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    Covid 19 Vaccine Available for NOW Kids

    Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga

    Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.

     “You can’t just have the vaccine in stock and wait for people to show up. That’s why we reach out to let people know their children can be vaccinated at any time when our clinics are open.”

    (Redlands, Calif.)  Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, says that all LaSalle clinics have started delivering the Covid-19 vaccine to children.

    “We have the Covid19 vaccines in stock, and we have completed training our people on dosages, proper delivery, and administration,” says Dr. Arteaga. “We also have started an active outreach campaign to all of our patients to let them know they can bring their children in to get vaccinated.”

    LaSalle Medical Associates has been ahead of the curve for vaccine administration for decades, particularly for pediatric illnesses. “I remember 25 years ago we thought childhood vaccinations must have been around 100 percent. We were very far off. The national statistics came out saying compliance was only 30–40 percent. At LaSalle we were doing a lot better, around 60 percent, but that still did not meet our standards, and that’s why we have been so focused on outreach ever since,” says Dr. Arteaga.

    Dr. Arteaga adds, “Since the government started compiling records and keeping track of the percentage of people getting vaccinated, we now have a much more accurate picture of how effective vaccination programs are.”

    Being proactive leads to higher vaccine compliance. Calling parents to let them know they should bring in their youngsters to get vaccinated means that prevention is likely to be a lot more effective.

    cover shots

    April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Vicki Creighton, of Riverside, Recently, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. Creighton received the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

    Dr. Arteaga also reveals his personal shot-administration secret: “Children typically don’t like getting a shot. So, I tell them this shot is painless. But if they do feel pain, I can always give them a second shot for the pain. I’ve never had a child ask for that second shot.”

    A nurse or physician’s bedside manner means a lot, particularly with children. Keeping things light and avoiding a stern attitude helps the entire experience go down more easily for both the patient and the caregiver.

    LaSalle’s clinics have been recognized in the past for their well-above-average vaccination delivery, recording rates above 80 or even 90 percent compliance for flu shots, for example. Dr. Arteaga says, “It’s all because we really push for people to care for themselves.”

    Dr. Arteaga also tackles the myth that if people are feeling ill, they should not get a vaccine shot. “Not true,” says the doctor, “unless you’re quite ill. If you have a cold, the sniffles, whatever, it’s perfectly safe and advisable to get your Covid 19 Vaccine.”

    Dr. Arteaga restates his mantra that it’s not enough to have vaccines on the shelf. They need to be available during all regularly open clinic hours, and that’s the longstanding LaSalle policy.

    LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., clinics accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan coverage, as well as Medicare and Medi-Cal.

    For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc call the office closest to you: Fontana (909) 823-4454; San Bernardino 17th Street (909) 887-6494; San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091; Rialto (855) 349-6019; Hesperia (760) 947-2161; and Victorville (855) 349-6019.

    —30—

    Unforgettable July Start to New Board Year

    Brandon Harrison

    Brandon Harrison

    Christine Carrillo

    Christine Carrillo

    LeAnne Chavez

    LeAnne Chavez

    Reggie Jackson

    Reggie Jackson

    Todd Underwood

    Todd Underwood

    The Unforgettables Foundation (“TUF”) ushers in a new board term in July each year for the past generation.  This year’s 2022-23 team will be in office for 18-months as opposed to 12 in a switch to January thru December.

    Incoming Co-Chairs, Todd Underwood and Brandon Harrison are also leading out in the annual TUF Board Retreat scheduled for July 15th & 16th in Palm Springs at the B&B home of a core Desert Committee member during this busy new board month.

    The Executive Committee group joining Todd, a retired Allstate franchise owner and former President of both the Redlands Optimist and Redlands Chamber of Commerce and Brandon, a CPA and partner of Eide Bailly in Rancho Cucamonga are the following community leaders.

    Secretary, Jo-Lynn Acrey of Riverside, a senior care executive with The Key; immediate past Co-Chairs, Christine Carrillo, owner of Beamer Tax & Business Services in Yucaipa, along with LeAnne Chavez, owner of Advanced Wellness Physical Therapy, a mobile PT practice; Stan Morrison, the Emeritus Co-Chair from Riverside; former Co-Chair and Las Vegas Chapter liaison, Thomas Slaughter (a nationally known business and tech consultant); Co-Chair Elect, Reggie Jackson, a well-established financial planner in Redlands; along with the 3 members at large, Patrick Casady, past Co-Chair from Corona, and the advisor for fundraising event collaborations; Greg Dieterich, a retired executive in the International Trucking Company and former Optimist Club of Redlands President, along with Kevin Tetley, a Raymond James Tetley Wealth Group financial consultant and current Riverside Kiwanis Club President, leading the budget and finance area.

