Albert Arteaga, M.D., founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
“I get asked two questions all the time by all kinds of people: Am I going to retire and is LaSalle Medical for sale?” — Albert Arteaga, M.D.
REDLANDS, CALIF. — As the company looks forward to celebrating its 40th anniversary in June, the answer is “No,” says Albert Arteaga, M.D., founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. “We are the largest private, Hispanic-owned healthcare organization in the Inland Empire, and we are growing. Why would I want to stop?”
Dr. Arteaga opened his first solo practice with his wife Maria in Fontana in May 1984, after completing his pediatric residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Funding for LaSalle came from Operation Second Chance, a Small Business Administration program created to train people of color and fund business start-ups, led by civil rights pioneer Francis Grice.
From that humble beginning, LaSalle has grown, adding facilities and a network of specialists, to the point where today there are five open clinics, two in San Bernardino and one each in Fontana, Hesperia, and Rialto, with plans to reopen the Victorville location that had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. The practice employs more than 110 healthcare professionals.
“I would say that our crowning achievement is our emphasis on outreach, getting people to come in for regular checkups that focus on prevention,” says Dr. Arteaga. “Treating people who suffer from illness is fine, but being able to spot warning signs in advance and ensuring that patients don’t need to undergo more intensive and lengthy treatment is LaSalle’s priority.”
In 1995 Dr. Arteaga established the LaSalle Independent Practice Association (IPA), “…a business entity organized and owned by a network of independent physician practices.”
Today, the LaSalle IPA includes members in Southern California’s San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles counties, as well as Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties in Central California. The LaSalle IPA serves more than 360,000 patients statewide.
LaSalle’s Corporate Headquarters in Redlands, CA
Dr. Arteaga goes on to say, “We recently changed our healthcare management services provider, hired a new CEO, Duane Whittington, eight months ago, and just added a brand new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Bryan Foster. They both left one of the Inland Empire’s biggest healthcare organizations to come to work for us at LaSalle.
“Duane and Bryan have relieved me of a lot of administrative responsibilities and freed me up to focus on future growth prospects.”
LaSalle’s expansion plans include growing the IPA. “Our Independent Practice Association helps doctors focus on treating their patients while we do the paperwork and negotiate contracts with insurance companies, and companies that provide medical services including imaging, blood testing, and other services. We make it easier for doctors to be doctors,” said Dr. Arteaga.
The IPA is expanding the number of doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants for current and future locations. “If you are looking for a career serving patients with The Gold Standard of Care, LaSalle is looking for you,” said Dr. Arteaga, who is also looking to grow the number of clinics through mergers and acquisitions.
Selling or retiring is not an option for Arteaga. “Most retirees go ahead and retire for one of two reasons—they’re either tired or there’s something else they want to do. In my case, neither of those apply. So, is LaSalle for sale? My answer is no!”
Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga, Founders of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
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 more than 350,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino and Tulare counties.
BRIEF: 275 words
Is LaSalle Medical Associates for Sale?
Albert Arteaga, M.D., founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
“I get asked two questions all the time by all kinds of people: Am I going to retire and is LaSalle Medical for sale?” — Albert Arteaga, M.D.
REDLANDS, CALIF. — As the company looks forward to celebrating its 40th anniversary in June, the answer is “No,” says Albert Arteaga, M.D., founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. “We are the largest private, Hispanic-owned healthcare organization in the Inland Empire, and we are growing. I don’t want to stop?”
Dr. Arteaga opened his first practice in Fontana in May 1984. Since then, LaSalle has grown, adding facilities and a network of specialists. Today, there are two clinics in San Bernardino and one each in Fontana, Hesperia, and Rialto, with plans to reopen the Victorville location that had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. LaSalle employs over 110 healthcare professionals.
“Our crowning achievement is our outreach program, getting people to come in for regular checkups that focus on prevention,” says Dr. Arteaga. “Treating sick people is fine, but being able to spot warning signs in advance so patients don’t need to undergo more intensive and lengthy treatment is LaSalle’s priority.”
In 1996 Dr. Arteaga established the LaSalle Independent Practice Association (IPA), a network of independent physician practices that reduces overhead while pursuing opportunities with employers, accountable care organizations and/or managed care organizations.
Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga, Founders of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
The LaSalle IPA serves more than 360,000 patients statewide. “Our IPA helps doctors focus on their patients while we do the paperwork and negotiate contracts with insurance companies and companies that provide medical services. We make it easier for doctors to be doctors,” said Dr. Arteaga.
Selling or retiring is not an option for Arteaga. “Most retirees go ahead and retire for one of two reasons—they’re either tired or there’s something else they want to do. In my case, neither of those apply. So, is LaSalle for sale? My answer is no!”
Carrots and applesauce make a sweet treat that’s good for your eyes.
“Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A, which is known to improve eye health.” — Albert Arteaga, M.D.
REDLANDS, CALIF. — During April, we celebrate International Carrot Day. The old saying about carrots being good for your vision is true. Carrots have nutrients that help eye health in several ways. Chief among them is Vitamin A.
“Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A, which is known to improve eye health,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, President of LaSalle Medical Associates, one of the largest privately owned and operated healthcare organizations in the Inland Empire.
The 2023 Digital Health Award-winning Internet site, All About Vision, says that the Vitamin A in carrots provides several benefits, including:
Impeding the progression of Stargardt’s disease (early onset central vision loss)
On the other hand, vitamin A deficiency can cause:
Dry eyes
Night blindness
Vision loss
“Parents who have children who don’t like the taste of raw or cooked carrots by themselves may be able to get their kids to eat them by combining carrots with other foods that are rich in Vitamin A and add sweet-tooth-pleasing flavors, such as mangoes, cantaloupes, sweet red peppers, and sweet potatoes,” said Dr. Arteaga.
Carrots also contain beta-carotene, which is what gives red, orange, and yellow vegetables their color. Once eaten, your body converts it into retinol, another name for vitamin A. Healthline points out that research shows that beta-carotene is also good for your skin and may even improve cognitive health, although more research is needed about that.
Dr. Arteaga adds one caution: If you eat too many beta-carotene-rich foods, your skin may start to turn yellow. “All things in moderation,” he says.
“It is recommended that both children and adults undergo an annual check-up. At LaSalle, the checkup includes a comprehensive blood workup that can identify any vitamin deficiencies. This enables doctors to provide tailored suggestions regarding medicine, diet, and exercise that are specific to the needs of each patient,” explained Dr. Arteaga.
For an appointment at one of the six Inland Empire LaSalle clinics, please visit LaSalleMedicalAssociates.com or call 1-855-349-6019.
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.
When youngsters get enough sleep, they are less impulsive, stressed, depressed, anxious, and aggressive, and can keep their cognitive functions working to their full capacity, like these award-winning young scholars. Shaila and Shiane Dameron are happy healthy LaSalle patients.
“Children and teens, especially, need adequate sleep for proper growth and development.” — Dr. Albert Arteaga
REDLANDS, Calif. — Sleep is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being throughout your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “The quality of your waking hours largely depends on what happens while you’re asleep.”
“For proper growth and development, children and teens require 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night. Therefore, parents are encouraged to do their best to ensure that their children get enough rest,” said pediatrician Dr. Albert Arteaga, Chair of LaSalle Medical Associates, one of the Inland Empire’s largest private healthcare organizations.
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, California now requires all high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and an 8 a.m. or later start for middle schools this school year.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies show that pre-teens who slept less than nine hours per day had differences in brain structure and more problems with mood and thinking than those who got adequate sleep. Improving sleep leads to better mental health and behavior from pre-adolescence on.
NIH researchers “found that children in the insufficient sleep group at the start of the study had more mental health and behavioral challenges than those who got sufficient sleep. These included impulsivity, stress, depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and thinking problems.
“The children with insufficient sleep also had impaired cognitive functions such as decision-making, conflict-solving, working memory, and learning. Differences between the groups persisted at the two-year follow-up.”
After awakening, the body releases hormones that increase alertness. With developing pre-teens and teens, hormones act while sleeping in pulses that signal the body to release testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Those essential developmental hormonal pulses get bigger with the onset of puberty.
Adults as well as youngsters are subject to many of the same problems in the absence of adequate sleep. These problems include hunger control, responsiveness to insulin, a decline in physical activity, and what is known as metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that increase one’s risk “…of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic and Dr. Arteaga suggest six ways to improve one’s sleep. First, stick to a regular schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. “For adults, seven hours is the minimum and eight is recommended,” said Dr. Arteaga.
