(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates received the Ethnic Physicians Leadership Award for 2008.
The California Medical Association gives the Ethnic Physician Leadership Award annually to a doctor who has done outstanding work within an ethnic community. As is the case with Dr. Arteaga, who is Hispanic, the award also often recognizes a doctor who is a member of a specific ethnic community.
“I want all of my patients to feel that going to the doctor is no more intimidating than going to the grocery store,” he said in accepting this award. “This is much easier to succeed in when our patients understand that we are here to answer any and all of their questions and provide them with individual recommendations based on their current situation.”
Almost 25 years ago, Dr. Arteaga founded LaSalle Medical Associates as one clinic in Fontana. Today, it has grown to four clinics and an Independent Practice Association serving more than 100 doctors.
From the start, Dr. Arteaga has operated LaSalle Medical Associates with the principles that all patients deserve quality medical care, and all deserve dignity and respect. He accepts and even reaches out to not just his largely Hispanic clientele, but also to elderly, low-income and disabled patients who must rely on Medicare and Medi-Cal.
“As the son of an Adventist minister, I know I have an obligation to help whenever I can,” he said. “That is what we do.” The LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to lasallemedical.com.
(LOMA LINDA, Calif.) “We want you to be assertive when it comes to your health issues. I want to know about you like you want to know about me. We need to be partners.”
Dr. Edna Arteaga-Hernandez, president and CEO of the Inland Empire’s Arther Medical Corporation, gave this message during a workshop of the Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO held Thursday Oct. 23rd at the Loma Linda University Medical Center Drayson Center.
Doctors need to know each patient’s health issues, Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez explained. This includes not just what medical conditions, but also issues such as whom they live with, whether they are employed and what medications they’re already taking.
A primary care doctor is important, she said.
“You should have one doctor who knows you best,” she said. “That doctor will coordinate your health care. Your primary care doctor will be your advocate, kind of like a lawyer.”
Primary care doctors or their staff should handle obtaining referrals to specialists when needed. They also should be making sure that any special medical needs a patient has are being accommodated. For instance, if a patient has diabetes and needs a certain type of blood sugar monitor, the doctor should be fighting to make sure the patients’ insurance approves this.
The intake form patients fill out when they first see a new doctor is important, she said. It allows patients to confidentially describe their past medical history, so the doctor doesn’t have to waste time asking the same questions.
Also helpful are medical records from a prior doctor and keeping a medical diary.
A medical diary is a small notebook in which patients start by listing surgeries and other serious medical issues they’ve had in the past. Later, they can add to the diary when they receive immunizations or face other health issues.
Patients should also keep a diary of what medications they take, Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez said. This is especially true if patients are experiencing unpleasant side effects like nausea or drowsiness.
“Medications help you, but there are very few that don’t have side effects,” she said. “What we want to do is minimize these.”
Since there are so many medications available, good communication between doctor and patient about these side effects will almost always help them find drugs that best overcome the effects and make the patient feel better.
“You have to tell your doctor, ‘I can’t take this. It keeps me up all night.’” Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez said. “Eventually, we will find wonders. Your medications should help you to live a long life, but also a good one.”
Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez’s presentation was one of many exhibits and workshops designed especially for those suffering from various disabilities. Other topics addressed include housing, transportation, advocacy, employment and technology to assist with daily living and education.
Over four consecutive years she has received the coveted Polaris Award of Excellence in Public Relations Community Service for her radio talk show, “Cita con su Medici.” Additionally, Arteaga-Hernandez has aided students in various medical departments at Loma Linda’s School of Medicine and at Western University of Health Sciences.
For more information about Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez and other community doctors, call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.
Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez is a member of the LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Independent Physicians Association. (IPA.)
Dr. Ghaly checks the vital statistics of Beatrice Cuellar, who plans a long and healthy life by following her physician’s recommendations for staying healthy.
(LOS ANGELES) – Age 65 may be the official beginning of life as a senior citizen, but those who pay good attention to their health can live 20, 30 or more years after they reach that milestone.
The keys to a long life are paying careful attention to the medications one takes, and maintaining a healthy diet, said Dr. Azmy Ghaly, owner of Senior Care Clinic in East Los Angeles. Exercise can also go a long ways in boosting longevity.
