Bits 'n' Pieces

Advanced Cardiac Imaging Director Named

Christina Rodriguez, M.D., has been named medical director of advanced cardiac imaging at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center.  Rodriguez is a fellowship-trained, board-certified, non-invasive cardiologist who specializes in various forms of advanced cardiac imaging. She is only one of two in the Southern Los Angeles/Orange County area who specializes in advanced cardiac imaging.

“Dr. Rodriguez is an amazing addition to our team at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute and we are excited to bring this next-level cardiac imaging expertise to our community,” says David Kim, M.D., executive vice president, MemorialCare Clinical Institutes. “Dr. Rodriguez’s capabilities in advanced cardiac imaging will undoubtedly save lives by providing precise images of the heart for clearer diagnoses, without ionizing radiation.”

In her new role, Dr. Rodriguez will focus on providing patient-centered care through state-of-the-art technology for cardiac MRI, cardiac CT and structural echocardiograms to advance the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center’s understanding of heart disease and ensuring each patient is diagnosed and treated with the best treatment possible.

“Every action we take at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center is to help elevate our program to provide cardiac services on par with academic institutions at a community hospital,” says David Shavelle, M.D., chief of cardiology, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute. “With the addition of Dr. Rodriguez, MemorialCare has one of the most advanced cardiac programs in the region, with a focus always on a ‘minimally invasive approach first mentality.’”

Rodriguez’s specialties include reading and managing cardiac MRIs, cardiac CTs and performing intraprocedural structural transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs) for procedures such as Tricuspid and Mitral Valve Clip and patent foramen ovales (PFO), which is a small opening in the heart. She is also board certified in reading cardiac nuclear studies, cardiac echocardiogram and cardiac CT.

“I am excited to expand Long Beach Medical Center’s advanced cardiac imaging capabilities to help our understanding of heart disease and how we can better help patients in our community,” said Rodriguez. “There are so many different minimally invasive and noninvasive ways to look into the heart – I plan to continue bringing new advanced technologies and services to our program to help patients with advanced heart conditions.”

Rodriguez is currently assisting with various research efforts, including the TEE imaging portion of the Allay-HF study – a study beginning at Long Beach Medical Center designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Alleviant System in patients with heart failure and who remain symptomatic despite medical therapy.

“There are so many different research opportunities in the field of advanced cardiac imaging, including cardiac perfusion, how blood flows to the heart, the analysis of plaque buildup in the arteries and assessing microvascular dysfunction in women” says Dr. Rodriguez. “With the upcoming introduction of stress cardiac MRI at Long Beach Medical Center, we will better understand how microvascular dysfunction affects women – it is one of our main focuses in our new Women’s Heart Center.”

Dr. Rodriguez received her medical degree and did her residency in internal medicine at the University Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She then completed a fellowship in cardiology at Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital in San Diego and a second fellowship in advanced cardiac imaging at Stanford University in Stanford.

Driven by her passion for patient care, Dr. Rodriguez finds fulfillment in the human connection medicine offers and tailors care to each patient’s unique needs. Growing up in Puerto Rico, she speaks fluent Spanish and speaks conversational French, helping her provide patient centered care and treat their heart needs.

“First and foremost, I am a cardiologist who happens to be specialized in advanced cardiac imaging,” says Dr. Rodriguez. “All of my specialties are just tools that ultimately help my patients and give them the specialized care they need.”

Director of Workforce Innovation Network Named

The City of Long Beach announced the appointment of Jaime Gutierrez as the executive director for the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN). This position oversees the Economic Development Department’s Workforce Development Bureau and the city’s adult and youth employment centers, WorkPlace and Future LB.

“Here in Long Beach, we are committed to our vision of creating equitable workforce opportunities for all,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “Jaime’s extensive background in workforce development and his dedication to community impact make him the ideal candidate for this position. We are confident that under his leadership, LBWIN will continue to thrive and make a significant impact on the lives of Long Beach residents.”

In this role, Gutierrez will report to the director of Economic Development and oversee the activities and staff of the Workforce Development Bureau, providing strategic leadership in close coordination with business and industry, academia and state and nonprofit entities.

He will also provide oversight to the Workforce Development Board and help to ensure the success of major personnel initiatives including retention, recruitment and building a strong talent pipeline for the future.

“We are pleased to welcome Jaime to the team. His leadership experience and wealth of knowledge in workforce policies and operations will be a great asset to the Department and our vision for creating equitable opportunities for workers, investors and entrepreneurs, and positioning Long Beach as a magnet for 21st century talent,” said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez.

Gutierrez has an extensive career in local, state and national government. Most recently, he served as the chief deputy director for the California Employment Training Panel, where he managed a variety of complex, specialized programs. In this role, he worked closely with the Governor’s Office and the Labor & Workforce Development Agency to support employers and workers across California.

Previously, he was the chief of the California Employment Development Department’s Central Office Workforce Services Division, where he led large-scale programs, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and oversaw the distribution of $700 million in state and federal funding.

“I am honored to accept the position of executive director of the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network, and I am deeply committed to advancing economic development initiatives that will help Long Beach businesses and residents succeed,” said Gutierrez. “By aligning our efforts with the needs of both job seekers and employers, we will continue fostering economic resilience and building a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

Gutierrez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a certification in Organizational Change Management, both from California State University, Sacramento. 

The city thanks Alisa Munoz, who has been serving as acting executive director of LBWIN, for playing a vital role in maintaining the momentum of workforce programs and operations during the recruitment process for this permanent position. Alisa has resumed her role as Workforce Development Officer.

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Alisa,” said Modica. “Her unwavering commitment and leadership as acting executive director was instrumental in ensuring our continued progress in LBWIN’s many important initiatives, and in turn connecting our community to opportunities and the resources they need to thrive.”