If you are in danger of losing your home or want help to buy a your first home, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco invites you to attend the Free foreclosure pretention and first-time homebuyers’ workshop in Sherman Oaks with special guest Congressman Brad Sherman.
(Sherman Oaks, Calif.) If you are in danger of losing your home or want help to buy a your first home, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco invites you to attend the Free foreclosure pretention and first-time homebuyers’ workshop in Sherman Oaks with special guest Congressman Brad Sherman.
The free foreclosure pretention and first-time homebuyers’ workshops are at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5060 Van Nuys Blvd, on Saturday, August 4th. Registration begins at 9:30 am and the event runs from 10 am to 2 pm.
Those wanting to attend are asked to register online at: FHLBSF.com. You can also come at 9:30 am on the day of the event to register.
“There is a lot going on now with California Mortgages. The Attorney General’s settlement with lenders and recently passed laws have opened many opportunities for homeowners facing foreclosure to stay in their homes,” said Lawrence H. Parks, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for FHLB San Francisco.
Lack of communication with the lender is often one of the major roadblocks to saving a home from foreclosure. This free home preservation workshop was developed to provide information and financial counseling to residents faced with losing their homes.
“It is not unusual for homeowners to be unaware of the options available to them, like the Federal Making Home Affordable Program, or the Keep your Home California Program and many other programs,” said Parks.
Homeowners’ in danger of foreclosure can meet with certified HUD councilors on site from The Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County and NID Housing Counseling Agency. Representatives from Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America will also be there to help homeowners work to resolve foreclosure issues.
The foreclosure pretention and first-time homebuyers’ workshops are at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5060 Van Nuys Blvd, on Saturday, August 4th. Registration begins at 9:30 am and the event runs from 10 am to 2 pm.
The Southland Regional Association of Realtors and lenders will also teach first-time homebuyers’ how to buy a home including many programs from local, state and the federal government to help get into your first home.
Many people feel now is the time to buy with the lowest interest rates and home prices in the last 20 years.
“At this workshop you will have an opportunity to learn which options are best for your family. If you need answers to help save your home from foreclosure or buy your first home, we invite you to attend this workshop to get the help you need, face to face with your lender or a HUD approved housing counselor – absolutely free,” said Parks.
Come Prepared! Bring copies of the following documentation:
■ Pay stubs for the most recent 2 pay periods
■ 2011 tax return, including W-2
■ A copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy
■ Hardship letter (in your own words)
■ Bank statements for the most recent 2 months
■ A list of your monthly expenses
■ A utility bill
■ Your most recent mortgage statement
■ And any other related correspondence
■ Self-employed individuals must also provide bank statements for the most recent 4 months, a 2010 or 2011 tax return and a year to date profit and loss statement.
For more information, contact Kevin Blackburn at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, at blackbur@fhlbsf.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco delivers low-cost funding and other services that help member financial institutions make home mortgages to people of all income levels and provide credit that supports neighborhoods and communities. The Bank also funds community investment programs that help members create affordable housing and promote community economic development. The Bank’s members – its shareholders and customers – are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, thrift and loans, and insurance companies headquartered in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Employment opportunities now available at the Regal Cinemas Stadium 14
Construction underway for what will be the beautiful new entrance to the Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 Theater at Theater Square in Downtown San Bernardino. Photo by Carl Dameron
Installation of palm trees and other landscaping on the grounds of the new Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 Theater at Theater Square in San Bernardino. Photo by Carl Dameron
Workers completing what will be the new driveway, allowing families to drop off moviegoers at the new Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 Theater at Theater Square in San Bernardino. Photo by Carl Dameron
(San Bernardino, Calif.) The landscaping is underway, the concrete is poured and palm trees grace the newly laid walkways. With construction in high gear, residents of San Bernardino are witnessing a revitalization of the downtown area. At the heart of this is the highly anticipated Theater Square with its centerpiece the Regal Cinemas Stadium 14, opening this summer.