“Seniors are living longer because if we diagnose early, there are medications and new technologies that can cure their diseases,” Dr. Ghaly explained. “But we still have bad habits that need to be addressed.”
Senior Care Clinic, a practice specializing in senior citizens, works with its patients to help them make choices that will lead to long, healthy lives. Whether this is by using the latest advances in medications and technology, advising them on healthy lifestyle choices, or simply caring for each patient as an individual, Senior Care Clinic is held in high regard by the senior citizens who already rely on it for medical care.
“We love it here,” said Carlos and Beatrice Cuellar, who have been patients at Senior Care Clinic for six years. “The doctors, the service, everything here is fantastic.”
Besides providing friendly service and expertise in the latest medical breakthroughs, doctors at Senior Care Clinic make sure they have complete medical histories for their patients. This includes keeping inventory of medications their patients are taking.
“Taking the right medications is crucial,” said Dr. Ghaly. “At Senior Care Clinic, doctors encourage their patients to bring ALL medications they take to every appointment. That way, the doctor can evaluate which ones are necessary, which ones aren’t, which ones might cause harmful interactions with others, and which ones are not helpful.”
“Sometimes it is necessary for a patient to take three or four medications for diabetes, and five or six for high blood pressure,” he added. “But as doctors, we should not assume things, so bring in the medications every time.”
“It is also important to watch your diet as you get older,” Dr. Ghaly said. “Most senior citizens need 1,800 calories, those with diabetes only need 1,500. Seniors (and others) should eat three balanced meals each day, low in sodium and cholesterol. Senior women should have a high-calcium diet, as this reduces their risk for osteoporosis.”
Exercise is not as essential as proper medication and a healthy diet, according to Dr. Ghaly, but for most seniors, it will greatly improve their quality of life.
“Exercise can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes,” he said. “And if you have arthritis, it can help your joints to feel better. It also can help a senior’s mental well-being, as seniors who walk are less dependent on others for their needs.”
With proper medical care, diet and physical activity, seniors will live well into their golden years.
Senior Care Clinic was established in East Los Angeles in 1994, and is affiliated with nearby White Memorial Medical Center. A staff of four physicians, headed by Dr. Azmy Ghaly, handles all geriatric health care needs. Physicians are fluent in Spanish and several other foreign languages.
Appointments are welcome, but not necessary. For more information about Senior Care Clinic, call (323) 307-0800.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, is a finalist in the sixth annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino.
He will be honored during a black-tie awards ceremony at the Riverside Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12. This event begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, with a dinner and awards ceremony at 7 p.m.
Dr. Arteaga is one of three finalists in the Corporate Entrepreneur Category, which recognizes the top entrepreneurs in medium to large-size companies. The award also honors local business people who have overcome challenges and given back to their community.
“I am honored to be named a finalist,” he said. “I’ve always thought that putting the needs of my patients first is a good way to do business. This award recognizes LaSalle Medical Associates as among the best in the Inland Empire, so that tells me my fellow business people also recognize it as a good business practice too.”
When Dr. Arteaga first opened LaSalle Medical Associates in 1984, he set out to not just aid those in need, but to change patients’ perception of “going to the doctor.” He explained, “I want everyone to feel that going to the doctor is no more intimidating than going to the grocery store.”
Dr. Arteaga started out as a pediatrician. Now, as the CEO of four medical clinics, his practice serves more than 100,000 people each year, from babies to seniors. He also owns an Independent Physicians’ Association serving 115 doctors.
Many of his patients are on Medi-Cal, and with a growing number of elderly patients, many on Medicare. Some have no health insurance at all. But with a strong belief that everyone deserves quality health care, Dr. Arteaga has parlayed this commitment into a business that last year made more than $40 million.
Dr. Arteaga has practiced a different approach to health care since the beginning. He models his practice after the way his father, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, ran the churches of which he was in charge.
“It seemed to me my father had a good way of running his business, which was churches,” Dr. Arteaga said. “He welcomed anyone who even approached the door of the church. And if the people weren’t good Christians, he still accepted them, knowing that in time, most of them would change their ways.So I said, my clinics are going to be run like churches. We don’t exclude patients. We welcome all who come in.”
