Bits 'n' Pieces

A Safe Haven for Inclusive Health Care

Access to quality health care is a fundamental human right, yet for many transgender and non-binary individuals, it remains a daunting experience.  Health care is one of our most basic needs and yet from encountering discrimination and ignorance in the world, facing financial barriers and inadequate resources available to them, health care can often feel unsafe.

One of the most pressing issues faced by transgender and non-binary individuals is discrimination from health care providers. Disrespect, misgendering and refusal of care are some of the negative experiences these individuals face. This discrimination can lead to avoidance of necessary medical treatment, increasing existing health disparities within these communities. Fear of discrimination often prevents individuals within this community from seeking preventative care.

The Family Residency Program at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center stands as a beacon of hope for under-resourced health care for the transgender and non-binary community with their LGBTQ Clinic. The LGBTQ Clinic offers a wide range of services including primary care, preventative care, gender- affirming hormone therapy and medical screenings addressing the importance of physical and emotional well-being for transgender individuals.

On their first visit to the clinic, patients partake in a one-hour long appointment in a comfortable and accepting environment with a resident physician who has special interest in providing gender affirming care. Patients are asked assessment questions about their gender journey, prior hormone treatment and goals. Once the assessment is over, the medical provider will offer services available to the patient which can include surgery, mental health considerations, voice coaching and more.

By addressing the intersectionality of health care and socio-economic disparities, the clinic demonstrates a commitment to addressing the root cause of health inequities faced by marginalized communities such as transgender individuals in the greater Long Beach region.

The LGBTQ Clinic is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment to all patients. Recognizing the importance of affirming gender identity and expression, the clinic provides gender-neutral forms and employs staff who are trained to be culturally sensitive and use the right pronouns ensuring patients feel respected from appointments to receiving care throughout their health care journey.

Through its range of services, commitment to inclusivity and dedication to addressing the social determinants of health, the LGBTQ Clinic at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is providing care and building a healthier, more accepting community.

To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/familyresidency.

By Odrin Castillo, D.O., primary care, MemorialCare Family Medicine Residency – Long Beach

Affordable Housing to Hundreds of Students

Cal State Long Beach recently broke ground on a new five-story residence hall. Under the Long Beach Housing Promise, the 108,000-square-foot residence hall will strengthen the university’s commitment to remove barriers and provide housing security to students in need.

“La Playa Hall has been strategically designed as a safe, supportive residential environment that fosters student access and success by cultivating community- and relationship-building, academic achievement, and college satisfaction and persistence,” said CSULB President Jane Close Conoley. “With the aging of our current housing facilities and an ever-growing student-housing waitlist, the creation of additional – and affordable – on-campus housing is a high priority for The Beach.”

The new 424 bed residence hall will be called La Playa, Spanish for “The Beach,” which will be comprised of three towers each with its own name: Tides, Palm and Sands.

The $115 million project is partly funded by California Senate Bill 183, which aims to increase the availability of affordable student housing across the state. The Beach was awarded $53 million and was one of seven CSU campuses competitively selected to receive funding.

“With the rising cost of housing in the area and the post-pandemic desire for our students to have the full college experience, our demand for on-campus housing has exceeded our housing capacity for the past several years, and that demand is increasing each year.  This project helps us to provide for the demand and puts us in a stronger position to help students with the greatest need for a roof over their head,” said Corry Colonna, executive director of Housing and Residential Life at CSULB. “Not only will these beds be more affordable, but it contributes mightily to our student’s success.

Studies show students who stay on campus tend to have better grades, earn credits more quickly, and have an improved overall campus experience.”

The campus currently has 21 residence halls totaling 3,194 beds. The new dorm will be the 22nd residence hall and bring the total campuswide bed count to 3,618.

The building will meet the silver equivalent of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. It will have approximately 4,200 square feet of rooftop solar panels to provide 20% of the building’s energy needs, optimize the use of natural light, use reclaimed water in toilets and irrigation, and have a drought-tolerant landscape. 

There will be 424 beds available in the new dorm. Of those, 404 will be set aside for affordable housing. The spaces available will be spread out among all the residence halls campuswide to ensure the students remain anonymous and no stigma is attached to those who receive a reduced housing rate.

The building is scheduled to be finished and ready to house students by the fall school year of 2026.

