Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) visited AltaMed’s health care clinic in Bell to participate in the clinic’s Reach Out and Read program and to commemorate National Health Center Week with a tour of the medical facility. 

Reach Out and Read is a nationwide nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Prior to touring the medical facility, the congresswoman read a storybook about animals to local children as they waited with their parents to get medical check-ups.  The congresswoman encouraged the youngsters and their parents to continue to read together to strengthen the children’s language skills and broaden their vocabularies.

After the reading session, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard toured the clinic which serves more than 8,500 patients per year. Medical services offered at the clinic include primary care, women’s health, prenatal and postpartum care, pediatrics, HIV/AIDS medical treatment and prevention, geriatrics, dental care, and substance abuse and mental health services.

A Federally-Qualified Health Center, AltaMed has provided critical health care services for more than 40 years to the medically underserved communities of East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and other parts of Metropolitan Los Angeles and Orange County.

Pictured in the 1st and 2nd photos: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard read to children in AltaMed Bell Clinic’s Reach Out and Read Program during National Health Center Week 2010.

Pictured in the 3rd photo: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard gathered with members of AltaMed’s Bell Clinic Medical Team on a tour of the clinic during National Health Center Week 2010. Pictured left to right: Yesenia Jimenez, Medical Assistant; Candice Barragan, Medical Assistant; Diane Munoz, Medical Assistant; Soraya Ross, Physician Assistant; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Sandra Knight, Clinic Administrator; Dr. Evelyn Henar, Pediatrician; and Omar Lopez, Medical Assistant.

Pictured in the 4th photo: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) gathered with members of AltaMed’s leadership and government relations team, as well as the National Association of Community Health Centers during a tour of AltaMed’s Bell Clinic during National Health Center Week 2010. Pictured outside the clinic from left to right: Joel Torrez, Jr., Policy Analyst; Thomas Siegmeth, Director of Wellness & Cultural Competency Programs; Marie Torres, Senior Vice President, Government Relations; Alicia Ayala, Board Member; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Jacqueline Ritacco, Vice President, Government Relations; Amanda Pears, Assistant National Advocacy Director, National Association of Community Health Centers; Sandra Knight, Clinic Administrator; Maggie Ramirez, Executive Assistant to Dr. Marie Torres; and Kristie Hernandez, Policy Analyst.