“Our residents deserve a quality downtown theater where they can enjoy dinner and experience a movie,” said Chief Executive Officer of the San Bernardino Economic Development Corporation, Emil Marzullo. “Our businesses need this too, a flourishing downtown means we are better equipped to strengthen our local economy and to attract more people to the downtown to spend money with our existing businesses.”
Located at 450 North E Street, home of the previous cinema, Regal will operate 14 of the pre-existing 20 screens. The remaining six screens are being remodeled as restaurants and shops, dressing rooms and storage for the California Theatre, and the “Alley Cat Theater,” a new performance venue featuring relaxed surroundings and an intimate atmosphere.
“Regal Entertainment Group is thrilled to be part of this exciting Theater Square development in downtown San Bernardino,” stated Vice President of Marketing and Communication for Regal Entertainment Group, Russ Nunley. “Crews have been working hard to create a totally modern cinema designed to impress moviegoers. Already interest is high as Regal has received hundreds of employment applications.”
Job opportunities are another benefit of the Theatre Square revitalization. Not only are San Bernardino residents gaining a local venue where dinner and a movie will be within comfortable walking distance, but with the newly revitalized area, it is creating new employment opportunities.
Applications are currently being accepted for approximately 40 management and employee positions being created by the new Regal Cinemas. Those interested are asked to complete the online application by visiting www.REGmovies.com and clicking on the job opportunities icon at the bottom of the page.
For more information on Theater Square call Kathy Robles at (909) 663-1044.
Victor Madero, LaSalle Medical Associates New Director of Network Development. Photo by Michael Downer
(San Bernardino, Calif.) LaSalle Medical Associates has a reputation for a commitment to providing community-based healthcare that ensures maximum availability of medical services. In keeping with this commitment, LaSalle Medical Associates is excited by the addition of Victor H. Madero as their new Director of Network Development.
In his new role with LaSalle, Victor Madero will lead the strategic effort for LaSalle’s expansion of its Independent Practice Association (IPA) network in Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno, Kings, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
“There are three branches of the healthcare field,” said Victor. “Health plans, hospital systems, and managed care organizations. Having worked for both a health plan and a hospital, this was the natural progression for me to work for a managed care organization with a reputation for quality health care, like LaSalle. It just seemed to fit. I am very excited about joining the LaSalle family.”
LaSalle Medical Associates is poised to expand its independently contracted doctors, hospitals, and clinics throughout California. Victor will be responsible for creating business strategies for negotiating contracts with new and existing large physician groups, hospitals, and clinics. His leadership will focus on maintaining optimum levels of quality care for a network with close to 200,000 lives.
“We are delighted to welcome Victor to LaSalle Medical Associates,” said Dr. Albert A. Arteaga, founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates. “His diverse healthcare experience and insights gained through work with Anthem Blue Cross and White Memorial Medical Center will play an integral part in building the type of relationships our providers can not only trust, but may rely on to be responsive to their needs.”
“My primary goal with LaSalle Medical Associates is to partner with a range of health care providers and to help expand the choice of hospitals, primary, and specialty care physicians into new communities in order to increase medical access where patients need it most” said Victor. “Building trusting relationships has always been a key component in the positions I have worked in. My desire is for our providers to feel like an extension of the LaSalle family within their county. In order to be a true partner, we need to show our commitment to actively helping them grow, and not merely managing from a distance. Although we are a large organization, we would like to cast the shadow of a smaller organization by listening and knowing what our providers need most to be successful.” About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are located at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino. LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redlands Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, and Parkview Community Hospital.
Lowell King, Regional Operations Officer for Goodwill Southern California and Carl Maier, Executive Vice President of LaSalle Medical Associates agreeing to partnership that provides local jobs. Photo by Michael Downer
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Transforming lives through the power of work. For many throughout the Inland Empire, the Goodwill of Southern California plays a vital role as an employment resource. In addition, local businesses see them as a partner ensuring highly sensitive documents are disposed of properly and within regulated guidelines.