Excellence Award for Patient Experience

MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach was named a 2023 Human Experience (HX) Pinnacle of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience.

“We are immensely proud to receive this prestigious recognition from Press Ganey, which underscores the unwavering dedication and high level of care our team at Miller Children’s & Women’s provides,” says Yair Katz, chief executive, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “This award reaffirms our relentless pursuit of delivering the highest quality of care and compassion for children and expectant mothers.”

As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Pinnacle of Excellence Award, Miller Children’s & Women’s is ranked in the 90th percentile of healthcare providers that have maintained consistently high levels of excellence in delivering patient experience over a minimum of three consecutive years from April 2020 – March 2023.

“The journey of healing begins with the quality of care provided, resonating through every interaction with patients and their families,” said Graham Tse, M.D., chief medical officer, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “Reflecting on the entire continuum of care, this award holds profound meaning, as enhanced patient experiences often lead to improved health outcomes for both patients and their families.”

The Press Ganey HX Pinnacle of Excellence Award measures a hospital’s patient experience based on performance on global survey measures such as likelihood to recommend, teamwork, and overall rating.

“Each day, Miller Children’s & Women’s exemplifies dedication to their patients and workforce, showcasing a commitment that extends beyond the boundaries of their facilities,” says Patrick T. Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer, Press Ganey. “In prioritizing both their employees and the communities they serve, Miller Children’s & Women’s sets a remarkable standard for compassionate healthcare. It is with great honor that we stand as partners, celebrating their outstanding achievement.”

$200,000 to 3 Nonprofits

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center recently granted nearly $200,000 to three local nonprofit organizations who are truly making a difference by addressing the health care needs of local, underserved communities. Through its annual Community Health Grant Program, St. Mary Medical Center is able to work collaboratively with these select organizations to improve the well-being of local residents in Greater Long Beach.

First, Century Villages at Cabrillo received funding for its Pathways to Health 2024 program that prioritizes mental health resources, community engagement opportunities, peer-to-peer support groups and more.

The second grantee is Mental Health America of Los Angeles for its support in addressing the psychological factors that contribute to community members who are unhoused with mental health needs using the Emergency Department as their primary form of healthcare.

The third recipient is Precious Lamb Preschool, receiving a grant for its supportive services that promote healing and trauma-informed care for students and their parents who are experiencing homelessness. 

“Thanks to our Community Health Grant Program, we were able to provide assistance to three organizations that prioritize the needs of underprivileged families and victims of trauma,” shares Carolyn Caldwell, President and CEO at St. Mary Medical Center. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with such key partners in the community to help those in greatest need.”

Dignity Health’s Community Health Improvement Grants program has awarded $91 million to nearly 3,800 health improvement projects since 1991. For more information, please visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/about-us/community-health.

Submissions Sought for MTW Reading Festival

Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach’s premier theatre company, is seeking submissions for its fourth annual New Works Reading Festival. The festival is looking for writers who are interested in working on a staged reading of their musical in order to further its development and receive feedback.

The chosen submissions will have the opportunity to present a staged reading of their works using Equity and Non-Equity actors in front of an audience of MTW patrons and industry professionals during a two-day invite-only festival in November 2024. The exact dates of the festival will be announced at a later date.

“We are excited to open submissions for the fourth year of our New Works Reading Festival,” shared Paul Garman, executive director and producer of Musical Theatre West. “Our festival held this past January was our most successful yet. Our three selected pieces, MĀYĀ, The Dark Lady, and Broken Ground, had extremely well-received readings at the Assistance League on Long Beach, and have already furthered their musical journey since then. The Dark Lady and Broken Ground have workshopped at the Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Opera House, and MĀYĀ journeyed to London to continue working on the show across the pond! MTW is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of the Long Beach community it serves across all facets of its operations. As part of this commitment, MTW actively encourages writers from a wide range of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender identity, age, physical ability, LGBTQIA+, and diverse backgrounds to submit their work.

Submissions can be emailed to newworks@musical.org. Those submitting should include a script, cast size, song demo(s), contact information, and other pertinent information about your new musical. Please submit your package by June 14th. The selections will be announced in September. Selections will be presented under the AEA 29-hour staged reading guidelines.

For full details on submissions and requirements, please visit musical.org/new-works.