The American Heart Association recommends that you do moderate exercise 150 minutes a week. That could be walking, cycling, Pilates, Zumba class, jogging…you get the idea. It could be five 30-minute sessions or three 50-minute sessions. You could do two one-hour sessions and one 30-minute session.
“Remember your goals are long-term, so every day you should strive to fulfill your good intentions, which will bring you closer to your goal,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates.
REDLANDS, CA. —LaSalle Medical Associates, the Inland Empire’s largest privately owned and operated healthcare organization, would like to remind you that it’s not too late to add another resolution or two that should be fairly easy to keep.
LaSalle has thoughtfully provided the following list of resolutions and all you have to do is pick one of them to follow and your 2024 will be healthier than your 2023.
The American Heart Association recommends that you do moderate exercise 150 minutes a week. That could be walking, cycling, Pilates, Zumba class, jogging…you get the idea. It could be five 30-minute sessions or three 50-minute sessions. You could do two one-hour sessions and one 30-minute session.
“Moderate” means you are exercising hard enough that you just start to perspire and may find it difficult to carry on a conversation with someone else.
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you eat fatty fish for two meals a week. Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to be heart-healthy. Salmon and lake trout are great choices. So are cod, mackerel, canned sardines, or light tuna and herring.
Healthline says you can dream your way to better health by getting enough sleep. How much is enough?
Birth to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours
4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours
1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
18 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours
65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours
These three suggested resolutions are well worth considering and they aren’t hard to keep. Each will contribute to a healthier lifestyle that not only benefits you but your friends and family as well.
“Remember your goals are long-term, so every day you should strive to fulfill your good intentions, which will bring you closer to your goal,” says Dr. Arteaga.
For more information call 1-855-349-6019 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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Resolve to Live Healthier in 2024!
“Remember your goals are long-term, so every day you should strive to fulfill your good intentions, which will bring you closer to your goal,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates.
REDLANDS, CA. —LaSalle Medical Associates, the Inland Empire’s largest privately owned and operated healthcare organization, has provided the following list of easy-to-keep resolutions. Just pick one of them and your 2024 will be healthier than your 2023.
The American Heart Association recommends that you do moderate exercise 150 minutes a week. That could be walking, cycling, Pilates, Zumba class, jogging…you get the idea. It could be five 30-minute sessions or three 50-minute sessions. You could do two one-hour sessions and one 30-minute session.
“Moderate” means you are exercising hard enough that you just start to perspire and may find it difficult to carry on a conversation with someone else.
The Mayo Clinic recommends eating fatty fish for two meals a week. Fatty fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, lake trout cod, mackerel, canned sardines, or light tuna and herring are all fine choices.
Healthline says you can dream your way to better health by getting enough sleep. How much is enough?
Birth to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours
4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours
1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
18 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours
65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours
These resolutions are worthwhile and easy to keep. Each will contribute to a healthier lifestyle that not only benefits you but your friends and family as well.
“Remember your goals are long-term, so every day you should strive to fulfill your good intentions, which will bring you closer to your goal,” says Dr. Arteaga.
For more information call 1-855-349-6019 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
Cake, cookies, and rich desserts of all kinds tempt us to over-indulge. Think thin slices and small portions. Who needs to feel bloated or suffer from a stomachache, or worse if you are diabetic?
VICTORVILLE, CALIF. — Seasonal holidays bring with them great reasons to celebrate with friends and family. But they also provide excuses to eat too much, drink too much, and eat unhealthy, waistline-destroying foods. Avoid “morning after” regrets and help your friends and family remember good times with these helpful hints.
As Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve approach, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates, one of the Inland Empire’s largest privately owned healthcare providers, suggests that you think about your friends and family as well as yourself as you attend or prepare holiday get-togethers.
Nobody will ever regret moderation,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates.
Alcohol consumption needs to be limited. If you’re hosting a get-together or being a guest, think. Do you want one of your friends or a family member to leave the party only to get involved in a traffic accident on their way home? Do you want to be pulled over for driving under the influence, or worse?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says two drinks a day for men and one or less per day for women should be the limit. This should be your guideline, one you need to observe if you want to remember your holiday gathering with pleasure, rather than pain.
