
DIRECTOR’S DESK CHRISTINA R. GHALY, MD
This month’s edition of The Pulse recognizes that May is a month full of celebrations! In addition to being Melanoma Awareness Month, May is also Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Month. We also celebrated Nurses Month and Hospital Week, giving much deserved recognition to the hard working teams that serve so many of our patients.
I want to take a moment to address the Supreme Court’s possible decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. The leaked draft majority opinion would effectively end the Supreme Court’s protection of access to abortion before the point of fetal viability and subsequent placement of any determination of abortion policy onto the people’s elected representatives in the legislative branch.
As we do with all medical needs, the LA Health Services will continue to fulfill our responsibility as a provider and will continue to offer the full scope of medical services, including access to safe abortion, to which individuals are legally entitled. In that context, I do not anticipate that the Supreme Court’s ruling, if it is indeed finalized in a similar manner to the leaked draft, will have any impact on the reproductive health services that women are eligible to receive in California or in LA Health Services specifically.
Please remember that regardless of our personal views on the Court’s ultimate decision, we are all a valued part of LA Health Services and we each play a vital role in delivering care to the patients and communities we serve. It is my sincere hope that we not let an issue that so destructively divides our nation stoke division within LA Health Services . I know many physicians and individuals who work in healthcare who have very different opinions about this issue, however they do not differ in their compassion or their commitment to our mission and the populations we serve. We will continue to work together in advancing the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care to anyone and everyone in need.
As the number of Covid-19 positive cases continue to rise yet again, it is important to get vaccinated and boosted and to take preventive measures to avoid potentially adverse health outcomes. Booster shots are now available for those over 50 years old as well as those who have certain underlying health conditions that put them at high risk. The CDC’s recommendation can be found here.
Finally, I offer my sincere congratulations to Dr. Sarah Lopez, the Patient Safety Officer from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, who was recently recognized with the “Catalyst Award” given by the Academy of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM).
Thank you for all you do.
Dr. Christina Ghaly
May is Melanoma Awareness Month
May is Melanoma Awareness Month https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MELANOMA-AWARNESS-SLIDE-1024x572.png 1024 572 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgIt was a usual workday for Ms. Patricia M. Marquez, Patient Resources Worker, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center (MLK OPC), until she found herself walking onto an impromptu “set,” where she was recruited to “play a patient” for a LA Health Services promotional video.
learn moreCelebrating National Nurses Month
Celebrating National Nurses Month https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/nnm_english_post-V2-1024x699.png 1024 699 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgThis year, National Nurses Week, traditionally celebrated from May 6 to May 12 each year, is now a month-long May celebration to expand opportunities to elevate and celebrate nursing.
learn moreOlive View-UCLA Medical Center Celebrates Nurses
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Celebrates Nurses https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Poster-Board-1st-Prize-Winner-2022-Spec-Proc-1024x768.jpg 1024 768 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgThis year, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center (OVMC) celebrated Nurses Week (May 6-12) by holding a poster board contest. The theme was, “You Make a Difference, We’re Rooted in Strength.”
learn moreMay is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mental-Health-Month-Logo-1024x835.jpg 1024 835 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgMental health is about emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Poor mental health occurs when demands placed on a person exceed their available resources or ability to cope.
learn moreHarbor-UCLA Medical Center Celebrates National Hospital Week Carnival Style
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Celebrates National Hospital Week Carnival Style https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/True-North-Guiding-Principles.png 492 449 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgThis year for National Hospital Week Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Harbor) had a week full of festivities. This year’s theme was “We are Health Care.” Special events were held each day tied to Harbor’s True North.
learn moreMay is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AAPIHeritageMonth.png 673 599 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgAsian and Pacific Islander Americans play a vital role in L.A. County and at L.A. Health Services that mirrors their contributions to the development, growth, and vibrancy of Southern California as a whole. Making up about 20 percent of the County’s workforce, our team members of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage are indispensable to our organization’s impact on the community.
learn moreRancho Los Amigos Honors Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
Rancho Los Amigos Honors Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AAPI-1024x564.png 1024 564 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgIn honor of the AAPI Heritage Month, Rancho Cultural Diversity Operations Council, EDIA and the AAPI Women’s Support Group have events planned from May 23rd to May 31st , starting with the AAPI exhibits featuring the stories of AAPI’s triumphs, perseverance and contributions.
learn more“Real Time” eConsult Outreach
“Real Time” eConsult Outreach https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/real-time-e-consult-image-V2-1024x734.jpg 1024 734 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgThe Office of Patient Access Central Call Center is pleased to report on recent enhancements of their automated notification systems for patients seeking specialty care. The enhancement is an automated text message that has improved communication between the Specialty Care Linkage (SCL) team and our patients.
learn moreDr. Sarah Lopez Receives Catalyst Award
Dr. Sarah Lopez Receives Catalyst Award https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Congratulations-graphic-V2.jpg 1024 455 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgCongratulations to Dr. Sarah Lopez who was recently honored with the “Catalyst” Award from the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM).
learn moreEDIA Workforce Listening Sessions conclude on June 3
EDIA Workforce Listening Sessions conclude on June 3 https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/EDIA-Workforce-Listening-Sessions_Thumbnail-1024x576.png 1024 576 Health Services Los Angeles County //dhs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dhs-logo.svgEDIA Workforce Listening Sessions conclude on June 3. There’s still time to sign up for a listening session and give your feedback on the EDIA Draft Strategic Plan! Sessions remain for several job categories, and an All Workforce session is happening on June 3rd.
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