The Pulse 💓

At Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, clinicians are helping lead the national conversation about responsible AI use in medicine. Our physicians and nurses emphasize that while AI can be a valuable tool, it can’t match the trained judgment, compassion, and experience of a trusted care team.

Across LA Health Services, we are united in providing care grounded in expertise, accountability, and genuine human connection. AI may assist with information and workflow, but the heart of healthcare remains the relationship between patients and their providers.

Because when it comes to your health, technology can help but only people can care.

Located on Main Street and Slauson Avenue in South LA, the Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center first opened in April 1976. In May, hundreds of patients, staff, and community members celebrated the 50th anniversary of the clinic with a community resource fair and a special performance by African Soul International. County departments and community organizations came to the event to share resources on programs for kids, emergency preparedness, job opportunities, mental health resources, housing assistance, and more. The clinic staff also provided blood pressure checks and flu shots.  

During the past 50 years, it has built a reputation as an invaluable community resource, and we look forward to celebrating the next 50 years! 

LA County Population Health is excited to offer a Health Education program at Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, supporting patients and community members in building healthier habits that fit real‑life budgets and busy schedules. Eating well and staying active can feel overwhelming when a tight budget leaves little room for fresh produce or gym memberships. This program is here to help make those goals feel within reach. 

The Health Education program is offering a workshop called Create Better Health. It offers practical guidance for choosing nutritious foods, preparing affordable meals, and finding simple ways to move more throughout the day—supporting long‑term health and helping better manage chronic conditions. 

English‑language classes will be held Wednesdays, September 23 through October 14. Spanish‑language classes will take place Wednesdays, August 13 through September 2. 

To register, call (747) 210‑4931.

In June, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center’s Music‑In‑Therapy program took center stage as part of LA County’s Arts and Health Week. The week was coordinated by LA Opera Connects in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture and the County Board of Supervisors.  

At the summit, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Konita Wilks spoke about how music supports people recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other major health conditions. She explained that the Rancho Foundation helped launch the program by partnering with Los Angeles Opera. Once that partnership was in place, Rancho worked closely with therapists to bring music into speech and language rehabilitation. Many patients found that singing familiar lyrics sometimes opened a communication pathway that speaking alone could not. 

Dr. Wilks encouraged healthcare organizations to build their own partnerships with arts groups and bring programs like Music‑In‑Therapy into patient care. As she shared with the audience, “Music is not supplemental to healing; it is essential.” 

In honor of Second Chance Month in April, our Community Programs team and the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) came together to host a Metro Life Program event at Green Meadows Park in Los Angeles.  

Second Chance Month is all about recognizing how crucial reentry support is for people who've been involved in the justice system. The event celebrated progress and connected program participants with resources that can make a real difference in their lives.  

The event drew a great crowd of ODR participants eager to learn about the Metro Life Program. One of the main resources of the event was providing access to a 90-day free transit pass plus 20 free rides every month.  

But the event wasn't just about signing up for transit passes. Attendees enjoyed a lively afternoon complete with free food, wellness activities, and music.  

Olive View–UCLA Medical Center is finding new ways to spark conversation and learning through Olive View(ings), a series that pairs popular medical television shows with real‑world discussions about healthcare. The most recent event brought staff together for watch parties featuring the first three episodes of Season 2 of "The Pitt".  

After the screenings, staff joined a panel discussion with the medical consultant for "The Pitt", Dr. Gregory Moran. The panel revisited key scenes and explored the real‑life issues raised in the episodes. 

Together, staff reflected on questions such as why healthcare workers sometimes keep their struggles to themselves, how to protect patients without making assumptions, and what responsibility experienced teams have to mentor newer colleagues. 

The conversation showed how storytelling can open the door to honest dialogue. Olive View(ings) offers a space where staff can learn from one another, share perspectives, and connect in ways that extend beyond the screen. 

Olive View–UCLA Medical Center has been recognized as a “Great Workplace for Nurses” by Nursegrid—a reflection of the compassion, teamwork, and dedication that define nursing across LA Health Services. 

This recognition highlights what patients and staff experience every day: a workplace where nurses are supported, valued, and empowered to deliver extraordinary care. From the bedside to the community, Olive View nurses play a critical role in caring for some of the most vulnerable patients in LA County. 

This honor underscores a deeper truth: investing in nurses strengthens the entire safety net. When nurses feel supported, patients receive better care, teams are stronger, and communities are healthier. 