That was 24 years ago. On the first day, Dr. Arteaga and his wife Maria, then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant, saw two patients. Last year, Dr. Arteaga’s five medical clinics had 108,061 visits, and grossed a little more than $40 million. Michael Stull, director for the Inland Center for Entrepreneurship, started this recognition program soon after coming to CSUSB in 2002.
Stull said this program not only promotes awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship, but also provides role models to CSUSB students and local individuals interested in starting their own business.
“The Center for Entrepreneurship provides our students with solid instruction in how to be successful, which new businesses have a great need for in these economic times,” Stull said. And the businesses we are recognizing have been doing great things for awhile, which should serve as a motivation to anyone just starting out.”
Sponsors this year include The Business Press, Inland Empire Magazine, 951 Magazine, the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency, the Riverside County Economic Development Agency, the City of Riverside, Best, Best & Krieger, Citi, Quick Caption, Varner & Brandt, Citizens Business Bank and Tech Coast Angels, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and the Small Business Development Center.
For more information, go to www.inlandspiritawards.com or call Stull at (909) 537-3708.
LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 17th St. and 565 North Mount Vernon in San Bernardino and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
For an appointment or more information call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.
Guests at a previous Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO visit the Inland Empire Health Plan booth.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dr. Edna Arteaga-Hernandez will highlight October’s Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO. The free event is slated for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday Oct. 23rd at the Loma Linda University Medical Center.
She will speak on “Getting the Most from Doctor Visits and Medications,” topics of paramount importance to today’s patients.
Exhibits and workshops at the EXPO will explore health, housing, transportation, advocacy, employment, assistive technology and education.
Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez is the president and CEO of the Inland Empire’s Arther Medical Corporation.
Over four consecutive years she has received the coveted Polaris Award of Excellence in Public Relations Community Service for her radio talk show, “Cita con su Medici.” Additionally, Arteaga-Hernandez has aided students in various medical departments at Loma Linda’s School of Medicine and at Western University of Health Sciences.
The EXPO is presented by the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative, a group of 70-plus organizations serving people with disabilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “We dedicate our efforts,” say the Collaborative’s leaders, “ to promoting equal opportunity, universal access and full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.”
The Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO is set for Thursday, October 23 from 9-2 at Loma Linda University Medical Center, 25040 Stewart Street in Loma Linda. For details on this free event call (909) 890-5833 or (909) 890-1623 TTY. On line you may write to iedisabilitiescollaborative@gmail.com.
For more information about Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez and other community doctors, call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.
Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez is a member of the LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Independent Physicians Association. (IPA.)
Dr. Azmy Ghaly, in front of photos of his three sons.
Dr. Francisco Quijas converses with his patient, Beatrice Cuellar and her husband, Carlos Cuellar. The staff at Senior Care Clinic takes time to get to know each of its patients as individuals.
(LOS ANGELES) – Dr. Azmy Ghaly and his staff at East Los Angeles’ Senior Care Clinic do whatever it takes to make sure their patients receive quality health care – even if they have to make a house call.
Many patients will see Dr. Ghaly, or one of the other three Senior Care Clinic physicians at their office in White Memorial Medical Building, 1700 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, Suite 3900. The other physicians are Dr. Francisco Quijas, Dr. Angelina Espinoza and Dr. Aung Mang.
But they also see patients at nearby White Memorial Medical Center itself, or in many of the board and care homes, and convalescent hospitals in East Los Angeles and nearby communities. Seniors who still live independently can also have a house call, if they’re too sick to travel, but not sick enough for hospitalization.
“If there is no other way, we will make a house call,” Dr. Ghaly said.
Senior Care Clinic primarily serves East Los Angeles. The website www.city-data.com says East Los Angeles is 96.8 percent Hispanic, and has a median income of $31,915, with 26.4 percent of the population living in poverty.
“These demographics put patients at a higher risk of contracting certain diseases,” says Dr. Ghaly. “This is partly because low income Hispanics typically have a high-fat diet with lots of lard, and partly because Hispanics from all walks of life are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, hypertension and other diseases.”
As a geriatric or senior health care specialist, naturally patients are elderly, and many rely on either public transportation or senior housing shuttles to get to the doctors’ office.