    Tim Evans, as Founder, also sits on the Executive Committee, ad does invitee Kimberly Krause, a funeral professional from the Palm Springs area who leads the Desert Committee in the Coachella Valley.  A Treasurer and a Co-Chair Elect will be named next month.

    Beyond the sprinting start to the new board term of a strategic planning retreat are two fund raiser/friend raiser events in July, the Friday the 22nd collaboration golf event at Los Serranos Course in Chino Hills put on by the ICWA through the efforts of Mr. Casady, who is on that water industry board, as well. (It goes 50/50 with Ronald McDonald House and spaces for teams are still available at https://www.icwa-group.com/annual-charity-golf.)

    Call 909-335-1600 or 909-855-3130, for more information.

    Also, the longtime favorite – Unforgettables Birthday Baseball Bash Picnic at San Manuel Ball Park Stadium in San Bernardino on July 30th is selling tickets at $30 with supper, a seat ticket and a special giveaway – Angels blanket – per attendee.  Contact our office at 909-335-1600.

     

    About The Unforgettables Foundation

    “The mission of The Unforgettables Foundation is to assist at risk and grieving families with finances to help them afford a timely and dignified funeral for their child.”

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    Dameron Communications Named 2022 Best PR Firms in San Bernardino

    Carl M. Dameron, founder and president of Dameron Communications

    Expertise.com Names Dameron Communications Best PR Firm of 2022

    “I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications.

    (San Bernardino, Calif.)  Dameron Communications has been reviewed, promoted, and selected by the website, Expertise.com, as one of its Best PR Firms in San Bernardino in 2022.

    “I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to develop and maintain outstanding relationships with California media delivering significant public relations successes.”

    Dameron Communications is team of 15 diverse, talented communications professionals who are experts in research, advertising, and public relations.

    Check out the review at: https://www.expertise.com/ca/san-bernardino/public-relations-firms

    Expertise badge
    “We’ve screened, mystery shopped, and selected Dameron Communications from among your competitors.  At Expertise.com more than 1 million monthly site visitors are already aware of Dameron Communications stellar reputation, said Ben Torres, of The Expertise Team

    Dameron Communications’ is a Southern California based Advertising; public relations, community relations and government relations whose work has been winning awards and client accolades for more than 30 years.

    “We blend relationships with proven advertising and public relations methods to deliver winning and measurable results,” said Dameron.

    We serve clients who make the world a better place –business small or large, government or non-profit, product, service or cause primarily in California.

    For more information or a free one-hour consultation call Carl M. Dameron at (909) 534-9500.

     

    Dinner and Comedy Show to Benefit Little Sunshine Foundation

    From left to right, Regina Ivery, Keith Morris, Dexter Smiles and Nick Alexander will provide laughs for the Little Sunshine Foundation fundraiser on Saturday.

    From left to right, Regina Ivery, Keith Morris, Dexter Smiles and Nick Alexander will provide laughs for the Little Sunshine Foundation fundraiser on Saturday.

    The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to help to their community because every child deserves a little sunshine.

     (Glendora, Calif.) The Little Sunshine Foundation is presenting a star-studded fundraiser to benefit underprivileged youngster on Saturday, June 4, from 4 to 8 PM at The Bidwell Forum in Glendora.

    “Our foundation offers literacy programs, sports programs and a youth ambassador program that have all been improving young lives for five years now,” says Foundation Director Bianca Vobecky. What is especially noteworthy is that the organization was founded by Bianca’s now-18-year-old daughter, Monique, in 2018 when she was just 14 years old.

    Monique is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.

    This daughter of a Haitian mother and an American father of Czech-German heritage has always wanted to help others who are under-resourced and whose lives can take a dramatic turn for the better thanks to assistance from organizations like the one she founded.

    Monique Vobecky started the Little Sunshine Foundation while a 14 year old freshman at Glendora High School. Now-18-years-old  Monique, is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.