Second, avoid eating large meals close to bedtime. Avoid midnight snacks and late-night alcohol. Nicotine is another no-no.
Third, the bedroom should be comfortably cool, dark, and quiet. “It is difficult to fall asleep after being exposed to blue-light-emitting sources like computers, smartphones, and other devices,” said Dr. Arteaga.
Fourth, “Napping during the daytime needs to be limited, as too many or too long naps will interfere with nighttime sleep,” said Dr. Arteaga.
Fifth, don’t be a couch potato. “It is recommended to engage in some form of physical activity every day. However, it is not advisable to exercise right before bedtime as it can be counterproductive,” said Dr. Arteaga.
And finally, learn to cope with stress and anxiety. “Rehashing daytime troubles is guaranteed to keep you from the restful sleep you need to cope with them the next day. You can use a notebook or planner to list things you need to pay attention to the next day and that lets your mind disengage from them at bedtime,” said Dr. Arteaga.
He added, “If you or your children are having sleep problems anyway, it’s a good idea to call your doctor and ask for a referral to a sleep specialist. They can suggest additional practitioners or prescribe medications to help.”
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. Marcus Funchess, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the San Bernardino City Unified School District is The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Co-Award winner.
Jack B. Clark, Jr., a partner at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, is The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Co-Award winner.
The awards will be presented at the Black Rose Awards Gala on Friday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. Feb. 7, 2024 — The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation announces that Jack B. Clarke, Jr., partner at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, and Dr. Marcus Funchess, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, have won the 2024 Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Foundation President-elect Carl Dameron said, “We have chosen two outstanding Inland Empire people for the Humanitarian Award this year so that they can be recognized and publicly thanked for their long-time and ongoing service to the people of the Inland Empire.”
Clarke handles litigation concerning education law, special education disputes, public agency litigation, and other substantial matters. He has successfully defended school districts and other education clients in student disciplinary matters, civil rights and Constitutional claims, and special education due process hearings.
Clarke was the first African American to chair the board of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, and he served as chair of the Mayor’s Use-of-Force Review Panel in 1999 following the high-profile police shooting death of Tyisha Miller in Riverside, California.
His community service contributions have been recognized by the Riverside County Bar Association, California Law Business magazine, the NAACP, the American Diabetes Association, and now the Black Culture Foundation.
Funchess has served the Inland Empire (IE) as an elementary school teacher from 1998 to 2007, a vice principal from 2007 to 2010 and then principal from 2010 to July 2016 at the Thompson and Henry Elementary Schools, and assistant superintendent of human resources at the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) since August 2020. Funchess also served as Human Resources Director from 2016 to 2020.
He received his Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice from the University of Redlands in 2014. Funchess collaboratively developed the Aspiring Administrator program to grow and develop SBCUSD leaders from within the District. He also helped develop the Golden Bell Award-winning Grow Our Own initiative to educate and hire the next generation of educators from within the community.
The initiative encourages current SBCUSD students interested in careers in education to pursue their dreams with support from the District, even after leaving high school, and return to SBCUSD to share their knowledge and experience.
The Black Rose Awards are on Friday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at: sbbcfoundation.org
“Additional Black Rose Award winners include Acquanetta Warren, Mayor of Fontana; James C. Baker II, Park Commissioner for the City of Moreno Valley; Michael Beauregard, Assistant Manager at Sam’s Club; Tina Darling, Director of Education at American Career College, Ontario, and chair of the Nursing and Health Ministry at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and Aristotle McDaniel, founder of GPL-Grandparents Love,” said Foundation President, Ezekiel Adeleke.
The 31st Annual San Bernardino Culture Foundation Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Friday, Feb. 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center.
The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of people who were concerned that, “…nationwide, our school systems have not yet incorporated Black history studies into regular school curriculums. Thus, all students miss the opportunity to learn more about a vital part of this country’s history.”
The Black Culture Foundation’s purpose “…is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of Black culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities…[and] bridge the gaps across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.” The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s major cultural event.
The Black Rose Awards are Friday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are going FAST, get your tickets TODAY: https://sbbcfoundation.org/events/2024-black-rose-awards/
RSV’s symptoms include runny nose, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. In most cases, these symptoms show up in stages, rather than all at once. In very young infants, “the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties,” per the CDC. Shiane and Shaila Dameron parents use preventive medicine. The children have all of their vaccines and receive checkups with their doctors every six months.
