My family: Shiane, Shaila, Carl and Malaika. Making it through love, life and success.
A discussion on the history of me, family, Fitness, relationships, divorce, function, disfunction and love. An interview conducted by my ex-wife, Malaika Jacocks of Body by Malaika.
Dameron Communications services include: advertising for television, social media, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, direct mail, mobile web applications, and email. They also deliver award winning public relations press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
For more information on Dameron Communications call Carl M. Dameron @ (909) 534-9500.
Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications. “Sharing your stories is fun. Let me share the secrets behind successful public relations and advertising.
To the people who know and work with him, Carl M. Dameron is a dynamic, hard-driving, award-winning advertising and public relations expert with more than 30 years of success helping organizations and people throughout California meet their goals.
He is also a cancer survivor. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Carl shares the story of starting and growing his company, how he dealt with his cancer diagnosis and offers sage advice for anyone facing a challenge.
Dameron Communications services include: advertising for television, social media, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, direct mail, mobile web applications, and email. They also deliver award winning public relations press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
For more information on Dameron Communications call Carl M. Dameron @ (909) 534-9500.
The nonprofit Family Is All That Matters celebrate their Grand Opening Aug. 21, 2018 at the Galleria at Tyler Mall. Board members, County Officials, mentors and mentees in the program, partners, and many others were present for the celebration. The nonprofit provides academic tutoring support, mentoring and an athletic outlet for children 5 to 18 years old. They focus on integrating academics, athletics and individual empowerment.
(Riverside, Calif.) – Nothing can stop the nonprofit group FIATM from achieving its goal of “Unifying Communities – One Family at a Time.”
FIATM, which stands for “Family is all that Matters,” has already survived a crisis that would have forced many charitable organizations to close their doors.
A late-night fire destroyed the group’s Moreno Valley headquarters on Jan. 1, 2021.
FIATM just put in a computer lab and adjusted its programs to be Covid compliant when the New Year’s fire destroyed their facility and shut down 13 other neighboring businesses.
Despite that setback, FIATM founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kuba Brown, its Chief Operation Officer, David J. Layne, along with the rest of the group’s board members, staff, volunteers and their community partners, never stopped helping needy families with food, utilities and rental assistance.
FIATM COO, David Jordan Layne, Riverside County Second District Supervisor, Karen Spiegel, and FIATM Founder and CEO, Kuba Brown, held its Grand Opening at The Galleria at Tyler recently.
The group continued offering educational and tutoring programs for students from 5 to 18 year olds, and its organizers and youth sports coaches continued working with at promise youths and their families throughout Southern California.
In fact, the challenge may have made the Inland Empire organization stronger than ever.
FIATM recently held an Grand Opening and open house at its spacious new headquarters inside Tyler in Riverside.
The 3,400-square-foot office has enough room for a computer lab, reading lab, homework station where youths can check out Chromebooks, a screening area for thought-provoking family movies, and displays focusing on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
The nonprofit group currently serves about 850 youths, ages five to 18. About 600 are from Moreno Valley, and the others come from San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles counties.
FIATM also has helped feed and assist veterans at the U.S. Vets transitional housing at March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley with its partner So Call Family Support Services.
FIATM was created in 2005 “to aid at-risk-youth, teen mothers, and families in making positive choices to ensure a better quality of life.”
Anyone who gets a chance to talk with Layne and Kuba Brown, the group’s CEO, quickly learns that the statement reflects a lifelong commitment and passion to help struggling youths, their families, and the communities where they live.
“Everything starts with families. Everything starts with youths,” said Layne, who is also FIATM’s chief operating officer. “We refuse to be compromised or diverted from our mission of taking care of families.”
Kuba Brown nodded in agreement.
“We work to create safe places for at-promise kids. You never know what someone is going through at home or what help their families may need until you can sit down, listen and talk with them,” Kuba Brown said.
