For more Information call
Carl Dameron @ (909) 534-9500
The addition of RadNet enables LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. to prepare for the expected increase in Californians who will be eligible for low-cost healthcare under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, says Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and chief executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. The law, which is often referred to as “Obama Care,” takes effect in 2014.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. has selected RadNet, the nation’s leading operator of freestanding medical diagnostic imaging centers, as its primary provider of x-ray and imaging services in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
The addition of RadNet enables LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. to prepare for the expected increase in Californians who will be eligible for low-cost healthcare under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, says Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and chief executive officer of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. The law, which is often referred to as “Obama Care,” takes effect in 2014.
“The selection of RadNet is one of the steps we are implementing to better prepare LaSalle to serve California’s five million uninsured who are expected to join the healthcare system as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) takes effect,” says Dr. Arteaga. “We are furthering our commitment to provide for the healthcare needs of the underserved through Medi-Cal, Medicare and private insurances in California.”
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. operates four clinics throughout the Inland Empire, employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals and providing treatment to 70,000 children, adults and seniors. LaSalle, and its healthcare providers, primarily serve recipients of Medi-Cal and Healthy Families.
It also accepts most private insurance plans such as, Blue Cross, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) throughout at its Fontana, Hesperia, and two San Bernardino clinics.
LaSalle Medical Associates’ patients needing Positron Imaging Tomography (PET)/Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography’s, Ultrasounds, X-rays and Nuclear Medicine imaging will be referred to a RadNet facility, says Dr. Arteaga.
RadNet, which launched in 1984 by six medical doctors, is nationally known as a leader of high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic imaging services through its network of 233 affiliated outpatient imaging centers spanning six states. Seventeen of those locations are in the Inland Valleys including, San Bernardino Advanced Imaging and Grove Diagnostic Imaging – Haven.
“We believe we are the largest owner and operator of fixed diagnostic imaging centers in the United States,” said Dr. Howard Berger, RadNet’s chairman and chief executive officer. “RadNet utilizes best of breed technology to appropriately serve the medical communities in which it operates, offering to its patients and referring physicians a full spectrum of diagnostic imaging exams.”
RadNet currently provides diagnostic imaging services to more than 750,000 individuals each year under exclusive capitation contracts with prominent medical groups and Independent Physician Groups (IPAs). Through its imaging centers, RadNet performs 4 million diagnostic radiology and imaging procedures annually.
For more information about LaSalle call (909) 890-0407. For more information about RadNet call Phone: (310) 445-2800
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About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accept Blue Cross, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are located at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, and Parkview Community Hospital.
About RadNet
RadNet, Inc. is the largest provider of fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services in the United States through a network of 236 owned and/or operated outpatient imaging centers (inclusive of 20 facilities held in Joint Ventures). RadNet’s core markets include California, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Together with affiliated radiologists, and inclusive of full-time and per diem employees and technicians, RadNet has a total of approximately 6,300 employees. For more information, visit http://www.radnet.com.
Frederick Robert Vinton, Jr., has recently joined LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., as a Physicians Assistant. In his last position Vinton spent 22 years as the founder, physician and medical director for a district hospital in a remote area of Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Frederick Robert Vinton, Jr., has recently joined LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., as a Physician Assistant. In his last position Vinton spent 22 years as the founder, physician assistant and administrator for a district hospital in a remote area of Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mission Grace Ministries International and Grace Church of the Congo sponsored the medical mission. Vinton founded an 80 bed hospital that now has a staff of 42 including two doctors and 15 nurses.
“Working in the Congo had lots of challenges, but we were able to make a big difference in peoples’ lives. It was very rewarding to deliver healthcare to so many people who had never received treatment before,” said Vinton.
His desire to serve started when he visited his grandfather for a year from 1980 to 1981 while a college student.
“My grandfather served in the Congo as a medical missionary for 75 years. He started when he was age 20 and served until he was 95 years old when he had a stroke and returned to the US. He died a year later.