Dr. Ghaly has tailored his practice to meet these unique needs.
For one thing, although the Egyptian-born physician came to the United States in 1991 fluent in two languages (Arabic and English), he quickly learned to speak Spanish after opening his clinic in 1994. Later two more doctors (Dr. Quijas and Dr. Espinoza), who were born in Mexico, joined the practice.
The fourth member of the practice, Dr. Maung, is from Myanmar (formerly Burma), and speaks Cantonese and Burmese. After Hispanics, the largest ethnic group in East Los Angeles is the growing Asian population, according to Dr. Ghaly.
Whatever their financial situation, patients won’t have to worry about the expense of health care. Since all Senior Care Clinic patients are at least 65 years old, they’re eligible for Medicare, and the employees of the clinic can help them apply if they haven’t already done so.
For those with insurance, Senior Care Clinic will usually charge only $75 for an initial office visit, and $40 to $45 for subsequent visits.
“Sometimes we will even see patients for free,” Dr. Ghaly said. “If a patient comes in with no money, what can you do? We have a heart here.”
For instance, while Dr. Ghaly encourages patients to apply for Medicare as soon as they are eligible, some newly retired senior citizens have lost coverage under their group plans at their last job, yet are still awaiting Medicare approval. If they need medical attention during that transition, Senior Care Clinic can help.
During an office visit, physicians at Senior Care Clinic spend the time each patient need. An initial visit, during which physicians give their patients a complete physical, takes about 30 minutes.
“We always take time with our patients to sit down and explain things,” Dr. Ghaly said. “For our Hispanic patients, sitting and chatting is part of their culture. If you stand up and talk to patients for 15 to 20 minutes, that is perceived as the worst care. If you sit down and talk with a patient for five minutes, it seems like an hour.”
Senior Care Clinic doctors ask their patients to bring every medication they’re taking with them to an appointment, especially the first meeting. That’s so they can make sure any medications they’re now taking or would be prescribed for their current ailment don’t cause harmful interactions.
“Some patients are taking 30 bottles of medication,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We review their medications with them, and make sure they’re not taking something that would hurt them.”
And if a new medication is necessary, Dr. Ghaly’s staff will assist by phoning the prescription to the pharmacy ahead of time. Pharmacies often verify prescriptions with a doctor’s office, he said, so calling ahead saves the patient from having to wait at the pharmacy while this step is completed
Appointments for office visits are encouraged, but patients are welcome to come in without them.
“If you are sick, and need to see a doctor right away, that’s why we are here,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We’re very flexible. “We try to have patients see the same doctor each time, so they can develop a relationship with that doctor. Still, we know almost all of each others’ patients.”
Since there are four physicians, the clinic can accommodate patients who didn’t make appointments by having at least one doctor available, in the office, whenever it’s open. That doctor can see his or her scheduled patients for the day, as well as any who come in without appointments.
Senior Care Clinic has a relationship with the East Los Angeles senior citizen community that goes beyond taking care of their medical needs. The staff participates in community health fairs and events for senior citizens, and the physicians serve as guest lecturers for schools and community groups.
In addition, Senior Care Clinic is helping The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) to develop affordable housing for senior citizens. TELACU is a non-profit organization founded 40 years ago to improve the economic vitality of East Los Angeles and other southern California neighborhoods.
Senior Care Clinic was established in East Los Angeles in 1994, and is affiliated with nearby White Memorial Medical Center. A staff of four physicians, headed by Dr. Azmy Ghaly, handles all geriatric health care needs. Dr. Ghaly speaks Arabic, English and Spanish. Dr. Angelina Lopez and Dr. Francisco Quijas speak Spanish and English. Dr. Aung Maung speaks Burmese, Chinese and English.
For more information about Senior Care Clinic, call (323) 307-0800.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Female patients at the LaSalle Medical Associates clinic can have mammograms without even leaving their doctor’s office.
“Many women are apprehensive about having mammograms,” said LaSalle Medical Associates Director Cheryl Emoto. “So, our goal is to make the exams as unintimidating as possible. We want our patients to come to LaSalle where they’re familiar with the relaxed facility and the personal staff.”