Congratulations to the nurses of Olive View–UCLA Medical Center for this well-deserved recognition and for the extraordinary care they provide every day.

Harbor–UCLA Medical Center and Olive View–UCLA Medical Center have been named inaugural American Heart Association All-Star Training Centers, a new recognition honoring excellence in lifesaving education. 

The All-Star Recognition Award celebrates training centers that consistently provide high-quality CPR education, follow emergency cardiovascular care guidelines, and meet strong standards for training quality, performance, and program compliance. 

This recognition reflects the important work happening across Harbor–UCLA and Olive View–UCLA to prepare staff, learners and community members with skills that can save lives. CPR training helps people respond with confidence during emergencies, when every second matters. 

At LA Health Services, emergency readiness is part of how we care for our patients, our workforce, and our communities. We are proud to celebrate Harbor–UCLA and Olive View–UCLA for helping strengthen a culture of preparedness and building safer communities across Los Angeles County.

Congratulations to Dr. Allison Luu, Patient Safety Officer and Assistant Chief Quality Officer at Los Angeles General Medical Center, and Dr. Arun Patel, Chief Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Officer for LA Health Services, for being recognized among patient safety experts across the country. 

Patient safety is not the work of one hospital, one team, or one program. It depends on shared standards, strong communication, transparency, and a culture where teams can learn and improve together. 

At LA General, Dr. Luu leads safety and quality initiatives that support multidisciplinary teams and strengthen reliable care. Under her leadership, LA General achieved three consecutive Leapfrog “A” safety grades and significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. 

Across LA Health Services, Dr. Patel has helped build a stronger systemwide culture of safety. His work supports fair accountability, better safety event response, and frontline empowerment. 

This year marks the 50th Annual Lab Professionals Week—a time to recognize the medical laboratory teams, pathologists, and our partners in Lab Information Systems and Supply Chain who keep patient care moving. Every test your doctor orders, from blood work to urine samples and beyond, relies on the skill and precision of our lab professionals. Their work helps guide diagnoses, treatments, and the everyday decisions that keep patients healthy. 

Lab Week provides an opportunity to highlight the invaluable contributions of our laboratory professionals. Throughout the week, various activities and events celebrated the dedication and hard work of our lab staff.  

Health Services’ Lab Enterprise has touch points across our healthcare system including lab support for Correctional Health Services and Juvenile Court Health Services. Thank you for your work!

Knowing how to perform CPR can save a life. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, and immediate hands‑only CPR from someone nearby can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. That’s why making CPR training easy and accessible is so important. 

As part of National CPR and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week, LA General Medical Center joined the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, LA City Fire, LA County Fire, and the American Heart Association to offer free sidewalk CPR training to the public. Staff, patients, and community members stopped by for quick, hands‑only guidance that takes only minutes to learn. 

Hands‑only CPR follows two simple steps: 

• Call 9‑1‑1
• Push hard and fast in the center of the chest 

These actions help keep someone alive until emergency responders arrive. By bringing CPR instruction into public spaces, partners across Los Angeles are helping more people gain the confidence to step in when it matters most. 

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, Olive View–UCLA Medical Center hosted a special "Spill the Tea" event to highlight the rich cultural traditions and health practices of the Filipino, South Asian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai communities—some of the largest Asian patient populations we proudly serve.

Through engaging discussions, staff explored how cultural beliefs can influence health, healing, and healthcare experiences. Topics included traditional concepts such as "hot" and "cold" foods, the use of herbal remedies, oils, and balms, and the importance of understanding these perspectives when providing patient-centered care. 

Participants enjoyed cultural teas including salabat and masala chai, sampled popular snacks from across Asia, and connected with colleagues while learning how to better support the diverse communities we serve. The event served as a meaningful opportunity to celebrate heritage, foster cultural understanding, and strengthen our commitment to delivering compassionate, culturally responsive care. 

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center celebrated Pride Month in June with a lively gathering for patients and staff. The event underscored Rancho’s commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. 

This year’s celebration also recognized Rancho’s ongoing designation as a 2026 “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, reflecting its dedication to equitable, patient‑centered care. 

Colorful booths and resource tables offered information and activities promoting healthcare equality. Interactive puzzles encouraged conversation, while a coloring station featuring LGBTQ+ themed mandalas provided a creative break for attendees. 

By hosting this Pride event, Rancho reaffirmed its commitment to respect, inclusion, and compassionate care—ensuring everyone in its diverse community feels valued and supported.