The new Galleria at Tyler headquarters is a place youths will be able to come in and speak their minds, he said.
It will be open Monday through Friday, but Layne and Brown said it’s not a walk-in office. Youths and their parents will need to schedule their visits.
“FIATM reflects the passion that we have regarding service,” Brown said. “We want to create a place with unrivaled service, a place where we can do our very best, because in our hearts, we’re servants.”
The F.I.A.T.M. Group Inc., is an IRS designated 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
For more information about FIATM and the work the group is doing, visit their website www.FIATMGroupInc.org or call (951) 570-5053.
-end-
FIATM Grand Opening at the Galleria at Tyler in front of the second story entrance right in front of the old Nordstrom’s department store. Left to right, front row, David Thurman, Executive Board Member, Monica Hunter, Executive Vice Chair, President of Advisory Board, Yundra Thomas . Back Row: Donnell P. Layne, CIO and Executive Board Member, Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications FIATM’s public relations agency, Wayne Brown, Executive Board Member Kuba Brown, CEO, and David, Jordan Layne, COO.
About FIATM – Family Is All That Matters
FIATM programs are implemented to provide Academic Tutoring support, Mentoring and an athletic outlet for students five through 18 years old. FIATM currently focuses on the integration of Academics, Athletics, and Individual Empowerment.
The T.E.A.C.H. PROGRAM
TEACH is the main emphasis if The F.I.A.T.M. GROUP INC. From the ages of five through 18, this program assists in the Tutoring, Mentoring and Nurturing of youth and further sets forth the re-enforcement of Family and Family Values. An after-school tutoring and mentoring program established to serve all youth in our programs as a deterrent to truancy, drug and substance abuse, gang involvement, crime and disruptive behaviors that are prevalent in the community when students are left unsupervised.
Next Level Athletics Alliance (NLAA)
This is a complete youth sports program offering participation in a variety of competitive youth sports all of which may have Olympic ties.
The NEXT LEVEL ATHLETICS ALLIANCE program offers our youth the opportunity to develop positive life skills and memories leading towards a promising future.
These programs in itself will also assist in the edifying and promotion of Family Values that will enrich the community for years to come.
Student Athlete Awareness Program (S.A.A.P)
The structure creates an educational community where student/athletes and faculty share academic goals and join in a common intellectual quest. Teaching and learning, search for knowledge and understanding and the critical examination of ideas, values, and actions are the central activities of the program. The S.A.A.P. Structure is the catalyst where individualism of each person is honored and where courtesy and honesty are practiced.
S.K.A.T.T.
Through S.K.A.T.T. CHRONICLES we will provide a platform for our Youth to learn, train and perfect the craft of Media Arts and Journalism.
S.K.A.T.T. CHRONICLES. S.K.A.T.T. TALES the Animation Cartoon and potential movie will be launched in a collaborative effort with The Lift Entertainment Group. President & COO of S.K.A.T.T. TALES and Executive Limited Partner of The Lift Entertainment. LaShae Brown.
MTS – (MENTORING TO SUCCESS)
MENTORING TO SUCCESS is a program series created to enhance the Tutoring & Mentoring Programs. Our programs are structured to provide tutoring, counseling, cultural awareness, and personal development.
Within the personal development component, we teach self-respect, respect for others, Leadership, Self Esteem and unlock creative and artistic abilities that may otherwise be underutilized in our youth.
We are planning to further enhance the awareness of our youth to the different types of Colleges and Universities and Trade Schools throughout the nation for Academic and Athletic Direction.
Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications. “Sharing your stories is fun. Let me share the secrets of successful public relations and advertising.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Businesses, government and civic groups that want to liven up their meetings with an interesting and informative advertising and public relations speaker should choose Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications.
Dameron has run his own public relations firm for more than 30 years, and during that time he has shared his expertise on what makes a good story with everyone from local political candidates to national logistics firms.