“Mammograms take only a few minutes,” Emoto added. “But it is so important for women, especially, to have annual exams for those over 40. And for younger women, too, if they notice a breast lump or have concerns.”
LaSalle has contracted with Inner Images, bringing mobile mammogram equipment directly to the clinic at 565 Mt. Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, one day a month, Dr. Emoto explained. The program began in late January and was overwhelmingly received.
“We look forward to helping our patients find beginning signs of breast cancer so that we can treat it early,” said Dr. Emoto.
About two weeks after taking the mammogram, patients are notified of the results. Should the tests indicate anything at all out of the ordinary, patients are brought in for consultation and possible further tests or even recommendations of specialists.
Mammograms have been shown to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 35 percent in women over the age of 50; and studies suggest for women, even between 40 and 50, mammograms may lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 35 percent.
Prior appointments are recommended. Most insurances cover mammograms with prior authorization, and for women without insurance there are programs that patients may qualify for, providing low cost or no cost mammograms.
For an appointment, call the office at (909) 890-0407.
LA SALLE NAMED ONE OF TOP INLAND EMPIRE LATINO-OWNED BUSINESSES
(ONTARIO, Calif.) – LaSalle Medical Associates received recognition Aug. 1 from Hispanic Lifestyle magazine as one of the top 15 Latino-owned businesses in the Inland Empire.
“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of LaSalle Medical Associates,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and CEO. “But this award really recognizes that the LaSalle staff has delivered a great service, affordable and quality health care, to residents of the Inland Empire. Our success is because our customers keep coming back and recommend us to their friends and family.”
When Dr. Arteaga first opened LaSalle Medical Associates in 1984, he set out to not just aid those in need, but to change patients’ perception of “going to the doctor.” He explained, “I want everyone to feel that going to the doctor is no more intimidating than going to the grocery store.”
This has made LaSalle Medical Associates one of the top Latino-owned businesses in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Hispanic Lifestyle, as part of its 12th annual Lifestyle and Business Expo, recognized 40 Latino-owned businesses that earned at least $1 million in 2007.
Based on the magazine’s estimate that LaSalle Medical Associates had earned between $26 million and $32 million, it awarded the company the distinction of the 15th most successful Latino business in the Inland Empire. LaSalle Medical Associates was the only health care provider recognized at the event.
The top-performing business Hispanic Lifestyle magazine recognized was Mission Foods, a Rancho Cucamonga food manufacturer earning $1.3 billion in 2007. Grocery stores, auto dealers, general contractors, restaurant chains, commercial printers, manufacturers of various products and many other businesses also were honored.
“The overall earnings of the companies we recognized is more than $10 billion,” said Richard Sandoval, publisher of Hispanic Lifestyle magazine. “Still, here we are in 2008, and Latino companies are often not taken seriously. We wanted to bring them the recognition they deserve.”
LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 17th St. and 565 North Mount Vernon in San Bernardino and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
For an appointment or more information call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.
Dr. Albert Arteaga threw out the opening pitch at a recent Inland Empire 66ers baseball game, part of an honor he received for helping thousands of people to obtain health insurance.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) – Together Rx Access honored Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. at a recent Inland Empire 66’ers baseball game for helping more than 100,000 people obtain health insurance. His honor included throwing the first pitch of the game during the Inland Empire 66’ers vs. the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game.
“This was the first time I’ve ever pitched a baseball in my life,” said Dr. Arteaga. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the 13 doctors and 113 staff members of LaSalle Medical Associates. We are pleased to help Rx Access give more people low cost prescriptions.”
The Together Rx Access program is sponsored by leading pharmaceutical companies; it gives help to hardworking uninsured Americans and their families, by granting them immediate access to savings on prescription drugs at their neighborhood pharmacy. This help comes in the form of a card that is free to obtain and free to use.
Together Rx Access enrolls nearly 10,000 uninsured individuals every week nationwide. Over 1.5 million Americans have already enrolled in the program and 260,000 of those are children. Current cardholders have already saved nearly $68 million on their prescriptions.
Rex, the Together Rx Access mascot, was at the game to assist in passing out information and to direct fans to Together Rx Access representatives that were located throughout the stadium. These representatives assisted fans in determining if they were eligible for the program, as well as enrolling anyone that qualified for the program onsite.
