During FY 2026, which ended June 30, more than 9,400 donors supported the academic medical center’s operations, programs and initiatives. Three out of every four of these donors received care at Cedars-Sinai prior to contributing.

“The extraordinary commitment of our donors is a wonderful validation of the dedication and expertise of Cedars-Sinai employees as well as the remarkable generosity of the people we are privileged to serve,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai and the David and Meredith Kaplan Presidential Chair.

Emma Geller is an example of a patient whose family showed gratitude with a donation. The 13-year-old is cancer-free after being treated for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. Despite financial strain caused by major damage to their home in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, the Gellers remain committed to their annual support of pediatric hematology/oncology research and pediatric nursing at Cedars-Sinai.

“Our daughter received such tremendous care from amazing doctors, and we wanted to know how we could give back,” said Jordan Geller, Emma’s father. “If there was a way to make other people’s lives a little better as they were going through something like this, we wanted to do it.”

Some of the most meaningful philanthropic investments in Cedars-Sinai are unrestricted gifts to The Fund for Cedars-Sinai.

One example of unrestricted support this past year was a $10 million gift from the Ashkenazy family, providing flexible resources that can be directed where they will have the greatest impact. This support enables Cedars-Sinai to respond to emerging needs, invest in strategic priorities and pursue promising opportunities, helping advance our mission both now and in the years ahead.

“Unrestricted gifts are the fuel powering vital community health initiatives and the highest level of patient care,” said Heather Renshaw Vučetin, vice president of Development for Cedars-Sinai. “Gifts of every size improve our community’s health, which is priceless.”

Other recent major gifts included but were not limited to:

• The Cedars-Sinai Cayton BRCA Center: A $30 million gift from the Cayton Goldrich Family Foundation to create a center for research, diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of illnesses linked to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• The Cedars-Sinai Holoman Health Equity Center: A $13 million gift from Eric and Terri Holoman to establish a center that will shape the future of equitable healthcare at Cedars-Sinai.
• A generous bequest from the estate of Joanna Carson, demonstrating the enduring impact of planned giving. By including the organization in her estate plans, Carson created a legacy that will strengthen our mission for future generations.

“Philanthropic support is a powerful catalyst for healing,” said Arthur J. Ochoa, JD, senior vice president and chief advancement officer for Cedars-Sinai. “Whether expressed through volunteering or making a financial gift, the simple act of giving is fundamental to Cedars-Sinai’s vision to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the Los Angeles community and beyond.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Strengthening Children’s Health

The mobile clinics provide school-required immunizations, including Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), at no cost. The program is aimed at helping families in underserved communities, where families can face barriers to preventive care.

“Preparing for a successful school year starts with protecting children’s health,” said Arthur Cho, MD, medical director of COACH for Kids. “Our Back-to-School immunization campaign brings recommended vaccines directly into the communities we serve, making it easier for families to get their children ready for the classroom.”

COACH for Kids delivers free medical services to children from birth through age 18 in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles.

COACH for Kids Mobile Medical Unit August Calendar

All clinics run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are closed from noon to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 11
Charles Drew Middle School
8511 Compton Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Wednesday, Aug. 12
Edison Middle School
6500 Hooper Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Thursday, Aug. 13
Audubon Middle School
4120 11th Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90008

Monday, Aug. 17
Gompers Middle School
234 E. 112th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90061

Tuesday, Aug. 18
Miramonte Elementary School
1400 E. 68th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Wednesday, Aug. 19
Parmelee Avenue Elementary School
1338 E. 76th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Thursday, Aug. 20
Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy & Alliance Renee and Meyer Luskin Academy High School
2941 W. 70th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90043

Monday, Aug. 24
74^th Street Elementary School
2112 W. 74th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Tuesday, Aug. 25
93rd Street Elementary School
330 E. 93rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90003

Wednesday, Aug. 26
Raymond Avenue Elementary School
7511 Raymond Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90044

Thursday, Aug. 27
99th Street Elementary School
9900 Wadsworth Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90002

Monday, Aug. 31
Nevin Avenue Elementary School
1569 E. 32nd St.
Los Angeles, 90011

MEDIA CONTACT

Media interested in attending a COACH for Kids clinic must coordinate in advance with Cedars-Sinai External Communications. Please contact: Melissa Vizcarra | melissa.vizcarra@cshs.org | 719-502-5001

The “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” designation from the 2026 Disability Index recognizes organizations for workplace policies and practices that support disability inclusion, while the “Healthcare Equality Index” label from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate a commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ patients, visitors and employees.