“If you are hosting, don’t put yourself in danger of being sued for everything you own because you let one of your guests drink too much and leave your premises drunk followed by a traffic accident they cause,” said Arteaga.
He added, “Maybe there’s no accident, but the police pull your bestie over for DUI. How will you feel about that?”
Arteaga suggests you be a good, responsible host. If you’re a guest or attendee at someone else’s function, be smart. Even if you have only two drinks and eat only reasonably healthy food, but too much of it, you may end up the next day or two getting on the scale and wondering where that extra two to five pounds came from.
Cake, cookies, and rich desserts of all kinds tempt us to over-indulge. Think thin slices and small portions. Who needs to feel bloated or suffer from a stomachache, or worse if you are diabetic?
Also, beware of highly processed snack foods that add salt, sugar, oil, and other substances in mind-boggling concentrations that provide your gut with hard-to-digest starches, hydrogenated fats, and other waistline- and health-destroying ingredients.
Harvard Medical School notes that “ultra-processed foods are the main source (nearly 58 percent) of calories eaten in the US and contribute almost 90 percent of the energy we get from added sugars….a French research study found that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods had higher risks of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.”
Dr. Arteaga suggests you make sure you have a holiday season to remember fondly. Eat smart, drink smart. Be a good host and a thoughtful guest. However, if you end up getting sick because you ate or drank too much, remember LaSalle delivers the Gold Standard of Care at their six clinics in San Bernardino County.
LaSalle Medical Associates serves more than 350,000 patients in their clinics and statewide Independent Physicians Association Group (IPA). Patients are covered by most major medical plans and if you are low-income, LaSalle can help get you into affordable healthcare.
For more information call 1-855-349-6019 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
“Nobody will ever regret moderation,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates.
A hectic daily routine often prevents people from visiting their doctor for routine checkups.
Dr. Albert Arteaga, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., aptly captures the prevailing mindset: “Too many people stay away from a doctor’s office because they think if they feel okay, they don’t need to go in for an annual checkup. By the time they start to feel ill, they end up in the ER, and sometimes it’s just too late to save them.”
This sentiment echoes a widespread misconception about health—the belief that if you’re not experiencing noticeable symptoms, there’s no need for a visit to the doctor. However, routine examinations are a crucial defense against potential health risks, offering an invaluable opportunity to catch issues in their early stages before they escalate into severe and sometimes irreversible conditions.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the misunderstanding surrounding the significance of diagnostic checkups. Let’s explore how these seemingly routine appointments are crucial in maintaining good health and, more importantly, saving lives.
Chronic diseases are a significant concern, with seven out of 10 U.S. deaths resulting from these conditions. Approximately half of the nation’s population has received a diagnosis of a chronic illness, which includes heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS, and other preventable medical conditions.
Despite these alarming statistics, only 25.2 percent, or one in four individuals, report having recently undergone a routine checkup. Astonishingly, regular cardiovascular examinations alone save tens of thousands of adult lives annually. Concurrently, vaccines play a pivotal role in preserving the lives of approximately 42,000 children each year, as highlighted by CDC data.
The significance of annual or bi-annual preventive health screenings and primary care consultations extends beyond immediate health concerns. These practices have been shown to significantly enhance life expectancy.
When Neglecting Annual or Bi-Annual Checkups Hits Too Close to Home
Dr. Albert Arteaga empathizes with the misconception that keeps too many people away from the doctor’s office. “People often believe that if they feel okay, there’s no need for an annual checkup. However, when illness unexpectedly strikes, the absence of an established healthcare provider to address their needs becomes painfully apparent.”
Having lost a sister to breast cancer, Dr. Arteaga has personally seen the consequences of neglecting routine medical checkups. He reflects on her reluctance to share crucial health information. “My sister never confided in me or her older sister, both of us doctors, about the lump on her breast. Later, we discovered she kept making excuses, saying ‘I bumped myself’ or ‘It’s just a bruise,’ ignoring it for over six months.”
Dr. Arteaga stresses that there’s no valid reason for someone experiencing symptoms to delay seeing a doctor. Fortunately, the healthcare system in California has evolved. More people can access essential care without financial barriers, thanks to programs like Covered California and Medicaid.
