 New medical school to help region’s doctor shortage
Apple Valley resident Dr. Prem Reddy and Dr. Dev GnanaDev announced plans to develop a privately funded, non-profit medical school in Colton to help with the shortage of doctors.
California University of Science and Medicine seeks to receive accreditation in time to welcome its first class in 2016. The university and the medical school are being financed primarily through a $40 million donation from Prime Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit charity founded by Reddy.
“This is a landmark day for our communities in medical education and health care,” said Reddy, who has lived in Apple Valley for 30 years. Congressman Paul Cook, 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood were on hand for ceremonies unveiling the planned school across from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
“For many years Dr. Reddy has been a tremendously generous philanthropist who has helped the High Desert and San Bernardino County beyond words,” Lovingood said. “This medical school continues Dr. Reddy’s long commitment to the health and well-being of our community.”
The United States faces a shortage of 91,500 primary care and specialist physicians by 2020. San Bernardino County has just one primary care physician per 1,201 people, half the national rate. The projected economic impact of a medical school is $88.2 million in local spending, $49 million in personal spending and 1,655 new jobs created, according to a CBRE study.
 Lovingood funds High Desert economic development efforts
First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood is funding key economic development efforts aimed at drawing major retailers and other employers to High Desert cities.
The $75,000 allocation will enable representatives of Apple Valley, Adelanto, Barstow, Hesperia and Victorville to attend International Council of Shopping Centers conferences and to promote ongoing regional economic development. The effort is aimed at expanding beyond past efforts, which have centered on recruiting retailers. The new drive will also focus on industrial/office and target site selectors, the real estate industry and developers.
Lovingood said the effort underscores his goal of all cities and the county working together.
“From a business perspective, it makes sense to cooperate in marketing the area as a single region,” Lovingood said. “When corporate site locators learn that the High Desert is home to 442,000 people, it gets their attention.”
If the High Desert region were a city, it would be the eighth largest city in California.
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Helping Hands Day of Service planned April 26
Last year, High Desert volunteers did more than $100,000 in labor and services during the local Helping Hands Day of Service. This year, organizers are hoping to extend last year’s success with more volunteers.
“This is a wonderful, community-wide project,” said 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood. “The work projects last only about a half a day, so it can be a great day of service for the entire family.”
This important initiative brings together volunteers from community and faith groups to provide significant community service. Volunteers partner with state and local governments to support and improve the communities where they live. Projects are planned at Apple Valley Unified School District, Silverwood Lake State Park, Hesperia Park District, Hesperia Unified School District, Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Wrightwood Meadow and Ranger Station and New Hope Village in Barstow.
For those unable to volunteer, donations of drinking water, trash bags, or truck use are welcome. To participate, contact Beth Simpson at VictorvilleDPA@live.com. For more information, click on www.DayOfCommunityService.org.
“Lovingood Listens” meetings planned for Helendale, Phelan
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon will join First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood at the supervisor’s next “Lovingood Listens” community meeting in Helendale.
“We’ve been meeting across the High Desert with residents to hear about their concerns and issues,” Lovingood said.
McMahon will join Lovingood to field questions and discuss issues with the public. The event is planned for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at the Helendale Community Services District, 26540 Vista Road, Room C in Helendale. To RSVP, call 760-951-0006 or email CVermette@HelendaleCSD.org.
Supervisor Lovingood will welcome Congressman Paul Cook as his special guest during the “Lovingood Listens” community meeting on May 13 in Phelan.
“It is vital that elected officials hear from the people we represent. That’s why we last year created the ‘Lovingood Listens’ community meetings,” the supervisor said.
Cook will join Lovingood to field questions and discuss issues with the public. The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Phelan Pizza Factory, 3963 Phelan Road in Phelan. To reserve a spot, call 760-995-8100 or email SupervisorLovingood@SBCounty.gov.
April is financial literacy month
Insufficient rainy day funds and inadequate retirement savings are Americans' top concerns, according to a new Harris Poll on financial literacy. The survey also found the proportion of adults who are spending less when compared to the previous year continues to decline, from a high in 2009 of 57 percent, to a low in 2014 of 29 percent. This suggests that, although consumers are uncomfortable with their lack of savings, they may have nonetheless continually increased their year-over-year spending, according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
The absence of a budget, insufficient savings, spending beyond what can be responsibly repaid are reds flags that demand attention. For helpful tools including online counseling, click on www.nfcc.org. To learn how to budget, beat debt and teach children about finances, click on DaveRamsey.com.
Did you know?
The Senior Information and Assistance program (SIA) provides information and assistance to seniors. Clients are provided referrals to government and non-profit agencies and provided assistance and advocacy in accessing services and programs. Follow up and evaluation are provided to ensure the client is receiving the needed services. Call SIA at 800 510-2020.
Follow us on Facebook
Follow Supervisor Lovingood on Facebook. That’s where you’ll find District news, updates and upcoming events. Click on Facebook.com/Robert.Lovingood.7.
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