    The Little Sunshine Foundation was singled out for praise by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce as its “Nonprofit of the Year” in 2019 and continues to set an example for how local charities can improve their communities. The Little Sunshine Foundation programs typically provide services to some 2,000 students every year.

    The “Dinner and Comedy Show” fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Bidwell Forum, 116 E. Foothill Blvd., Glendora.

    Entertainment is provided by comedians Regina “After Five” Ivery, Keith “Look Around” Morris and Dexter Smiles, with special appearances by Nick Alexander, an actor from New York City, who has a debut comedy album set to be released this year entitled “What Happened to Nick Alexander?” and DJ Afrocah.

    Rich Wallace, President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, and Rhonda Jackson, owner of Decor Interior Design, Inc., a minority-owned business that widely consults minority start-ups and has a popular podcast channel, will share Master of Ceremonies duties. The dinner is being catered by Canyon City BBQ, which is certain to be a major crowd-pleaser.

    Tickets are $60 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available, starting at $350 for a Star Sponsor, which includes two tickets, a Friends of Little Sunshine sponsorship for $500 that includes four tickets, and three more categories, including a Title Sponsorship that comes with tickets for a table of 12.

    “Proceeds from ticket sales will go to school supplies and scholarships,” says Monique Vobecky.

    For those who would like to help but cannot attend the event, the Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations on its website through the end of July. Little Sunshine will then budget the receipts for purchases to help students for the fall school term.

    The Little Sunshine Foundation has developed three programs in furtherance of its mission.

    The Foundation’s Literacy Program provides disadvantaged kindergarten to eighth grade students with new or gently used books as well as reading tools to improve reading proficiency.

    The Sports Program provides support services to disadvantaged youth, ages 4 to 18 years of age, that allow them access to play sports. The sports program provides youth with athletic shoes, athletic equipment, and financial support for uniforms and sporting fees.

    The Youth Ambassador Program provides opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities in a meaningful way. Involving youth as partners in this mission empowers them with leadership opportunities and helps them become empathetic, reflective individuals, setting them on a course to becoming community leaders.

    To purchase tickets or donate, visit the Foundation’s https://www.littlesunshine.org/.

    -30-

    About the Little Sunshine Foundation

    The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to give back to their community because we believe every child deserves a little sunshine.

    LaSalle Clinics Are Ahead of the Curve in Ending Race-Based Medicine

    LaSalle Medical Center COVID-19 Vaccanations

    April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Alicia Cazenave, of San Bernardino, Recently,at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. Cazenave received the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine. (Photo by Valda Wilson)

     

    “People of color are tired of being treated differently by doctors because of their skin color. At LaSalle, we pride ourselves on treating all patients with respect and giving them the care, they need, regardless of their ethnicity,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, founder and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.

    (Redlands, Calif.)  The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced that it is revising its policies and guidelines to do away with wording that implies or suggests “that races have underlying biological differences that should be factored in medical treatments.”

    In a new policy statement, “Eliminating Race-Based Medicine,” pre-published online May 2, 2022, in Pediatrics, the AAP observes that race is a historically derived social construct that has no place as a biologic proxy. Over the years, the medical field has inaccurately applied race correction or race adjustment factors in its work, resulting in differential approaches to disease management and disparate clinical outcomes.

    “The American Academy of Pediatrics is taking an important step toward dismantling race-based medicine. This effort calls for acknowledging the impact that differential lived experiences have on individual and population health outcomes through a race-conscious health equity lens rather than through approaches that have inappropriately identified skin color as an independent risk-adjusting variable,” Dr. Wright said.

    “Social determinants of health need to be carefully considered in the development of care delivery strategies including factors embedded in broad categories such as access, the physical environmental and community supports. Evidence informed incorporation of these factors is vital in all areas of medicine.”

    “We are honored to have more Doctors to help serve the thousands of patients who have placed their trust in our network of primary physicians and healthcare professionals in California,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga founder and Chief Executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Left to Right: Dr. Joseph V. Selvarj, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Dr. Cheryl Emoto, and Dr. Felix A. Albano.

    “We are honored to have more Doctors to help serve the thousands of patients who have placed their trust in our network of primary physicians and healthcare professionals in California,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga founder and Chief Executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Left to Right: Dr. Joseph V. Selvarj, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Dr. Cheryl Emoto, and Dr. Felix A. Albano.

    Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., says, “As a minority-owned organization, we have never treated any patient—adult or child—with any but the most conscientious and rigorous care. Many of our doctors and support staff are themselves minorities and they know very well how important it is to make all patients feel comfortable and to deliver to all patients the highest standard, the gold standard, of care.”

    Race-based care has been pervasive for decades. One example is how some pediatricians deal with Black children who may be suffering from a urinary tract infection. According to Dr. Joseph L. Wright, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, from American Academy of Pediatrics, rather than apply the gold standard test, they use a lesser procedure because they assume that Black children don’t get urinary tract infections as often as white children.

    cover shots

    April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Vicki Creighton, of Riverside, Recently, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. Creighton received the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

    But that is not the case at LaSalle. “When we interview prospective providers, we make sure that they are in sync with our values and standards,” says Dr. Arteaga. “The gold standard is the only standard we apply to the people under our care.”

    After two years of virtual doctor visits, all of LaSalle six clinics are open for person-to-person patient visits. Clinics are now open in San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, Hesperia and Victorville which is temporarily closed.

    “The evolution of modern medicine has produced incredible advancements and accomplishments in health care,” Dr. Wright said. “But we must acknowledge and address the stark inequities that persist in leaving vulnerable populations behind. We are better than this. Now is the time for change.”

    For more information or to make an appointment at a LaSalle Medical Associates Clinic call: Fontana (909) 823-4454; San Bernardino 17th Street (909) 887-6494 pediatrics only clinic; San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091; Rialto (855) 349-6019; and Hesperia (760) 947-2161.

    —30—

    About LaSalle Medical Associates

    LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is one of the largest, independent, and Latino-owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The corporate office is in Redlands.

    LaSalle operates six clinics employing more than 100 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) coverage.

    LaSalle is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals, and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to approximately365,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, and Tulare counties.

     

    Laughing for the Health of It! Crack Up Don’t Melt Down

    “We need to take the stigma away from mental health issues in the Black family”, said Healthy Heritage Movement founder Phyllis Clark.

    (Ontario, Calif.) Join the Healthy Heritage Movement for a Healthy Laugh! “In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Healthy Heritage is celebrating with a Comedy Show and Mental Health Resource Fair at the world-famous Improv Comedy Club in Ontario”, said Healthy Heritage Movement founder Phyllis Clark. 

    Our mission is to eliminate health disparities within the African American Community through health education, policy change, and community outreach, said Clark.

    The Healthy Heritage Movement has assembled a group of more than twenty mental health professionals,  organizations, and aware comedians to entertain and inform African Americans in the IE of what is available to help people on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 4:00 pm.  

    “The day’s feature is a two-hour, stand-up clean comedy show at the Ontario Improv Theater for ages 18 and older,” said Clark.

    The comedy lineup includes: Lamont Bonman, who has also performed as Rev Monty B. Sharpton in clubs, churches, and concerts across the country. He created the wildly popular group Rev Monty B Sharpton and the Anointed Oreos; Gayla Johnson, an actress and stand-up comedian; and Donna Maine, a L.A.-based clean, corporate comedian and comedy writer.

    Also, Richard Weiss, popular comedian, author, comic strip publisher and Coachella Valley resident, who openly shares his pilgrimage from shame and pain, to joy, love and laughter, in person, in his comedic performances and on his website.

    Co-sponsors include Community Mental Health Equity Project (CMHEP), Broken Crayons Still Color, California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), California Department of Public Health and  Riverside University Health System  Behavioral Health and the African American Family Wellness Advisory Group.

    Tickets are on sale for $25 online and at the Improv box office theater. “I know the event will sell out! Purchase your tickets today,” said Clark.

    According to Clark, the night promises to be filled with laugher from a line-up of hilarious comedians, but it will also be an opportunity for individuals to talk to mental health professionals, gather mental health resources, network with the community, and enjoy good food and drink.

    “Come celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, and help Healthy Heritage continue our mission of removing the stigma of mental health in our communities!  Ultimately, assuring us it is okay to not be ok,” said Clark.

    This resource fair is also in celebration of our Broken Crayons Still Color Program, an 8-week program created around reducing the stigma of mental health for African American women. The program teaches effective strategies to identify signs of and cope with depression, stress, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse and other mental health challenges.

