The Pulse 💓

What a year it has been. 2025 has tested our healthcare system in ways we could not have anticipated. The financial pressures facing LA Health Services, especially the significant Medicaid cuts that are on the horizon, are real and have already placed strain on our budget. These are difficult times, but they are far from impossible ones. In fact, this year has shown just how resilient we are and how determined we remain to rise to every challenge. 

We see that resilience in the free fresh‑food distributions our medical centers continue to provide. When our patients temporarily lost CalFresh benefits in November due to the government shutdown, our teams didn’t hesitate. We stepped forward, connected people with resources, and ensured they knew where to find nutritious food.  

We see it in the transformative work underway at Harbor‑UCLA Medical Center.  When the new building is completed, it will offer a modern environment where care, discovery, and education come together to advance health and innovation for generations to come. In 2026, we look forward to major project milestones, including the opening of a six‑story clinic building that will bring outpatient services together in one accessible location. 

We also see our resilience reflected in the recognition our medical centers continue to earn. This quarter, we are proud to highlight LA General Medical Center and Olive View–UCLA Medical Center for being named to the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list—an honor that acknowledges hospitals delivering some of the best care in the nation.  

As we prepare to continue taking on the ongoing budget challenges next year, I am reminded of a question a workforce member recently asked me, “Is it safe to say that LA Health Services can see the light at the end of the tunnel?” And my answer was yes, there is light ahead, even if the tunnel feels long. We will get through this the same way we always have: by standing together, staying focused on our mission, and innovating how we do our work to protect the health care our communities depend on. 

This has been a year of resilience. It is with that resilience that we greet 2026 and all that it will bring. 

With gratitude, Dr. Christina Ghaly 

We care deeply about our patients’ health, and that includes making sure they have access to nutritious food. When people aren’t eating enough, or aren’t getting the right kinds of foods, staying healthy becomes even more challenging. The good news is that food assistance is available. 

Earlier this year, when the federal government shutdown caused delays in CalFresh benefits for roughly 1.5 million Californians, we stepped in right away. Our teams quickly shared information with patients about where they could find food support. 

This isn’t just something we do in emergencies. LA Health Services’ medical centers and clinics host food distribution events every month.

The Office of Language Access and Inclusion (OLAI) is excited to share our FY 2024–25 Annual Report. LA Health Services is proud to care for patients from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds—more than 53% of visits this year were from individuals who prefer care in a language other than English, totaling over 1.4 million encounters where language access made a real difference. 

To better support our diverse communities, we set a systemwide goal to boost the use of qualified healthcare interpreters by 10%, and we reached it—resulting in more than 1.2 million interpretation sessions across 150+ languages. These sessions help ensure patients understand their care and feel confident making decisions about their health.

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is entering a new era of transformation. Our multi-phased redevelopment will establish a future-ready health campus anchored in excellence, equity, and compassion. 

We look forward to hitting major milestones in 2026 including the completion of a 6-story clinic building that consolidates outpatient services into a single, accessible location. When finished in 2028, the renewed Medical Center will represent a generational investment in the future of healthcare, building on Harbor-UCLA’s proud history of serving Los Angeles. 

LA Health Services proudly hosted Veterans Day Events in November, honoring the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. These gatherings were filled with gratitude, reflection, and community spirit. 

At Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, CEO Konita Wilks, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Navy veteran, shared personal reflections on service that resonated deeply, underscoring the strength and unity of the Rancho community. 

To all who have served, we extend our deepest thanks—your sacrifices are honored, your stories treasured, and your legacy cherished.

On December 11, the unclaimed remains of 2,308 people who died in Los Angeles County in 2022 were laid to rest with care, reverence, and respect. Each year, this ceremony stands as a meaningful expression of our shared commitment to honoring every life. 

Leaders from across LA County, along with clergy and community members, gathered at the LA County Cemetery for a non-denominational, interfaith service. The service included a Native American Sage Ceremony, the Lord’s Prayer spoken in four languages, and a Buddhist chant—bringing together faith traditions and cultural practices that reflect the diversity of our community.