The Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) is hosting its 2021 Health Care Leadership Panel & Awards today, and Richard Seidman, MD, MPH, the L.A. Care Chief Medical Officer, is among the panelists. The LABJ says now, more than ever, it is important to recognize not only first responders, but also the leaders and teams running healthcare organizations and making key decisions to address the COVID-19 pandemic and improve health outcomes among Los Angeles residents.
L.A. Care’s membership accounts for nearly 25 percent of the Los Angeles County population, giving the health plan special insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted residents across the county, and challenges that health care professionals will continue to face. Seidman will address the issue of vaccine hesitancy and efforts the health plan has made to reach members in the hardest hit communities. He will also discuss the best way to speak to those who are still reluctant to get a potentially life-saving vaccine.
Seidman will also talk about health equity. He says the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities among communities of color, which illustrates that investment in these communities is critical and should include redirecting resources to address social determinants of health. When it comes to lessons learned during the pandemic, Seidman will talk about the increase in telehealth and his hopes that it will continue to be used, especially for those who remain hesitant about going to a doctor’s office.
Other panelists at the event include:
- John Bishop, CEO of MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long beach
- Kevin Mandemann, CEO of Providence Southern California
- Precious Mayes, CEO of Pacifica Hospital of the Valley
- Tom Mone, CEO of OneLegacy
- Veronica Vazquez-Montez, MD, Emergency Department Medical Director, PIH Health
Ultimately, Seidman will stress the most important message there is as we are struggle to climb out of this health crisis – and that is that everyone who is eligible should get vaccinated. Many have been bombarded with misinformation, but trusted sources, like primary care physicians, can cut through the myths and present the facts – the vaccines are safe and they save lives.