October 2026
From the Director's Desk
Every day at LA Health Services, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come and how much heart and dedication have carried us forward. Our story is one of progress shaped by people who care deeply about our communities—connecting our past, present, and future in meaningful ways.
This year, we marked a noteworthy milestone: 100 years of Occupational Therapy at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Since 1926, Rancho’s Occupational Therapy practitioners have harnessed the power of daily activities to support healing and independence for individuals recovering from life-changing illness or injury. Their legacy of innovation and compassion continues to guide us a century later.
Today, we honor our commitment to inclusivity by providing high-quality care in the languages our patients know best. More than half of the patients we serve prefer care in Spanish, and our teams are dedicated to ensuring every person feels heard, understood, and supported.
Looking ahead, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center is continuing its era of transformation with the opening of a new outpatient building. When the full campus modernization is completed in 2028, it will represent a generational investment in the future of healthcare—one that builds proudly on Harbor-UCLA’s long history of service to Los Angeles County.
Thank you for staying connected with LA Health Services. I’m truly grateful for your trust and continued support—it strengthens our mission every day and helps us honor a century of progress while embracing all that the future holds.
 Did You Know?
At LA Health Services, we are proud to care for a diverse community. Many of our patients prefer care in a language other than English. More than half of our patients prefer care in Spanish. We want all people to get safe, quality care in the language they understand best.
Language Services Include:
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In-person interpreters
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Video and phone interpreting (including ASL) available 24/7
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Interpreter support for video visits
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TTY and relay services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing patients
There are no fees for these services. They are available at all LA Health Services locations.
 LA General Hosts Resource Fair for Patients Affected by Lineage Fire
In July, LA General Medical Center worked with multiple partners and organizations to support patients affected by smoke from the Lineage Logistics warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. The resource fair distributed food, N95 masks, air filtration resources, and provided respiratory health education to medically vulnerable patients. Clinical teams provided guidance on managing asthma and smoke‑related symptoms. This event reinforces LA Health Services commitment to community health during emergencies.
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Celebrating a Century of Occupational Therapy at Rancho
July marked 100 years since the first Occupational Therapist was hired at the Los Angeles County ‘Poor Farm,’ an agricultural facility that provided work, housing, and medical care for the destitute, elderly, and infirmed, which later became Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Since 1926, Rancho Occupational Therapy practitioners have used the power of daily occupation to promote healing and rehabilitation for those recovering from life-changing illness or injury.
On July 30,120 current and former Rancho Occupational Therapy staff gathered to celebrate the milestone. Colleagues reconnected and reminisced on the pioneering practitioners of the past and on patients they’ve served.
It is with immense pride that LA Health Services recognizes 100 years of Rancho Occupational Therapy, and our continued commitment to being leaders within our community and the profession.
Recreation Therapy Events Boost Healing and Community
The Recreation Therapy team at Olive View Medical Center takes pride in hosting monthly, patient‑centered events for the 50‑bed inpatient behavioral health unit. Throughout the year, they’ve brought meaningful activities to the unit—from Mental Health Awareness and Heritage celebrations to a cheerful Spring Festival and more.
These events give patients a chance to build social skills, promote independence, and express themselves through guided, therapeutic activities. The feedback from patience has been heartfelt—many saying they truly appreciate having safe, supportive spaces to connec and feel heard during their recovery.
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Harbor–UCLA Celebrates Milestone in Campus Transformation
Harbor–UCLA Medical Center recently marked a milestone in its era of transformation with a ribbon cutting for the new Clinic Building in September. The modern facility is part of a multi-phased redevelopment that will reshape Harbor–UCLA into a future-ready campus built on excellence, equity, and compassion.
The new Clinic Building offers welcoming, modern spaces and advanced technology designed to enhance care for patients, families, physicians, staff, and the broader community. It reflects Harbor–UCLA’s proud 80-year legacy of service while laying the foundation for the innovative, connected campus that will be completed in 2028.
A Journey of Strength: The Recovery of Angelica Borruel
Angelica Borruel’s recovery journey is marked by courage, perseverance, and a commitment to uplifting others. A two-time patient at Rancho Los Amigos, Angelica first arrived after being diagnosed with Coccidioidal Meningitis, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Years later, a second battle with the illness resulted in paralysis from the neck down—an experience she describes as terrifying and emotionally overwhelming.
Looking back, Angelica wishes she could tell her past self, “You got this. It’ll be tough, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.” That hope, combined with the dedication of her care team, helped carry her through the hardest parts of rehabilitation.
Inspired by Rancho’s impact, Angelica (pictured left) returned not as a patient but as a supporter at the Rancho Resource Center. This welcoming space is a place where patients and families find tools, community, and shared with others who’ve faced similar challenges.
Today, she calls herself a walking miracle and is dedicated to reminding others that recovery is possible and that no one goes through it alone.
