Los Angeles County said LA General Medical Center recognized Latino physicians Wednesday during its Hispanic Heritage Health Fair & Physician Celebration; the county provided this account of the event and its goals.
The county said more than 70% of LA General’s patients identify as Latino. The county also cited the Association of American Medical Colleges’ data showing that 6.7% of active U.S. physicians identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2024. Those two facts framed the hospital’s case for greater physician representation where many patients speak Spanish and face cultural or other access barriers.
Jorge Orozco, chief executive officer of LA General Medical Center, said, “There is something powerful about seeing a physician who looks like you, speaks your language or understands your culture and your family. It can help build trust, strengthen communication and make patients feel seen, heard and cared for with dignity and compassion.”
Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor said, “LA General has long been a place where opportunity, service and excellence come together. Many of the physicians we honor today have dedicated their careers to caring for communities that too often face barriers to health care, while also inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in medicine.”
The county said the event also aimed to expand the pipeline of health professionals from underrepresented communities. As a public teaching hospital affiliated with USC, LA General trains future physicians and other clinicians while serving a diverse patient population; county materials emphasized that visibility and mentorship can encourage students to pursue medical careers.
The health fair connected patients and families with services and screenings. The county said activities included blood pressure and BMI screenings, hands-only CPR training, a food drive hosted by CARES, and cultural performances such as Folklórico and Mariachi Divas.
About LA General Medical Center: the county described it as a 606-bed, Level One Trauma Center operated by Health Services Los Angeles County; the hospital is Magnet®-designated and affiliated with the University of Southern California and the College of Nursing.
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Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
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