“The same elements that make interesting news releases also make good speeches, Dameron said. “In my presentations, I mix humor with a clear, direct message while delivering information you can put to work right away!”
Dameron will explain how important it is to get in front of a story to drive national and regional advertising, public relations and news coverage.
“People who hear me speak should leave with a better understanding of how to improve their own advertising and public relations efforts,” Dameron said. “Sharing your stories should be fun. Let me share the secrets behind successful public relations and advertising.
Getting the attention of the news media is not easy.
Editors, reporters and media managers are constantly bombarded with e-mails from PR people. Most are spiked right away, but releases from Dameron Communications always get a second look.
How? Carl Dameron understands news and knows how to work with busy news professionals.
Dameron Communications has served Southern California clients since 1989
Dameron is available to speak on several advertising and public relations topics including:
Advertising – How to create advertising that works — from flyers to TV commercials and everything in between
Public Relations – How to get media coverage and increase the positive perception of your organization
Government Relations – How to get elected officials to listen and how to leverage their influence
Community Relations – How get the community to understand and support your goals and objectives
Daniel Herrera 12, Sonali Herrera 10, mother, Sujana Herrera volunteer to serve at the recent Thanksgiving dinner. They are from Riverside this is their second-year volunteering with The Salvation Army. The annual Christmas Dinner for hundreds of people is at 2626 Pacific St., in San Bernardino on Saturday, December 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) The San Bernardino Salvation Army Corp (www.salvationarmyusa.org) hosts its annual Christmas Dinner for hundreds of people at its headquarters, 2626 Pacific St., in San Bernardino, CA 92346. This year, the Christmas dinner will be held on Saturday, December 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“We share the joy and love of our God who sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to save us from sin. He taught use to love our neighbors as ourselves. We share this Christmas meal and meals every day to show those in need that God truly cares for all of his children,” said Major Daniel Henderson, Citadel Corp director.
Since 1887, the annual San Bernardino Salvation Army Christmas dinner has served thousands of families, mothers, children and men who do not have the means to provide themselves a Christmas dinner. Some just come to enjoy fellowship with others.
People come from Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino for this annual Christmas celebratory meal. The dinner often serves more than 300 people.
“This year, guests will enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, containing potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, pie and other food received from donations,” said Lt. Cathie McCully.
“Every year, volunteers come together to provide the food preparation and service of Christmas meals to dinner guests,” said Major Daniel Henderson, Commander of The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corp. “Our volunteers and staff really do an outstanding job, to make a difference for those who are less fortunate during the holiday season.”
Many of the services provided by the Salvation Army, such as this annual Community Christmas dinner, are made possible through in-kind donations and money raised through the Red Kettle Bell Ringer campaign. “It’s one of ministries your donations serve,” said Major Henderson.
Each Christmas, Inland Empire Salvation Army Corps in eight corps locations combine to serve about 1,800 people holiday meals.
The hungry families are joined by hundreds of volunteers who help prepare the food and serve meals to the families. Along with asking volunteers to help serve food, the Salvation Army is encouraging people to donate turkeys or hams, side dishes and other food by calling (909) 888-1336.
“The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at our Hospitality House living shelter,” said Lt. Cathie McCully. Up to 100 family members stay in its transitional and emergency family shelters.
For more information about the Salvation Army Christmas dinner, donations or volunteering for the Christmas dinner at The Salvation Army near you, call or visit the locations below.
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino, 2626 Pacific Avenue, (909) 888-1336.
Ontario, 1412 S. Euclid Ave., (909) 986-6748.
Victorville, 14585 La Paz Drive, (760) 245-2545.
Redlands, 838 Alta St., (909) 792-6868.
Riverside County
Riverside, 3695 First Street, (951) 784-3571
Moreno Valley, 14075 Frederick St., (951) 653-9131.
About The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, and also offering holistic programs for people of all ages. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination.
