AltaMed Honors John Baackes during its 55th Anniversary Celebration
AltaMed, a nonprofit health care provider that offers medical and dental services to underserved communities in Los Angeles County, is celebrating its 55th anniversary with the Noche de Salud y Arte Gala (Night of Health and Art) this evening. The organization is taking the opportunity to recognize John Baackes, the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, who announced in April that he is retiring at the end of the year. Baackes will be recognized during a special reception ahead of the program at the Beverly Wilshire.
As the leader of L.A. Care, Baackes has advocated for the type of culturally competent care that AltaMed has provided to Angelenos since 1969. Tonight, AltaMed will recognize Baackes as a leader in health care, who is committed to ensuring that low-income residents across the county have access to high-quality care.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla are guest speakers at tonight’s Gala, which also includes an awards ceremony. The Art Leader Award is going to Chicano artist Roberto Gil de Montes. Sandra Hernandez, MD, the President and CEO of the California Health Care foundation is receiving the Health Care Award. The Public Service Leaders Award will go to George Pla, the CEO of the Cordoba Corporation.