The University of La Verne has received a groundbreaking commitment of $15 million from AltaMed Health Services Corporation, a leading federally qualified community health center. This transformative naming gift will be crucial in constructing a state-of-the-art facility for the university’s College of Health and Community Well-Being.
Addressing Critical Shortages
President Devorah Lieberman enthusiastically announced AltaMed’s generous contribution, emphasizing its significance in addressing the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in the Inland Southern California region.
This substantial investment aligns with the college’s mission to produce a steady stream of well-trained graduates who meet the burgeoning healthcare demands. The college’s ten-degree programs and services will help train thousands of professionals, from nurses and physician assistants to data analysts, social workers, and health administrators.
Enhancing Education and Innovation
Furthermore, this partnership between AltaMed and the University of La Verne will help bolster healthcare education and enhance the university’s education and innovation corridor. This initiative is particularly significant as it operates in a historically underserved and under-resourced region, making it a gateway for education, workforce development, and critical support.
Historic Capital Gift
AltaMed’s remarkable pledge is a huge capital gift in the university’s bright 132-year history. Launched last year, this generous contribution is part of several committed funds that aim towards the transformative College of Health and Community Well-Being.
The college will be renamed the “Cástulo de la Rocha College of Health and Community Well-Being” after this funding. Notably, Cástulo de la Rocha, the President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services Corporation, becomes the first Latino leader in the nation to have a health college named in their honor.
What is Cástulo de la Rocha ‘s Impact?
Cástulo de la Rocha’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding AltaMed’s growth from a single storefront barrio clinic in East Los Angeles to one of the nation’s largest federally qualified independent community health centers.
Today, AltaMed serves over 500,000 people annually, providing numerous healthcare services, including pediatrics, primary care, behavioral health, and HIV/AIDS care. De la Rocha’s visionary leadership has positioned AltaMed as a trailblazer in community health.
A Solution to Healthcare Workforce Challenges
De la Rocha emphasized that this investment will contribute significantly to training future generations of culturally competent healthcare leaders who can address the root causes of health disparities and improve health outcomes.
It comes at a crucial time when the healthcare industry faces staffing challenges, with shortages of physician assistants, nurses, and other specialized healthcare professionals. Moreover, it also provides a solution to fight against the strain of high employee turnover rates and the depleting finances and resources of the healthcare sector.
Construction and Timeline
The construction of the Cástulo de la Rocha College of Health and Community Well-Being is slated to commence in early 2024, with completion expected by August 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will undoubtedly be a hub for excellence in healthcare education and research, serving as a beacon of hope for addressing healthcare workforce shortages.
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