MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center

To our physicians, clinical teams and staffWe’ve witnessed your courage. We’ve witnessed your unwavering strength. For nearly a year, you have put the needs of the community above your own. Thank you for showing up day in and day out to make a difference in the lives of others that need you now more than ever. Thanks to you and your families for your bravery and your sacrifice. Thank you for choosing to be our heroes. You can join our efforts in showing appreciation for our ...staff by submitting an uplifting message through our website: https://www.memorialcare.org/thank-the-f/message-submission #COVID19LongBeach #healthcareheroes #healthheroes #lbmedicalcenter

Our very own Dr. Mariusz Wirga is raising funds for patients at our MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute who need help paying for groceries or other essential bills. Dr. Wirga is the medical director of our Psychosocial Oncology Program and is instrumental in providing our patients with supportive care that addresses their mind, body and spirit throughout their cancer journey. We hope you will join his efforts! #ToddCancerInstitute #Cancer #Oncology #CancerWarrior #CancerFighter #LBMedicalCenter

We are proud to partner with Long Beach Branch NAACP to host a special community forum focused on building a better understanding of the science related to the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. This virtual forum will bring together community leaders and health experts to discuss the latest research and information on COVID-19 and address racial health equity and concerns about the vaccine. Register for this virtual event at memorialcare.org/COVIDConver...sation. #COVID19 #COVIDVaccine #NAACP #COVIDVaccineEquity #BlackHistoryMonth #Equality

Today, we were able to distribute vaccines to adults 65 and older, health care workers, long term care facility residents, first responders, educators, childcare workers and food & agriculture workers. This was all made possible with our partnership with the Long Beach Branch NAACP. The Long Beach Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People makes an impact for people of color in our community through advocacy, education, youth programs, financial ...empowerment, and more. We are proud to work side-by-side with this organization toward the shared goal of equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. As we continue to work together, stay tuned for further updates from our partnership. #LBMedicalCenter #LBStrong #NAACPLBBRANCH #NAACP #LongBeach #vaccineequity

SilverCloud is a suite of programs that is designed to help you think and feel better. Through a variety of programs, it offers virtual therapy that focuses on improving lives and empowering people through life’s obstacles. Prioritizing your mental health is as important as a healthy diet and regular exercise. If you are in need of mental health support, take advantage of a free trial offered by @memorialcare. We invite you to learn more at memorialcare.org/SilverCloud.

Hunger is a problem facing our patients and families, with COVID making things even tougher this holiday season. Our staff members believe that no one should ever go hungry, ever. That’s why they rallied together to make a big difference with a holiday food drive for our community. Our staff members provided high quality, non-perishable staples that our patients and families need, despite having so much already going on in the midst of the pandemic. All items collected supported our on-site food pantry in the Family Medicine Clinic. Please help share our thanks to our staff members for their kindness and giving spirit. #LBMedicalCenter #memorialcare #HealthCareHeroes #ThankYou

Several nurses and physicians from our Emergency Department, COVID-19 Unit and Intensive Care Unit were among the first in #LongBeach to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this morning. Our staff was joined by Mayor Robert Garcia to celebrate this significant milestone in our efforts to get on the other side of the pandemic. #LBMedicalCenter #COVID19 #COVIDVaccine #COVID19LongBeach #Vaccinations

In the middle of the pandemic, Rodel Rutger began experiencing chest pain. His wife Tabitha, a registered nurse, insisted he see his doctor. At an academic medical institution near their home, they found a large tumor in the thymus, which is a small organ that lies in the upper chest. Rodel’s case was complicated by an existing illness called toxoplasmosis a fungal infection affecting his eye. Doctors recommended chemotherapy, but Tabitha was concerned. Chemotherapy would c...ompromise his immune system, and limit his ability to fight the infection that was already impairing his vision. She sought a second opinion, but the result was the same a chemotherapy-first approach. She knew there had to be a better answer, so she turned to our MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. Surgeon, Dr. Amir Abolhoda, and oncologist, Dr. Nilesh Vora, collaborated with their colleagues to come up with a surgery-first plan. Dr. Abolhoda was able to remove the tumor completely without removing any vital structures. Tabitha could breathe a sigh of relief when Rodel returned home just three days later. He would still have to overcome the hurdle of treating his infection, but with his immune system left uncompromised, his chance for a full recovery was likely. Read more about how unparalleled physician collaboration gave Rodel the best outcome. --> https://www.memorialcare.org//unparalleled-physician-colla #cancer #oncology #ToddCancerInstitute #cancerfighter #LBMedicalCenter