The San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army serves Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson told the students to challenge anyone with a negative image of their city. In turn, the teens put out the hashtag #RialtoPride and it immediately began trending among local students. The conversations started to center around why they love Rialto and a movement was begun.
(Rialto, Calif.) She is not from the generation that made Twitter-speak common, but Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson certainly knows her way around a hashtag.
High schoolers and young voters have taken Mayor Robertson’s re-election slogan of #RialtoPride and soon it morphed it into a new nickname for the incumbent mayor — #MayorGetItDoneRobertson.
Mayor Robertson is running for her second term as mayor, and fifth term in Rialto city government. Election Day is November 8. She is also Rialto’s first Black Mayor.
Mayor Robertson chuckled about the name given to her originally by some Rialto High School students after spending the day with her during a mock city council. It shows that beyond economic development and crime statistics, Mayor Robertson – a nearly 30-year resident – has a deep-rooted pride in her city.
“I feel the negative images of cities are often portrayed in TV shows such as ‘Cops,’ “Mayor Robertson said. “Often you see a negative image, yet crime continues to decrease in Rialto. But negatives get the program ratings.”
Mayor Robertson pointed out that in the past five years, violent crime in Rialto has steadily declined and according to city-data.com, Rialto fell below the national average in 2014 and crime continues to drop. Rialto now ranks among the top half in safest communities in San Bernardino County, city-data.com also shows. The unemployment rate in Rialto has steadily dropped since 2013, according to homefact.com and the rate is now at seven percent.
Raised in a military community in San Diego, Mayor Robertson said she learned civic pride at an early age. When new kids came to her elementary school and turned their nose up, she quickly set them straight.
“I grew up in a military town and trying to assimilate into an existing group is stressful,” Mayor Robertson said. “Kids would come in and put us down. Most kids would just listen and feel bad. My friend and I were equalizers. We told them if they didn’t like it, go back to where they came from.”
It was at this mock city council day a year ago that the idea of promoting “Rialto Pride” was initiated. Mayor Robertson said students were starting to ask questions, including why some people weren’t more positive about Rialto.
“I told them, ‘If you don’t stand up for Rialto, who is going to stand up for Rialto?’ “Mayor Robertson said. “You can lead or you can be led. That’s your choice.”
She told the students to challenge anyone with a negative image of their city. In turn, the teens put out the hashtag #RialtoPride and it immediately began trending among local students. The conversations started to center around why they love Rialto and a movement was begun.
For more information about Mayor Deborah Robertson go to: http://www.DeborahRobertson.org. About Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson
Under Mayor Robertson’s leadership, Rialto has gained regional and national recognition for innovation in the areas of public-private partnerships, business development and job creation. The City’s refinancing and restructuring of its water and wastewater operations has become a model for other communities in California, pumping millions of dollars into the local economy.
Tim Smith Taylion Academy president, stands with students from the school.
(San Bernardino, CA)—Taylion Academy, a free Kindergarten though 12th grade public charter school, now has a campus in San Bernardino, just in time for the 2014-2015 school year. Since starting in October, the San Bernardino campus has enrolled more than 150 students.
“Located at 1184 W 2nd Street, Suite 101, Taylion Academy is excited to expand into the City of San Bernardino, ‘ said principal Tim Smith.
With charter schools in California and Arizona, Taylion has helped hundreds of students in reaching their potential while becoming productive members of society.
“Taylion understands that everyone learns differently, as it offers a variety of programs, as well as tutor assistance, socialization opportunities such as clubs and activities like the Associated Student Body (A.S.B.), and more to help students succeed,” said Smith.
Chenelle White, 17, currently a senior at Taylion Academy, has benefitted from the freedom of the independent study program, “I like that it’s one-on-one and I can come and ask questions. I can get more credits at a time instead of waiting a semester for a couple of credits.”
White has plans to enlist in the Army after completing her High School Diploma, and then to attend the Police Academy.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) have accredited Taylion Academy. WASC is the agency that provides accreditation to the: Redlands, Riverside, Rialto, Fontana and San Bernardino Unified School Districts.