Joining that growing list of businesses partners is LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Operating a total of four clinics in Fontana, Hesperia and San Bernardino, LaSalle has partnered with Goodwill Industries to meet with HIPPA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations, requiring the proper disposal of unneeded documents.
“This is the kind of alignment opportunity we look for,” said Carl Maier, Executive Vice President of Operations for LaSalle Medical Associates. “By partnering with Goodwill we are ensuring we maintain compliance, while partnering with a local organization. We are doing something good for the environment and providing local job opportunities for those with disabilities. It really doesn’t get any better than that.”
The income Goodwill generates from its shredding service assists in funding education, job training and placement services, providing people who have disabilities and other vocational disadvantages the opportunity to become productive and self-sufficient in the community.
LaSalle is dedicated to their belief of doing more together than you can apart, this partnership with Goodwill Industries assists in maintaining local employment opportunities for 25 individuals with disabilities.
Goodwill’s journey to provide shredding services began in 2005, with the desire to become self-sufficient and create opportunities for its participants, which would generate a positive cash flow.
“We realized that government funding support changed and is no longer what it once was,” said Lowell King, Regional Operations Officer for Goodwill Southern California. “As a nonprofit, we wanted to become more self-sufficient. When we began to look at our options, shredding aligned well with our organization.”
Certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), the shredding program, which is available nationally, was launched in Southern California in 2005 and expanded to the Inland Empire in 2007. Each Goodwill Secure Bin is bar coded and tracked. The facility is under 24-hour video surveillance, guarded by security personnel 24 hours per day. In addition, all Goodwill Secure Shredding trucks have GPS tracking.
“NAID certified is the premier certification in the shredding industry,” said King. “We are proud of our chain of custody and process in the handling of documents and that we actually exceed every regulation required for shredding.”
In fact the chain of custody concept implemented by Goodwill ensures that document containers are not only locked, but that they are never left unattended. Even clients can’t retrieve items once they are placed in the container.
“In life, there are three things that are very transformational; your faith, your health and a job,” said King. “Our contracts help organizations to be environmentally conscience as well as help provide jobs to those with disabilities. By partnering with organizations like LaSalle, we are changing lives by getting folks working that never had that opportunity before. At the end of the day, that is a good feeling.”
On the heels of this successful partnership, LaSalle is currently working to extend this same service to members of its Independent Practice Association (IPA). Located throughout California, their network of 1,900 contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics deliver high quality patient care with more than 190,000 patient visits per year. About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are located at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, and Parkview Community Hospital.
Consul Carolina Zaragoza Flores, sign an agreement with Gregg Stockdale president of 1st Valley Credit Union to accept the Matricula de Consular Card as identification to open an account. Many banks and credit unions accept the Matricula de Consular Card. “We are here to serve the community,” said Stockdale. “Unidos is part of our strategy to reach out to our Hispanic neighbors and others who need reliable, inexpensive financial services.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) 1st Valley Credit Union serving the entire County of San Bernardino, California is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Unidos Financial Services to provide affordable remittances, bill-paying, check-cashing and other financial services to all consumers in the community. The initiative is part of a pilot program coordinated in conjunction with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, which has helped 1st Valley to be designated a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the US Treasury, which recognizes the credit union’s commitment to financial inclusion and to promoting the economic development of underserved communities.
1st Valley is also a low income designated credit union, which gives it the authority to provide transactional services to all consumers within its Field of Membership without requiring them to be members of the credit union.
“We are here to serve the community,” said Gregg Stockdale, CEO of 1st Valley Credit Union. “Unidos is part of our strategy to reach out to our Hispanic neighbors and others who need reliable, inexpensive financial services. We invite them to come in and see what we can do. We’re offering discounts and incentives for people to try out the Unidos system. We’ve also developed a great working relationship with the Mexican Consulate, around the corner from our office and recently participated in their Financial Education week. 1st Valley is also pleased to accept the Matricula de Consular Card as identification to open an account.”
