Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital

Thank you Los Angeles Urban League! We're honored.

53 years after the death of Martin Luther King, we celebrate MLK Day despite knowing that there is still much work to do. This pandemic "has laid bare the great health inequities that remain in this country." Doctors David Carlisle, Adrian James, and Elaine Batchlor reflected on this together recently, and called for Black Californians to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Read more: http://ow.ly/yGvH50DanCH

When Elaine Stevens came to MLKCH, she was deathly ill with COVID-19. The doctors and nurses at our hospital were, in her words, the only family I had. With our help, Elaine fought back. In a recent visit to our outpatient clinic, she was able to reconnect with the team that helped her through and show off her progress. You can support our work by texting DREAM to 424-414-1304 or by visiting mlk-chf.org.

GENDER, RACE & LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19: MLKCH CEO, Dr. Batchlor recently sat down with Bank of the West CEO, Nandita Bakhshi to talk about how gender and race has shaped their careers, how the pandemic has affected their lives, and more. Read it here: http://ow.ly/Ch8H50COIrw

The Dream Show: A Salute To South LA has begun! Tune in to KTLA5 NOW to learn more about our thriving community.

STAY WELL: You need to take care of your health and see your doctor - even in a pandemic! Pay attention to your body and check in with your doctor if you think something is wrong. In this Men’s Health article, Dr. Frencher, MLKCH’s Medical Director of Surgical Outcomes and Quality talks about the signs of an enlarged prostate in men. http://ow.ly/8uDJ50CIadD Don’t have a doctor? MLK Community Medical Group is accepting new patients: https://www.mlkcmg.org/home

Don't miss The Dream Show, airing TONIGHT at 7pm on KTLA. Click the link below to see a sneak preview and hear MLK Community Health Foundation President Dyan Sublett explain how the idea for the show came about, who will be featured, and how you can support our work. Take a look: http://ow.ly/JfNw50D9WLC

HOPE: Despite the awfulness of the current situation for all hospitals - and especially for MLKCH, one of the most overstretched hospitals in Southern California right now - there was a joyful feeling in our cafeteria today as hundreds of our front-line staff lined up to get the first Covid vaccines. I’m excited not just to get the shot but at the prospect that this terrible pandemic is going to end, said Tammy Turner, manager of MLKCH’s perinatal services, pictured here wi...th MLKCH CEO Dr. Elaine Batchlor. Although the vaccine will likely not be available to the general public until spring, I really encourage people in our community to get the vaccine when it becomes available, Turner said. #community #healthcare #covid #hospitals #YourMLKCH

INFORMACIÓN SOBRE COVID-19 EN ESPAÑOL: En asociación con la organización comunitaria, Ventanilla de Salud Los Angeles y muchos socios de Los Ángeles, MLKCH está presentando una sesión educativa en Zoom sobre COVID-19 en español. Únase con Dr. Jorge Reyno y la Dra. Veronica Ramirez el miércoles 28 de octubre de 4 a 5 pm para aprender cómo puede protegerse y proteger a su comunidad del COVID-19. Para registrarse, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] o llame 213-351-6826.

STAY SAFE WHILE VOTING: If you plan on voting in person tomorrow, please be safe: Wear a mask! Bring your own water and snacks if you anticipate long lines. Bring your own hand sanitizer.... Come with your completed sample ballot to limit time in the voter booth. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after voting. Practice social distancing. And remember, your vote is an act of social justice! https://lasentinel.net/your-vote-is-an-act-of-social-justic

Are you looking for a little light in the darkness? Watch the Dream Show: A Salute To South LA TOMORROW at 7pm on KTLA. Learn more about our thriving community and the people that are inspired by it. For streaming options, visit https://www.mlk-chf.org/events/dream-show-2021.

HAPPY HANUKKAH: May peace and joy be yours this season. In honor of this holiday, please enjoy the Urban Voices Project rendition of 8 Days of Hanukkah. Urban Voices is made up of singers and performers from Skid Row. Learn more about UVP here: http://ow.ly/er6350CMvkU

NEW NEIGHBOR: Congratulations to Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for his inspirational leadership building our medical campus, including a transformational new behavioral health center that opened this week adjacent to our hospital. The Mark Ridley-Thomas Behavioral Health Center will occupy the revamped space of the old King-Drew Hospital and provide critically-needed mental health and substance abuse services to some of Los Angele’s most vulnerable residents. MLKCH CEO Dr. Elaine Batchlor (in sun hat) was front-and-center at the ribbon cutting and toured the new, $355 million state-of-the-art facility with the Supervisor.

JUST PEACHY: We all know that fruit is delicious, but it’s also an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Fruit can also reduce your risk of breast cancer. One study showed a 41% reduced risk in women who consumed 2 servings of peaches/nectarines weekly.

ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES: Coronavirus vaccines are coming, and Dr. Batchlor has a lot to say about them. Read more about how they were developed, what role people of color had in the trial, and who will get them first in her latest article in the Sentinel: http://ow.ly/WT0j50CLh4q

¿Quieres mantener tu salud, independencia y tomar decisiones que beneficien tu salud? Únete al Facebook Live con @erikareyna y la Dra. Yulsi Montero doctora de salud primaria de MLK Community Medical Group. #SaludMLK

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN: Regular trick-or-treating might not work this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! Check out these great tips for a healthy Halloween from the CDC: http://ow.ly/cOlD50C5m0F

FOOD DRIVE: The 37th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Grocery Giveaway/Food Drive is taking place on November 24th this year! MLKCH is collecting the fixings to go with the thousands of turkeys that will be passed out. This annual giveaway has become a Thanksgiving tradition in South LA. Please join us in being a part of it. Stop by the lobby, look for a large gift-wrapped box, and add your non-perishible canned, boxed, and jarred items like yams, stuffing, and green beans. The c...ollection will be given out at the annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Grocery Giveaway/Food Drive at The LA Reinvestment Foundation (5924 West Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043), held on November 24th. We're collecting through November 19th.

MIGHTY OMEGAS: Studies show that consuming Omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. An added bonus: Omegas provide the body with numerous health benefits including cardiovascular and brain health. Increase your Omega intake by eating flaxseeds, walnuts, and fish.

FREE FLU SHOTS: Avoid the twin-demic of COVID-19 and the flu! Our mobile health van will be at various locations throughout South LA each week offering free flu shots. Next up: Get your flu shot this Friday, 1pm-4pm at the Boys and Girls Club of Watts (1339 E 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059). Learn more: https://www.mlkch.org/FreeFluShots

In May, Russell Westbrook donated food to our frontlines. He continues to amplify his voice for the things that matter most in the community.

REDUCE YOUR RISK: One way to lower your risk of breast cancer is to reduce your saturated fat intake...something found most often in animal products like chicken, pork, and beef. Aim to consume less than 8% of your daily calories from saturated fats. Focus instead on good fats found in things like avocados, nuts, and seeds.

WASH YOUR HANDS: It’s Global Handwashing Day! This day is dedicated to spreading the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Make sure to wash your hands: After using the bathroom... Before preparing food, eating, or feeding a child After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After contact with an animal, animal feed, or animal waste; After handling pet food or pet treats; After touching garbage. Find answers to your handwashing questions here: https://globalhandwashing.org/about-handwashing/faqs/#is

IT'S HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: Celebrate the healthy way with this Chayote Squash and Tomato dish. Not only is chayote a Central American ingredient - it's a good source of Vitamin C and fiber!