Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Common Food Ingredient That's Making You Stupid -
Interesting article below. I'm not convinced that the high fructose corn syrup is the culprit, so much as the Omega 3's improving brain power, but I will let you decide for yourself:)
The Common Food Ingredient That's Making You Stupid -
The Common Food Ingredient That's Making You Stupid -
Friday, June 8, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
East Valley Staff is Honored with the Outstanding Ally Award
Efren is a Health Educator for the CHICAS program at East Valley Community Health Center (EVCHC). Over his past 5 years of employment at EVCHC Efren has helped to build and strengthen ties with the transgender community. He has focused his work specifically within the San Gabriel Valley, where services for this community are scarce. Through the relationships he has built with a variety of agencies, Efren has been able to coordinate free legal services, food pantry items, employment services, mental health services, and more for the transgender community! Efren has also coordinated a number of events meant to empower the transgender community.
We would like to congratulate Efren on receiving the 2012 Outstanding Ally Award for his exceptional work with the transgender community! Thank you for all of your hard work Efren! Your work has embraced EVCHC's mission by giving outstanding service to the underserved populations in our surrounding communities. Keep up the good work!
We would like to congratulate Efren on receiving the 2012 Outstanding Ally Award for his exceptional work with the transgender community! Thank you for all of your hard work Efren! Your work has embraced EVCHC's mission by giving outstanding service to the underserved populations in our surrounding communities. Keep up the good work!
Monday, June 4, 2012
SGV Tribune Article: "Community clinic opens to Rowland Unified families"
Community clinic opens to Rowland Unified families
Posted: 05/22/2012 08:04:44 PM PDT
The East Valley Community Health Center, a new school-based health center at Villacorta Elementary School in Valinda, Calif., on Tuesday. The $875,000 clinic will serve children and youth in the Rowland Unified School District. (Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham)
A examine room at the East Valley Community Health Center a new school-based health center at Villacorta Elementary School in Valinda. (Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham)
The Valinda resident usually travels by bus to a clinic about three miles away in La Puente for regular check-ups for her children. By the time they've gotten back home after waiting hours to be seen, the school day has already ended, she said.
"It's usually an all day thing taking them somewhere else," Magallanes, 31, said.
But last week, the East Valley Community Health Center, a West Covina-based nonprofit medical group, made the journey to affordable health care much shorter.
In partnership with the Rowland Unified School District, East Valley opened the doors to its new $875,000 school-based health center on the Villacorta Elementary School campus at 17840 E. Villacorta St.
Primarily funded with a $750,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the new medical center will provide services such as physicals and immunizations, women's health care, prenatal care and treatment of chronic diseases to the needy and uninsured.
"There's such a need here because there's a lot of poverty, multiple families and single-parent homes with limited transportation," East Valley spokeswoman Lorena Gardea said. "Its such a rare thing to have a full-fledged clinic open to the community."
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"It's so much better," she said. "It's close by and it's faster than over there. I've already told my mom and she wants to come by."
The 2,160-square-foot facility will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays. On those days, youth will be seen between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and the clinic will be open to the community from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Once it is open full-time, which officials hope will be in August, hours will increased to six days a week, allowing up to 380 patients to be seen. Services will also expand to include mental health and nutrition consultations.
"The focus is Rowland students and their families, but we're not turning children away," Gardea said. "The greatest need was for children here to get their health care and not miss a day of school."
Villacorta Vice Principal Sylvia Cadena said having a nearby facility will promote increased academic learning.
"There's a strong correlation between attendance and great academic learning," she said. "We feel it's going to help us on a lot of levels, and parents can tap into this extraordinary resource."
For years, officials at the district - which already has a children's clinic and dental clinic at nearby Northam Elementary school - have supported the need for a larger family medical center.
"I've wanted our own clinic since 1986," District Nurse Cindy Rose Escamilla said. "We tried 10 years ago at another school site in Rowland Heights, but it didn't work out."
The district then partnered with East Valley, which evolved from a free clinic in West Covina in 1970 to a comprehensive health center. East Valley added another clinic in Pomona in 1992. Villacorta is the third health center.
"This is a clinic for our community," Gardea said.
For more information on the clinic, call 626-919-4333, ext. 2140 or ext. 3141.
Staff Writer Richard Irwin contributed to this story.
juliette.funes@sgvn.com
626-962-8811, ext. 2446
San Gabriel Valley Tribune Article: "East Valley Health Center opens community clinic at Villacorta School in La Puente"
East Valley Health Center opens community clinic at Villacorta School in La Puente
Posted: 05/22/2012 10:38:19 AM PDT
Dr. Miles Masatsugu takes Gloria Mejia's blood pressure. Mejia was the first patient seen at East Valley Community Health Center's new Villacorta clinic on May 15. (Courtesy photo by Gina Ward, Rowland Unified)
Unless, of course, it gets help from the East Valley Community Health Center. Then dreams really can come true, such as the new clinic at Villacorta Elementary School in La Puente.
