It's A New Day for MLK Community Hospital
August 11, 2015
by Gary Toebben
Many individuals and organizations were applauded last Friday during the official dedication of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH) in Willowbrook-Watts. And for good reason. It took a symphony of people and organizations, coming together in harmony, to raise this new community, privately-run, safety net hospital from the ashes.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was the founder and conductor of that symphony, and he was rightly praised by every speaker and the entire audience. But he could not have succeeded without the support of his fellow County Supervisors and Dr. Mitch Katz, director of the County Department of Health Services. In addition to substantial private donations, the County wrote the biggest check, and will continue to invest $68 million annually to provide care for indigent patients, and other administrative needs.
Supervisor Ridley-Thomas thanked and applauded the University of California, and specifically UCLA and its medical center. Without their commitment, there would not have been a dedication on Friday. The Supervisor recognized the L.A. Area Chamber, the County Federation of Labor, and other community organizations that testified before the UC Board of Regents in San Francisco urging them to partner with the County in this essential undertaking. Other key musicians in the symphony were the California Endowment and its CEO Dr. Robert Ross, Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.
The communities of Watts, Willowbrook, Compton and beyond packed the tent and “Sweet” Alice Harris, the founder of Parents of Watts, spoke for everyone in the neighborhood as she thanked Supervisor Ridley-Thomas for his leadership.
Dr. Elaine Batchlor, CEO of MLKCH, was praised for her work in the planning, opening and staffing of the 131 bed hospital, thus far hiring 650 people out of more than 14,000 applicants. Dr. Batchlor has earned the confidence of the community and all the key partners going forward, as they address the health care needs of South L.A.
Yes, it’s a new day at MLKCH and everyone in L.A. County should be very proud.
And that's The Business Perspective.
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