    For a list of Black mental health professionals in the Inland Empire, for a class near you or more information visit BrokenCrayons.org or call (951)293-4240 or email: 

    hhmmovement9@gmail.com

    -30-

    About Healthy Heritage

    Healthy Heritage Movement, Inc. was founded in 2007 by Phyllis Y. Clark in Southern California. Created to target and address health disparities within the African American community, Healthy Heritage Movement focuses on the wellbeing of African Americans through health education, policy change and community outreach. For more information on Healthy Heritage go to: www.HealthyHeritage.org

    The comedy lineup includes: 

    Gayla Johnson is an actress and stand-up comedian. She’s appeared on such television shows as ABC’s Scandal, Supergirl, Bones, Greys Anatomy, Legions, The Fosters, Young & The Restless, Comedy Central’s Workaholics, and more. She has a diverse background in Theatre and a Degree in Broadcast Communications, she flowed into public speaking and then the challenging field of Standup Comedy. She has made guest appearances on COMICS UNLEASHED, SiTv’s LAFF JAM, INSIDE JOKE, B.E.T. COMIC VIEW, TBS COMEDY FESTIVAL, and the COMEDY TIME Series on YouTube. She’s quoted as saying “Stand-up Comedy is the one thing you can do badly, and no one will laugh at you”. 

    Donna Maine is an LA-based clean, corporate comedian and comedy writer (or less clean, depending on situation) who performs across the country. Her comedic insights run the gamut, including relationships, kids, medical background and coping with middle-age in a post-millennial world. Donna has been bringing laughter to all the major comedy clubs, the Burbank Comedy Festival, the inaugural Palm Springs Comedy Festival and events everywhere. She incorporates musical comedy and Christian comedy, writes jokes tailored to celebrations or roasts and has hosted numerous shows, including a long-running showcase of female comedians at Flappers Comedy Club. Donna can be heard co-hosting on radio, as well as doing voiceovers, and is a recent Funniest Housewives Finalist. She’s also available for acting roles. To make your event a fun-filled success, book Donna now!

    Lamont Bonman has also performed as Rev Monty B. Sharpton in clubs, churches, and concerts across the country. He created the wildly popular group Rev Monty B Sharpton and the Anointed Oreos, known for their hilarious parodies which are featured on their CD Brand New Oldies. They are the Weird Al Yankovic of Gospel. Lamont is a series regular in the upcoming TV series Fifty and Over Club and will also be in the soon-to-be-released feature film Miracle of Tony Davis.  From Las Vegas to Broadway, Lamont Bonman shares his gift and shares the Gospel. 

    Richard Weiss “Drinking led to blackouts for me which I call ‘The 90s’,” Weiss shares to a room full of laughter. “My family got together and gave me a little present… they got me tickets, luggage and a going away party called an ‘intervention’.” Richard Weiss, popular comedian, author, comic strip publisher and Coachella Valley resident, openly shares his pilgrimage from shame and pain, to joy, love and laughter in person, in his comedic performances and on his website.

    Mental Health Training Class Saves a Life

    Professor Willie Davis, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Loma Linda University's School of Pharmacy

    Professor Willie Davis, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Loma Linda University’s School of Pharmacy

    “Our basic mental health training class teaches people proven ways to approach friends or family members who may seem to be struggling and get them to reach out for professional help,” said Ceseña. 

    (San Bernardino, Calif.)  “I wasn’t sure what I expected to learn from the class I took with the Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health Program,” says Professor Willie Davis, Ph.D., of Loma Linda University’s School of Pharmacy, “but I have to say that it gave me the information I needed to get one of my students the help she needed.”

    The Making Hope Happen Foundation offers three free classes through its Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health program for people who would like to help someone they know who seem to be having a hard time in one way or another but aren’t sure how to approach them or what to say that can get them started on feeling better.

    Program Manager Gerzon Ceseña says, “Our classes teach people how to recognize the warning signs for things like depression and suicidal thoughts, along with the right and wrong things to say to their friends or family members who seem to be preoccupied with a problem or problems that they may be reluctant to talk about.”

    “We offer two Mental Health First Aid courses, one that focuses on adults and one on youth, along with an introductory course we call ‘QPR,’ which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer, that provides insights into helping someone who may be thinking about suicide,” said Ceseña.