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines removal of the cancer with plastic surgery techniques the best combination of science and art. Learn more about oncoplastic breast surgery from our breast surgery medical director, Dr. Jessica Rayhanabad. #BreastCancer #BreastCancerAwareness #NeverFearAlwaysForward #ToddCancerInstitute #LBMedicalCenter

On this momentous presidential election day, our patients were able to have their voices heard, despite not being able to make it to the polls. Our Patient Relations team distributed dozens of ballots directly to patient bedsides to ensure that each eligible voter had an opportunity to cast a ballot. This is my second time voting, but my hope and goal is that my vote makes a difference and that all people no matter what age, gender, race or sexual orientation join me in ...making our nation better, says Alexander Rhodes, 27, patient, Long Beach Medical Center. Despite my sickle cell disease diagnosis and the amount of aches and pain I experience because of it, I still want to have my voice heard, that’s why I vote. In total, 20 ballots were completed from our patients’ hospital beds. All ballots were collected and delivered to a local polling place to be counted. We are proud to uphold the right to vote for our patients who are hospitalized during the election and are honored to make the experience seamless for them. #Vote #ElectionDay #Voting #LBMedicalCenter #Vote2020

ExcelsiusGPS is one of the most exciting advances in spine surgery technology that is bringing hope and relief to people suffering from chronic back pain. Watch as Dr. Justin Millard, orthopedic spine surgeon, Spine Center, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center shares why ExcelsiusGPS is the future of spine surgery. #lbmedicalcenter #memorialcare #spinesurgery #chronicbackpain #ExcelsiusGPS

Our MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute team is beginning two groundbreaking research trials for patients with heart failure RELIEVE-HF and CardiAMP. Watch this clip from Long Beach Local News that features our adult cardiology medical director Dr. David Shavelle discussing these trials. #LBMedicalCenter #HeartInstitute #HeartFailure #CardiacResearch #FutureOfHealthCare

At only 28-years-old, Jonathan Swain suffered a sudden stroke in his living room with his 9-year-old daughter, Kaylah, by his side. Kaylah realized something was terribly wrong with her father and called 911. That’s when our Comprehensive Stroke Center and the Long Beach Fire Department sprang into action to ultimately save Jonathan’s life. Watch as Jonathan, Kaylah, the Long Beach Fire Department team and our stroke team reunite to celebrate Kaylah’s heroic efforts and Jonathan’s amazing recovery. #WorldStrokeDay #Stroke #ComprehensiveStrokeCenter #LBFB #StrokeSurvivor

Chronic back pain affects thousands of people and even limits their mobility forcing many to lose their quality of life. At times, even when people find that conservative treatment options (medications, physical therapy and lifestyle changes, etc.) aren’t able to provide them with relief and that they should consider surgical treatment options, people still put off having surgery and live life in pain. Dr. Sarbpaul Bhalla, orthopedic surgeon, Spine Center wants patients to... know that surgery is not only safe, but that in some cases the best option for treatment for people looking to take their life back. To learn more about spine surgery options, visit memorialcare.org/SpineSurgery. #lbmedicalcenter #memorialcare #spinesurgery #chronicbackpain #ExcelsiusGPS

In celebration of #spiritualcareweek, we are highlighting out Spiritual Care Department who has been implementing virtual resources to continue our commitment to provide the best care to all patients and families. They have provided spiritual care during the pandemic in creative ways by offering prayers and special blessings virtually through mobile devices. Thus far, our spiritual care leaders have helped families say goodbye to their loved ones with final blessings, connecting families across the country and encouraging patients and families to hold fast to their faith as a source of support during these difficult times. We thank them for continuing their important role in the care of our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. #lbmedicalcenter #spiritualcare #pastoralcareweek #memorialcare

Have you been living with chronic back pain? How do you know when it’s time to start considering spine surgery? Dr. Abraham Rayhaun, a neurosurgeon at our Spine Center helps explains when it might be time for you to start thinking of spine surgery. Learn more about our Spine Center and the experts that care for our patients at memorialcare.org/SpineSurgery. #LBMedicalCenter #FutureofHealthCare #memorialcare #spinesurgery #backpain

Congratulations to Zach Johnson, a registered nurse on our 5th Floor, and our quarterly DAISY Foundation honoree! Zach was nominated by the granddaughter of one of our patients who expressed her gratitude for the tender, sensitive and soothing care and support that he provided to her grandmother and family members as they said their final goodbyes. Zach made sure that the patient and her family members were as comfortable as possible during an extremely difficult time. Than...k you, Zach, for always being there for our patients and their families. Your outstanding care is recognized and appreciated. #DAISYHonoree #DAISY #RN #RegisteredNurse #LBMedicalCenter