WASC is one of the six accrediting bodies in the United States which accredits public and private schools: from elementary, junior high, high school, to colleges and post secondary educational institutions.
Taylion Academy serves all students, kindergarten through 12th grade, in the San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Orange County. Taylion offers individualized education plans, which can include on-campus classes and online classes.
The school’s curriculum is based on California education standards, and employ California certified teachers.
“Taylion Academy’s mission is to deliver a high quality education focused on building skills, character and confidence,” Smith said. “The curriculum is be personalized for each student, offering a mix of onsite classes in day and evening hours, online classes and independent study. Onsite courses will include hands-on learning activities and high technology.”
Taylion Academy is affiliated with the Phoenix-area’s Taylion Academy, which serve kindergarten through eighth grade, and E-Institute Charter Schools, which serves grades 9-12 on three campuses.
Taylion Academy has charter school campuses in San Marcos, Vista, Victorville, Adelanto and Arizona. “Taylion offers a assortment of students education programs that allow students’ learn at their own pace, including home school, virtual school and independent study,” said Smith.
For more information on Taylion Academy please call at 1-855-77-LEARN.
About Taylion Academy
At Taylion Academy we are committed to providing students with the most flexible options of Independent Study, Online Learning and Homeschooling, so that our students can benefit from personalized learning plans that are designed to allow them to thrive and succeed at their own pace. We understand each student learns differently and education should be just as individualized as the needs, strengths and weaknesses of our students. Therefore, we have made it our sole mission to inspire our students and parents, provide advanced kids motorcycle helmets and tools, systems for learning, and offer more choices to give you the best chance to fulfill each student’s dreams.
RBY Girls’ Softball is consistently one of the best programs in California. Young ladies from 4-18 learn to play ball and have a great time making new friends in RBY’s safe and well-organized program. Registration opens online October 31, with onsite dates set for Sunday, November 23 and Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 1pm at the Redlands Community Field, corner of Church and San Bernardino Avenue. For more details and more information, visit RBY.org
Players from age 4-18 can experience all the fun and excitement of playing ball in RBY’s safe and well-organized program. Registration opens online October 31, with onsite dates set for Sunday, November 23 and Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 1pm at the Redlands Community Field, corner of Church and San Bernardino Avenue. For more details and more information, visit RBY.org
(Redlands, CA) Just as the World Series is wrapping up another thrilling Major League season, the Redlands Baseball (and Softball) for Youth (RBY) Spring 2015 Season is taking shape and the kids will be creating their own excitement on the Community Fields before you know it.
“Since 1963 RBY have been providing a safe place for the youth of Redlands and surrounding communities to learn and play ball, develop teamwork and build self-confidence while making new friends,” Dan Carranza, president of Redlands Baseball for Youth.
The Redlands Baseball for Youth is a non-profit organization, governed and run solely by more than 300 volunteers. According to Carranza, RBY expects to provide quality baseball and softball program to more than 1,400 children during the 2015 spring season.
“Beginning at age 4, and progressing all the way through 18 years old, kids will enjoy all the fun and excitement of learning and playing ball in a safe and well-organized setting,” said Carranza.
RBY has historically been limited to students within the Redlands Unified School District (Redlands, Mentone and Highland) but now things are changing.
“After many requests from neighboring communities to participate in RBY’s well-respected program, this year all young people from all the surrounding communities including Loma Linda, Colton, Grand Terrace, etc.… can enjoy of all the fun, excitement and camaraderie of playing ball,” said Carranza.
“RBY is sanctioned by PONY Baseball and Softball, whose “Protect Our Nation’s Youth” message is put into practice by providing experiences in youth baseball and softball that will help young people grow into healthier and happier adults,” said Carranza.
