And the Chappies go to…

CHAP is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2009 Health Care Action Awards, Mother Love, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Val Zavala.

Mother Love is a published author, veteran of television sitcoms and radio talk and music shows, film actress, advice columnist and motivational speaker and humorist. She has lost over 100 pounds and has improved her diabetes management through hard choices and healthy lifestyle changes. She speaks to audiences across America on health, love and life issues. She is the 2009 Spokesperson for ADA’s Choose To LIVE! campaign geared towards women of color age 35 and over.

Michael D. Antonovich, a native of Los Angeles County, has served the two million residents of Los Angeles County’s Fifth Supervisorial District. As a government/history teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1966, Ms. Antonovich credits his fifth grade teacher for the inspiration to enter public life and was elected to the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees in 1969. He served in the California State Assembly from 1972 to 1978 and rose to become the Republican Whip.

In 1980, Mr. Antonovich was elected to serve the people of Los Angeles County as a member of the Board of Supervisors. His 29 years on the Board has been characterized by his determined defense of taxpayers and their right to limited and effective government. He has been a stalwart advocate for the vital role played by Southern California community clinics in our regional healthcare system.

Val Zavala is an anchor/reporter for KCET’s weekly newsmagazine, SoCal Connected. She has been at KCET since 1987. For sixteen years Ms. Zavala was a vital part of the award-winning series, Life & Times, serving as an anchor, co-anchor and reporter.

Ms. Zavala came to KCET with six years reporting experience at commercial news stations. She has covered major issues impacting southern California politics, education, health care, environment, demographics and growth. She has also profiled dozens of southern California’s elected officials, activists, artists and thinkers making a difference in our communities. Ms. Zavala gave voice to the diverse Southern California community, creating connections that help to establish a healthy community for all its residents.

The CHAP Health Action awards will be presented at CHAP’s annual gala on May 1, 2009. For information, please call (626) 993-1220.

Seeking Nominees for Community Health Action Award

On Friday evening, May 1, 2009, Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (CHAP), will honor those individuals or organizations who have championed the cause for improving health care in the greater Pasadena community. The awards will be presented at the CHAP’s Annual Fundraising Gala which will be held at the Shakespeare Club in Pasadena.

 

Once again, CHAP is reaching out to the community for nominees for these important awards. It is the strength and commitment of these unique individuals and groups that allow CHAP to thrive, providing healthcare to all residents of Los Angeles County regardless of their ability to pay. The 2009 Community Health Action Awards are just one way CHAP is able to thank the community for their support and give back to those who have, in a small way or large, kept accessibility to health care at the forefront.

 

Everyone is encouraged to submit a nominee for this year’s awards. It is CHAP’s intention to be as inclusive as possible. The nominee’s may range from a paramedic who saved someone’s life; a volunteer who has worked tirelessly in the service of health causes; a health care professional that routinely goes “the extra mile”; a local or state level civic or political leader who’s commitment to health care has been a catalyst for ongoing positive change; or even a corporation whose vision towards health has affected employee well-being.

 

Past recipients of the Community Health Action Awards include:

·         Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his statewide health care reform proposal

·         State Senator Jack Scott who has championed the cause for quality health care and education care for all Californians

·         Wilma J. Allen, former Director of the Pasadena Public Health Department and leader of the task force which created the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena 10 years ago

·         The Pasadena Healthcare Consortium, a coalition of member agencies who work together to provide individuals with needed healthcare and social services.

·         Judith Zitter, whose vision and generous spirit helped to make Kaiser Permanente a leading corporate citizen.

