Bits 'n' Pieces

Children’s Care Network

Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, part of MemorialCare Health System, announced the launch of the Miller Children’s Care Network, a comprehensive network designed to connect families with expert primary and specialty pediatric care. The network brings together an integrated network of pediatricians and specialists to enhance the quality, accessibility and overall value of health care provided to patients across the South Los Angeles and North Orange County region.

“Our vision with the Miller Children’s Care Network is to redefine pediatric health care in our region,” says Graham Tse, M.D., chief medical officer, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “By integrating primary care with our extensive network of pediatric specialists, we’re ensuring families have seamless access to exceptional, quality-driven, coordinated care. The network also supports pediatricians by improving access, offering shared contracting and purchasing opportunities, enhancing data-sharing through electronic medical records and fostering physician-to-physician collaboration.”

In 2021, senior leadership at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital conducted nationwide physician surveys to assess the benefits and needs of joining an integrated network like the Miller Children’s Care Network. The critical themes identified included improving access to specialty programs and specialists, leveraging Miller Children’s & Women’s brand and educational programs, providing practice management and administrative support, introducing Epic electronic medical records to participating practices and establishing contracting vehicles with multiple stakeholders.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to setting new standards in pediatric medicine and enhancing the health and well-being of children in our communities,” says Laurie Sicaeros, chief strategy officer, MemorialCare. “We’ve created an active and ongoing program to evaluate and modify practice patterns by a network’s physician participants, creating a high degree of interdependence and cooperation among the physicians and their practices to improve timely access and ensure quality.”

Currently, the Miller Children’s Care Network has more than 100 pediatricians, including MemorialCare Medical Group pediatricians and independent community pediatrician groups throughout the region.

This integration supports the management of chronic conditions like asthma or gastrointestinal issues, as well as the treatment of complex or acute illnesses. By fostering strong partnerships between primary care providers and pediatric specialists, the network creates a unified approach to each child’s health care journey.

LBCC Space Honors Temple Family Foundation

The Long Beach City College (LBCC) Foundation announced that, following a generous $1 million gift in March 2024, the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) space has been officially dedicated in honor of the Temple Family Charitable Foundation. This dedication acknowledges the Temple Family’s unwavering commitment to supporting students with disabilities and ensuring they have access to the essential resources needed to thrive in higher education.

The newly dedicated space, located in the M Building on LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus, serves as a hub for students utilizing DSPS services, offering essential accommodations, academic support and specialized resources. The Temple Family Charitable Foundation’s philanthropic efforts have significantly enhanced the quality of services provided, reinforcing the college’s mission of inclusivity and accessibility for all students.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Temple Family Charitable Foundation for their unwavering support of our students,” said Paul Kaminski, chief executive officer of the LBCC Foundation. “This dedication is a testament to their commitment to educational equity and their generosity will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students.”

The dedication ceremony, held at LBCC Liberal Arts Campus, M-Building on Feb. 26, was attended by LBCC administrators, faculty, students and members of the Temple Family. Speakers at the event highlighted the importance of DSPS in fostering a supportive learning environment and recognized the Temple Family Charitable Foundation’s invaluable contributions to student success.

The Dark Side of Daylight Saving

On March 9, clocks will “spring forward,” losing an hour as daylight saving time (DST) begins at 2 a.m. While longer daylight hours may seem beneficial, the abrupt shift in time can have serious health consequences – especially when we lose sleep.

Research has shown that the transition into daylight saving time is associated with an increase in health and safety risks. A study published in Current Biology found a 6% increase in fatal car crashes in the U.S. in the week following the switch to daylight saving time. Additionally, the loss of sleep has been linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and workplace injuries.

“The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize the impact of the time change,” says Dr. Jim Keany, chief medical officer at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center “Start adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before the switch by going to bed 15 to 30 minutes earlier each night. In the morning, expose yourself to bright light to help reset your internal clock. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime and make sure to prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep in the days following the transition.”

The disruption to the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, plays a key role in these negative effects. Extended evening light delays the release of melatonin, the hormone that signals the body to wind down for sleep. This can lead to shorter and lower-quality sleep, leaving many people groggy and less alert during the day. Sleep disturbances are also linked to a higher risk of mood disturbances, including depression and anxiety.

To help with the transition, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises individuals to be extra cautious while driving and performing tasks that require full attention in the week after the time change. Gradually adjusting sleep and wake times in the days leading up to DST can help ease the body’s adjustment, reducing the risk of accidents and health complications.

