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LOS ANGELES
- Cedars-Sinai is
awarding $3.3 million in grants to organizations dedicated
to community health, education and safety for projects that
will benefit residents in neighborhoods throughout Los
Angeles, including South Los Angeles, West Hollywood and
Venice.
The grants fund a variety of projects in neighborhoods where
Cedars-Sinai is engaged in wide-ranging, long-term
initiatives to improve community
health and safety. The largest grant, $1.5 million, goes
to Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the
Watts-Willowbrook section of South Los Angeles to help
educate future healthcare providers for community residents.
Several other projects involve upgrading facilities,
technology and essential equipment. For example, one
community clinic will be able to overhaul an elevator and
air conditioning system to ensure access and comfort for
patients. Firefighters in the City of Los Angeles will gain
more than 70 evacuation stair chairs that make rescues
faster and safer.
"These grants focus on infrastructure to help strengthen and
sustain organizations that share Cedars-Sinai's commitment
to building a stronger, healthier community," said Thomas
M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. "It can
be difficult to get support for practical things like
renovating clinic facilities and updating technology, but as
a healthcare provider, we understand how important this is
to improving health in Los Angeles neighborhoods."
"We also wanted to support our first responders, who put
themselves on the line every day and do so much to help
people in need including offering education and
donating infant car seats and bicycle helmets to make our
community safer."
The grant to Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and
Science includes $1 million for scholarships and $500,000
for program infrastructure to strengthen admissions and
fundraising efforts so more low-income students can be
trained to address the medical needs of those who have
little or no access to healthcare.
Other grant recipients include community clinics that
provide free and low-cost healthcare:
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Saban Community Clinic: For implementation of an
electronic health record system, including new computers
and technology.
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Venice Family Clinic: For infrastructure improvements to
increase capacity and comfort, including upgrading the
phone system, technology and security as well as
overhauling an elevator and air conditioning system.
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Planned Parenthood Los Angeles: For renovations,
technology and medical equipment at clinics in areas
including South Los Angeles, Hollywood and Baldwin
Hills/Crenshaw.
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The Maple Counseling Center: For capital improvements to
provide a more comfortable and safer environment for
offering low-cost, comprehensive mental health services.
Grants also were awarded to a number of first-responder
agencies, which protect public safety through many ongoing
efforts that go beyond responding to emergencies:
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Los Angeles Fire Department: For evacuation stair chairs
to help firefighters rescue people trapped in buildings.
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Los Angeles Police Department: For equipment to increase
the impact of the Sober Graduation program, which
educates teens on the dangers of drinking and driving.
This grant will fund a Plexiglass trailer to transport a
DUI crash vehicle to presentations as well as iPads,
laptop computers and video projection equipment. Funds
also will be used to provide free child passenger safety
seats and bicycle helmets and lights for community
members who can�t afford to buy them.
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Beverly Hills Fire Department: For medical equipment for
the Community Emergency Response Team and CPR training
materials.
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Beverly Hills Police Department: For chemical,
biological, radiation and nuclear detection equipment to
help safeguard the community from terrorist attacks, and
for the Explorer Post Program, which mentors high school
students who are interested in law enforcement careers.
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Los Angeles County Fire Department-West Hollywood: For
two off-road firefighting/emergency medical/rescue
vehicles that improve responders� access to hillside
areas.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department-West Hollywood:
For approximately 50 new computer monitors.
Cedars-Sinai also
gave funds to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region for
basic supplies needed by the Prepare LA program to fill
emergency earthquake resource containers for the community
at four sites: West Hollywood Park, Fairfax High School,
Beverly Hills High School and Pan Pacific Recreation Center.
The grants are part of Cedars-Sinai�s broad-based community
benefit commitment. As a not-for-profit academic medical
center, Cedars-Sinai contributes hundreds of millions of
dollars each year for free and part-pay hospital care for
the uninsured and those with limited means, unfunded costs
of caring for Medi-Cal patients, research that advances
medicine, education for the next generation of healthcare
professionals, and hundreds of programs in local schools,
homeless shelters and community centers that involve
partnerships with community organizations.
cedars-sinai.edu
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