 

Community participation in determining the honorees for 2009 is extremely important to CHAP. All nominations must be submitted no later than February 15, 2009. Nominees must reside in, be based in or provide a service that positively impacts greater Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. Submitting a nominee to receive a Community Health Action Award is simple by completing the following steps:

1.   Name and Title of nominee

1. Nominee contact information: address, phone, email
2. Describe in 200 word or less why you believe this person should be considered for this award
3. Name of person making nomination
4. Organization and/or relationship to nominee
5. Your contact information: address, phone, email

SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION BY MAIL, FAX OR EMAIL TO:

CHAP, Attention Brian Hayes

1855 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, #200

Pasadena, CA 91103

FAX: (626) 398-5840

Email nominees to:bhayes@chapcare.org

 

What’s So Funny?

There is no doubt that we are experiencing troubling times. People are losing their homes, their jobs and their health insurance. Our country is mired in a conflict with no end in sight. Prices are rising and hope is fading.

If the world has you feeling stressed and depressed, CHAP has a prescription for you: CHAPShtick, our annual comedy event.

An increasing number of studies point to the health benefits of laughter. The act of laughter increases blood flow, oxygenates the bloodstream, exercises the diaphragm and contracts the abs. Laughter has been shown to reduce stress hormones, such as cortisol, epinephrine and adrenaline and increase health-enhancing hormones like endorphins. A study by the University of Maryland Medical Center found that adults who responded to stressful situations with laughter were significantly less likely to have suffered from a heart attack. Laughter also creates an emotional connection between people. Surveys have found that marriages between couples who laugh frequently are less likely to end in divorce.

CHAP invites you to join us for our second annual CHAPShtick. The event will feature stand-up comedy, music and a few surprises.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 2, at The Terrace Restaurant, 443 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Please call (626) 993-1221, or e-mail lkim@chapcare.org.

Oral Health Service Expansion

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced $39 million in grants to increase and improve medical services at the nation’s community health centers. A total of 168 grants will give existing health centers the funds to add new or increase existing primary care, mental health/substance abuse, oral health or pharmacy services.

CHAP is grateful to have been selected by HRSA to receive an Oral Health Service Expansion grant. Only 50 such grants were awarded nationally, and CHAP was only one of two Los Angeles County clinics to received increased federal funding for oral health.

The grant will provide CHAP with increased funding of $250,000 annually to support the delivery of oral health care to children and adults in the Pasadena area. With this increased revenue, CHAP will increase its service delivery capacity from 4,000 to 6,000 dental visits each year.

The CHAP Dental Clinic is open to children and adults. Service is provided on a sliding fee scale and free care is available to those who qualify.

Prescription Drug Help for Pasadena Patients

Did you realize that 18% of patients who receive prescriptions don’t fill them because of the high cost?

Were you aware that 30% of patients skip or reduce doses to make their prescriptions last longer?

Did you know that help for your patients is available?

On Thursday, September 18, CHAP is pleased to welcome Tom Wood who will share information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. This program, supported by PhRMA, enables financially-challenged patients to receive life-saving medications at a price they can afford.

The open house and presentation will be from 8 am to 9:15 am on Thursday, September 18, at the CHAP Health Center, 1855 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. The event is free and open to the public.

If you wish to attend or would like more information, please call (626) 993-1221.

Under-covered

Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau released the latest figures on the number of uninsured Americans (click here for details). Based on 2007 population estimates, the number of uninsured has declined from 47 million to just under 45.7 million, a decline from 15.8% of the population to 15.3%.”>U.S. Census Bureau released the latest figures on the number of uninsured Americans. Based on 2007 population estimates, the number of uninsured has declined from 47 million to just under 45.7 million, a decline from 15.8% of the population to 15.3%.

This sounds like good news, but a look into the numbers reveals a different story. Residents who gained insurance coverage can mostly be attributed to an increase in the number qualifying for public programs such as Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California). In other words, because of lost jobs and declining wages, a greater number of Americans have fallen into poverty, therefore qualifying for public coverage.

Is this really progress?

Do You Care?

The State of California is contemplating devastating budget cuts to address the $16 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year. Among the programs expected to be axed are dental services to adults who are currently covered by Medi-Cal. Legislators are also planning to reduce Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and make it harder for families in poverty to qualify for subsidized coverage.

