As part of my role as Supervisor, I attend a lot of events in an effort to get out and see the 2 million people of Los Angeles County’s Fourth District. One of my favorite events is the annual Amistad Gala benefiting Rancho Los Amigos hospital in Downey.
Last weekend, I again had the pleasure of serving as the evening’s emcee. I am so pleased that this year’s “Mardi Gras for Miracles” raised $260,000, the most ever.
And no place is more deserving! Miracles occur every day at Rancho and the patients are some of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Perspective comes quickly into focus when one sees the incredible art that a patient is able to painstakingly produce with a brush in her mouth…or the incredible effort of an athlete who has spent countless hours of training and conditioning while in a wheelchair.
While Rancho may not be a hospital you have heard of, it is one of the most highly-regarded medical centers in Southern California. Rancho was recently ranked 8th out of 140 hospitals in L.A. & Orange County by U.S. News & World Report. It was also named one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for the 22nd consecutive year.
The awards keep coming in. We learned recently that Rancho has been nominated twice in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Healthcare Leadership Awards. Rancho has been recognized for “Top Hospital or Medical Center” and “Safety Net Provider.” That is an amazing combination – being nominated for top hospital, while also being recognized for helping those who may not have the resources to pay to go to the best hospital.
Rancho helps thousands of inpatients recover from their catastrophic illnesses and injuries each year. They also conduct more than 80,000 outpatient visits for long-term patients, more than any other rehab facility in the western U.S. While their successes, research and standards of care earn them accolades, what impresses me most is the unique spirit of the patients, doctors and staff, all passionately focused around hope and giving people the highest quality-of-life. I am honored and humbled anytime I get to be a part of it.