The sparkling new medical center opened on May 15, bringing affordable health care to not only the students, but their entire families.
"I've wanted our own clinic since 1986," Escamilla recalled. "We tried 10 years ago at another school site in Rowland Heights, but it didn't work out."
Good thing the pediatric nurse practitioner didn't give up. And
Front and back office staff at East Valley's expansion at the Villacorta Community Health Clinic. (Courtesy photo by Gina Ward, Rowland Unified)
"I've known her for years, since then she's been interested in opening a clinic in our district. She's amazing at getting people involved," Escamilla continued.
This partnership between the schools and health care provider resulted in the new $875,000 clinic on the sprawling La Puente campus. It was funded primarily by a grant for $750,000 from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
County Supervisor Gloria Molina introduced the motion to permit the Health Services Department to establish neighborhood clinics such as Villacorta.
"And it's not just for kids. During school hours, children from the district will
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Gloria Mejia was the first patient seen on opening day on Tuesday.
"Gloria, 32 years old, shared that she had not had a physical exam since the age of 17 due to lack of funds," said Gina Ward, spokeswoman for Rowland Unified. "She was very grateful to know that she can receive quality care at East Valley."
East Valley spokeswoman Lorena Gardea noted that all Medi-Cal/Healthy Families members will have access to all their facilities.
"Many families may qualify for free or low cost health care at our clinic," Gardea explained. "We work with the low income families to enroll them in the many programs available to help them."
Founded in 1970, East Valley has evolved from a free clinic in West Covina to a comprehensive health care center. It became a federally qualified health center in 2002.
"We scored a 97 percent in our last qualification," Gardea noted.
A new West Covina facility opened in 2008. In 1992, East Valley added another community clinic in Pomona. Villacorta is its third health center.
Gardea said East Valley provided services for 25,655 patients last year. That included more than 85,000 patient visits.
The Villacorta center will offer pediatrics, prenatal care and women's health care. Doctors will also treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.
"Now, local families will have a place nearby where they can get the health care they need," Escamilla pointed out. "Many don't have transportation."
Gardea showed off the new health center. Patients enter a bright, airy reception room, where they are greeted by a friendly receptionist.
"We're placing Mirabel Del Muro from Rowland's Family Resource Center in the clinic so the families have a familiar face to meet them," Escamilla said.
Staff helps families enroll in Medi-Cal and other insurance programs for the uninsured. Gardea said the clinic uses a sliding pay scale determined by the individual's income.
Inside, patients are taken to one of five exam rooms. Each is equipped with a rolling computer stand.
"All our medical records will be kept digitally. Doctors and their assistants will be able to locate a patient's file instantly," Gardea said.
Doctors and physician's assistants occupy nearby offices. Three extra offices will allow the clinic to expand its services when it opens full-time later. These will include nutrition, education and mental health services.
"The Villacorta health center will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m.," the East Valley official said. "These hours will eventually expand to include full weekday and Saturday hours."
Health services will now be available for Rowland Unified students five days a week. The district's Children's Clinic at Northam Elementary already offers free immunizations, physical exams and minor treatments on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A Children's Dental Clinic also provides low or no-cost dental care for low-income students from Rowland and nearby school districts. It is located next to the Family Resource Center at Northam in La Puente.
Villacorta joins 200 school-based health centers in California.
"I can't think of a better way to deliver primary care and preventive care to not only students but their families than through school-based clinics," said Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
But it means much more to local families.
"It's really an exciting start," Escamilla said. "A dream fulfilled."
richard.irwin@sgvn.com
626-962-8811, ext. 2801
Friday, June 1, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
5 Foods that Reduce Inflammation -
The food we eat has more power over our health than many may/want to believe. Attached is a slide show on 5 foods that reduce inflammation. If you want the short version, the five foods are berries, salmon, oats, green tea, and beans. For more detailed information, please click on the link below:)
5 Foods that Reduce Inflammation -
5 Foods that Reduce Inflammation -
Thursday, May 17, 2012
East Valley Coordinates Mock Clinic at Villacorta
On May 11, 2012, East Valley's Director of Operations, Eva Elser R.N., coordinated a mock clinic at our new facility located at Villacorta Elementary School in La Puente. Volunteers from the school acted as patients and went through an entire visit, from front desk to eligibility to the actual Doctor visit! They were wonderful patients!