Pablo DeFilippi, Director of Membership at the Federation noted that “Gregg and his team at 1st Valley are demonstrating the commitment to community development that is the keystone of our philosophy. We are delighted to have them participating in this program and applaud their leadership in bringing affordable transactional services to the hugely underserved Hispanic population in San Bernardino Valley. We seek to have these efforts replicated across the country by many more credit unions.
About 1st Valley Credit Union 1st Valley Credit Union is a locally owned and managed credit union serving the entire county of San Bernardino County with its headquarters at 401 West 2nd Street in San Bernardino. 1st Valley CU is the county’s only 5-Star Rated community financial institution, with $35 million in assets and more than 3600 members. For further information, contact Sossy Hyatt at 909 889-0838 x 228.
About Unidos Financial Services Unidos Financial Services is a licensed Money Service Business focused on providing basic financial services to under-banked consumers through an integrated simple to use platform. Unidos provides cash to cash remittances globally and cash to debit card in Mexico. Other products include check-cashing verification; domestic and international bill payment; domestic and international mobile phone top-ups and prepaid e-pins. For further information, contact Mauricio Sánchez at 212-931-8797.
About The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) is a certified CDFI Intermediary representing around 250 community development credit unions (CDCUs). The Federation’s member CDCUs provide credit, savings, transaction services and financial education to more than 1.7 million residents of low-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities across the United States, and hold over $13 billion in community-controlled assets. Founded in 1974, the Federation is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Colorado Springs, CO; Madison, WI; and San Francisco, CA. The Federation offers a wide range of advocacy, educational, training, investment, marketing, and outreach programs to support and assist CDCUs. For more information about the Federation and its programs, please visit: www.cdcu.coop. , or contact Pablo DeFilippi, at 212 809-1850 x304.
Orlandria Brazier puts public relation techniques to the test while interning with Dameron Communicatins. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Giving a voice to others has always been a passion of Orlandria Brazier and by joining Dameron Communications as an intern she anticipates affecting change in the local community. As a recent graduate from California State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations, she is eager to put her degree to use.
“Many of my peers have said that when they graduate they plan on getting a ‘regular’ job, but I wanted more than that, and that’s why I came to Dameron Communications,” said Brazier. “I believe that working here will help polish my PR skills and at the same time allow me to bring my creativity to the table.”
While attending CSUSB Orlandria was an active student who took interest in many extra-curricular activities on and off campus.
Orlandria was a member of the Afrikan Student Alliance group on campus. Serving as the student liaison she attended the CSUSB Black Faculty and Staff meetings, bridging the communication gap between the African American students, faculty, and staff.
She was also a founding member of Commencing Poetic Revelations (CPR), a student powered group dedicated to the arts and higher education. Orlandria traveled with CPR to several local high schools and elementary schools throughout the Inland Empire sharing her passion for writing.
When speaking to students she often shared her story of being a first generation college student. During her time in CPR Orlandria has participated in talent shows, open MIC nights, and pageants, honing in on her passion for writing.
Taking her passion to another level she began writing for the arts and entertainment, and news section for the campus newspaper the Coyote Chronicle. During this time she wrote over a dozen stories, of which nine were published. Orlandria later became the assistant new editor and a freelance writer for the CSUSB magazine.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I discovered Public Relations at CSUSB,” said Brazier. “ I plan to take what I have learned there and apply it here at Dameron Communications.”
Orlandria plans to return to CSUSB for her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications.
“Orlandria shows great enthusiasm for learning the ins and outs of PR here at Dameron Communications. We are pleased that she has join our team,” said Carl Dameron, founder of Dameron Communications. About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.
Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, CNNfn, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press and many more.
(Paris, France) Weathering the storm of an international recession is not an easy task. However, for international businesses, one thing has remained constant in good, as well as bad times, a competent multinational and multi-ethnic team. The ability to sustain effective cross-cultural communications is a crucial skill required for international business success in today’s global economy.
