Kaiser Permanente has granted La Maestra Community Health Center $1 million to support the community capital campaign and the construction of a 34,660 square-foot, state-of-the-art "green" facility.
Officials say the new facility will be able to accommodate an anticipated 180,000 patient and client visits per year, more than 3 1/2 times the number currently served by the health center.
"Kaiser Permanente and La Maestra have a shared vision to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve," said Benjamin Chu, MD, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. "In these difficult economic times, the need for La Maestra's programs and services will continue to increase. With this new, larger facility, La Maestra has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of families who are struggling to preserve their health."
As the need for quality healthcare for the uninsured has grown, La Maestra bills itself as a center for total health and well-being for the residents of City Heights, providing physical, mental and dental care as well as new programs and services vitally needed by the community.
"Residents find not only a 'medical home' at La Maestra; they find a family that cares about their overall well-being," said Zara Marselian, CEO of La Maestra.
She said every staff member, from receptionist to physician, is trained in the "Circle of Care" approach - identify the patient's needs, work as a team to address those needs and guide the patient toward treatment, education, training and self-sufficiency.
The organization's mission is to provide quality healthcare and education, improve the overall well-being of the family and bring the underserved, ethnically diverse communities into the mainstream of society in a caring, effective and culturally competent manner that respects patients' dignity.
The new facility will comply with the Gold Level LEED (Leadership in Environmental Excellence Development) Certification offered by the United States Green Building Council. This means it is designed with the highest environmentally friendly standards. Factors such as air quality ventilation, lighting, energy-use sources, waste management and natural materials will be selected based on this standard.
"With La Maestra, we have the opportunity to support environmental sustainability and social equity - both of which have a direct, positive effect on individual and community health," said Raymond J. Baxter, senior vice president of community benefit, research and health policy for Kaiser Permanente.