“RSV is a cold-like virus that is usually mild but can put some people in the hospital,” says Dr. Cheryl Emoto, Medical Director of LaSalle Medical Associates. “For the first time this fall, young infants and seniors (those with the highest risk for severe disease) now have a way to prevent it.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – A new monoclonal antibody and new anti-viral vaccines are coming for the first time to provide protection against RSV, Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) Virus. LaSalle Medical Associates clinics will be providing these breakthroughs to patients this fall.
“RSV is a cold-like virus that is usually mild but can put some people in the hospital,” says Dr. Cheryl Emoto, Medical Director of LaSalle Medical Associates. “For the first time this fall, young infants and seniors (those with the highest risk for severe disease) now have a way to prevent it.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that “Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Monoclonal antibodies are available to protect infants.”
The CDC goes on to note that RSV is “one of the most common causes of childhood illness and is the most common cause of hospitalization among infants [emphasis ours].” It usually starts in the fall and peaks in the winter, but this can vary.
Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines may now prevent RSV. A monoclonal antibody is a clone of a unique white blood cell (white blood cells are the body’s own infection fighters) given to augment and reinforce the body’s natural defenses. It’s the option available for infants who are entering their first RSV season. They are not used when someone already has RSV.
Up until now, almost all children have contracted RSV by the time they reach 24 months, so the new prevention regimen has the potential to prevent illness and potential complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, making life easier for both infants and their parents or caretakers.
For older adults, the CDC estimates that between 60 to 100 thousand are hospitalized every year. resulting in 6,000 to 10,000 deaths. The most at-risk cohorts are older adults, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, those with weakened immune systems or certain underlying medical conditions and residents in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
Complications may include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe), and congestive heart failure—when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body.
Additionally, this year, there is now a regimen for pregnant women that keeps the developing fetus safe from infection. Now is the time to contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment for preventive care, especially if you are pregnant, have an infant under 8 months of age or are 60 years of age or older.
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, Brand New Day, 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 more information call (909) 890-0407 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.
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New Ways to Prevent RSV Infections
“RSV is a cold-like virus that is usually mild but can put some people in the hospital,” says Dr. Cheryl Emoto, Medical Director of LaSalle Medical Associates. “For the first time this fall, young infants and seniors (those with the highest risk for severe disease) now have a way to prevent it.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – A new monoclonal antibody and new anti-viral vaccines are coming for the first time to provide protection against RSV, Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) Virus. LaSalle Medical Associates clinics will be providing these breakthroughs to patients this fall.
“RSV is a cold-like virus that is usually mild but can put some people in the hospital,” says Dr. Cheryl Emoto, Medical Director of LaSalle Medical Associates. “For the first time this fall, young infants and seniors (those with the highest risk for severe disease) now have a way to prevent it.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that “Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Monoclonal antibodies are available to protect infants.”
Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines can now help prevent RSV. A monoclonal antibody is a clone of a unique white blood cell (white blood cells are the body’s own infection fighters) given to augment and reinforce the body’s natural defenses. It’s the option available for infants entering their first RSV season. They are not used when someone already has RSV.
RSV can lead to severe complications, such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe), congestive heart failure (when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body) and pneumonia.
For more information 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.
Photo Caption: 2023 Black Rose Award Winners – (From left) Accepted for Linda D. Wright; Arlington Rodgers Jr., President of the Black Culture Foundation; Rose Mayes, Humanitarian of the Year honoree; Gloria Macias Harrison, Black Rose awardee; Jim King, Black Rose Chair; Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Black Rose awardee; Accepting for San Bernardino Community Hospital Dr. Ruby Skinner, Medical Director, and Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer, and Foundation Treasurer Genevieve Echols.
“The Black Culture Foundation Celebrates the 31st Annual Black Rose Awards with our call for entries for the 2024 Black Rose Awards,” said President Ezekiel Adeleke
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Some people have made a career helping others. And some have done even more than that.
“If you know someone whose passion is to help and make the community better for others, the Black Culture Foundation wants to know about them. We seek nominations for The Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year, and Community Service awards,” said Black Culture Foundation President Ezekiel Adeleke.