“These recognitions reflect our commitment to ensuring our people and our communities experience Cedars-Sinai in a way that aligns with our values and our mission,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity, inclusion and wellbeing officer at Cedars-Sinai. “We are proud to once again be recognized but also recognize that this work is never finished.”

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Mitchell about what these recognitions mean and how inclusion continues to shape the organization's culture, workplace and patient care.

What do these recognitions represent for Cedars-Sinai?

These recognitions are meaningful because they reflect years of intentional work and accountability. They are not about receiving an award or checking a box. Instead, they are an external reflection of our commitment to creating an environment where people feel seen, supported and able to thrive.

More importantly, they reinforce our commitment to ensuring our people and our communities experience Cedars-Sinai in a way that aligns with our values and our mission to elevate the health status of the communities we serve. When people experience belonging, trust and inclusion, it strengthens our culture and helps us deliver the exceptional care that is at the heart of our mission.

How do inclusion and accessibility affect Cedars-Sinai's commitment to providing the highest level of patient care?

At Cedars-Sinai, inclusion is not separate from our mission. It is connected to how we care for patients, support our workforce and engage with our communities.

This work is reflected in everything from leadership development and employee education to accessibility initiatives and the everyday interactions people have across our organization. It also includes programs and resources that help our employees build community and help our caregivers provide more inclusive, affirming care. Ultimately, it's about creating environments where people can fully participate and where their lived experiences are valued and respected.

While these recognitions acknowledge important progress, what matters most is the experience people have every day when they walk through our doors—whether as patients, family members, employees, physicians, learners or community members.

What are some examples of how these values are reflected in the experiences of our patients, workforce and community?

For patients and families, inclusive care helps build trust, strengthen communication and create meaningful partnerships in healthcare decisions. When people feel heard, respected and understood, they are more empowered to participate in their care. That commitment is reflected in ongoing efforts to create welcoming, affirming care experiences, provide education that equips caregivers to meet the diverse needs of patients, and foster an environment where every individual feels valued and respected.

For our workforce, belonging means creating a culture where employees can contribute fully, share different perspectives and feel supported in doing their best work. Employee resource groups—including Supporting Purposeful Accessibility, Community and Equity [SPACE] and Pride, Respect, Inclusivity, Solidarity and Meaningful Support [PRISMS]—play an important role in building community, elevating lived experiences and helping us better understand the needs of employees with apparent and non-apparent disabilities, LGBTQIA+ employees, and allies.

We know this work is a team effort. Inclusion cannot live within one office or one department. It must be reflected in our systems, our decisions and our daily practices across the organization.

How does Cedars-Sinai ensure that inclusion remains part of our culture and daily operations?

One of the strengths of our Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing is that we approach this work every day through both a strategic and human lens.

The frameworks provided through the Disability Index and Healthcare Equality Index help us measure progress and identify opportunities to continue growing. But lasting change happens when inclusion becomes part of how we lead, collaborate, make decisions and care for one another every day.

We remain focused on strengthening education, creating opportunities for connection and belonging, increasing accessibility, and embedding inclusive practices into how we show up for our patients and one another. Our goal is not simply to achieve or maintain recognition. It is to continue building an environment where people feel they belong because inclusion is part of who we are as an organization.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Residency Programs Move Toward Greater Diversity

The Holoman gift establishes the Cedars-Sinai Holoman Health Equity Center and endows the Holoman Chair in Health Equity, to be held by Christina Harris, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai.

“We are grateful to Eric and Terri Holoman for their civic-minded vision to help balance the scales in health equity reform,” said Arthur J. Ochoa, JD, senior vice president of Advancement and chief advancement officer at Cedars-Sinai. “This gift reflects deep alignment between the Holomans’ values and Cedars-Sinai’s.” 

Health equity has been a bedrock of Cedars-Sinai’s mission to offer hope and healing to all, regardless of factors including, but not limited to, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.