    The day after Professor Davis took the QPR course, he was approached by a student who was feeling down and thinking about dropping out of the program. “I used what I learned in the QPR class to get her to start talking about a recent trauma she suffered and the thoughts of suicide she was having. She agreed to my suggestion that she get some help.”

    “I’m happy to say that since that day, she has gotten counseling and is now feeling better and doing better academically.”

    The QPR Gatekeeper course takes about an hour to 90 minutes, depending on how many people are enrolled and the number of questions that are raised during the training. It provides basic essentials that prepare attendees to then go on to either the Youth or Adult Mental Health First Aid course.

    For more information or to sign up for a course, visit. https://www.mhhfmentalhealth.org/adult.htm or call (909) 347-7234. Class schedules are updated monthly.

    -30-

    About Making Hope Happen Foundation

    Making Hope Happen is a nonprofit foundation linked with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. The nonprofit is based on the philosophy of Gallop Senior Scientist Dr. Shane J. Lopez. Hope allows people to envision a better future, design a path toward that future, and take purposeful steps toward it.  As a result of a deep commitment to this quest, the San Bernardino Community and School Alliance (CASA was reorganized and renamed the Making Hope Happen Foundation).

    The Foundation’s Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health program offers free mental health training for people who would like to be able to help friends or family members that would like to learn effective ways to approach friends or family members who seem to he has emotional or mental health problems but aren’t sure about what to say or do.

    For more information on The IE Men’s Mental Health Program go to the group’s web page at IEMensMentalHealth.org or call (909) 347-7234.

    Who Is Trying to Take Advantage of this 74-year-old Retiree?

    Dr. Vivian Joneswhye-Brock

    Dr. Vivian Joneswhye-Brock

     

    (Moreno Valley, Calif.) Dr. Vivian Joneswhye-Brock was enjoying her retirement after a career in the military and in teaching. With her doctorates in Theology and Psychology, she enjoyed reading, networking, and collaborating with people and children helping them overcome stress through animal ministry. She has been extraordinarily successful in overcoming her post traumatic stress disorder by not just working with animals but with all of God’s creatures and enjoying the beauty of nature. She has been so successful with this technique and our own personal life, she wanted and continued to share her knowledge with others.

    Dr. Joneswhye- Brock’s love for her environment, all creatures and nature challenged her to pursue her doctorate in theology and psychology. Now, Dr. Joneswhye-Brock has talked on a radio station, done podcasting, and lectured on the importance of ministering not only to humans but all of the Creator’s creations.

    But, in 2019 her kitchen was damaged when a water pipe burst inside a wall of her two-story home affecting her kitchen. She submitted a claim to her insurance company that she has had for over 42 years. Her insurance company sent the plumber to fix the leak, a restoration company to remove the damages caused by the water and allowed her to choose the company to reconstruct the kitchen as it was before the damage.

    Things went downhill from there.

    She looked around and hired a local firm, Delta Restoration and Construction in Beaumont, also known as exclusive property restoration and construction. Exclusive property restoration and construction is a company that does several things. She said “Had I known that this company was a Jack of all trades and a master of none… I would have never hired them.” After they came out and took pictures to prepare an estimate, they promised to do the job the work correctly and speedily. That didn’t happen.

    Instead, she got poor workmanship. Since part of her kitchen tile had to be removed, she was told she would get new counter and backsplash tile since her tile was obsolete. And one small cabinet wall had to be rebuilt.

    This company ended up putting tile that did not match her existing tile, building a new wall cabinet to match the cabinet door. Then they changed the estimate order without her knowledge or consent…took all of her twenty-seven other cabinet doors and painted them a glossy white. Leaving all twelve of her drawers a cream color as well as the cabinetry. While removing and replacing the kitchen doors, exclusive property restoration also known as delta exclusive property restoration damaged her penny floor. Did they take responsibility and repair the damage? Not at all.

    So, Dr. Joneswhye- Brock paid half of the estimate and wanted to use the remaining to repair the damages and poor workmanship done by exclusive property restoration and construction also known as delta restoration and construction.

    Delta Restoration and Construction also AKA Exclusive Property Construction and Restoration said that they would not take part they wanted all of the insurance money and would not accept responsibilities for any damages they did or poor workmanship at all. She said no way, they then slapped a mechanics lean on her property. This company did unauthorized work on an unauthorized change order. Exclusive Property Restoration and Construction also took two months to do what was supposed to be only a two-week project.

