire life. She said that her
life changed when she joined AltaMed. Prior to coming to the
Senior BuenaCare center, she said she was not doing anything
at home and was bored and lonely. She said, “I found a
lot of friends, a lot of respect, and a lot of love” by
joining the Senior BuenaCare program. “I am happy here,
completely happy and proud to be at this table.”
• Victoria Lopez, 91 – Lopez celebrated her 91st
birthday on November 27. She has been enrolled in the Senior
BuenaCare program since June 2004.
• Apolinaria Melendrez, 90 – The greatest invention
that Melendrez witnessed was the radio but says that only people
with money could afford one. Her favorite childhood memory is
when she played games with her brothers and sisters. Melendrez
said that her life has changed since joining the Senior BuenaCare
program, as she is more sociable now and enjoys the activities
at the center. She said she cannot imagine her life without
AltaMed.
• Cirila Padilla, 93 – Padilla has participated
in the Senior BuenaCare program since July 2005.
• Vicente Paiz, 91 – Paiz’ favorite childhood
memories are swimming in the Montawa river in Guatemala and
playing soccer. He was an army captain, electrician, plumber,
shoe maker/repair – a jack-of-all-trades. Paiz enjoys
Senior BuenaCare and says that joining AltaMed made a big change
in his life because “he has a lot of services now than
before.”
• Ruperta Pleitez, 94 – Pleitez said the record
player is the greatest invention of her lifetime. She remembers
hearing a record player for the first time at the age of six
and thinking that the music was coming from people inside the
record player. Her favorite childhood memory is when the mailman
used to ride a donkey to deliver the mail. Pleitez said that
she likes socializing at the Senior BuenaCare center and is
very thankful for the services she receives through the program.
• Marcelina Reyes, 95 – Reyes recalls buying the
family’s first radio when her son turned 17 years old.
She also remembers when the family mule’s leg was injured,
which her family believed was punishment by God on her father
for working on Holy Friday. She said that her life has changed
tremendously since joining the AltaMed Senior BuenaCare program.
Prior to coming to the center, she said that she was lonely
at home and slept all the time. Now she feels happy and loves
the attention and help extended to her when she is at the center.
• Hortencia Trolia, 90 – Trolia was born in Sonora,
Mexico. She was seven the first time she heard a phonograph.
She loved listening to ballads, tangos and other old music.
Singing is her favorite childhood memory. Trolia said that joining
AltaMed has made her more active and sociable, and she is very
happy to be in the program. She said that she likes the treatment
she receives from the staff members and is very satisfied with
the program.
• Elvira Villalobos, 92 – Ms. Villalobos said that
the greatest invention she witnessed in her life was the record
player. She was able to hear her favorite Rancheras and Cowboy/Country
music. She considers her most significant accomplishment in
her life to be when she learned to speak English and completed
elementary and junior high school in the United States. Ms.
Villalobos enjoys participating in activities such as arts and
crafts at the Senior BuenaCare center.
• Magdalena Velasquez, 92 – Velasquez recalled
that she was very poor and grew up on a farm. She said that
she is blessed by God and likes the Senior BuenaCare program
very much. She said that nothing can compare to AltaMed.
• Guadalupe Weekly, 93 – Ms. Weekly is a former
actress and singer. She began acting in a theatre in Mexico
at 19 years old. Her favorite childhood memories are singing
in her church chorus every Sunday, and she also laughingly remembers
falling off a horse.
• Catherine Yturriaga, 90 – Ms Yturriaga was born
in Vernon City, California. Her favorite childhood memories
are riding the horses, feeding their livestock and maintaining
the family farm. Ms. Yturriaga’s daughter stated that
prior to joining AltaMed, her mother was having a hard time
adjusting to her medical condition, never smiled, and was always
irritated and angry. She said the family felt that Ms. Yturriaga
was a burden and did not know how to care for her on a daily
basis. Upon enrolling in Senior BuenaCare, Ms. Yturriaga’s
daughter said she became easier for the family to handle and
has made progress with her medical condition. Ms. Yturriaga
enjoys the center activities and states that she loves the program.
For enrollment information, contact AltaMed Senior BuenaCare
at (323) 728-0411.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm, For the hearing
impaired, call the California Relay Operator 1-800-735-2922
ABOUT ALTAMED HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION
AltaMed Health Services, a private nonprofit organization,
is a major provider of health and human services in the Greater
Los Angeles area and one of the largest Federally Community
Health Center (FQHC) in the State of California. The mission
of AltaMed is to provide high quality, coordinated, comprehensive
health and human services to the underserved in Southern California,
with particular attention to Latino and multi-ethnic populations.
AltaMed began as the East Los Angeles Barrio Free Clinic in
1969, a volunteer-staff storefront providing basic medical services.
Today AltaMed’s services area extends beyond East Los
Angeles, to the immediately surrounding and contiguous Greater
East Los Angeles area.
AltaMed Senior BuenaCare/ PACE has operated since 1998. PACE
is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) and the State Department of Health Services. The facility
recently received re-accreditation from the Joint Commission
on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Senior BuenaCare is designed to provide complete access to
medical, social, nutritional and rehabilitative services through
one comprehensive program. An integral component is the interdisciplinary
team. An interdisciplinary team that includes a physician, social
worker, registered nurse, rehabilitation therapist and other
health professionals provide for total care for participants.
PACE includes such services as Primary Medical and Specialty
Care, Prescription Medications, Basic Dental Care, Adult Day
Health Care, and much more. PACE also provides relief to caregivers
and provides peace-of-mind that the participant is receiving
quality care.
To participate in PACE, participants must be 55 years or older,
live in the designated PACE service area and be certified as
eligible for nursing home care by the Department of Health Services.
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