Bits 'n' Pieces

City Adds 154 Acres of Wetlands on East Side

Last Thursday, City of Long Beach officials joined the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, Synergy Oil & Gas and other local leaders to break ground on the restoration of 154 acres of the Synergy Oil Field, located off Second Street near Studebaker Road, officially launching the land’s transformation from oil and natural gas production fields into publicly accessible coastal wetlands. Once completed, this will be the largest single addition of open space in Long Beach since the creation of El Dorado Regional Park in the 1960s.

The Los Cerritos Wetlands complex is a privately owned property that has operated as oil fields and natural gas production for over 50 years. Last year, the city advocated for the authorization of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Exchange Proposal – a critical step to bring the Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project to fruition by transferring five acres of land from the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to the Los Cerritos Wetlands LLC in exchange for the 154-acre parcel, which was approved by the California Coastal Conservancy in February 2024.

As a result of this land exchange authorization, the Los Cerritos Wetlands complex was placed under public management, consolidating existing oil operations to a significantly smaller footprint – approximately seven acres – and paving the way for the beginning restoration phases for the historic acres of wetlands. 

“This project shows the power of collaboration,” said Third District Councilmember and Chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, Kristina Duggan. “We are turning an active oil site into restored wetlands at the southern entrance of our city, protecting our environment and opening up private coastal land to the public for the first time in over 60 years.”

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project will be conducted in phases over the next decade, with initial transformation visible within the first two years. The restoration will be led by Synergy Oil & Gas, with oversight from state and federal agencies. Work to remove the large oil wells and equipment is already underway.

As oil equipment is removed, the site will be regraded and new topsoil and native plants will be placed. Additional work within the project scope includes removing invasive species and hazardous materials and restoring tidal flows to support native plants and wildlife, along with a new visitor center, public walking trails and opportunities for environmental education and recreation.

This project is made possible through the above-mentioned public-private partnership land exchange, limited new environmentally sensitive oil drilling, creation of a mitigation bank and purchase of mitigation credits by the Port of Long Beach. The project involves collaboration between the California Coastal Conservancy, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, the California Coastal Commission and the City of Long Beach. The City of Long Beach sheparded the project through more than 10 years of public process in partnership with the applicant, dedicated community members and activists and the state agencies.

“This oil field provided jobs and energy for decades and now it will serve the community in a new way, as open space that benefits future generations,” said John McKeown, CEO of Synergy Oil & Gas. “After more than a decade of work to bring this partnership together, I’m proud to see the project move into the restoration phase.”

Environmental sustainability is a core function of the city. This project is a testament to the city’s dedication and long-term goals to protect and restore local biodiversity and native habitats and ensure Long Beach remains a city where everyone can live in safe, healthy and thriving communities that are built on sustainability and resilience. This project will position Long Beach as a leader in sustainability by helping California advance its critically important land conservation goals by helping combat the biodiversity and climate change crisis using nature-based solutions. Without the fruition of this project and with continued use of aging oil wells and production equipment, the Los Cerritos Wetlands complex would have continued to degrade and the threat to local tidal wetlands and coastal habitats perpetuate.

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consolidation and Restoration Project is also part of a broader regional effort. Combined with the 103-acre Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project in Seal Beach, over 250 acres of coastal wetlands are being restored – strengthening local ecosystems, increasing climate resilience and reconnecting people to nature.

First Robotic Hip Revision Surgery at Hospital

MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center has made history by becoming the first hospital globally to successfully perform a robotic hip revision surgery utilizing Stryker’s groundbreaking Mako Total Hip with 5.0 Advanced Primary and Revision application. Additionally, Long Beach Medical Center is the first in California to employ the Mako 4 SmartRobotics in conjunction with the Q Guidance System. These landmark procedures signify a significant advancement in orthopedic surgery, reinforcing Long Beach Medical Center’s 117 year-legacy and leadership in surgical innovation, adeptness in revision procedures and its commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

Hip revision surgery is a highly complex procedure, typically required when complications arise from a previous joint replacement, such as implant loosening, instability, or infection. Unlike primary hip replacements, revisions involve navigating existing implants, scar tissue, compromised bone quality and extended recovery periods – making them significantly more complex.

Each year, roughly 70,000 of these procedures are performed in the United States, with that number expected to grow due to increased life expectancy and the desire for long-term joint functionality in an active aging population.

Dr. Wassef, a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, has previously completed more than 2,000 joint replacement surgeries using Mako technology, but his first using THA 5.0 robotic platform for a hip revision. His extensive expertise and commitment to patient-centered care were pivotal in achieving this world-first accomplishment.

The latest advancement in SmartRobotics, Mako 4, represents a significant innovation in robotic-assisted joint surgery. The platform employs 3D CT-based planning and AccuStop haptic technology to facilitate precise, customized procedures while preserving healthy bone and tissue. When paired with the Q Guidance system, it allows for live tracking during surgery, providing enhanced accuracy in even the most complex cases. The updated 4.0 robot is both a hardware and software update and will be the platform for all future upgrades with Mako.

The expanded Mako Total Hip with 5.0 software also provides surgeons with advanced visualization of the femur-to-pelvis and component relationship. This allows for detection of potential impingement risks – when tendons or soft tissue become pinched within the joint – and for precise implant positioning based on changes in pelvic tilt during sitting, standing and lying positions. The range-of-motion modeling helps pre-plan surgery with exceptional precision, enabling optimal implant placement tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and movement patterns. 

Robotic-assisted hip revision surgery provides several clinical benefits. Patients frequently report less postoperative discomfort, smaller incisions and reduced hospital stays. The technology’s enhanced precision contributes to greater implant longevity and lowers the risk of complications, ultimately promoting a faster return to mobility and daily function. Furthermore, studies indicate that patients who undergo robotic hip procedures are more than twice as likely to perceive their hip functioning normally compared to those treated with traditional surgical methods.

The adoption of robotic-assisted surgeries is expanding globally, with healthcare systems recognizing the potential for improved efficiency, reduced complications and increased patient satisfaction. This achievement reflects Long Beach Medical Center’s ongoing investment in advanced technology and reinforces its reputation as a leader in orthopedic innovation.

SMMC Earns ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns A through F grades to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“We are honored to once again be recognized among the safest hospitals in the nation,” said Carolyn Caldwell, hospital president and CEO of SMMC. “This meaningful recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to patient safety and excellence in care. Every member of our team shares in this achievement, as we continue to put the well-being of our patients at the heart of everything we do.”

Nineteen Dignity Health hospitals across California – including SMMC – earned an “A” this cycle, the highest number achieved by any health system in the state.

“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To explore Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center’s full grade details and find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and stay informed through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.