For the past 20 years, KD Conseil has played a key role in facilitating this skill. Launched by Kathleen Dameron in 1992, KD Conseil improves the intercultural communications skills between the corporate offices and the executive management teams who work in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.
Dameron, based in Paris, France, says “KD Conseil is strategically situated both geographically, as well as for business cultures in most industries and Fortune 500 companies. We know how to meet the demands and needs of our clients in an international business center for multinational corporations.”
“I truly adore the city of Paris. The companies here have very strong business connections with the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia,” said Dameron. “It’s easy to travel from Paris all around Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”
Dameron explains that some of the key challenges faced by companies working across national and corporate environments are born out of cultural differences. It is those differences in cultures that can also create the building blocks to success.
“If an organization works with other cultures, I help them make it possible for senior managers, experts and employees to work together with greater efficiency and comfort,” said Dameron. “There is a joy that comes from working in an intercultural surrounding, discovery of different ways of succeeding, new and tried solutions to issues, as well as the pain of differences in attitudes and ways of working. My role is to help individuals, teams and organizations understand and appreciate those differences, thus developing a more harmonious working environment.”
Standing the test of time, KD Conseil has developed quality relationships with clients, generating customer referrals, which have enabled her business to grow even in difficult economic times for businesses globally.
“I believe that one of the keys to our success during this economic hardship is our ability to guide clients through different interventions,” said Dameron. “For instance, we develop intervention materials that assist in increasing multicultural competencies or adjusting to an organizational change. The goal is for our clients to keep their employees motivated and improve performance and that has a positive affect on their bottom-line.”
However, Dameron points out that KD Conseil’s affect should not be measured solely by quantity and direct immediate contribution to the bottom-line. In fact, she informs that the best contribution comes when her company is embraced as a partner on a strategic journey to understand and implement cultural change.
This enables her to implement the best evaluation measurements, reviewing what has changed over a six-month period.
With the growth of the global economy, Dameron notes that her industry has likewise expanded. Others are finding their way to play a role in assisting businesses to adapt and adjust multicultural working environments on an international level.
“This is an exciting time for the multicultural training industry,” said Dameron. “20 years ago, I had to explain what multicultural intervention was all about. Today all of the corporate leaders I speak to say they are engaged in some sort of multicultural professional activity.”
Dameron says the key is to go beyond merely giving a catalogue listing of “dos and don’ts.” KD Conseil delivers facilitators who develop strategies to increase individual, team and overall organizational multicultural competence.
“Keeping abreast of what is happening in the business world, as well as taking the time to interview managers and business leaders is key to any successful intervention,” said Dameron. “However, investing in your client by listening, to develop their skills and vision, that is what allows you to create leading edge impact intervention processes.”
Members of the So. Cal. Dezire ready to take the field.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) After coming together only eight short months ago, the “Southern California Dezire” has earned the right to represent the Inland Empire in the 2012 Triple Crown Sports World Series in San Diego, California from July 15-21.
Armed with a goal of teaching young ladies the fundamentals of organized recreational softball, this 10-member traveling softball team is made up of young ladies age 14 and under, representing the cities of San Bernardino, Banning and Colton.
This year marks the 16th year of the Triple Crown Sports World Series and the first time one of the age divisions will be held in Southern California. With this year’s 14 and under tournament set to be held in San Diego County, it is anticipated that 120 teams will participate, with most of the tournament teams coming from California, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah and other states West of the Mississippi.
In order to compete in the series, the team must pay their own way. Through a series of community car washes, hit-a-thons and other fundraising efforts, the team has successfully raised money to cover the cost for most of their equipment, uniforms and tournament fees. However, the team is still in need of an additional $5,000 for travel and accommodations.
“This is very important. These girls are passionate about playing softball,” says their coach, James Gonzales, project manager with the San Bernardino Salvation Army Adult Recovery Center (ARC). “I think we can win this, but not everyone can financially pay for such a trip. It would be a shame to see all their hard work come to an end and not be able to participate.”