    Dr. Joneswhye-Brock had told them that time was of the essence, and she was planning a party for her Doctorate graduation in mid-August 2019. She signed the contract on July 3, 2019, Exclusive Property Restoration and Construction did not even send any estimate to her insurance company until July 30, 2019. Her insurance company takes like most insurance company ten business days to process the claim. Her insurance company processed the claim on August 14, 2019, and a check on the claim was issued on August 20th 2019… after her graduation ceremony date.

    When Dr. Joneswhye Brock tried to go pro per, the legal system was extremely complicated, and a lawyer was needed. She hired Darren Trone from prepaid legal to assist and that turned out to be a substandard move.

    He quoted her a fee of $20,000 to manage her case. The bill currently stands at $37,000 and does not include the latest court appearance. A final verdict is expected by May 11,2022 for the attorneys are presenting written closing arguments. No doubt that will add more billable hours to pad his bill. The court’s presiding commissioner noted that attorney Trone was dragging out the case longer than it needed to be.

    This same attorney had actually told Dr. Joneswhye-Brock he would resign if she did not pay additional pretrial fees of $16,000 from her case after one court appearance. Dr. Brock called the agency that had referred her to Trone to complain.

    We’ll never know for sure, but to an outsider looking in, it seems that they might have contacted Trone and urged him to reconsider. In fact, he did, and he went to court with Dr. Brock to present evidence supporting her claim.

    Included in Trone’s bill is $600 for at least three briefcase to carry all the evidence that Dr. Brock provided in and digital format. For whatever reason, the attorney decided to make it into written format which created books at least 13 to 14 inches thick. There is additional question as to why that was necessary since we are in the age of a paperless society and the courtroom definitely had an Elmo dictation projector to connect to the computer. One wonders how big a collection of briefcases this attorney may have in his closet.

    Dr. Joneswhye-Brock is working double time to earn money to fight her case period to satisfy the lien she would have to cash in her stock portfolio and her IRA. This widow a disabled veteran this Navy veteran herself and retired schoolteacher this 74-year-old African American woman who is an upstanding citizen is being taken advantage of by unethical people. Now start up here stop

    Some justice may be served soon, but there is more to this ongoing story yet to be told.

    —30—

    The Doctor Is In – Time to See Your Doctor in Person

    “We are honored to have more Doctors to help serve the thousands of patients who have placed their trust in our network of primary physicians and healthcare professionals in California,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga founder and Chief Executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Left to Right: Dr. Joseph V. Selvarj, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Dr. Cheryl Emoto, and Dr. Felix A. Albano.“We are honored to have more Doctors to help serve the thousands of patients who have placed their trust in our network of primary physicians and healthcare professionals in California,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga founder and Chief Executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Left to Right: Dr. Joseph V. Selvarj, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Dr. Cheryl Emoto, and Dr. Felix A. Albano.

     “People are tired of virtual doctor visits,” says LaSalle President Dr. Albert Arteaga, “they want to see their doctor in person again, and we want them to know that at LaSalle Medical Associates, the doctor is in.”

     (Redlands, Calif.)  The Covid-19 pandemic in the USA has many people feeling like they are between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, deaths and hospitalizations are declining, but on the other hand, a new variation is causing rising infections.

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the pandemic is receding, but people still need to take precautions.

    Dr. Anthony Stephen Fauci OMRI director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Chief Medical Advisor to the President is saying that we are moving from a pandemic to a less virulent phase, the Associated Press reported on April 27.

    In other words, Covid is not going away. Like colds or the flu, it may be here to stay, but weaker. But that does not mean we can just pretend everything is like it was before Covid-19.

    Dr. Albert Arteaga, the President of LaSalle Medical Associates, says that the health care providers that provide services through his organization’s network, have been seeing patients remotely for the past two years and those patients want personal patient-to-doctor contact again.

    “Thankfully,” says Arteaga, “we now are in a position to accommodate in-person patient visits again. At LaSalle, the doctor is in!”

    To wear a mask or not wear a mask, that is the question. One person who still wears a mask when she goes to the supermarket said, “I still wear a mask when I’m out in public places because in the two years we’ve all been told we should wear them, I have not had a cold or the flu, let alone the Covid. Masks seem to keep all the viruses away.”