Yet, evolving challenges in healthcare access and delivery, in combination with long-standing systemic barriers, make this a pivotal time that calls for re-evaluation and restructuring of processes and procedures, Harris said. Many people still face obstacles including coverage and affordability gaps that are inextricably tied to social determinants of health such as income, housing, transportation and education.

Harris said she will use her platform as the Holoman Chair in Health Equity to drive comprehensive programs and research.

“This endowed chair is, in many ways, a commitment to the profound legacy of the late Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN,” Harris said. “She became Cedars-Sinai’s first chief health equity officer after launching the Office of Health Equity in 2019. I am honored to carry this mission forward, standing on the shoulders of her esteemed leadership.”

Cedars-Sinai hosted a dinner in honor of the Holomans at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on May 27. Highly regarded nationally for their philanthropy, the Holoman family is a long-time supporter of Cedars-Sinai. Over the past decade, they have contributed to the medical center to support the Neurosurgery Scholars Program and The Brain Trust, a volunteer group that advances fundraising and awareness in support of the work of Keith Black, MD. Black is chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and the Ruth and Lawrence Harvey Chair in Neuroscience.

Eric, an insurance and finance entrepreneur, sits on the Cedars-Sinai Board of Directors. He is also minority owner of the Washington Commanders, managing partner of the Los Angeles Sparks and a member of the WNBA Board of Governors.

Terri, a collector of African American art, is on the board of the California African American Museum and a founding member of its foundation. She also sits on the boards of the USC Black Alumni Association and St. Anne’s Family Services, a Los Angeles nonprofit.

“I invest for a living and I feel like we’re investing in something important,” Eric said. “Terri and I are fervently dedicated to helping local communities thrive, and that is exceedingly difficult without coordinated health services and patient support delivered not only in the hospital but, just as importantly, across Los Angeles neighborhoods.”

Terri added, “This donation is one way we can effect positive change in marginalized communities across the region we call home.”

As a data and innovation engine, the Cedars-Sinai Holoman Health Equity Center will identify opportunities to accelerate solutions for combatting health equity deficiencies by meeting goals, including:

• Expanding Cedars-Sinai’s research equity infrastructure to increase inclusion in clinical research
• Deepening partnerships with local nonprofits and community resources, and advancing coordination of health services for comprehensive patient support
• Upgrading processes like data analytics to measure healthcare disparities
• Strengthening patient care and navigation through an equity dashboard interactive tool
• Equipping field teams to partner on health equity programs
• Enhancing the framework for care that links hospital affiliates across the Cedars-Sinai Health System

Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai, said the medical center remains committed to upholding the highest standards of equitable care.

“Through this amazing gift, Cedars-Sinai will cultivate and sustain a stringent system of checks and balances to optimize health equity,” said Slavin, the David and Meredith Kaplan Presidential Chair. “This will hold us accountable—as it should—across the board in clinical settings, research labs, conference rooms and local communities.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Inspiring Community Health by Meeting Patients Needs

For Ilse Giron, RN, that commitment is deeply personal.

“When you’re here, you really get to know someone and you get to know their story,” Giron said. “You get to help them—not just clinically, but emotionally—and be there for them.”

Today, as healthcare professionals mark National Nurses Week, Giron is a bedside nurse caring for patients on a medical-surgical unit. But her journey into nursing began years earlier, when she was a teenager growing up in East Hollywood, unsure of what opportunities might be within her reach.

“My parents were first-generation [immigrants],” Giron said. “I just never thought I would have this opportunity. There are so many fields you can go into.”

A First Step That Changed Her Life

Giron was just 16 when she joined Cedars-Sinai’s Youth Employment and Development (YED) program. The two-year program partners with Fairfax High School to give juniors and seniors hands-on exposure to healthcare careers through mentorship, job shadowing and real-world work experience.

“YED is an amazing program to just get a good feel of what the professional work life is,” Giron said. “You’re so young, and you’re able to work with multiple professionals, see what they do, ask questions—and even shadow them to figure out if that’s something you want to pursue.”

That early exposure proved transformative.

“YED changed the course of my life,” Giron said. “I’m not sure I would have found the passion I have for nursing without it.”

Daniela Villegas knows that impact firsthand.