Nominations for Veterans Banner Program

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is accepting nominations for the second year of the Long Beach Veterans Banner Program. Last year, 25 veterans were honored with individual banners displayed on Carson Street between Clark Avenue and Woodruff Avenue. This year, up to 60 veteran nominees will be selected for the program. The Health Department’s Office of Veterans Support, in collaboration with the Long Beach Veterans Commission, will oversee the selection of banners to be displayed at various locations throughout Long Beach for one year, beginning in summer 2025.

The community is encouraged to nominate any veteran, living or deceased, who served honorably and meets one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Born or raised in Long Beach.
• Currently working or previously worked in Long Beach.
• Currently residing or previously resided in Long Beach.
• Educated in Long Beach.
• Formerly stationed or worked at the Long Beach Naval Station or Shipyard, the Long Beach Naval Hospital or the Long Beach Armory.

Nominations for the Veterans Banner Program are now open and will be accepted through March 31, 2025. Applicants will be asked to:

Identify clearly which of the above eligibility criteria the veteran nominee meets.

Provide information about the veteran nominee’s military service.

Describe any connections the veteran nominee may have to Long Beach, such as involvement with local civic, community-based or veterans’ organizations or other community involvement.

Provide the veteran nominee’s bio, which will be posted on the city ’s website.

Provide a high-resolution photo upon the city ’s request; photos will be requested or arrangements for obtaining photos will be made only if the veteran nominee is selected for the banner program.

The Long Beach Veterans Commission will review and evaluate applications to ensure they meet eligibility criteria and selected honorees will be notified by May 2025. During the review process, all applications will be anonymized to reduce selection bias.

This year’s program expansion was made possible by a one-time increase in funding, approved as part of the city ’s Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, to support the veteran outreach and education efforts of the Veteran Affairs Commission.

People are encouraged to submit an application using the Veterans Banner Program nomination form or visit longbeach.gov/veteransbanners for more information.

Motorsports Walk of Fame Inductees

The City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, announced the honorees for the 2025 Motorsports Walk of Fame: Scott Dixon, Jim Michaelian and Beverly O’Neill. The honorees will be inducted during a public ceremony taking place Thursday, April 10, ahead of the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 11-13.

Dixon, Michaelian and O’Neill will be inducted into the Walk of Fame during a free, open-to-the-public ceremony at 11 a.m. in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue. During the ceremony, each honoree will unveil a 22-inch bronze medallion featuring renditions of their iconic cars and descriptions of their major achievements, enshrining their contributions to motorsports on the Walk of Fame.

Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion and defending Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner Scott Dixon is entering his 25th season racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the past 24 of which have been with Chip Ganassi Racing, the longest tenure for a driver in team history. Dixon has 58 career wins, second in series history behind only A.J. Foyt (67). His six championships are also the second-most, trailing only Foyt (seven).

Nicknamed “The Iceman,” Dixon produced another impressive season in 2024 winning at Long Beach and Detroit and scoring his 142nd career podium finish – an INDYCAR record. He won a race for the 20th consecutive season and the 22nd season overall. That extended his series records in both categories.

President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC (GPALB) since 2001, Jim Michaelian has been involved with the organization since its inception in 1975, serving in a number of functional areas including finance, operations and marketing.

In his current capacity, Michaelian is responsible for the overall management of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach as well as its subsidiary, Grand Prix Special Events, which specializes in temporary structure rentals for such events as the Academy Awards, Rose Parade, Electric Daisy Carnival, Emmy Awards and various other events.

Beverly Lewis O’Neill was born and raised in Long Beach, the city she often said she loved. After a 31-year career in education culminating in five years as president/superintendent of Long Beach City College, Beverly was elected Mayor of Long Beach in 1994. She was the first big city mayor to win a third term through a write-in campaign, serving 12 years.

Mayor O’Neill led the remaking of the city’s economy after the U.S. Navy’s departure, including rebuilding of the downtown waterfront, with the Grand Prix of Long Beach at its center. She was directly involved in adjusting the course to accommodate redevelopment while keeping the spotlight on the Grand Prix.

In her 12 years as mayor, Mayor O’Neill never missed opening ceremonies for the Grand Prix event, addressing the crowd in her trademark black and white checkered scarf. She embraced the role of biggest cheerleader, for the city and the race.

After the ceremony, the honorees will sign autographs for those in attendance. For more information, visit lbmotorsportswof.com.

The Motorsports Walk of Fame is a joint project of the City of Long Beach and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. It was created in 2006 to honor key contributors to the sport of auto racing, with Dan Gurney and Phil Hill as the inaugural honorees, both of whom greatly contributed to the success of the early days of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Since then, 37 honorees have been recognized.

