~Joseph-Han Lee, DDS, Volunteer Dentist

Dr.Lee is a dentist. He began volunteering for LACHC more than two years ago.

When asked why she works for the Los Angeles Christian Health Centers… Yessica Sanchez responded:"I feel such great satisfaction coming home after a long work day, knowing I was a part of something big that helped out the less fortunate people in LA. People who really need our help. I also love that I am able to work with people who share the same feelings as I do and who become a part of my life, not simply as coworkers, but whose friendships are formed for life."

~Yessica Sanchez, Medical Assistant

Yessica Sanchez is a Medical Assistant on one of our Medical Outreach Teams. She began working at LACHC in November 2008.

Many people find out about what I do (Physician Assistant on our Medical Outreach Team) and where I work and they say things like, "Oh, bless you", "Thank goodness there are people like you", "That is wonderful – what you do for people."But the truth is that I feel selfish coming to work each day, because what I received from my patients is far more than what I feel I give them. At the end of each of my work days, I go home filled with a sense of purpose, a true feeling of making a difference in many lives. I am humbled by their stories, where they come from and what they have gone through in their lives. I feel honored to serve them and meet them at their level, wherever they are in life. I am so fortunate that we can carry on from that point together and that they give me the opportunity to learn their story as they have just in that moment became a part of mine.When I began working at LACHC, I came with a history of being a touch cynical as life had not gone the way I thought it should have. I was also prideful with some boasting thrown in from time to time…I am now humbled and grateful on a daily basis to be allowed to share in so many lives and become a part of so many stories. As they have become my story – I have found my purpose and feel truly blessed that our LACHC Leadership provides me the amount of time with my patients that is needed to develop this type of relationship: one that allows the threads of each of our lives to be woven together, side by side, which changes and strengthens each of our lives.

~Jan Iocco, PA-C

Jan is a Physician Assistant; her primary role at the clinic is being outside the clinic walls and into our various medical outreach sites as a medical provider who cares for patients' medical needs. She began working at LACHC in January 2008.

I called a patient and reminded her about her upcoming scheduled mammogram appointment; she told me she wasn't going to go to her appointment, because of the money she would have to spend on the consultation. She said she would rather use that money for food or for any emergency her family might have. I highly recommended her to go and keep her appointment since it was going to be free for her.
Once she realized that the mammogram was free, she promised to keep go and wouldn’t miss it. She also thanked God and the clinic for helping people with no income to get the health care everyone deserves. I was so touched about her belief that God put us in her path, because she’s wanted to take the test, but didn’t have the resources to do it.She told me that one of her neighbors had been detected with breast cancer, and that news made her realize that she needed a mammogram. Her neighbor advised her to get tested, because if somebody would have told her what she knows now, things would have been so different for her. Her neighbor regrets now that she didn’t look for help in taking better care of herself.The patient called me 2 weeks ago and told me the good news that her mammogram was normal. She has nothing to worry and promises to continue taking care of herself.These results is what makes my life rewarding; if you do your job with Jesus’ love and compassion towards others a lot of good things happen to you. Your spirit gets the food it needs to continue to grow. I love saying that our job is with purpose of serving God; we serve as an instrument in His Hands. Everything we do is in His Name.

~Story told by Maria Sanchez

Maria was recently promoted from the Medical Records Clerk position and is a Patient Navigator; her new primary role in the clinic is to help process referrals to internal and external services. She began working at LACHC in October 2007.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my light, my guide and my leader. I shall not want. Christ maketh me to enjoy God’s infinite abundance and excellent radiant health of mind and body. Christ leadeth me in paths of peace, love and abundance. Christ restoreth my soul with his Holy Spirit and healeth my body of all diseases. Christ leadeth me in the paths of making the right choices, according to God’s will. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death from cancer, diabetes, hypertension, diseases, toxins, poverty, racism, war, human hatred, accidents, natural disasters, etc…I will fear no evil. I will be strong and of good courage. I will not be afraid, neither will I be dismayed: for the Lord my God is with me withersoever I go and no matter what the situation is. God has 100% control of every circumstance in my life and He calls the final shots. Iwill be detached and accept the fact that life on earth is very transitory and can end any moment in time. I will not worry. I will be happy. Happiness in life is spiritual. Happiness is a state of mind. Harmony in life is as real and as immortal as in music. Christ is always with me and will always comfort me with his grace and love. Christ annointeth my head with his Holy Spirit and fills me with joy and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will abide with Christ and the Almighty God forever and ever in Everlasting Life.