“Healthcare is no longer an out-of-reach luxury; it’s now available for everyone. Our dedicated staff is trained to assist uninsured individuals who come to our offices, helping them apply for coverage,” Dr. Arteaga emphasizes.
Beyond acute care for immediate concerns, Dr. Arteaga and his compassionate team proactively engage individuals managing chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. They prioritize regular checkups, ensuring that preventive health screenings become a routine safeguard against potential healthcare problems.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., call (855) 349-6019 or visit LaSalleMedical.com. It’s not just about checkups; it’s about a commitment to comprehensive and accessible healthcare for all.
Learn More about Your Annual or Bi-Annual Medical Checkup Partner | LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is one of the largest independent, Latino-owned healthcare organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. LaSalle has more than 100 devoted healthcare professionals tirelessly working to provide comprehensive care to children, adults, and seniors across San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
At LaSalle, our commitment to accessible healthcare means that we welcome people from all health plans including Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and if you don’t have insurance we will help find health coverage for you and your family.
In line with our dedication to comprehensive healthcare, LaSalle emphasizes the importance of regular health checkups. Annual or bi-annual checkups and preventive health screenings are integral to our gold standard of healthcare, ensuring that our patients receive proactive and personalized care to promote their well-being.
Discover the LaSalle difference—where healthcare goes beyond boundaries to touch lives.
“Women should not take chances. Every woman should get an annual breast cancer screening. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to schedule an exam,” said LaSalle Medical Associates CEO Dr. Arteaga.
“Women should not take chances. Every woman should get an annual breast cancer screening. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to schedule an exam,” said LaSalle Medical Associates CEO Dr. Arteaga.
REDLANDS, CALIF. LaSalle Medical Associates encourages women to come in for breast cancer screening during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. ” October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.,” said the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network says mammograms should start at 40 for women at average risk, but before 40 for women with a higher risk profile, such as a genetic mutation, family history, a benign breast disease diagnosis, or radiation therapy to the chest at a young age.
“Women should not take chances. Every woman should get an annual breast cancer screening. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to schedule an exam,” said LaSalle Medical Associates CEO Dr. Albert Arteaga.
Dr. Arteaga himself lost a younger sister to breast cancer when she was in her 40s. “There were three of us,” said Dr. Arteaga. “Our youngest sister never opened up to tell either me or her older sister—both of us being doctors—that she had a lump on her breast. Later we learned that she kept making excuses about it, ‘I bumped myself’ or ‘It’s just a bruise’ and she basically ignored it for over six months.
“She was in her early 40s and unfortunately, the disease spreads more rapidly in younger women than it does in women who are past menopause, due to female hormones that promote growth. Our family had no history of cancer, and she was otherwise healthy. But at the age of 48 years, six months, and 28 days she died.
“Once she was diagnosed, she was a good patient, followed her doctors’ orders, and participated fully in her treatment. The cancer metastasized to her brain, and she was able to beat that. But in the end, it spread to her liver, and that was the end.”
When asked what he would say to women about this tragic disease, Dr. Arteaga said, “Stop living in denial! At the first sign of a lump, make an appointment to see your physician. And make it a habit to get screened every October when breast cancer awareness month comes around, which is a good way to remember it’s time for a routine mammogram.”
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 Medi-Cal and cash.
For more information or to make an appointment call the office closest to you: Fontana (909) 823-4454; San Bernardino17th Street (909) 887-6494; San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091; Rialto (855) 349-6019; and Hesperia(760) 947-2161.
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 380,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare counties.
Photo Caption: Danny Riggs, a metastatic breast cancer patient, says “Men: if you notice signs of possible breast cancer, it doesn’t mean you’re not a man; it means you need to go see your doctor to get checked. It can save your life. Reach out before you check out.”
“Men should do the same self-diagnostic routines as women, and if they notice anything that seems questionable, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away. Do not put it off,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga,Chairman ofLaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
REDLANDS, CALIF. – Every year one in eight women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. And so are one in 833 men! As the nonprofit organization Breastcancer.org notes, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease.”
