Hyundai, PCF Partner for COVID-19 Testing Center in Boyle Heights
In July of 2020, The Patient Care Foundation and the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) were a part of an alliance in to bring COVID-19 testing to the residents of Boyle Heights. The partnership included Hyundai Motor Company’s Hope on Wheels initiative, the Consulate General of Israel, Supervisor Hilda Solis and Total Testing Solutions. Through this collaborative, hundreds of residents with potential COVID-19 symptoms were able to get tested at no charge over a two week period.
"The Patient Care Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Los Angeles County Medical Association is dedicated to improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable communities. We are proud to partner with Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, TELACU, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, and Total Testing Solutions to provide needed COVID-19 testing to the community of Boyle Heights," said Troy Elander, MD, Chair, Patient Care Foundation.
Boyle Heights, a predominantly Latino community east of the LA River, is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) by the federal government. Two-thirds of the approximately 100,000 population lives 200% below the federal poverty level. The community is considered a coronavirus hotspot and is in critical need of expanded testing, education and contract tracing to support public health efforts to control the spread of the disease.
Through its non-profit, Hope on Wheels, Hyundai has donated $4.3 million to open 23 testing sites across the country.
"We know that hardworking families in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights are more likely to live in multigenerational housing conditions and are more likely to work in essential service jobs that increase their exposure to the coronavirus, which is why I am committed to expanding access to COVID-19 testing, healthcare, and other services for all people," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. "This testing site is the result of a private-public partnership that aims to remove barriers to healthcare for our Eastside communities. I thank Hyundai Motor America and its U.S. dealers for their generous $100,000 donation that will help bring services to residents who get tested at our COVID-19 testing site in Boyle Heights. I am grateful for their commitment to expanding access to services and making sure all residents are safe and healthy."
Thanks to LACMA board and Executive Committee members Dr. Hector Flores and Dr. Troy Elander.
We appreciate all the 70+ volunteers and our team, Lisa Le, Gustavo Friederichsen, Vitelio Aguilar and Sheila Hoyer contributing their time for all 5 of our PPE events! $12,000,000 worth of #PPE supplies were distributed to over 300 practices this week! Thanks to the California Medical Association, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Office of Emergency Services.
Learn more about the Los Angeles County Medical Association here: https://www.ladocs.org