On May 15, 2012 the Villacorta Clinic opened its doors! During school hours, children 0-18 years old from the district will have sole access to the facility. However, after school the clinic will be open to everyone! Services that the clinic provides include: pediatric care; treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.; prenatal care; women's health care; physical exams; and more. Insurance is accepted and all Medi-Cal/Healthy Families members who enroll with East Valley will have access to all 3 of the clinics!
For questions, please contact us at 626/919-4333 ext. 2410 or ext. 3141.
Below are a couple pics of our awesome patients (actors)!
On May 15, 2012 the Villacorta Clinic opened its doors! During school hours, children 0-18 years old from the district will have sole access to the facility. However, after school the clinic will be open to everyone! Services that the clinic provides include: pediatric care; treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.; prenatal care; women's health care; physical exams; and more. Insurance is accepted and all Medi-Cal/Healthy Families members who enroll with East Valley will have access to all 3 of the clinics!
For questions, please contact us at 626/919-4333 ext. 2410 or ext. 3141.
Below are a couple pics of our awesome patients (actors)!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
East Valley Receives Federal Grant for New Pomona Clinic Renovations!
Local health clinics get big boost from federal grants
Posted: 05/02/2012 10:22:02 PM PDT
The grants are part of a $728 million nationwide program contained in the 2009 health care bill to help community health centers expand their capacity by building new facilities and renovating existing centers.
Nearly one in six dollars - roughly $122 million - will go to California, aimed primarily at rural areas with large, underserved populations. A clinic in Campo, for example, a small town of less than 3,000 inhabitants just a few miles from the Mexican border, was granted $5.5 million.
Among the recipients is the East Valley Community Health Center, with clinics in West Covina and Pomona, which provides care and education to more than 35,000 mostly uninsured residents across the region.
That center received a $3.1 million building capacity program grant. "We feel very fortunate, very lucky. We have been waiting for this and we didn't know what would happen if we didn't get it," CEO Alicia Mardini said. "It was very competitive."
The funds will be used for a $4.2 million project to renovate a new facility for the Pomona clinic. The move will more than double the size of the clinic, allowing it to see twice as many patients - from 12,000 to 22,000.
The facility is already designed and the renovations will be completed in 12 to 14 months, Mardini said "It was just for us a matter of getting the money," she said.
East Valley's West Covina clinic, which sees about 24,000 unique patients a year, moved to a new $10 million facility in 2008.
Other local grants include $3.9 million to the Alhambra Northeast Community Clinic and $500,000 to the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena, which provides medical, dental and behavioral health services to children and adults.
The White House distributed a list of grant winners state-by-state in order to highlight benefits stemming from the Affordable Care Act.
"President Obama's health care law is making community health centers in California stronger," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.
The program aims to increase the quality and quantity of community health care, which is the primary point of entry for most patients into the health care system. Nationwide, the new money will expand access to an additional 860,000 patients, according the announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The QueensCare Family Clinic of East LA, for example, received a $5 million grant that it plans to use for a new facility to more than double the patients it serves.
"There is a huge need in East Los Angeles. There is a huge amount of health disparity in the population and unfortunately both of our facilities are extremely limited," said Starr Azimi, QueensCare special projects manager.
In Watsonville, the Para La Gente clinic - awarded $5.5 million - said it expects to "welcome more than 2,000 additional patients," according to Mary Kashmar, the clinic's development director.
Tuesday's announcement is part of the health care law's provision for $11 billion to expand and bolster community health centers over five years. HHS says they have already supported the construction and renovation of 190 health centers and the creation of 67 new health centers.
The California News Service is a journalism project of the University of California Washington Center and the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. E-mail the California News Service atcns@ucdc.edu
Read more:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_20529720/local-health-clinics-get-big-boost-from-federal?source=email#ixzz1ua3j3cEU
Thursday, May 10, 2012
East Valley Visits MT. San Antonio College
In April, Professor Valerie Martinez invited us to speak during her Spring Semester Human Sexuality course at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. During the class, East Valley's own Julie Castaneda provided young college students with information on contraception, STIs, and family planning services. Students were very responsive and enjoyed learning about how they can take control of their future by preventing unintended pregnancies and the spread of STIs. Below are some pictures that were taken during the presentation.
(first and last - Julie Castaneda and center - Professor Martinez)
Since East Valley does not get reimbursement for presentations like this, donations are desperately needed. If you believe in quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare and health education services for all, please consider making a donation by clicking on the "donate" button located at the top of our blog. Any amount is greatly appreciated. If you would like to learn more about East Valley and what East Valley does in the community, please visit us at www.evchc.org. Thank you for your support!
The Gift of Health is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give!
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