Registration fees include a quality uniform jersey and cap, field preparation and maintenance, utilities, umpires and scorekeepers, insurance and other expenses – for a complete breakdown, visit RBY.org.
The Redlands Baseball for Youth online registration begins Friday, October 31 and can be easily accessed through RBY.org.
Early Bird registration fees, with the online discount, are $60 for Shetland 4-year-olds; $110 for Shetland ages 5-6; $120 for Pinto 7, Mustang, 7U/8U – 10U softball (ages 7-12); Bronco, Pony, softball 12U-14U $130 (ages 13-18).
On-site registration will take place at the Redlands Community Field (1535 Church Street, Church and San Bernardino Avenue), near the snack bar, on Sunday, November 23; Saturday, December 6 and 13, from 10am to 1pm.
Hard copy applications will be available at the registration event or can be accessed from RBY.org. Please be sure to bring a copy of each child’s birth certificate.
RBY provides opportunities for special needs children with our Xtreme Team.
Multiple child discounts are available. Families meeting certain requirements may apply for a limited number of scholarships or a payment plan. Information and requirements for all the aforementioned is available at RBY.org Scholarship and payment plans applicants must apply in person.
Families registering online, and before December 14, 2014, can save $20 per child on their registration.
RBY registration fees have been lower than other similar programs in the Inland Empire – this is made possible by revenues generated through the snack bar.
“Unfortunately, a grandfathered arrangement with the County Health Department requiring significant modifications to the cooking hood, plumbing and structure is expiring. Due to the extensive costs related to these alterations, registration fees are increasing a nominal amount, making registering early and taking advantage of the discount more important than ever,” said Carranza.
“We need additional support to help use serve our youth. Businesses and baseball-loving individuals interested in supporting this extremely worthwhile program and learning about the benefits provided to sponsors are encouraged to visit RBY.org for more information,” said Carranza.
The Spring 2015 Season will officially start with Opening Day Celebration on February 28. Along with several games and possibly a vendor fair, a brief presentation to parents and dignitaries will conclude with the Official First Pitch being thrown out with all teams taking the field at once.
Once the season starts, teams will play approximately 16 games. The tee-ballers always play on Saturday mornings starting at 9am, while everyone else plays Monday – Saturday. Weekday games start at 5pm with the last game starting no later than 7:30.
All parents interested in managing, coaching, volunteering or serving on the board must complete a background check. Information regarding the application and background processes will be available at onsite registrations and at RBY.org.
“The culture of Redlands Baseball (and Softball) for Youth is to create a fun learning environment while maintaining a healthy spirit of competition,” said Carranza.
For more information about RBY as a player, manager, coach, volunteer, board member or sponsor, please visit RBY.org.
LaSalle Medical Associates cure for Plantar Fasciitis , Inc Celebrates 30 years of medical service with the corporate management team. Left to right: Anna Canton, Human Resource Manager; Kristina Hlebo, Finance Assistant,;Carl Meier, executive vice president; Dr. Albert Arteaga CEO; Alexandra Acosta, Director of Finance and Lizette Noriega, Human Resource Assistant. Alexandra Acosta, Director of Finance and Lizette Noriega, Human Resource Assistant
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) In June of 1984, a young doctor and his wife, a nurse, opened a family medical practice called LaSalle Medical Associates in Fontana. Their goal: provide affordable health care, with dignity and respect, to all in the Inland Empire.
Three decades later, Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga have gone far beyond making their goal a reality. They are now recognized as one of the leading health care providers in the Inland Empire, if not all of California.
“We have had some markers of success,” Dr. Arteaga says. “We went from two employees – my wife and I – to a fully staffed clinic. We opened more clinics. Then we started our own IPA (independent practice association) to keep up with new demands to make health care more and more efficient.”
“It has always been our goal to treat as many patients as we could while giving them the best health care possible,” he said.