Men don’t usually think about contracting breast cancer, so they don’t do self-examinations or ask their physician for an exam. Carrie Madrid, co-founder and president of The CARE Project and a breast cancer survivor, says, “Men are being ignored and, unfortunately, because men are more likely to be diagnosed after their cancer has progressed to stage 3 or 4, their survival rates are not as good.
Carrie Madrid Founder & President Carrie began The CARE Project Inc., two years after her own Stage III diagnosis. She realized that there weren’t any local organizations providing financial support to patients undergoing treatment. She also wanted to socialize with others in treatment instead of attending a traditional support group.
“When men finally start treatment, it often means they can no longer work full-time. Like many women, men may be faced with a choice of paying $100 for a copay or buying groceries. We’re here to help. We can provide assistance with copays, utility bills, rent or mortgage payments…whatever the need may be.”
In 2021 President Biden declared October 17 to 23 Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Some 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 530 will die from it this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms that men should be aware of include a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin in the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, nipple discharge and pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that such symptoms can also occur for non-cancerous conditions, so they recommend that if a man has any of these symptoms, he should see a doctor right away.
“Men should do the same self-diagnostic routines as women, and if they notice anything that seems questionable, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away. Do not put it off,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chairman of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chairman of LaSalle Medical Associates, encourages all women and men to perform regular breast cancer self-examinations. Women—especially Black women whose breast cancer survival rates are lower than for white women—should also get an annual mammogram.
Dr. Arteaga says, “Men should do the same self-diagnostic routines as women, and if they notice anything that seems questionable, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away. Do not put it off.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health points out that the survival rate if the disease is caught early is 99 percent! Routine screening is the key. Many women skipped their annual checkup during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it may be especially important to schedule a screening this October. Men, this means you too!
LaSalle Medical Associates serves more than 350,000 patients in their clinics and statewide Independent Physicians Association Group (IPA). Patients are covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare and Covered California, as well as those covered by Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Brand New Day, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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Men: It’s Breast Cancer Checkup Time!
“Men should do the same self-diagnostic routines as women, and if they notice anything that seems questionable, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away. Do not put it off,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga,Chairman ofLaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
REDLANDS, CALIF. – Every year one in eight women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. And so are one in 833 men! Yes, breast cancer affects both women and men. And because men are more likely to be diagnosed after their cancer has progressed to stage 3 or 4, their survival rates are not as good.
Carrie Madrid, co-founder and president of The CARE Project and a breast cancer survivor, says, “Men are being ignored and, unfortunately, because men are more likely to be diagnosed after their cancer has progressed to stage 3 or 4, their survival rates are not as good.
“When men finally start treatment, it often means they can no longer work full-time. We’re here to help. We can assist with copays, utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, whatever the need may be.”
Symptoms in men include a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin in the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, nipple discharge and pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area. These symptoms can also arise for other conditions, so if a man has any of them, he should see a doctor right away.
Dr. Albert Arteaga, chairman of LaSalle Medical Associates, says, “Men should do the same self-diagnostic routines as women, and if they notice anything that seems questionable, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away. Do not put it off.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health points out that the key to survival is routine screening!
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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 is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals, and clinics, delivering high-quality patient care to over 350,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino and Tulare counties.
Time for your annual Flu vaccine. Nurse Elisabeth gives Mia-Alexia Martinez 14 her annual Flu vaccine.
“The Centers for Disease Control tells us that September and October are good times to get vaccinated against the flu,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Winter is flu season, but fall is the time to be prepared. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says, “For most people … September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated…[but] it’s important to know that vaccination after October can still provide protection during the peak of the flu season.”
For the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for allpersons 6 months of age and older. Of particular concern are persons who are either very young, the elderly, or those who have chronic health conditions that put them at greater risk for complications from the flu—these people should not delay in getting their flu vaccines.
LaSalle Medical Direct Dr. Cheryl Emoto says, “Parents should take note of the fact that babies, those 6 months of age and older, need to get vaccinated as soon as they are old enough and children younger than 8 years old (including those babies) who are receiving their flu vaccine for the first time, will need a second dose four weeks after the first dose.”