The team needs monetary donations and or corporate sponsorship to continue. Those wishing to make a donation in support of the team may send a check or money order payable to: Banning Pony, 988 N. J St San Bernardino CA 92411. Please put “So Cal. Dezire” in the memo area.
For information about our sports betting sites please contact James Gonzales at (951) 906-7624.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Clean hands save lives! It’s a simple message repeated by health care providers and agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), daily.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness, such as the common cold and influenza, says Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates.
As you touch people, surfaces, pets and objects, you accumulate germs on your hands, and although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of germs.
“Just think about all the things you touch everyday. You come in contact with germs all the time, so there are many opportunities to wash your hands,’’ says Arteaga.
Consider these key facts about hand washing from the CDC:
A third of adults in the U.S. do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.
One in four adults don’t wash their hands after changing diapers.
Less than half of Americans wash hands after cleaning after pets.
A third of adults wash hands after sneezing/coughing.
Less than one in five adults washes their hands after touching money.
One in three E. coli occurrences is caused from not washing hands before handling food.
How to Wash
“If hands are kept clean, the transmission of germs from person to person is greatly reduced,” Arteaga says. “But just holding your hands under running water won’t do the trick. There are proper techniques to follow,” he continued.
The best way to effectively eliminate most germs, Dr. Arteaga says, is to wash your hands with soap and water for about 15 to 20 seconds, followed by a good rinse.
“Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers where germs can hide, and under your fingernails,’’ Dr. Arteaga says. “You must scrub your hands vigorously for at least 15 to 20 seconds to remove germs.”
For those concerned about time, Dr. Arteaga suggests looking no further than the “ABC Song.” He says singing the “ABC Song,” which is about 20 seconds in length, is not only effective in timing your own hand washing but is a unique way to help children develop their vocabulary skills and understand the importance of proper hand washing.
As an extra precaution, when using public restrooms, Dr. Arteaga suggests drying your hands with a paper towel, using it to turn off the water. Then, before discarding the paper towel, use it to open or close the bathroom door.
In the event a sink and or soap and water are not available, Dr. Arteaga suggests using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel or wipes, which are also effective in eliminating germs. But, Dr. Arteaga also points out, soap and water is still best in removing germs and bacteria.
“Many people use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, but if there is visible dirt on your hands, the alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not going to be as effective,’’ he says. “You need to use soap and water to rinse the dirt off your hands. If your hands aren’t visibly dirty, and you do not have soap and water available, make sure the hand sanitizer contains at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective in killing most germs and viruses.” When to Wash
Wash your hands before and after you eat, use the toilet, change a diaper, touch an animal, blow your nose, cough or sneeze, handle garbage and touch a computer screen or telephone.
Dr. Arteaga says it is also good practice to wash your hands after visiting a park, entering our homes, and using our computers and telephones.
“Repetition is the mother of conversation,’’ he says. “The more you repeat something, the more it becomes ingrained in you to do it. So we must continue to instruct people on the proper way to wash their hands so that they don’t forget.”
Dr. Arteaga and his wife, Maria, a registered nurse, founded LaSalle Medical Associates 27 years ago. He and his team of 120 health care professionals treat thousands of patients for infectious diseases, such as the common cold and seasonal influenza each year.
LaSalle operates clinics in Fontana, Hesperia and San Bernardino.
LaSalle Medical Associates is an Independent Physicians Association (IPA), which has a membership of 1,900 health care professionals serving 190,000 patients in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno, Kings, Madera, San Joaquin and Tulare counties.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to www.LasalleMedical.com. About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Med-Cal and Healthy Families and they also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and IEHP. LaSalle’s clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia and1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patience care with more than 190,000 patient visits per year in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare Counties.
Dameron Communications designs, writes, photographs and prints beautiful 8 page annual reports from just $3,000. Call (909) 888-0017 to start your report today.
