Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center Celebrates FQHC Designation, 85 Years of Service to Los Angeles
The Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center (EPFMC) -- a private, nonprofit health center dedicated to providing high-quality medical and dental services, childrenÂ’s day care, and early intervention programs that are affordable to all families, regardless of income level -- is celebrating its 85th year of serving the needs of low-income families in Los Angeles, as well as its recent recognition as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 18, 2005
The Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center (EPFMC) -- a private, nonprofit health center dedicated to providing high-quality medical and dental services, childrenÂ’s day care, and early intervention programs that are affordable to all families, regardless of income level -- is celebrating its 85th year of serving the needs of low-income families in Los Angeles, as well as its recent recognition as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
“Over the last 85 years, the Center has served a population that currently has the highest rate of uninsured and among the highest rates of disease in the entire state,” said Carl Coan, EPFMC President and CEO. “In addition to the services we have offered historically, we have recently taken major steps -- including construction of a new 32,000-square-foot Children & Family Services Pavilion and the remodeling of our existing 21,000-square-foot facility -- allowing us to better meet the tremendous needs of the uninsured in our community.
“Also, we recently became a Federally Qualified Health Center,” Coan added. “This is a highly competitive process, and our success further underscores the quality and importance of the Center’s services. The benefits of a FQHC designation will help us to further strengthen our programs for medically indigent children and adults.”
One of Los AngelesÂ’ oldest healthcare institutions, the Center was founded in 1920, thanks to Anita M. Baldwin, who saw the lack of high-quality, low-cost health care in the Los Angeles community and gave a $50,000 gift to establish what was then known as the Anita M. Baldwin Hospital for Babies. Today, the Center provides nearly 80,000 patient visits annually for children and their families who would not otherwise have had access to medical and dental services.
The CenterÂ’s clients are drawn predominantly from the surrounding neighborhoods of central and South Los Angeles. These neighborhoods face many of the challenges inherent in low-income urban settings, including overcrowded living conditions, substandard housing, high rates of unemployment and underemployment, and low levels of adult literacy and formal education. Fully 96 percent of the CenterÂ’s patients live below the poverty level.
“The scope of our services is unmatched at other local clinics -- and third-party research has shown us to be among the most cost-effective of providers in our region,” said Kevin Kroeker, chairman of the board of directors at the EPFMC and a partner at K&R Law Group LLP. “Over a five-year period, patient visits to the center have more than doubled, and recent figures show that the rate of growth is accelerating. We are proud of what we have achieved.
“At the same time, we face a growing challenge to serve this population and rely heavily on the generosity of our community. Without continuing private and public support and creative partnerships with others, there is no EPFMC,” Kroeker added.
With EPFMCÂ’s $10.5 million operating budget, services cover the healthcare spectrum. The Center offers medical care for infants, children, adolescents and adults -- including physical examinations, diagnosis and management of acute chronic diseases, hearing and vision screening, developmental screening and intervention, pre - and post-natal care, comprehensive dental care and nutrition counseling.
About EPFMC
The Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center is a private, nonprofit health center dedicated to providing high-quality medical and dental, childrenÂ’s day care, and early intervention programs that are affordable to all families, regardless of income level. The CenterÂ’s mission is to provide quality, comprehensive professional health and social services to low-income individuals. For more information, visit www. eisnerpedcenter. org.
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