“When I visited Africa as a young man and saw the great need for healthcare and how my grandfather’s faith led him to serve God by helping his fellow man, I was humbled. It changed my life and I decided to commit myself to helping people through the practice of medicine,” said Vinton.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaïre, is a very dangerous place and has been since its inception. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Congo. Armed groups, bandits, and elements of the Congolese military are known to pillage, steal vehicles, kidnap, rape, kill, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians are indiscriminately targeted.
In 2011 Vinton and his wife made the decision to leave the Congo and return home to Southern California. “It had been our goal to start a medical work which we could eventually turn over to the Congolese church. We felt that goal had been reached,” said Vinton.
Returning to California after 22 years in a remote area in the Congo proved difficult for Vinton and his family. Although they visited the U.S. every three to six years, there were still many adjustments to make. Where they lived there were few stores, few supplies and fewer medicines.
When Vinton and his team built their hospital in the Congo, they sawed their own lumber from the trees they cut down and made their own furniture using hand tools. They also made and fired their own bricks.
“Now I walk into a place like Home Depot and all of those items are made and ready to go. It is very different,” said Vinton.
There is also access to many more medicines that can prevent illness, or help patients recover faster with less pain. “At LaSalle we have access to the best medicines in the world. Learning about all of the new medications, treatment regiments and therapies has been exciting,” Vinton said.
Despite the changes and adjustments to California’s healthcare industry, Vinton is glad he joined the team at LaSalle Medical Associates as a Physician Assistant.
“When I learned of the opportunity to join LaSalle, I did my homework on the company,” said Vinton. “I am impressed with LaSalle’s mission to proved high quality healthcare to individuals and families with courtesy and respect.”
LaSalle’s President, Dr. Albert Arteaga is no stranger to missionary work. As the son of an Adventist Minister he spent several years as an adolescent in Argentina when his father was sent as a missionary.
“It’s nice to know that the President of LaSalle understands the many definitions of a mission include: a calling, an assigned task or a place that helps needy. I learned that Dr. Arteaga has made the delivery of high quality healthcare in California LaSalle’s mission,” said Vinton.
“What I most enjoy about working with the staff at LaSalle is how they express the company’s slogan “We Care” by serving each and every patient that walks through the door with quality healthcare, every day,” said Vinton.
Every LaSalle Doctor and physician assistant also shows the “We Care” attitude by using a chart with every four-dollar generic prescription available at Wal-Mart pharmacies.
“When I have a patient that does not have health insurance, I can prescribe a medicine my patients’ can afford to take. That means that our patients can use their medications and get better faster,” said Vinton.
“When I learned of the opportunity to join LaSalle, I did my homework on the company,” said Vinton. “I am impressed with LaSalle’s mission to proved high quality healthcare to individuals and families with courtesy and respect.”
“What I most enjoy about working with the staff at LaSalle is how they express the company’s slogan “We Care” by serving each and every patient that walks through the door with quality healthcare, every day,” said Vinton.
“We are honored that Frederick chose to work with us at LaSalle Medical Associates,” said Dr. Arteaga. His dedication to people and medicine are demonstrated by his 22 years of service to people in the dangerous, war torn country of the Congo. I am confident that Frederick delivers excellent healthcare to every patient he sees, everyday.”
Vinton graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson and the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science Physician Assistant (PA) Program.
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor. A PA is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician.
PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.
Vinton works in LaSalle’s Hesperia clinic and the Mt. Vernon clinic in San Bernardino.
For more information or an appointment call (909) 884-9091for LaSalle’s Mt. Vernon clinic or (760) 947-2161 for its Hesperia office. About LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 patient visits in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Stanislaus, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, San Joaquin and Madera counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in California.