                                                                                            Amen.

~Prayer written by one of our patients and shared with Kelly Lash, NP

Kelly is a Nurse Practitioner; her primary role in the clinic is a medical provider who cares for patients' medical needs. She began working at LACHC in November 2009.

I got good treatment here at the clinic. I’ve been a year without teeth, but today I got a full set of upper and lower dentures. A friend told me about this place now I’m going to tell others…they should not hesitate to come here, because they’ll be happy with the results. 

~Willie Myles

Willie said the first thing he is going to do is go eat a hamburger with his new teeth.

They (the dental staff) did a marvelous job. My new teeth look might good and I think will look and feel good once I get used to them. I would like to commend the staff for such a courteous and wonderful job. They were all wonderful. Thank you. 

~John Price

John had been without his upper and lower teeth for over 20 years. He is excited about learning how to talk, eat and smile again with his new teeth.

My experience here (Los Angeles Christian Health Centers) has made all my fears go away. Luz and Dr. Do are fabulous. Heaven sent. Thank you for changing my life for the better. My smile is wonderful. God Bless and Thank You again.

~Kelly Conroy

Today, I received partials on the top and bottom. I have been without these teeth since 2000. I heard about the clinic through one of your Outreach staff. I'm really glad the clinic is here. I really needed this. Everyone is so kind; I will definitely recommend (this clinic) to others.

~ByronYoung

Byron is really excited about eating. He’s not sure what he is going to eat first, but said, “It’s on; I’m really going to eat.”

There was a lady, Diane* (name has been changed) who lived in a box in front of the clinic with her dog. When I first started working at the clinic, I talked to and prayed with her every morning.After awhile I didn’t see her anymore for a long time. Then about a year ago, Diane came into the clinic to see one of our medical providers. She saw me and said, “Hi! Remember me?” I didn’t recognize her; she was all cleaned up. She said, “It’s me, Diane”. I looked at her face for a few minutes, then I remembered her. I said, “You used to live in front of the clinic with your little dog.” She said, “Yeah, it’s me.” She told me she went to rehab. She thanked me for praying for her. She said, “People always walked by, but you always stopped and prayed for me… and I will never forget how you care for me.”

~Story told by Lisa Padilla

Lisa is our Dispensary Clerk; her primary role in the clinic is to prepare prescriptions for the nurses to give to patients and to keep the dispensary organized. She began working at LACHC in January 2005.

At his initial LACHC medical visit, Rigoberto received medical care for his many health problems, including a history of stroke, diabetes, and partial foot amputation. In addition, Rigoberto was referred to a social worker for assistance with housing. When Rigoberto first met Gina Jones, MSW (a LACHC Social Worker), he was homeless, without identification, income or contact with his family and using a manual wheelchair. Before Rigoberto could apply for housing, he first needed identification. During the process of obtaining his identification, he was reunited with his brother in San Diego. Five months later, after much assistance from Ms. Jones navigating the housing process, Rigoberto moved into his own room (permanent housing) in subsidized housing. Ms. Jones also assisted with acquiring an electric wheelchair and submitting an application for disability benefits. When his application for disability benefits was denied, Ms. Jones linked him with a lawyer through Bet Tzedeck Legal Services. In Feb 2009, Rigoberto had his court hearing re: disability benefits and is awaiting a decision from the court. Rigoberto continues to receive medical, mental health, and social work services from LACHC.

~Story told by Gina Jones,MSW

Gina is our Social Worker; her primary role in the clinic is to provide case management and behavioral health services. She began working at LACHC in July 2006.