Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center is excited to announce that Dr. Barry Jordan, Chief Medical Officer, was featured in the October issue of Global Healthcare Magazine as one of the most innovative Chief Medical Officers to watch in 2024. 

Dr. Jordan has over 20 years of experience in sports neurology, with a special focus on athlete recovery and brain injuries. At Rancho Los Amigos, Dr. Jordan established the Comprehensive Brain Injury Program (CBIP), which provides coordinated, multidisciplinary care to individuals with traumatic brain injuries. He has served as the Chief Medical Officer for the New York State Athletic Commission and worked as a team physician for USA Boxing. In 2023, he was inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame for his contributions to sports medicine. 

Dr. Jordan is known for his work in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s Disease. He previously directed research at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital on brain injuries like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). He also serves as a consultant to the NFL, helping to develop concussion protocols to keep players safe. 

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Jordan teaches at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and Charles Drew University. As Chief Medical Officer at Rancho Los Amigos, he leads the hospital’s clinical operations, focusing on providing high-quality care and fostering teamwork. 

Outside of work, Dr. Jordan enjoys travel, photography, and sports. His advice to future medical leaders is simple: “Put in the effort, and you’ll see the rewards.” 

Congratulations to Dr. Jordan on this well-deserved recognition. LA Health Services is fortunate to have leaders of his caliber, whose expertise and dedication continue to make a significant impact in the field of healthcare and on the patients we serve.

On July 15, 2024, the new Rancho Los Amigos Neurorestoration Center was opened in the newly renovated Harriman Building that will serve as the headquarters of the Innovation and Research program. The opening ceremony captured a unique collaboration between Dr. Charles Liu, one of Rancho Los Amigos’ Neurosurgeons, and a local artist named Leon Jones. During the opening ceremony, a beautiful mural by Leon Jones was unveiled. It features several of Rancho Los Amigos’ patients who have participated in groundbreaking research and clinical trials. The County Channel (Channel 36) created a video segment with highlights of the event and the moving reactions by the patients upon seeing their likenesses on the mural. The documentary does an excellent job of reflecting our patients’ journeys, the artist’s amazing talent, and the incredible impact that Rancho Los Amigos has on its patients and their families.

Rancho Los Amigos is the primary rehabilitation resource for the Los Angeles Basin and patients of LA Health Services. It has a long legacy of innovation. Neurorehabilitation concepts are continuously evolving and have expanded to become “Neurorestoration,” whereby comprehensive restoration of neurological function is possible by combining concepts of regenerative medicine (repair), neuroprosthetics (replace), and neuromodulation/task-specific-practice (optimize).

At the National Conference on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) event held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 19-23, 2024, Wilson Uy, Clinical Nursing Director II from Correctional Health Services (CHS) represented Los Angeles County. 

Wilson’s presentation focused on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) framework in developing the Model for Improvement. Wilson covered how to formulate an effective aim statement, and how to construct the key metrics including: the Outcome measure, Process measure, and Balancing measure. He also provided an introductory overview of a run chart, its relevance, and how to better understand the variations in the processes over time. The Model for Improvement ensures that teams know the purpose behind what they are trying to accomplish, understand what success will look like, and identify those changes that will result in improvement. The presentation invited the audience to appreciate that quality improvement seeks to standardize processes and structure, in order to reduce variations. Wilson also emphasized how this pathway leads to achieving predictable results, and improves the outcomes for patients, healthcare systems, and organizations. 

Wilson also had the opportunity to share certificates of recognition recently received by CHS at the 37^th Annual Productivity and Quality Awards, for the Food Assessment and Surveillance Tactic (FAST) project, and the Court Ordered Long-Acting Psychotropic Injectable Medication (CLAIM) project. These two sustainability quality improvement projects have positively impacted the delivery of patient care for the justice involved persons who are cared for by CHS. 

Community partnerships are invaluable in moments of emergency, as they can make the difference between life and death. A powerful example of this took place at the Sylmar Neighborhood Council’s 2^nd Annual Animal Resource Fair on Saturday, October 19^th, when a council member collapsed from a massive heart attack. In this life-threatening situation, the quick and decisive actions of a fellow council member—who immediately began CPR and used an AED—saved the individual's life. His swift response, backed by CPR training, turned a potential tragedy into a story of survival. This event underscored the importance of being prepared for emergencies, as you never know when your skills might save a life.

In response to this incident, the Sylmar Neighborhood Council President acted quickly to address the community’s need for CPR training. Recognizing that preparedness is key, the President partnered with Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and the LA County Department of Public Health to offer a Hands-Only CPR class on November 7^th. Forty local residents eagerly attended, ready to learn the skills necessary to respond effectively in an emergency. By the end of the session, participants had not only gained new knowledge but also made a collective commitment to be better prepared to save lives in their community.

Learning these skills is something anyone can do, regardless of background, and can be a game-changer in life-or-death situations. Building on the success of the November session, the Sylmar Neighborhood Council is partnering with the American Red Cross to offer additional Hands-Only CPR classes in both English and Spanish. These upcoming sessions further illustrate the importance of community partnerships in ensuring residents are equipped with the tools and knowledge to act when it matters most—saving lives and making a lasting impact on their neighborhoods.

