Pulse – November 2023

DIRECTOR’S DESK CHRISTINA R. GHALY, MD

November offers an important reminder to extend gratitude to those who do such important work everyday to ensure that our patients receive care and that daily operations flow smoothly. This is a very large department that provides invaluable services to so many. Everything we do is dependent upon the vast skills, knowledge and experience that our diverse staff bring.

I’d like to express my gratitude to all the staff who, in their own capacity, contribute to ensuring that patients receive the care they need. This includes the Human Resources staff who enable us to recruit, hire and retain talent throughout the department, the finance units that ensure that bills get paid, the reception staff who greet and assist our patients. The information technology experts who enable us to function in an evolving technological landscape. The social workers and healthcare navigators that help our patients negotiate complex social needs and healthcare systems. The doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals who deliver an array of specialty services to patients across the lifespan. Thank you also to the food preparation workers who keep staff and patients alike fed, the housekeeping staff that ensure our facilities are clean and sanitary, the groundskeepers who beautify our facilities and the countless volunteers who support staff and patients on a daily basis. Your contributions do not go unnoticed.

The passion, enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity that you bring to the department help make us a leader in the healthcare industry. As the second largest public health system, what we do matters to our local constituents and to those throughout the country that are facing similar challenges. I am grateful for your willingness to bring forth great ideas to improve how we approach our work.

This year, LA Health Services held its first annual Innovation, Dedication and Excellence in Ambulatory Care (IDEA) awards at the California Endowment. The event was a celebration of exemplary efforts to improve health care delivery across ambulatory settings. Look below to see more about the awards ceremony and to learn more about the exceptional programs that were honored.

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center reinstated its spinal cord injury games in October. See below to learn more about these inspiring games that give wheelchair athletes the opportunity to play and compete.

The Office of Patient Access recently held successful hiring fairs for patient resource workers. See below to see more about this important effort to meet the staffing needs of our department.

Thank you for all you do.

Dr. Christina Ghaly