LaSalle is also one of the top enrollers in California for the Healthy Families program, a low-cost health insurance for children 0 to 18 years old. The program provides medical, dental and vision coverage for children.
The LaSalle staff is trained to enroll uninsured patients into one of the many government-sponsored health traders insurance programs including Healthy Families. If patients do not qualify for a health insurance program, instead of billing a large fee, then sending the patient to collections, LaSalle charges the patient $25.
As the son of an Adventist minister Dr. Arteaga is dedicated to deliver the best healthcare possible for his patients. He also demands all staff from the receptionist to the doctors treat patients with the dignity, compassion and respect we all deserve.
“LaSalle has created a system that delivers quality healthcare regardless of ethnicity or income,” said Dr. Arteaga.
LaSalle has also received other awards for its commitment to quality health care for all. These include:
* The San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Merlin Hendrickson, M.D. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Dr. Arteaga was recognized for his efforts to provide health services to Inland Empire children. * Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) as Riverside and San Bernardino’s best health care provider. * The African American Health Initiative as a model provider in a two-year study of Black healthcare in San Bernardino County.
This is the third year Together Rx Access has sponsored minor league baseball games, in an effort to raise awareness about the program to more Americans. The program has been reaching out to minor league baseball fans in hopes that they will pass along the valuable information they have gained about the savings card.
“We have helped more than 1.5 million individuals obtain their medication at little to no cost and we are pleased to work with the 66’ers to raise even more awareness about our program within San Bernardino and its surrounding counties,” said Roba Whiteley, executive director of Rx Access.
The average Together Rx Access cardholder saves 25 to 40 percent on more than 300 brand-name prescription products included in the program. There are also savings available on a wide range of generic prescription products. Medicines in the program include those used to treat asthma, depression, diabetes, high cholesterol and many other common conditions.
To qualify for the free Together Rx Access Card, applicants cannot be eligible for Medicare or have public or private prescription drug coverage, must have a household income of less than $30,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a family of four (income eligibility is adjusted for family size). Applicants must also be legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.
Those who are eligible for the Together Rx Access Card may also qualify for additional savings on prescription medication or even free medication, through other patient assistance programs affiliated with the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA).
For more information about the Together Rx access or to enroll in the program call 800-966-0407 or visit TogetherRxAccess.com. The website also has the most current list of brand-name medicines and products.
The 66ers are part of the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league farm system. The team competes in the California League against other teams from throughout the state who are at the “A” level of the minor league system.
A-level players are usually two years or more away from playing with the Dodgers or another major league team. An exception is current Dodgers third baseman Blake Dewitt, who played with the 66ers for part of last season before moving up to the Dodgers “AA” team in Jacksonville, Mo.
The LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 17th St. and 565 North Mount Vernon in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
For an appointment or more information or to sign up for The Healthy Families health insurance program with maximum monthly premiums of $48 per month, per family call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.
Dr. Albert Arteaga lectures to students in the Health Care Disparities Course at the University of California – Riverside.
(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) Access to medical care is not equal for all, and that needs to change, according to Dr. Albert Arteaga, owner of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
“There is a real need for some type of intervention in the system,” he said. “Something has to change.”
One way he’s changing the system is by contributing to a Medical & Health Careers course at the University of California Riverside called Health Care Disparities. Dr. Arteaga, who is passionate about providing quality health care to all, visits this class regularly, and recently he served as a guest lecturer.
Dr. Arteaga explained to these students how LaSalle Medical Associates has practiced a different approach to health care. To begin with, he said when he went into private practice in 1984, he followed his own father’s ways.
It didn’t matter that Dr. Arteaga was a pediatrician and his father a Seventh Day Adventist minister. It still seemed to the new doctor that his father had a good way of running his business, which was churches.
Dr. Arteaga recalled that when he was growing up, his father welcomed anyone who even approached the door of the church. And if the people weren’t good Christians, he still accepted them, knowing that in time, most of them would change their ways.
“He never said, ‘oh your late, you must reschedule your service,’” Dr. Arteaga said. “He said ‘come in, sit down, and next time if you are on time you can enjoy all the service.’ After a few free passes, they started coming on time and contributing to his church.”