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Meet the Harbor Patient Lifting Her Community with a Smile
From receiving groceries with her mom, to greeting neighbors at the Harbor–UCLA Medical Center monthly food distribution, as a volunteer Maria shows what community-powered hunger relief looks like. Maria, who is also a patient at Harbor, helps with registration, logging every person who comes through the distribution, and greeting every single person who comes by with a warm smile and a genuine interest in knowing how they are doing.
By nourishing families and recognizing the whole person, food distributions help close health gaps and reflect LA Health Services’ commitment to uplifting the communities we serve.
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 Our Hospitals Earn U.S. News Honors
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Los Angeles General Medical Center, and Harbor–UCLA Medical Center have all earned national and regional recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026–2027 Best Hospitals rankings.
“These recognitions demonstrate what is possible when our hospitals, clinics, programs, and healthcare professionals work together,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of LA Health Services. “These ratings demonstrate we outperformed a national threshold, giving families across LA County a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
Together, the recognitions reflect the collective strength of LA Health Services and the extraordinary care delivered across the full continuum of the nation’s second-largest public healthcare system.
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LA Health Services Earns 24 NACo Awards Amid Ongoing Budget Challenges
We’re proud to share that LA Health Services was honored with 24 National Association of Counties (NACo) awards this year. These awards recognize outstanding, innovative programs created by government agencies nationwide, and highlight the meaningful work happening across our system every day.
Even during budgetary constraints, our teams continue to rise to the occasion—developing creative solutions, improving services, and delivering exceptional care to the patients and communities we serve.
Thank you to every team member whose work reflects our shared values of innovation, compassion, and excellence. Your dedication moves our mission forward!
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Behavioral Health Services Expand at LA General Medical Center—mynewsla.com
Los Angeles County celebrated the opening of three new behavioral health facilities at the Restorative Care Village on the LA General Medical Center campus. The expansion adds a 24-hour Mental Health Urgent Care Center, a 32-bed withdrawal management program, and a 96-bed psychiatric subacute facility. These services complement existing recuperative care and crisis residential programs. These are all part of the broader Healthy Village initiative focused on integrated health care, behavioral health, housing, and community resources. The expanded campus improves care coordination and offers a compassionate alternative to emergency rooms and the justice system.
Keeping Mentally Ill Angelenos in Jail Doesn’t Help Anyone—LA Times Opinion
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center was featured in the Los Angeles Times for its role in a groundbreaking scientific effort that could one day transform mobility and rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injuries.
The article highlights a first-of-its-kind experiment conducted at Rancho, where researchers tested whether brain signals could control a robotic exoskeleton while also sending sensory feedback back to the brain. In simple terms, the technology allowed the system to recognize the patient’s intent to move and then create an artificial sense of leg movement—an important step toward making assisted walking feel safer, more natural, and more realistic.
Rancho’s role in this work reflects what makes it a leader in care, recovery, and innovation.
 A Healthy Start to the School Year
Harbor–UCLA’s annual Back-to-School Children’s Health Fair in July showcased its commitment to putting patients and families first. This year, teams, volunteers, and community partners came together with compassion and teamwork to help kids start the school year healthy and ready to thrive.
Together, with the generosity of donors, volunteers, community partners, Harbor teams served 423 family members, including 236 children, providing 30+ immunizations, 50+ TB screenings, 12 dental screenings, and access to 20+ health and community resource booths.
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Celebrating Healing Through Art
In August, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center welcomed more than 300 guests for the 26th annual Artists of Rancho Exhibition, held in the outpatient building. The event showcased the creativity of over 35 current and former Rancho patients.
Beyond celebrating artistic achievement, the annual event also aims to deepen community understanding of Rancho’s rehabilitation programs and the remarkable capabilities of its patients. Through painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed‑media pieces, the exhibition highlights how creativity can become an essential part of recovery and personal growth. Visitors are often inspired not only by the artwork but also by the powerful stories behind each piece.
This yearly tradition continues to uplift, educate, and celebrate the resilience of the Rancho Los Amigos community.
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LA General Honors Latino Physicians
LA General Medical Center joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, physicians, staff, and community members Wednesday, September 30 to recognize Latino physicians and highlight the importance of representation in medicine at a hospital where more than 70% of patients identify as Latino.
The celebration was part of LA General’s Hispanic Heritage Health Fair & Physician Celebration, an event that blended culture, community, and wellness while underscoring a national challenge: the need for more Latino health care professionals.
“Our patients often speak Spanish, come from Latino communities, and may face cultural or language barriers,” said Jorge Orozco, CEO of LA General. “There’s real power in seeing a doctor who understands your language, your family, and your culture. It builds trust and helps patients feel truly seen and cared for.”
Beyond honoring current physicians, the event focused on inspiring the next generation. LA General hopes that by uplifting Latino physicians today, young people in the community will see that a future in medicine is possible—and that their perspectives are needed.
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