    LaSalle Medical Associates operates clinics in Fontana, Hesperia, Rialto, Victorville and two in San Bernardino. La Salle has also been teaming up with community-based organizations, including churches, to administer free Covid vaccine shots.

    Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga. The California Medical Association awarded Dr. Albert Arteaga the “Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award,” recognizing his contributions to medical care in the Latino community.Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga. The California Medical Association awarded Dr. Albert Arteaga the “Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award,” recognizing his contributions to medical care in the Latino community.

    For more information or an appointment to a LaSalle Clinic, visit  LaSalleMedicalAssociates.com or call (909) 890-0407.

    -30-

    About LaSalle Medical Associates

    LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is one of the largest, independent, and Latino-owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The corporate office is in Redlands.

    LaSalle operates six clinics employing more than 100 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) coverage.

    LaSalle is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to approximately 365,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare counties.

    Friendship Is Good for Our Mental Health

    The new Bus Shelter Ad for Making Hope Happen's nland Empire Men’s Mental Health Program

    The new Bus Shelter Ad for Making Hope Happen’s Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health Program’s campaign: Friendship is good for our mental health.

    “One of the things we learn in Adult Mental Health First Aid, is that spending time with your friends is good for your mental health,” said Ceseña.

    (San Bernardino, Calif.)  “It’s one of those ‘everybody knows’ things, that men tend to be reluctant to ask for help when they need it. To counter the negative stigma that’s attached to the whole mental health industry, we now offer classes for people who have friends or family that may be going through some tough times,” said Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health Program Manager Gerzon Ceseña.

    The Making Hope Happen Foundation offers free classes through its Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health program for people who would like to help adults and youngsters who may be having a tough time.

    Ceseña says, “We have three classes that teach about the warning signs for things ranging from aggressive acting-out to panic attacks, from depression to suicidal thoughts, and the right and wrong ways to approach those who are going through a rough patch and help them.”

    “One of the things we learn in Adult Mental Health First Aid, is that spending time with your friends is good for your mental health,” said Ceseña.

    The three classes are: QPR (Question / Persuade / Refer) Gatekeeper, Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

    The QPR Gatekeeper course is the shortest of the three, taking only about an hour to 90 minutes, depending on how many people are enrolled and the number of questions that are raised during the training. It covers the essentials of recognizing problem symptoms and how to help.

    Andy Quintana and Perry Madison in a Dameron Communicaitons commercial for the Men’s Mental Health Foundation filmed to run until November 2022. Directed by Shani Renee Hamilton, written and produced by Carl Dameron.

    The Adult Mental Health First Aid class has seven sections and includes videos, role-playing and descriptive scenarios so participants can rehearse realistic situations with a knowledgeable instructor and be prepared to help someone who might be reluctant to open up to mental health professional but will talk with a friend.

    Youth Mental Health First Aid has a self-paced opening section, followed by four more sections that cover various aspects of how to be an effective friend to a youth having problems.

    Ceseña recommends the QPR Gatekeeper course as a first step for people who are interested in the training. “From there, QPR grads can go on to either the Adult or Youth First Aid class, depending on their individual focus,” he notes. Classes are delivered online via the Zoom Video Conference tool.

     

    Here is the TV Commercial: https://youtu.be/rTkKZ34kVcs

    For more information, visit: https://www.mhhfmentalhealth.org/adult.htm or call (909) 347-7234. Class schedules are updated monthly.

    -30-

     

    About Making Hope Happen Foundation

    Making Hope Happen is a nonprofit foundation linked with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. The nonprofit is based on the philosophy of Gallop Senior Scientist Dr. Shane J. Lopez. Hope allows people to envision a better future, design a path toward that future, and take purposeful steps toward it.  As a result of a deep commitment to this quest, the San Bernardino Community and School Alliance (CASA was reorganized and renamed the Making Hope Happen Foundation).

    The Foundation’s Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health program offers free mental health training for people who would like to be able to help friends or family members that would like to learn effective ways to approach friends or family members who seem to he has emotional or mental health problems but aren’t sure about what to say or do.

    For more information on The IE Men’s Mental Health Program go to the group’s web page at IEMensMentalHealth.org or call (909) 347-7234.