“So I said, my clinics are going to be run like churches. We don’t exclude patients until their behavior improves so much they are worthy of being seen. We let them in.”
That was 24 years ago. On the first day, Dr. Arteaga and his wife Maria, then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant, saw two patients. Last year, Dr. Arteaga’s five medical clinics had 108,061 visits, and grossed a little more than $40 million.
Now, Dr. Arteaga hopes to pass his secrets for success on to young people who are entering the medical field.
Dr. Arteaga, who is Hispanic, made some observations about people of his ethnicity that he said have guided how he treats all of his patients, most of whom are also Hispanic. He calls them his “Hispanicisms.”
He noted the phrase “mal educado,” while literally translated into English is “badly educated,” also means “badly mannered.”
“They expect competence and manners to go together,” he said. “We Hispanics can spot mal educado a mile away. Respect is huge.”
Hispanics also want doctors to give them hope, he said. He recalled having to hospitalize a two-year-old boy with pneumonia. The boy’s father, a burly young Hispanic man wondered how long his son would be away from home.
Dr. Arteaga could not answer that question until the boy responded to treatment.
“I could have said there’s nothing I can tell you right now,” Dr. Arteaga said. “But he probably would have jumped over the counter and strangled me.”
Instead, Dr. Arteaga explained to the father that the boy’s mother had brought him in before with a cough, and medication was prescribed. It seemed the boy was getting better, but after a windy day, the mother and father had brought their child in again, and now the boy had a fever, plus Dr. Arteaga heard rattling in his chest that sounded like pneumonia. He wanted to do further tests, then treat the boy with antibiotics until his fever broke, a process that would normally take about three or four days, but could be more or less.
The father accepted that, and thanked Dr. Arteaga for taking the time to explain it, he said.
“You might say, ‘Dr. Arteaga, it’s not just Hispanics who do that, everyone does it,’ he said of his “Hispanicisms. “OK if everyone does it, so do Hispanics. You just proved my point that it makes sense to do business this way.”
Dr. Arteaga also told the students a small birch-bark canoe he and his now 20-year-old daughter built when she was in fifth grade guides him.
One thing he learned while building this canoe, he said, is to start with the bark, then build the frame to fit. Otherwise, there might not be enough bark to cover the frame.
“That’s a good way to run a business as well,” he said.” Most medical practices calculate expenses, and then determine they can’t see patients who won’t pay enough. At LaSalle Medical Associates, we start with what we have. We calculate what our patients will bring in, then fix our expenses to be less than that.”
Dr. Arteaga also learned that in a canoe, if you take it on a river then wish to turn around, all you have to do is face the other way.
“Canoes always go forward,” he said. “So do I. I take a forward approach to making sure people can pay for their health care.”
Patients without health insurance coverage often think they can’t afford medical care, Dr. Arteaga said. But instead of accepting that, he makes it known that LaSalle Medical Associates will help most of their patients find insurance.
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the top enrollers in California for Healthy Families, a government-subsidized health insurance plan for children from low and moderate-income families. Most patients are eligible for Healthy Families, Medi-Cal or another government subsidy, he said.
“Only 1 percent or less can’t get any insurance,” he said. “We’ll do something for them too. We’ll give them a discount rate to see a doctor., and if they can’t pay we see them for free. When they need medications, we give free samples. So they can afford to get well. We’re not going to turn anyone away.”
Dr. Arteaga said that when he saw patients, he would not just hand them an application for insurance. He would help them fill it out, and mail it to the correct agency or insurance company.
“I went the second mile,” he said. “I was flexible. And at the end of the day, I was successful, because all those patients were paid for.”
Dr. Arteaga told the students he would like to see all physicians take his proactive approach to getting people insured. He also urges all business owners to provide insurance for their employees, as he does.
“I believe there should be universal health coverage,” he said. “And I’m doing my part to bring it about. That is the intervention we need.”
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. has 115 employees (including 13 physicians). LaSalle welcomes patients at all five of their Inland Empire clinics: 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana; 1505 Seventeenth Street and 565 North Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino; 16455 Main St. in Hesperia; and 31762 Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore.
Appointments aren’t required, but are recommended by calling MotorTorque insurance at (909) 890-0407.
For more auto insurance quotes click on the link.
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