For Immediate Release s90

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laney Kapgan August 15, 2014 Work: 310.664.7932 Cell: 310.963.3316 [email protected]

***Media Advisory***

Venice Family Clinic Breaks Ground on Children’s Health & Wellness Center in Mar Vista on August 18, 2014

Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates construction of first pediatric medical home for the largest community health center on the Westside of Los Angeles; event caps off National Health Center Week.

WHAT: Venice Family Clinic, an affiliate of UCLA Health System, hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for the Children’s Health & Wellness Center, the first pediatric medical home on the Westside of Los Angeles. The new clinic, just down the street from the Mar Vista Gardens public housing development, will serve 4,000 children with medical, dental, vision, and mental health care. Special features include fitness classes, teaching kitchen, skylights and herb garden.

WHEN: Monday, August 18, 2014 11:30am Groundbreaking Ceremony & Remarks 12:00pm Reception & Site Tours

WHERE: Braddock Shopping Center 4700 Inglewood Boulevard, Suite 102 Los Angeles, CA 90230

WHO:  Speakers -William Flumenbaum, Chair, Venice Family Clinic Board of Directors -Mike Bonin, Los Angeles City Councilmember, 11th District 11 -Elizabeth Benson Forer, CEO & Executive Director, Venice Family Clinic -Patty Vargas, Venice Family Clinic Patient (with her children Bonnie & Gabriel, and husband Miguel) -Dr. Despina Kayichian, Chief Medical Director, Venice Family Clinic

INFORMATION:  Visuals will include photo ops of children and community leaders with hard hats and shovels, and renderings of future clinic.  Families will be available for interviews in both English and Spanish. Venice Family Clinic’s mission is to provide quality primary health care to people in need. Established in 1970 by founder Phillip Rossman, MD, and co-founder Mayer B. Davidson, MD, the Clinic has grown from a small storefront operation into the largest community health center on the Westside of Los Angeles. With the help of more than 2,000 volunteers, including 500 physicians, Venice Family Clinic is the medical home for an average of 24,000 low-income and homeless patients each year through nine service sites in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood and Culver City. www.venicefamilyclinic.org Find us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/venicefamilyclinic