Every LaSalle Doctor and physician assistant shows the “We Care” attitude by caring a chart with every four-dollar generic prescription available at Wal-Mart pharmacies.“When I have a patient that does not have health insurance, I can prescribe a medicine my patients’ can afford to take. That means that our patients can afford to use their medications and get better faster,” said Frederick Robert Vinton, Jr., who recently joined LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., as a Physicians Assistant.
Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications; Wendy Gladney, author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker; and John A. “Jack” Calhoun, senior consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice and the National League of Cities. All spoke at the Riverside County Department of Mental Health PEI Summit in Palm Desert.
(Palm Desert, CA) Dancing and sliding across the floor, clicking through YouTube Videos and PowerPoint bullet points, voice in hushed tones, then booming “victorious””! Carl Dameron creative director of Dameron Communications recently delivered a rousing presentation on effective communication at the Riverside County Department of Public Health’s Prevention and Early Intervention Summit.
“Presentations are often less that exciting, so I push the envelope with my multi-media presentation to keep the audience involved and engaged,” said Dameron. “I tell the audience that developing an effective message includes: Make me care; Make me remember and Make me act. That means I have to do the same in my presentation.”
Dameron’s presentation is memorable. He spent most of the hour-and-a-half performance in the audience asking participants questions and floating from table to table. He surprised participants with impromptu questions and rap videos.
Dameron is the founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, a full-service advertising and public relations agency serving California since 1989. He has won media coverage and placed product selling ads with the most prestigious and popular media channels, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
“Carl is high energy person, who definitely knows what he talking about, that is why we selected him for the personation,” said Diane Brown, Social Service Planner/Training & Fidelity Liaison, Mental Health Services Act – Prevention & Early Intervention, Riverside County Department of Mental Health.
“Are you an actor in movies, TV commercials or something?” asked one member of the audience after his presentation. “I laughed and said no, I just love what I do,” said Dameron.
Dameron show's the video "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to warm up the crowd
Dameron has acting experience preforming in plays starting in the third grade. He also took acting classes in high school and college but he admits he’s no Denzel Washington.
“I wish I was that good, but I’m not. I’m at the point where I’m not afraid to perform in front of an audience,” said Dameron.
His presentation was for those delivering Prevention & Early Intervention services for Riverside County Department of Mental Health.
The county web site says: an objective of Prevention & Early Intervention is to increase capacity for mental health prevention and early intervention programs. These programs are to be provided in places where mental health services are not traditionally given, such as schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, etc.
The intent of PEI programs is to engage individuals before the development of serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance or to alleviate the need for additional or extended mental health treatment.
Dameron’s suggestions for successful advertising include:
Use a graphic artist to design brochures, flyers, ads and billboards. “Your secretary is not a graphic artist. Ad designers must understand color theory, typography and the best way to design advertising for effective communication.”
In the Inland Empire billboards and radio are king. Use your budget to buy and use these media.
Don’t buy promo items if your annual ad budget is less than one million dollars. Buy billboards, radio, TV, print or web ads. Too many promo items end up in the closet and not used. People often buy the wrong promo item and then not enough. One good billboard in mall or flight of radio commercial will reach more people and deliver more results that your promo items.
For public relations Dameron suggests:
Contract with a PR professional to write your press releases. Unless your Ph.D., Masters or Bachelors’ degree is in communications, marketing or journalism you are probably not the best person to write your press releases. The media want and need the message delivered in a specific style. If you don’t understand that style, it’s difficult to earn media coverage.
Use a photo with every story and give the media more than one photo choice.
Post all of your news releases to your website where they can be easily found.
Dameron’s PowerPoint presentation can be found on line at the Dameron Communications website: http://www.dameroncommunications.com
Creating campaigns that work is harder than it looks, and Dameron makes it look easy. He has launched companies creating millions in profits, increased profits with existing firms and used crisis communications skills to save companies from failure.
He is creative and tenacious. He pays attention to research, gets on the ground and communicates with customers and front line staff to find customer “hot buttons”. The creative team digests all of this information and together they create a solid thread weaved into a tapestry of effective messaging creating multi-media campaigns that work.