Some, who have recognized LaSalle Medical Associates as a leader in health care, by giving them awards for their endeavors, include:
The federal Center for Disease Control, which recognized Dr. Arteaga as California’s first Childhood Immunization Champion. This award recognized his efforts in educating the parents of LaSalle’s pediatric patients, and the greater Inland Empire community, of the importance of childhood immunizations
The California Medical Association, which recognized Dr. Arteaga with its Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award, recognizing his contributions to improving health care in the Latino community
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Resolution Award for outstanding community efforts
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.
Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga. The California Medical Association awarded Abert Arteaga the “Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award,” recognizing his contributions to medical care in the Latino community.
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), as Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ best health care provider, and for being one of the top enrollers in all of California in the state’s former Healthy Families program
The African American Health Initiative as a model provider in a two-year study of Black health care in San Bernardino County.
Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine, which recognized LaSalle Medical Associates as one of the top 15 Latino-owned businesses in the Inland Empire
Despite all this success, it hasn’t always been an easy path for the Arteagas.
“Life doesn’t always play out as you expect,” Dr. Arteaga said. “That is certainly true in my life as a health care provider. Good intentions require good management. Providing good management has been every bit as challenging as my years in medical school were more than three decades ago!”
One of the biggest changes in health care took place just this year. In 2014, Covered California part of the federal Affordable Health Care Act – which Dr. Arteaga has long been a champion of – came into being.
“Although Covered California does not yet mean everyone has insurance, it does mean that many patients who couldn’t afford health care before now can do so,” Dr. Arteaga said. “Health care is no longer an out-of-reach luxury for those who couldn’t afford insurance, but is a basic right for everyone
Dr. Arteaga has always thought that health care is a basic right, and has operated LaSalle Medical Associates as if that were the case.
Dr. Arteaga targeted his marketing to Latinos and low-income people who were underserved. Providing high quality medical services to underserved populations were crucial to the success of LaSalle Medical Associates. They later expanded from Fontana to San Bernardino and Hesperia. These communities have many low-income people in need of quality affordable medical services.
He also is Latino, so he easily related to his Latino patients in ways they appreciated. They told friends and family about LaSalle Medical Associates, which caused his popularity in the Inland Empire’s Latino culture to swell.
RN Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga partners in healthcare and family Ce;berate 30 years of Making People Healthier in California.
Dr. Arteaga has always believed that his key to business success was finding a way to get paid for their services, instead of telling patients they had to figure that out on their own before seeing him. For most of LaSalle’s history, that business model meant LaSalle employees educated patients about their health care insurance options.
Most patients LaSalle saw over the years qualified for either Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. The latter, which like Medi-Cal was run by the state of California, offered low to moderate-income parents who didn’t qualify for Medi-Cal a subsidy for the health care of their children from birth to age 19.
Many uninsured families with children under 19 can get help through the Healthy Families program; help is also available to some children and adults through Medi-Cal. For those who don’t qualify for these programs, the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 provides additional options. Photo by: Albert Ateaga
Things have changed in the last two years. In 2013, California got a head start on the Affordable Care Act; they created Covered California and merged Healthy Families and Medi-Cal together.
In 2014, one of the key Covered California’s requirements is everyone must have health insurance or pay a penalty. This means, many patients applied and signed up for Covered California, Medi-Cal or other insurance first, and then choose or are assigned to LaSalle Medical Associates.
Consequently, rather than informing new patients of their insurance options, LaSalle Medical Associates employees now more likely are helping the patients understand how their health insurance system works.
Dr. Arteaga acknowledges the Covered California has brought changes some people will take a while to get accustomed to. One of these is a concept called managed care.
“The structure of the Covered California means many people, both those who had some other type of insurance and those who were uninsured, are now in managed care for the first time,” he said. Managed care is called this because it requires a doctor, such as one of the physicians in LaSalle Medical Associates, to coordinate patients’ health care services. These primary care doctors have a general, family or pediatric practice, and will treat patients for many of their symptoms, but will refer the patients to specialists when more expertise is needed.
