St. Francis Medical Center Honored for Extraordinary Service with Prime Healthcare

2024-04-25 10:07:17 Health and Fitness

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Community leaders and government officials joined together to honor the commitment to community and partnerships

St. Francis Medical Center commemorated its one-year anniversary as a member of Prime Healthcare and paid tribute to the hospital?s community partners this past year with a celebration event attended by federal, state, and city officials.

Just a year ago, the historic hospital was facing bankruptcy and possible closure. At the same time, it was struggling with a lack of resources amidst the coronavirus pandemic. This all changed when Prime Healthcare acquired the critical 384-bed, safety net trauma facility. St. Francis Medical Center was able to continue its legacy of service when Prime Healthcare acquired the hospital on August 14, 2020 ? against all odds in the middle of a pandemic ? and immediately invested in and transformed the hospital with the implementation of over $12 million in new technology and systems to improve services and care for a community that was devastated by the pandemic. The overnight transformation, investment, and resources from across the national system saved thousands of lives and allowed St. Francis to continue as a beacon of light and hope through dark times.

The anniversary event was highlighted by a unanimous and shared recognition of Prime Healthcare and St. Francis for its extraordinary service to patients and the community. Presenting a plaque of recognition, Lynwood Mayor Marisela Santana expressed the City?s gratitude to Prime Healthcare for ensuring the hospital?s 75-year legacy in Lynwood continued. She stated, ?This hospital has been a beacon of hope for our community here in Lynwood. Not only for Lynwood but for all of the communities around us.? She continued, ?We appreciate you being here in our community, caring about our residents, our parents, our kids, our business owners, and we wouldn?t have made it this last year had you not come in here and provided the services that you do. Congratulations on making sure that you brought in, and you continue to have, that excellent staff ? nurses, doctors, administrators, and your leadership. Prime Healthcare knew what we needed in our community and you delivered.?

Representing California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Field Representative Adrian Landa acknowledged the hospital?s series of COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the community, which was part of a unique collaboration with the Speaker?s office, the City of Lynwood, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell?s office, Lynwood Unified School District and SELA Collaborative to promote health equity across Lynwood and Southeast Los Angeles communities, some of the most impacted communities in California. Landa stated, ?I personally speak for myself and my staff that we are very fortunate and very privileged to have been part of that enormous task of this vaccination effort to help Lynwood residents and communities around Lynwood get vaccinated.?

Landa closed with the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition which read:

?St. Francis Medical Center, on behalf of the California State Assembly and the 63rd Assembly District, congratulations on your one-year anniversary since your acquisition by Prime Healthcare. I commend you for your leadership, addressing the need for healthcare access, in a region impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to many more years of quality healthcare services for our community. Signed, Anthony Rendon, Speaker of the Assembly, dated August 26, 2021.?

State Senator Lena Gonzalez was represented by Field Representative Daniel Cervantes. Presenting a certificate of recognition on behalf of the California Senate, Cervantes read the inscription, stating, ?To St. Francis Medical Center, in honor of the one-year anniversary of its acquisition by Prime Healthcare, and for the incredible sacrifice and dedication of your staff serving the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of the 3rd Senate District, congratulations on reaching this great milestone. May you have many more years.?

Gabriela Cid, Deputy, Constituent Engagement, for Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, presented a commendation from the County of Los Angeles, and echoed the sentiments of her colleagues, congratulating Prime Healthcare and St. Francis and thanking the doctors, nurses, and staff for the work they have done throughout the pandemic. She shared, ?All of my cousins that grew up in Lynwood were born at St. Francis. For us it has been literally the birthplace for our family, and we know St. Francis has continued to be such an important staple to the community, not only for Lynwood but for Southeast Los Angeles cities.? She continued, ?When there is a very traumatic response that?s needed, they are brought over to St. Francis, So we know the acquisition by Prime Healthcare has been a tremendous way for the community to continue to benefit beyond the hospital?s 75 years.?

Additional dignitaries and special guests in attendance included Patty Camacho, Acting District Director from the office of Congresswoman Nanette Barragan, Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, and Los Angeles County Sheriff?s Department, Century Station, Lynwood Team.