Dameron effectively implements current technology and finds ways to effectively adopt new technology into campaigns. He leads a team of creative professionals that create big ideas, engineer’s words and images that capture the audiences’ attention and motivates them to act.
For more information on Dameron Communications call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0017. About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.
Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
Dameron has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, The Press Enterprise, The Sun, The Daily Bulletin, The Daily News, The Daily Press and many more media outlets.
(San Bernardino, CA) Breast cancer screenings go a long way toward prevention. That’s why during the month of October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – LaSalle Medical Associates and Eric Lefkofsky will offer free mammograms at two of its locations in San Bernardino County.
The free screenings will take place Oct. 12 and 26 at LaSalle Medical Associates’ Mt. Vernon clinic in San Bernardino, 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave., and Oct. 11 in Hesperia, 16455 Main St.
Interested individuals are urged to call ahead for an appointment but walk-ins are welcome.
“A mammography can save lives if it catches breast cancer early enough which is a reason we promote screenings to our patients daily and not just the month of October,’’ says Barbara Graber, manager of compliance and special projects at LaSalle.
“We have a mobile mammography unit out to both of our family practice sites on a monthly basis to be sure that we are screening as many women as we can. We take advantage of every opportunity to educate patients on the importance of regular, preventative screenings,’’ said Graber.
In addition to free breast cancer screenings, LaSalle Medical Associates’ practices throughout the month of October and the Inland Empire is offering free educational materials on breast cancer to women, and men, throughout the Inland Empire. Opportunities for free and or reduced-cost mammograms are available through LaSalle, Graber says.
“As often as possible we try to use the members’ insurance and, if uninsured, we try to find a program that they may qualify for such as the Cancer Detection Program or the Family PACT program, both of which cover mammograms. The Cancer Detection Program also covers any interventions needed if the screening comes back with a positive result,’’ Graber says. “If they do not qualify for any programs, there is a reduced cash rate that is charged but for the most part we work with our patients to ensure they get the screening.”
A mammography is a screening tool that uses X-rays to create an image of the breast. These images, called mammograms, are used to find early signs of breast cancer such as a dense mass or clusters of calcium. A mammogram is considered the best screening tool for breast cancer today. It is capable of identifying cancers in their early stages, when they are too small to be felt, and most responsive to treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women of all races.
And, although breast cancer is rare in men, it does happen. According to the CDC, in 2012 an estimated 2,190 new cases of breast cancer will occur among men.
“Mammograms take just a few minutes, they are safe, and they are reliable,’’ says Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates. “We believe all women, especially in the Inland Empire, should have access to low-cost mammograms and our staff is working hard to insure those women who need them, get them. The more women we see the greater the chance we have of saving lives.”
For more information about the free mammograms, call (909) 884-9091for LaSalle’s Mt. Vernon clinic or (760) 947-2161 for its Hesperia office. About LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 patient visits in Stanislaus, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, San Joaquin, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino and Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in California.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) More than ten thousand people throughout the Inland Empire received flu vaccinations this past year, thanks to the efforts of the staff at LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
The new flu season starts September 1, 2012 with flu vaccines available at all LaSalle clinics. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Influenza, otherwise known as the flu, occurs annually from October through May and is spread by coughing, sneezing or a runny nose. Getting vaccinated can help avoid the flu or lessen its symptoms, which include: fever/chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and a runny or stuffy nose.
Last year Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates, was selected as California’s first-ever CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for LaSalle’s work in immunizations. He was one of only 39 doctors in the United States receiving the prestigious honor.
Advocating precaution to protect yourself and those around you from the flu, LaSalle provided a total of 10,676 flu vaccines this season. Operating a total of four clinics in Fontana, Hesperia and San Bernardino, this annual effort goes a long way in making a difference in curbing the spread of the flu for everyone.