Managed care has been around since the 1990s, Dr. Arteaga said, but it has become more popular. It’s usually more cost-efficient to have managed care, he explained, people choose to buy managed care for its lower premiums.
Medi-Cal has used managed care for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, LaSalle Medical Associates, since the beginning, has accepted Medi-Cal when many doctors would not, and now has a reputation among those familiar with Medi-Cal for providing quality services, no matter how payment is provided.
Even though there wasn’t “managed care,” as it now known when Dr. Arteaga started his practice, even back then he was in favor of patients developing close relationships with one family doctor.
“Thirty years ago I wanted to see all the patients, and manage their health care. That has not changed, but I have learned that in order to do so, a physician must take a leadership role. Otherwise, many patients will seek or demand services that are redundant or not needed.”
Dr. Arteaga sees the physician as an advocate for the patient, one who will make sure patients get the services they truly need. Sometimes, just as some patients will push for more health care than is necessary, some insurance companies will resist paying for what a doctor recommends, but that is not the intent of managed care.
“I want the patient, the doctor and the insurance company to develop a positive team, Dr. Arteaga said. “There may be opposition, but that should not stop any of us in trying to make quality health care succeed.”
Besides managed care and its great expansion through the Affordable Care Act, another large change in the health care industry over the last three decades has been more careful monitoring of expenses by insurance companies.
Now, it is better for a medical group like LaSalle Medical Associates to band with even more doctors, so they can take advantage of economies of scale, and provide health care more cost-efficiently.
This is why LaSalle Medical Associates formed an Independent Practice Association (IPA) in 1995, and has grown it to the point it now serves more than 600 medical clinics serving more than 170,000 patients each year in nine California counties.
LaSalle oversees administrative functions of all these medical clinics, although they are owned and manage their patients’ health care separately.
Another move to make health care more efficient, in many ways, is one that LaSalle Medical Associates only recently transitioned to. It now is keeping track of patients’ charts with electronic medical records, ridding itself of the wall full of patients’ medical records that once were a hallmark of many medical clinics.
“Electronic medical records make it easier to share patients’ records among a team of doctors who treat one patient, which results in better health care” Dr. Arteaga said. “It is also easier to keep patients’ records confidential this way.”
One other significant change over the last 30 years has been that most patients are more involved in their health care now than they were in 1984.
“They ask more questions now. Because of the Internet, and because people talk more about health care with their friends, patients now have more information. Not all of the information out there is correct, so this means a doctor helps the patient sort the good from the bad, and develop a treatment plan that works. This is another reason why the managed care approach is necessary.”
“As pediatricians, we strive for 100 percent immunizations of pediatric patients and, while that’s probably a utopian objective, our goal is to get as close as to that 100 percent as we can,’’ says Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. . “This CDC recognition is the fruit of two to three years of intense labor on part of me and staff.”
One thing Dr. Arteaga has learned during his three decades of medical practice is that change can be good. In fact, one thing he loves about being the CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates is that he gets to lead other health care professionals through the changes their industry faces.
“I love being collegial, and helping other doctors learn,” he said. “When they resist change, it is going to be more difficult for them. They should not expect to practice medicine as it was done 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago.”
On the first day, owner Dr. Albert Arteaga and his wife Maria then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant saw two patients at their clinic in Fontana. Today, LaSalle Medical Associates has grown to four clinics and 120 employees, and an Independent Practice Association (IPA) serving more than 1,900 doctors.
In the end is true LaSalle Medical Associates has spent Three Decades Making People Healthier.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to 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 Medi-Cal and they also accept IEHP, Molina, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Care 1st, and Health Net and Medicare by Easy Choice Health Plan, Molina and Care1st Health Plans. LaSalle’s clinics are located 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 170,000 patient visits per year in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin 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, Parkview Community Hospital, Kaiser Moreno Valley, Kaiser Fontana and Kaiser Riverside.