LaSalle Medical Director Dr. Cheryl Emoto
Younger babies can be protected by parents and caregivers getting their flu vaccine, by so-called “herd immunity.” If parents do not get sick with the flu, the babies are also unlikely to get the flu.
For those over 65 years of age, there are higher-dose vaccines available that provide additional protection for the elderly. And for healthy individuals ages 2-49 years, there is a nasal spray available as a painless option. The nasal spray is just as effective as the injection.
The CDC notes a common misconception some people have is that a flu vaccine can give you flu, but that is not the case. Flu shots are made with “inactivated” (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness,” says the CDC.
We should have flu vaccine available in the clinic by early September and we encourage everyone to get their flu vaccine.
LaSalle Medical Associates serves people covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Covered California, as well as those covered by Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and Brand New Day. LaSalle staff have been trained to help people who come into a clinic without any insurance to get signed up for whatever coverage they qualify for.
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to lasallemedicalassociates.com.
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It’s Time for Your Flu Shot
“The Centers for Disease Control tells us that September and October are good times to get vaccinated against the flu,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Winter is flu season, but fall is the time to be prepared. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says, “For most people … September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated…[but] it’s important to know that vaccination after October can still provide protection during the peak of the flu season.”
LaSalle Medical Direct Dr. Cheryl Emoto says, “Parents should take note of the fact that babies, those 6 months of age and older, need to get vaccinated as soon as they are old enough and children younger than 8 years old (including those babies) who are receiving their flu vaccine for the first time, will need a second dose four weeks after the first dose.”
LaSalle Medical Associates serves people covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Covered California, as well as those covered by Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and Brand New Day. LaSalle staff have been trained to help people who come into a clinic without any insurance to get signed up for whatever coverage they qualify for.
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to lasallemedicalassociates.com.
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 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, and Tulare counties.
Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, Chairman of LaSalle and Duane E. Whittington new Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
“LaSalle has grown from one patient to more than 350,000,” says Albert Arteaga, MD, Chairman of LaSalle Medical Associates, “and we want to grow more, so we’ve hired a seasoned CEO to help us get to the next level.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – LaSalle Medical Associates has hired Duane E. Whittington as their new Chief Executive Officer. “We conducted a very thorough search,” says Albert Arteaga, MD, Chairman of LaSalle, “and we were pleased to find a highly qualified local candidate with extensive medical practice management experience.”
During his 15-plus-year tenure as CAO with Beaver Medical Group, he founded EPIC Health Plan and developed it from its birth to maturity. In June 2021 he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, overseeing a $700 million enterprise serving 110,000 HMO members.
Whittington, 55, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and his MBA from Pepperdine. After graduating from Pepperdine, he was hired as Executive Director for Pacific Physician Services in Redlands.
He then served as Regional Vice President for First Physician Care in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by a move back to Southern California as a healthcare and technology consultant with Tustin-based The Capitalist Group, LLC.
Whittington next returned to Redlands as Chief Operations Officer for Inland Health Organization for six years before joining EPIC Management/Beaver Medical Group, as Senior Vice President, and Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for the Accountable Care Services Division.
“I was approached about a leadership position at LaSalle, an organization I knew had been providing services for over 30 years in the Inland Empire. Due to a recent change in ownership where I was working at the time, I decided to pursue the opportunity,” says Whittington.
“I met with Dr. Arteaga, the Founder and President of LaSalle. He shared his vision and goals for LaSalle, building on the rich tradition of providing quality healthcare to families with courtesy and respect. Frankly, I found the opportunity to join a physician-led, community-focused provider group to be compelling.
“I’m super excited to take this position with a truly unique organization. Dr. Arteaga is a remarkable physician-leader and I am looking forward to helping him grow his organization and take it to the next level,” said Whittington.
Dr. Arteaga says, “We feel very fortunate to add Duane Whittington to our senior executive team. His extensive experience in the healthcare industry as a chief operating officer and chief executive officer showed he was the right choice, right from day one. We are looking forward to benefitting from his management and leadership experience as we continue to grow.”
LaSalle Medical Associates serves more than 350,000 patients in their clinics and statewide Independent Physicians Association Group (IPA) who are covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Covered California, as well as those covered by Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).