“I cannot stress how important it is to get your annual flu vaccine,” said Dr. Albert A. Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates. “The benefits of flu vaccines have been proven over and over. It is the best tool we have in preventing the spread of the virus.”
The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, including: pregnant women, older adults and young children. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses.
“The seasonal flu vaccine are available in September 1, before the start of flu season,” said Dr. Arteaga. “Getting vaccinated now is a great way to avoid the flu. If you do get the flu, to limit the spreading of the virus, anyone with symptoms should stay home from school and work until they are well, and limit contact with others. They also should contact a doctor or clinic, especially if they are worried about the symptoms.”
LaSalle has the High Dose flu vaccine for seniors, the intradermal flu vaccine is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle, and nasal flu mists for children and adults.
For more information about the seasonal influenza vaccine, or to make an appointment, call LaSalle’s Pediatric clinics in Fontana at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in (909) 823-4454 and in San Bernardino at 1505 West 17th St. (909) 887-6494. LaSalle’s family clinics are located: in San Bernardino at 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091 and in Hesperia at 16455 Main St. (760) 947-2161.
For more information about this season’s vaccine selection, from the CDC visit Vaccine Virus Selection for the 2012-2013 Influenza Season. About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Fresno, Kings, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redlands Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, and Parkview Community Hospital.
Carl Maier, executive vice president of operations for LaSalle Medical Associates, signs an agreement with Rhonda Trindle, owner of Tritan International Services. This new agreement extends medical waster services to include members of LaSalle’s Independent Physician Association. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Members of LaSalle Medical Associates’ Independent Physician Association (IPA) can now save up to 45 percent on the collection and disposal of medical waste thanks to a new agreement with Tritan International Services.
Under the new agreement, Tritan, an Apple Valley-based medical waste disposal company, will provide disposal of sharp object and medical waste to all interested groups within LaSalle’s IPA at a discounted rate.
“The goal is to provide our practitioners with options,” says Carl Maier, executive vice president of Operations for LaSalle Medical Associates. “When practitioners have options the end result is more flexibility to manage their clinic efficiently and provide quality care, which benefits the patient.”
Tritan International Services is family-owned and services all medical facilities, including physician and dental offices, clinics and hospitals. It’s known as a leader in the disposal of sharp objects and medical waste.
“The prices are very reasonable, the service is excellent, and they are environmentally conscientious,’’ said Alexandra Acosta, director of finance and clinic operations at LaSalle Medical Associates. “We also like that they are family-owned and operated.”
LaSalle’s commitment to extending every dollar to practitioners is a key reason healthcare providers across Southern and Central California join LaSalle Medical Associates’ IPA. And, creating an environment where long-standing relationships are extended to those providers is what LaSalle strives for, says Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and CEO.
“Our healthy relationships with vendors, such as Tritan, are a testament to the type of business we operate, the services we provide and the commitment to the patients we care for,’’ Arteaga says. “And, when there is an opportunity to expand that relationship or to pass on savings to our providers there’s no hesitation.”
While savings is a big component of contracting with a vendor, Maier notes there are other factors taken into consideration when negotiating with vendors. He says LaSalle has to take into consideration what geographic location a vendor serves, their performance history, economic viability and service capacity.
“It is important to find saving opportunities without compromising service,” Maier says. “Not only does Tritan produce significant savings for our members, but their collection and disposal methods are environmentally conscientious and they are dedicated to meeting customer needs.”
Based in Apple Valley, Calif., Tritan is operated by Rhonda and Alan Trindle. It has been in operation for 12 years, providing biohazard waste disposal, hazardous waste disposal, sharps collection and disposal, and emergency response in California, Oregon and Washington State. The company is currently negotiating expansion into New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah.
Apple Valley-based Tritan International Services provides medical waste disposal at a discount to healthcare facilities. A new agreement between LaSalle Medical Associates and Tritan will save practitioners up to 45 percent on medical waste disposal. Photo by Chris Sloan.
