Cedars-Sinai donates $3.3 million to improve community health projects

Cedars -Sinai will provide $3.3 million in grants to organizations working on community health, education and safety projects across Los Angeles. 

“These grants focus on infrastructure to help strengthen and sustain organizations that share Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to building a stronger, healthier community,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai, in a statement. “It can be difficult to get support for practical things like renovating clinic facilities and updating technology, but as a health care provider, we understand how important this is to improving health in Los Angeles neighborhoods."

Editor's Note: Cedars-Sinai provides funding to KPCC

The largest grant recipient is Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which will get $1.5 million. One million dollars will go fund an endowment that will provide scholarships for students. School officials said the donation would help "scores of students for many years."

 “There is no greater underserved and under-resourced community in California than the community right around Charles R. Drew University," said Dr. David Carlisle, the university's president and CEO. "So in order to serve the needs of this community, we know that it is really beneficial to have students who become health professionals come from that community.” 

Carlisle said that students that come from medically-underserved communities are more likely to stay and work in the area after graduating. 

Cedars-Sinai is giving grants to several community organizations in South Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Venice. It’s also giving money to first responders. Among other things, the Los Angeles City Fire Department will receive more than 70 specialized evacuation chairs designed to help people roll down a building’s stairwell in an emergency. The County Sheriff’s department in West Hollywood will get new computer monitors. 

Other grant recipients: 

• Saban Community Clinic for implementation of an electronic health record system, including new computers and technology.
• Venice Family Clinic for infrastructure improvements to increase capacity and comfort, including upgrading the phone system, technology and security as well as overhauling an elevator and air conditioning system.
• Planned Parenthood Los Angeles for renovations, technology and medical equipment at clinics in areas including South Los Angeles, Hollywood and Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw.
• The Maple Counseling Center for capital improvements to provide a more comfortable and safer environment for offering low-cost, comprehensive mental health services.
• Los Angeles Police Department for equipment to increase the impact of the Sober Graduation program, which educates teens on the dangers of drinking and driving. This grant will fund a Plexiglass trailer to transport a DUI crash vehicle to presentations as well as iPads, laptop computers and video projection equipment. Funds also will be used to provide free child passenger safety seats and bicycle helmets and lights for community members who can't afford to buy them.
• Beverly Hills Fire Department for medical equipment for the Community Emergency Response Team and CPR training materials.
• Beverly Hills Police Department for chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear detection equipment to help safeguard the community from terrorist attacks, and for the Explorer Post Program, which mentors high school students who are interested in law enforcement careers.
• Los Angeles County Fire Department-West Hollywood for two off-road firefighting/emergency medical/rescue vehicles that improve responders' access to hillside areas.