LaSalle staff also help people who come into a clinic without any insurance to become enrolled for a variety of state and federal health coverage.
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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LaSalle Medical Associates Announces a New CEO
“LaSalle has grown from one patient to more than 350,000,” says Albert Arteaga, MD, Chairman of LaSalle Medical Associates, “and we want to grow more, so we’ve hired a seasoned CEO to help us get to the next level.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – LaSalle Medical Associates has hired Duane E. Whittington as Chief Executive Officer. “We conducted a very thorough search,” says Albert Arteaga, MD, President of LaSalle, “and we found a highly qualified local candidate with extensive medical practice management experience.”
Whittington, 55, earned his MBA from Pepperdine. After graduating, he served as Executive Director for Pacific Physician Services in Redlands. He went on to serve as a C-suite executive for several healthcare organizations from Redlands to Atlanta, to Tustin, and back again to Redlands in 2000 as COO for Inland Health Organization.
In 2006 Whittington joined EPIC Management/Beaver Medical Group, as Senior Vice President, and Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for the Accountable Care Services Division. In June 2021 he was promoted to CEO, overseeing a $700 million enterprise serving 110,000 HMO members.
“With a recent ownership change where I was,” says Whittington, “I started to think about making a change. When I was approached about a leadership role at LaSalle, it turned out the timing was right. Dr. Arteaga shared his goals and intentions and I have to say that I’m super excited to take this position with a truly unique organization. I am looking forward to helping Dr. Arteaga grow his organization and take it to the next level,” said Whittington.
Dr. Arteaga says, “We feel fortunate to have Duane Whittington on our team. We look forward to benefitting from his management and leadership experience as we continue to grow.”
For clinic locations and more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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 is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals, and clinics, delivering high-quality patient care to over 350,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino and Tulare counties.
Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates, speaks with Baron Jordan, of San Bernardino, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office in Rialto, Calif. Jordan is talking to Dr. Arteaga about his healthcare.
“Seniors need to have an ongoing relationship with their healthcare provider,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the three leading causes of death for people 65 and older are heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19. The CDC also notes that 23.3 percent of seniors are in only fair or poor health.
Leading negative indicators for poor healthcare outcomes are obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure). For men aged 65 to 74, 41.9 percent are obese, for men 75 or older, it’s 31.8 percent. For women aged 65 to 74, 45.9 percent are obese, for women 75 or older, it’s 36.1 percent.
Hypertension affects 66.7 percent of men aged 65 to 74 and 81.5 percent of those 75 and older. For women, it’s 74.3 percent of those 65 to 74 and 86.0 percent for those 75 and older.
These are sobering statistics, and they point out the necessity for seniors to have an ongoing relationship with their healthcare provider. “Conditions like obesity and hypertension can be managed with proper lifestyle changes and medication,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, President of LaSalle Medical Associates.
“Seniors need to have an ongoing relationship with their healthcare provider. We deploy an active outreach program to our senior patients,” says Dr. Arteaga, “and make it a point to contact them when it’s time for a checkup or a follow-up visit to track their compliance with healthcare directives and medications. “Follow up, follow up, follow up is the magic formula. Continuity is King.”
For those who have reached the age of 65, the average life expectancy for women is an additional 19.7 years, and for men, 17.0 years. But life expectancy itself is not the goal. The aim is for one’s remaining years to be fruitful, free from debilitating diseases, and able to interact with friends and family free of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
LaSalle Medical Associates has clinics in Fontana, Rialto, Hesperia, Victorville, and two in San Bernardino. The LaSalle healthcare professionals know what senior care requires and they treat all their older patients with respect, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Carl Dameron is 64 years old and stays in touch with his doctors. This is a diabetic check-up with his PA at Lasalle Medical Clinic’s Mt. Vernon Office.
“We have only one standard of care for all our patients,” says Arteaga, “and Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous or white are all welcome and we stand ready to help those who are not covered by their employer, a pension fund or private insurance, enroll in one of the healthcare coverage alternatives.”
For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-855-349-6019.
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Seniors: Stay in Touch with Your Healthcare Provider
“Seniors need to have an ongoing relationship with their healthcare provider,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the three leading causes of death for people 65 and older are heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19.
Obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure) contribute to those outcomes. For men 65 to 74, 41.9 percent are obese; for 75+, 31.8 percent. For women 65 to 74, 45.9 percent are obese; for 75+, 36.1 percent.
Hypertension affects 66.7 percent of men 65 to 74, 81.5 percent of those 75+. For women, it’s 74.3 percent of those 65 to 74, 86.0 percent 75+.
“Obesity and hypertension can be managed with proper lifestyle changes and medication,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, President of LaSalle Medical Associates. “Seniors need to have an ongoing relationship with their healthcare provider.
“We make it a point to contact our senior patients when it’s time for a checkup or a follow-up visit to track their compliance with healthcare directives and medications,” says Dr. Arteaga. “Follow up, follow up, follow up is the magic formula. Continuity is King.”
For those now 65, the average life expectancy for women is 19.7 years, and for men, 17.0 years. And those extra years need to be fruitful, free from debilitating diseases while interacting normally with friends and family.
“LaSalle cares, and we stand ready to help those who are not covered by their employer, a pension fund, or private insurance, enroll in one of the healthcare coverage alternatives.”
For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-855-349-6019.
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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 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, and Tulare counties.
Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga, Founders of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. dedicated to ending health care disparities.
“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.
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.”
Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., says, “As a Latino-owned organization, we have always treated every patient—adult or child—with 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.”
The gold standard of care is a method, procedure or measurement that is widely accepted as being the best available to test for or treat a disease.
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.
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.
“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 1-855-349-6019. Fontana, San Bernardino 17th Street, San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave., Rialto and Hesperia.
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.
April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Vicki Creighton, of Riverside, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. (Photo by Valda Wilson)
“Looking for the telltale signs of illness or chronic conditions during a routine checkup requires a high level of doctor-patient communication, along with comprehensive tests that can detect problems before they worsen and become harder to treat,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, pediatrician and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. Preventive medicine works to reduce poor healthcare outcomes for Latinos and Blacks and the underserved when healthcare providers go the distance to make sure their patients get it. “As a Latino-owned healthcare provider, we use CDC-approved treatment schedules to make sure our patients get the healthcare they need,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, President and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
A 2019 research paper in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that “Racial/ethnic mortality disparities persist and are widening for some age groups.” The age groups where disparities trended worse included the youngest and oldest. This trend reversed what had been a lessening in disparities from 2009 to 2012.
Latino-owned LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. works to reverse this downward trend and get Latino and Black patients back on track toward parity in improved health and well-being for the very young and seniors and this starts with its annual checkup outreach program.
“We believe that improved healthcare for all of our patients begins with a robust outreach program that contacts people to remind them when it’s time to come in for their checkup, annual for adults and more often for children 1 to 4,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, pediatrician and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
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.
Looking for the telltale signs of illness or chronic conditions during a routine checkup requires a high level of doctor-patient communication, along with comprehensive tests that can detect problems before they worsen and become harder to treat.
“Many of our adult clients, especially Latinos, seem to think that if they feel okay, they don’t need to see a doctor. Conditions like type 2 diabetes, hepatitis C, and some cancers can be ‘hiding out,’ so to speak, and by the time the patient starts to notice symptoms, it can be too late,” says Dr. Arteaga.
Dr. Arteaga adds that this is especially a problem with infants and young children who are not yet able to communicate clearly. Parents might think their child is just being fussy or going through the “terrible twos” and put off taking their little one to the doctor until severe symptoms start showing.
Infants need to get examined even more regularly. Heatlh.gov says children from ages 1 to 4 should see a doctor or nurse at 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, and at 3 and 4 years. Early child development needs to be tracked carefully so that any warning signs of developmental problems can be addressed promptly and effectively.
Children all grow and develop at different rates. Some start talking sooner, some later. What’s required is a good overall assessment to determine if the child is on the right track. Health.gov concludes, “If you’re worried about your child’s health, don’t wait until the next scheduled visit—call the doctor or nurse right away.”
For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-855-349-6019.
Photo Caption: Nurse Elisabeth with gives patient Eduaido Torres age 13 a vaccine.
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 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, and Tulare counties.
