The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a nonprofit that works to improve student health through access, advocacy, and health and wellness programs, is hosting its annual fundraiser called Salute to Student Health. During tonight’s event, the L.A. Trust will honor John Baackes, the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, with the Visionary Award, which recognizes an individual whose leadership and innovation have helped advance the well-being of students and communities in Los Angeles County.
The L.A. Trust Executive Director Maryjane Puffer says Baackes has brokered solutions to create and sustain access to high-quality, affordable health care for the residents of Los Angeles County. She says the L.A. Trust welcomes the opportunity to celebrate Baackes’ dedication to serving low-income communities and his leadership in striving toward a more equitable society.
Tonight, the L.A. Trust is also presenting the Champion Award to Jayanth Kumar, DDS, MPH, the state Dental Director for the California Department of Public Health. Dr. Kumar is being recognized for collaborating with partners to develop the state’s Oral Health Plan, addressing prevention and access to dental care with innovative solutions such as school-based interventions.