“We began by just focusing on providing customers with a friendly, personal approach, working to meeting their needs,” says Rhonda Trindle. “We are a family business and we want to treat everyone like they are family. We are excited our relationship with LaSalle now includes its IPA members. This extension is proof LaSalle only wants the best for its providers and, ultimately, its patients.”
LaSalle Medical Associates operates four neighborhood clinics, in Fontana, Hesperia and two in San Bernardino, caring for more than 7,500 Inland Empire patients each month. In addition, LaSalle is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in nine California Counties.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates or to make an appointment, call (909) 890-0407 or visit www.LaSalleMedicalAssociates.com. About LaSalle Medical Associates LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are located at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino. LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to more than 190,000 residents in San Bernardino, Riverside, Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, and Parkview Community Hospital.
(San Bernardino, CA) – Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications, has been nominated for recognition in the Fourth Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards sponsored by California State University, San Bernardino.
The award honors local business people who have overcome challenges and given back to their community.
“I am honored to be considered for this award,” Dameron said. Dameron said he also appreciates how this awards program promotes an awareness of entrepreneurship among the Inland Empire’s youth.
“They need to realize there are successful professionals who live right down the street from them,” he said.
Dameron, 47, established Dameron Communications in 1989 after a marketing campaign for his former employer, AutoSound, increased that company’s profits by 250 percent. Despite his marketing success, Auto Sound was not able to keep Dameron on the payroll, so he parlayed that success into a business that has helped many other companies and non-profit organizations reach new customers.
Dameron has also worked as a journalist before, both on radio and newspaper. That experience still helps him in dealing with media.
“I see things with a journalist’s eye,” he said.
Some of Dameron’s earliest customers were in the automotive business, and while he has had large corporations as clients, today’s clients include non-profit organizations that pay a reduced rate. Dameron doesn’t charge them full price because he believes they are performing important services for the community.
For instance, the African-American Health Initiative promotes that African Americans in San Bernardino County will die, on average, 13 years before those of other races. The average African-American man in this county will not live to see his 56th birthday.
As the father of two young girls, Dameron does not want to be part of that statistic.
“I want to see my daughters graduate from high school,” he said. “I want to walk them to the altar on their wedding days.” Dameron also is an event producer.
The largest event he is involved with is the Inland Empire Diversity Job Fairs, and he assists the Inland Empire African-American Chambers of Commerce in bringing these to various San Bernardino and Riverside County locations. In the 14 years, they have helped thousands of residents find jobs close to home.
“People should be able to work where they live,” Dameron said. “The job fairs help local employers meet face to face with local people.”
Even though Dameron has recently started another business, 909Models.com, his workforce is still small, with just four full-time employees. The employees keep busy all day, and are talented at what they do, freeing them to concentrate on increasing business.
“I hire good people and stay out of their way,” he said. Frank Doughton, an account executive with the Riverside Press-Enterprise, nominated Dameron for this award.
“Carl has done so much, with his agency, the job fairs, starting 909Models.com and his agency,” Doughton said. “He has been out there, taking the risks, and I just think it’s time he got some recognition.”
Michael Stull, director of the Inland Center for Entrepreneurship, started this recognition program soon after coming to CSUSB in 2002. His university began the program with assistance from the Press-Enterprise, which continues to be a co-sponsor. Other sponsors this year include Arrowhead Credit Union, Citizens Business Bank, Citibank, Inland Empire National Bank, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Varner Saleson and Brandt LLP, Soren McAdam Christenson LLP, Family Business Partnership, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Glencrest Investment Advisors, the Riverside Convention Center, Wilkin Guge Marketing, KVCR, KTIE, and Milestone Media.
Stull said this program not only promotes awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship but also provides role models to CSUSB students interested in starting their businesses.
“Students need to know about the great things people are doing right here,” he said.
The deadline to nominate an entrepreneur is Aug. 15. To do so, go to www.inlandspiritawards.com
For more information, call Stull at (909)) 537-3708