Grand Theft Charges Filed Against CSULB Employees

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that one current and one former employee of the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Athletics Department have been charged with stealing approximately $36,560 from the university through fraudulent time sheets certifying hundreds of hours of nonexistent work between January and December 2022.

Oscar Perez Almanza (DOB 12/4/85) and Hender Noe Maxwell (DOB 9/25/86) are each charged in case 25CJCF01062 with one felony count of conspiracy to commit grand theft and one felony count of grand theft. It is further alleged the offenses indicate planning, sophistication and professionalism; and involved an attempted and actual taking and damage of great monetary value.

From January to December 2022, Almanza worked as a field supervisor and Maxwell was a former grounds worker in CSULB’s Athletics Department. After Maxwell left CSULB’s employment, he allegedly submitted timesheets falsely certifying hundreds of hours worked, which Almanza allegedly approved despite knowing Maxwell no longer worked for the Athletics Department. Once CSULB paid Maxwell, Maxwell allegedly split the money with Almanza. In total, Almanza and Maxwell allegedly stole $36,560 from the university.

The defendants pled not guilty at arraignment Monday. The court released the defendants on their own recognizance with the condition that they relinquish their passports. The next court date is April 14 at the Central Arraignment Courthouse, Dept. 83, for preliminary hearing setting.

If convicted as charged, the defendants face three years in county jail.

The case was investigated by the CSULB Police Department and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert Zoumberakis of LADA’s Public Integrity Division.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

LBCC Opens E-Sports Lab

Long Beach City College (LBCC) Board of Trustees, students and employees officially celebrated the opening of the largest e-sports lab in Southern California with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 27. The $2.3 million state-of-the-art classroom features cutting-edge technology to support students interested in the rapidly growing e-sports industry.

“Long Beach City College is proud to lead the way in providing students with access to this rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar e-sports industry with well-paying jobs,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, LBCC Board of Trustees president. “This cutting-edge facility is more than just a gaming lab – it’s a gateway to future careers in technology, broadcasting and game development. Our investment in this state-of-the-art space reflects our commitment to innovation, workforce development and student success in the digital era.”

By 2030, the e-sports industry will be worth $6 billion and careers in gaming technology are steadily increasing. Long Beach City College is proud to be at the forefront of providing students with access to this innovative field of study by building the brand-new e-sports lab. The project renovated an existing room and computer lab in Building M at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. The new e-sports lab includes:

47 Alienware gaming stations, with a teaching station for an instructor or coach to interact with students

Optimized lighting system to enhance player comfort and reduce visual fatigue during extended gaming sessions

An independent operational infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted network and power capabilities for seamless gaming experiences

Fully equipped casting booth that supports live professional-grade broadcasting of gaming competitions over the internet

Construction began in March 2024, completed in July 2024 and opened to students during the 2024 fall semester. The renovations were funded by Measure LB and LBCC’s capital outlay fund. Cordoba Corporation was the construction manager and the architect was HPI Architecture.

LBCC currently offers a certificate of achievement in Digital Media: Multimedia Interaction & Game Design which provides students with the foundational skills to work in the gaming industry. LBCC also offers a variety of programs for students looking to pursue careers in robotics, computer office studies, cloud computing, cybersecurity and more.

Port Boosts Green Transformation

The Port of Long Beach, a worldwide leader in sustainable supply chain operations, is launching two new incentive programs totaling $57.4 million to accelerate emissions reductions by supporting the purchase of zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment and cleaner harbor craft.

The funding is part of the System-Wide Investment in Freight Transport (SWIFT), a pioneering initiative funded by the California State Transportation Agency’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program.

SWIFT is a transformative effort designed to support port modernization, enhance goods movement efficiency and reduce environmental impacts on neighboring communities.

“This program is all about making strides in operational efficiency and sustainability, rapidly and responsibly,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “It is a reflection of not only our dedication to innovation but also our responsibility towards the community and the environment.”

“SWIFT is more than a program, it’s a promise to our community and to future generations,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal said. “By accelerating the adoption of zero-emissions technologies, we are ensuring we provide immediate and lasting benefits to our Port and our neighboring communities.”

This round of funding is evenly split between the Zero-Emission Terminal Transformation and Harbor Craft Business Continuity and Emission Reduction programs. Details on the funding:

Zero-Emission Terminal Transformation Program: Allocates $28.7 million in incentives for purchasing zero-emission cargo handling equipment and battery-electric CHE charging equipment. All cargo handling equipment being tested must be manually operated.

Commercial Harbor Craft Incentive Program: Provides another $28.7 million to support upgrades that meet advanced environmental standards for harbor craft.

A virtual informational workshop to learn more about this funding opportunity will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, March 13. Registration is required to attend. More information can be found www.polb.com/swift.