As CHAP has demonstrated over its ten year history, the best way to reduce health care costs is to make primary and preventive medical and dental care accessible and affordable. By promoting healthy lifestyles and offering early intervention to chronic or life-threatening illnesses, clinics like CHAP help to keep low-income patients in their jobs and homes and out of the emergency room.

While we still hold out hope for a reprieve from the Governor, the fact remains that California’s health care safety net is already underfunded. We need your help to ensure that CHAP has adequate resources to meet the health care needs of our community.

We would like to ask you to make a gift to the CHAP Care Fund to underwrite the direct medical services that we provide to low-income families from Pasadena and Altadena for which we receive no compensation from any public or private payer source. You may make a donation by visiting www.chapcare.org and clicking the “Donate Now” button.

As CHAP continues its second decade of service to the greater Pasadena community, it is essential that those of us who have health insurance, secure employment and abundant financial resources ensure that our neighbors have access to affordable, high quality medical and dental care.

Celebrating 10 Years of High Quality Health Care

On Friday, May 2, 2008, CHAP will commemorate its first decade of service to the greater Pasadena community at its annual gala. The event will be held at the Westin Hotel, Pasadena, beginning with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a delectable dinner and inspiring program.  

We are please to announce that Dr. Robert Ross, President & CEO of the California Endowment, will join us as keynote speaker.

The event is being sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Edison, L.A. Care Health Plan, Huntington Memorial Hospital and other generous supporters. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.  

Tickets are now available by calling Ellen Johnson, (626) 398-6300 ext. 21. Premium tickets are $200 and standard seating is $150 per person.  

Please join us as we celebrate CHAP’s success!

CHAP Announces 2008 Honorees

CHAP is pleased to announce its 2008 award recipients.

Community Health Action Hero: Robert E. Tranquada, MD 

Community Health Action Award: 

Beverly Mosley (Planned Parenthood of Pasadena)

Paula Verrette, MD, (Huntington Hospital)

Judith Zitter (Kaiser Permanente) 

These exemplary individuals will be recognized at CHAP’s Tenth Anniversary Gala on Friday, May 2, 2008, at the Westin Hotel, Pasadena.  Additional corporate sponsors are being sought. Individual tickets are also available. For more information, please contact Ellen Johnson, (626) 398-6300 ext. 21.

Seeking Nominees for the CHAP Health Action Awards

Countless people and organizations work tirelessly each day to improve the health of our community. Most of them work outside the spotlight. Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (CHAP) believes it is time to shine the light of recognition on those whose vision, leadership or service has impacted the health of our community in an inspiring way. 

At its annual gala on May 2, 2008, CHAP wishes to honor an individual or organization that in an exemplary way has put the “care” in health care. We are calling on our friends, colleagues and community partners to suggest deserving nominees for CHAP Community Health Action Awards. 

We wish to be as inclusive as possible. Nominees may include a paramedic who saved someone’s life; a volunteer who has offered a lifetime of service to health causes; a civic or political leader who has championed health policy; a donor whose generosity has impacted the health of others; a corporation whose policies have improved employee wellbeing; a research scientist who contributed to a treatment breakthrough; a front-line staff member who exceeds expectations; or a service club that has improved the lives of children. While there are many worthy recipients, a special individual or organization will be selected and honored at our event.  

Nomination Criteria: 

• Nominees may be individuals, corporations, nonprofit agencies, consortiums, and other organized groups or associations.
• Nominees must reside in, be based in or provide service that positively impacts the greater Pasadena area.
• Nominee (or representative) must be available to receive the award on May 2.
• Nomination forms must be received by February 22, 2008.

Recipients of the inaugural awards presented in 2007 included Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Senator Jack Scott, Health Department Director Wilma J. Allen and the Pasadena Healthcare Consortium.  

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Hayes, Director of Development & External Affairs, (626) 398-6300 ext. 20, or bhayes@chapcare.org.