Bits 'n' Pieces

SMMC Earns Honors

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) announced significant accolades for its commitment to patient safety and clinical distinction. SMMC has once again been rated Grade A for hospital safety by The Leapfrog Group and recognized by Healthgrades, ranking five-star ratings in three specialties, including two consecutive years for Treatment of Heart Failure.

These distinctions, based on rigorous, third-party evaluations of patient outcomes and safety data, provide the community with transparent insights into SMMC’s consistent delivery of high-quality hospital care.

“Our hospital’s consistent achievement of an ‘A’ grade for patient safety, alongside our distinguished five-star specialty rankings, directly reflects SMMC’s pursuit of clinical excellence,” stated Carolyn Caldwell, FACHE, hospital president and CEO.

“St. Mary has been a cornerstone of care in the greater Long Beach community. These honors assure our residents that advanced, safe and personalized care is available right here. Our team of dedicated physicians, nurses and caregivers integrate inspired innovations and humankindness into every aspect of care to ensure the best possible outcomes.”

SMMC’s long-standing dedication to superior patient care is consistently validated through independent assessments. The hospital has maintained this ‘A’ Grade for hospital safety making it among the safest hospitals nationwide. This accomplishment also highlights Dignity Health’s system-wide success, with its California hospitals collectively earning more ‘A’ ratings than any other health system in the state. Complementing its safety record, SMMC has achieved five-star ratings for cardiac care, gastrointestinal and critical care.

“These distinctions are more than just awards; they are a transparent testament to our hospital’s unwavering commitment to our community’s well-being,” added Caldwell. “They assure our patients that choosing St. Mary means choosing a facility built on trust, dedicated to the highest standards of safety, clinical expertise and compassionate care.”

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates across approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. The Leapfrog hospital safety grade assesses how well hospitals protect patients from errors, accidents, injuries and infections. To learn more about St. Mary’s award-winning care, please visit dignityhealth.org/stmary.

Rams Quarterback Named Brand Embassador

Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital announced a new partnership with Super Bowl Champion and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as its official brand ambassador. The new partnership supports the hospital’s mission to deliver quality, compassionate pediatric specialty and maternity care to families across South Los Angeles County and North Orange County.

“As a father of four young daughters, I can’t imagine what we would do if one of them faced a serious illness or injury that required hospitalization,” said Stafford. “Many families have experienced firsthand just how essential children’s hospitals like Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital are. The doctors and nurses at these hospitals have specialized training, because caring for kids isn’t the same as treating adults. I’m honored to stand behind a place that brings hope, healing and expert care to so many families.”

Stafford’s leadership, resilience and long-standing commitment to community make him an ideal ambassador for Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. As part of this partnership, Stafford will help raise awareness highlighting the vital role children’s hospitals and philanthropic initiatives supporting access to high-quality pediatric care are, especially as they face ongoing challenges related to Medicaid funding and reimbursement for the most vulnerable patients: infants, children and teens.

“We are deeply grateful for Matthew’s support of our children’s hospital,” said Rob Gunsalus, president, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Foundation. “This is about celebrating our patients and families, inspiring donors and educating the community on how valuable it is to have a children’s hospital right in your own backyard. We are absolutely thrilled that the first step Matthew has taken is to support Miller Children’s & Women’s with the My Cause, My Cleats initiative.”

Through the league’s annual My Cause, My Cleats campaign, players spotlight causes close to their heart by customizing their game-day footwear. This year, Stafford’s cleats feature artwork created by patients from Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, a meaningful design that celebrates their creativity, courage and strength.

“There have been many moments in my life when I was the underdog,” Stafford added. “And in every one of those moments, someone believed in me. After learning about Miller Children’s & Women’s, I realized that every child deserves someone in their corner. That’s what this hospital represents, hope, care and community. As a Los Angeles resident and proud dad, I’m honored to help shine a light on that.”

To learn more about Miller Children’s & Women’s or to make a donation, visit millerchildrens.org/GiveStafford.

LBCC Breaks Ground for Future Building E

Long Beach City College (LBCC) held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for the new Building E College Center, a transformative project that will become the pulse of student life on the Liberal Arts Campus.

“This groundbreaking of the new college center is a reminder of what our communities can build together when we choose progress over complacency and inclusion over animosity,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, president of the Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Board of Trustees.

“By passing Measure LB and Measure AC, our voters decided to invest not just in new walls, but in the belief that every student – no matter their background, zip code, or life story – deserves a vibrant place to learn, thrive and grow. As a former LBCC student who studied in the former building, it’s inspiring to witness the new Building E reborn as a dynamic center of student life that will empower generations of LBCC scholars to dream bigger and achieve more,” he said.

The new three-story, 62,823-square-foot facility will replace the existing Building E and serve as a vibrant hub for student engagement, academic support and community connection. The new college center will bring together vital services including Student Life, Basic Needs, Viking Vault, the Family Center, International Center, Student Affairs, First Year Experience and the Social Justice Intercultural Center.

The building will also feature the campus cafeteria, an amphitheater, outdoor seating, flexible event spaces and the modern design honors the Liberal Arts Campus’ past and moves to a modern inclusive future.

Construction began in July 2025, and the new facility is anticipated to open in Fall 2027. The total project budget is $102 million, and is designed to achieve US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. Achieving the LEED Gold Certification means the new college center will operate with lower energy use, reduced environmental impact, and a more comfortable, healthier environment for everyone who uses it.

Funding for the new building is provided through Measure LB, approved by local voters in 2016.

LBPD $390,000 Grant for Traffic Safety

The Long Beach Police Department announced that it has received a $390,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads. The grant program runs through September 2026.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Commander Jeremy Boshnack said. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes and make our roads safer for everyone.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running and improper turning or lane changes.
• Conduct specialized enforcement operations focusing specifically on street racing and sideshow activities.
• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

“Through focused traffic enforcement and education, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.