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center (OVMC), Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and LA General Medical Center proudly participated in Operation Green Light this November in recognition of Veterans Day. By “going green,” the hospitals showed their continued commitment to recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and the need for ongoing support within the community.  

The hospitals illuminated their entrances in green in the days leading up to November 11^th.

Events were held throughout LA Health Services to honor our Veteran workforce members.

One of the events intended to express gratitude was a special luncheon held on Thursday, November 7^th, at OVMC where CEO Edgar Solis and representatives from the offices of LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez offered remarks. 

During the event, certificates of recognition were presented to Veteran staff members as a token of appreciation for their service and invaluable contributions to the hospital and healthcare community.

The luncheon provided a meaningful opportunity for veteran workforce members to connect, share their experiences, and reflect on the impact of their service. It also highlighted the important role veterans play in enriching OVMC’s workplace and enhancing patient care. OVMC remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where those who have served our country feel supported and appreciated.

Through participation in Operation Green Light and the special luncheons and various events celebrated throughout the department, LA Health Services reaffirmed its commitment to honoring veterans—not just on Veterans Day, but every day. The hospitals and healthcare facilities expressed their profound gratitude for the sacrifices of military veterans and demonstrated a commitment to supporting them both within the workplace and the broader community.

This is a photo of the staff luncheon held at OVMC. 

The Health Education unit at San Fernando Valley (SFV) Ambulatory Care Network (ACN), has implemented several education opportunities for LA Health Services patients and community members in an effort to reduce chronic disease prevalence and improve the health status of people. We are excited to introduce the following:

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Workshop (CDSMP)
• Tomando Control De Su Salud Taller
• Food Distribution Education
• Wellness Center collaboration
• Tabling Education

The Chronic Disease Self–Management program (CDSMP) and Tomando Control De Su Salud workshops are free! Some of the topics include fall prevention, healthy eating, action-planning, problem-solving, decision making, pain management and medication management. The workshops are highly participatory and are led by well-trained Health Educator Assistants. We also reach out to the community through monthly food distribution events and provide health education to the people as they wait for grab and go food bags.

Tabling Education within the Ambulatory Care Clinics is another way of educating patients using visual aids to teach about healthy lifestyles and promote health education. We are looking forward to the 2025 LA Health Services and Department of Public Health collaboration at the Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center - Wellness Center. LA Health Services Health Educator Assistants will be facilitating monthly CDSMP and Tomando Control De Su Salud workshops. Six workshops are scheduled for 2025 for LA Health Services patients and community members. Those who attend all 6 classes will receive a monetary gift card.

Many thanks to the Health Educator Assistants at San Fernando Valley Ambulatory Care, Reina DeCuellar and Olga Strauss-Waitkuweit for their hard work and dedication to our community. In 2024, they provided 4 successful workshops, 12 tabling events, and educated over 2000 patients during 1:1 visits.

Health Educators are a key to improving community well-being by promoting healthy practices and knowledge across all age groups in accessible formats.

Diabetes is a serious disease affecting approximately 38 million Americans and over 422 million people worldwide. Alarmingly, about one-third of individuals with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Every year, around 80,000 people with diabetes receive clinical care through LA Health Services medical centers. Diabetes can lead to life-changing complications, including blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. These complications are particularly severe among underserved populations, who are more likely to receive care within LA Health Services' healthcare facilities.

To raise awareness about diabetes, November 14th is recognized as World Diabetes Day by the World Health Organization. In honor of this day, the Diabetes Program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Harbor) held its 3rd Annual Diabetes Fair at Parlow Plaza on November 13, 2024. Approximately 200 attendees, including physicians, nurses, hospital staff, and community members, participated in the event. The fair featured live demonstrations on healthy eating, exercise, and strategies for preventing or managing diabetes-related complications. Booths offered educational resources on eye care, dental care, foot care, and accessing social support services.

Additionally, vendors showcased the latest advancements in diabetes medications and technology, while the American Diabetes Association hosted an educational booth. Attendees had the opportunity to receive free fingerstick blood glucose screenings, and the event included free giveaways and a raffle for various prizes. This annual event exemplifies Harbor’s commitment to enhancing community health and reducing the impact of diabetes through education and support.

Los Angeles County proudly participated in the 2024 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The event was held at The Citadel on October 19, 2024. Twenty teams from across LA County comprised of 188 participants walked and raised $36,587 to date. The funds will be used to fund cancer research, offer patient support services and advocacy. It was an inspiring day. Many of the participants were personally affected by breast cancer in some way, and the event was a joyful opportunity to take action against breast cancer.

Congratulations to the top three County of LA teams that raised the most money:

1. DPH – Children’s Medical Services
2. LA County Department of Mental Health
3. Embracing Hope – EH DPH LAC

Congratulations to all the participants. Every dollar raised helps! Many thanks to the LA County Making Strides Team Coordinators and the LA County Department of Public Health Office of Women’s Health for coordinating the event and helping to spread the word.

You can still make a tax-deductible donation through December 31 here.