“We are looking for someone whose volunteer efforts go over and above their job-related activities,” said Carl M. Dameron Co-chair of the 2024 Thirty-first Black Rose Awards. “These are unsung heroes, people who volunteer with multiple organizations or give all of their spare time to one. They never seek their glory but want to make their community a better place to live.”
To nominate someone for a Black Rose Award, email Dameron at blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org, or call or text him at (909) 534-9500. Nominations are due by November 30, 2023.
The awards program focuses on the Black community in the Inland Empire, Dameron says, but an award winner need not be a resident of the IE. Many community leaders in law enforcement, education, and other public venues have been recognized and received an award in honor of the work they’ve done that benefits the Inland Empire.
To become a volunteer or board member, call or text Dameron at (909) 534-9500 or email him at blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org, Nominations are due by November 30, 2023.
The 31st Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, February 3, at Rhe Riverside Convention Center.
About the Black Rose Awards
The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of people who were concerned that, “…nationwide, our school systems have not yet incorporated Black history studies into regular school curriculums. Thus, all students miss the opportunity to learn more about a vital part of this country’s history.”
The Black Culture Foundation’s purpose “…is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of Black culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities…[and] bridge the gaps across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.”
The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s showcase cultural event.
The “Toward a Shared Vision Awards” ceremony will occur on Thursday, October 26th, at the Riverside Convention Center. Hosted by Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), a local nonprofit, the awards recognize contributions to educational attainment and economic success in the Inland Empire.
Dr. Sorrel Stielstra, Director of Research for GIA, addresses participants in a breakout room.https://flic.kr/p/2nVatVPPhoto byGIA
RIVERSIDE, CA — Seven individuals and five groups will be recognized for their work in driving Inland Empire’sducational and economic success.
The Toward a Shared Vision Awards ceremony is set for Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Riverside Convention Center.
“The Toward a Shared Vision Awards recognizes individuals and groups making significant contributions to educational attainment and economic success in the Inland Empire region while embodying core values of equity, transformation, collaboration, innovation, and centering students,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Interim CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), the local nonprofit hosting the awards celebration.
“We received twenty-five nominations for individuals and groups throughout the region, all of which are well-deserving candidates,” said Sakrekoff. “GIA brought together a diverse panel of representatives from local education and community-based organizations who deliberated and selected 12 individuals and groups to be recognized across six categories.”
The awardees are:
Children Deserve Success Program, San Bernardino County Superintendent of SchoolsPhoto by Gby GIA. Tomas MoralesPhoto by GIby GIA Student-Centered Excellence:
• Group: Children Deserve Success Program, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• Individual: Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino
Ontario-Montclair Promise ScholarsPhoto byGIA
Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, California’s 58th Assembly DistrictPhoto by GIAby GIAxcellence in Regional Transformation:
• Group: Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars
• Individual: Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, California’s 58th Assembly District
College FuturesPhoto byGIAby GIAHenry ShannonPhoto by GIA
Fby GIAity-Focused Excellence:
• Group: College Futures Foundation
• Individual: Dr. Henry D. Shannon, Superintendent/President, Chaffey College
Kim McNultyPhoto by GIA
Maby GIAHope Happen FoundationPhoto by GIA
Foby GIAellence in Regional Collaboration:
• Group: Making Hope Happen Foundation
• Individual: Kim McNulty, Vice President of Regional Strategy, OneFuture Coachella Valley
California State University San BernardinoPhoto by GIA
Ivaby GIAPhoto by GIA
For by GIAlence in Innovation:
• Group: Office of Pre-College Programs, California State University, San Bernardino
• Individual: Dr. Ivan Peña, Dean of Student Services and Counseling, Crafton Hills College
• Individual: Dr. Judy D. White, President/Founder, MOSAIC, Retired 12th Superintendent of Schools for Riverside County
The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 26 at 2 p.m. as a culminating program of the two-day Toward a Shared Vision regional summit. Tickets for the full two-day summit can be purchased for $129. A day-two-only ticket, including the recognition ceremony, can be purchased for $65. Ticket sales will contribute to GIA’s student scholarship fund. Learn more about the awards and register to attend on GIA’s website: https://inlandempiregia.org/tasv-2023-awards/.
Since 2015, Growing Inland Achievement has been actively supporting educational attainment and economic success in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To learn more about their mission and initiatives, please visit InlandEmpireGIA.org.
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.