Villegas also joined the YED program at 16 and, more than two decades later, is still at Cedars-Sinai. Only now, she is leading the very program that gave her a start.

As program manager for NextGen Pathways, which includes YED and several other programs, Villegas works closely with students as they explore healthcare careers,  connect with mentors and begin building their own professional networks.

“The goal of the YED program is to ensure that we are connecting with students, exposing them to health careers, and allowing them to network and have mentors in their lives,” Villegas said.

Since the program launched in 1993, more than 1,000 students have participated. Today, more than 400 YED alumni are employed across Cedars-Sinai Health System in roles ranging from nursing and research to administration.

Villegas said Giron’s journey is exactly why Cedars-Sinai established the program.

“She is one of the perfect examples of what we want to see with the YED program,” Villegas said. “She started as a student with dreams, and now she’s back at the medical center where it all began—as a registered nurse.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Today, a new generation of students is getting that same opportunity to plan for their future careers.

Miguel Santos, a Fairfax High senior, moved to the United States from El Salvador when he was 9 years old. He joined the YED program two years ago, working at Cedars-Sinai Spine.

“I got the chance to shadow nurses here in the Spine department,” Santos said. “I went into the rooms with them, met patients and saw the work they were doing—and I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing. I could do this one day.’”

That moment helped Santos envision his future.

“After high school, I plan to become a registered nurse,” Santos said. “I really want to pursue pediatrics.”

Santos hopes that one day, his journey will come full circle—just like Giron’s.

“Hopefully, once I finish college, I can come back to Cedars-Sinai and work here,” Santos said. “That would be my dream.”

A Pipeline With Purpose

For Cedars-Sinai, programs like YED are about more than career exposure—they are about building a workforce that reflects the Los Angeles community while creating opportunities for success.

“Programs like YED are essential to the future of nursing,” said David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Cedars-Sinai. “They give students early exposure to the profession, build confidence and create pathways into meaningful careers.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: What Nurses See—Hidden Home Hazards for Older Adults

But when the former collegiate long-distance runner struggled to conceive, she didn’t expect the journey to motherhood to become a grueling marathon.

“I was in my early 30s, and we’d been trying for about two years,” said Lagat-Fischer, a nurse in Tucson, Arizona. “I started thinking that something was not right and that we needed help.”

Rather than finding help, she said she endured two years of shuttling from one specialist to another, with visits to several OB-GYNs and fertility specialists who immediately wanted to start costly in vitro fertilization (IVF).

One physician erroneously told Lagat-Fischer that she had endometriosis. Another doctor told her that she had benign uterine fibroid tumors, a more common condition among Black women that often leads to higher rates of fertility issues. She later found out that her fibroids were small and not the cause of the couple’s fertility challenges.

“It was frustrating and discouraging. My husband and I are both healthcare professionals, and we felt the care we received was all over the map. I didn’t feel like our difficulty conceiving was being fully assessed, and there was never a deeper conversation about what might be causing it in my individual case,” Lagat-Fischer said.

Her experience as a Black woman seeking fertility care is common, according to recent studies.

Difficulty conceiving among Black women and men has been understudied. But research published in Fertility & Sterility found that Black women in the U.S. are significantly less likely to seek or receive a fertility evaluation or treatment compared with white women. Despite having a higher or equivalent prevalence of infertility, Black women appear to face barriers that result in delayed care and lower utilization of services.

Lagat-Fischer also noticed that when her husband, Keith, who is white, started accompanying her to every visit, whether he was having tests or not, there was more focused attention from the specialists. When her husband asked the questions, she felt the information they were given was clearer and more direct.

“I felt like I was being heard differently when he was there,” she said. “That was very difficult for me to experience, and the emotional toll was significant. There were times I would be driving and just crying.”

The emotional toll their fertility journey was taking on his wife was very difficult for Irine’s husband.

“We struggled to conceive, which was stressful,” said Keith Fischer, a physical therapist. “Then, when we sought help, we were met with incomplete answers, a lack of attention to our needs and poor guidance from the medical experts.”

“It was hard to navigate a situation where you have a partner that is sad, frustrated and fearing she’ll never have a family. It was gut-wrenching for me,” Fischer said.

After two years of frustration and $20,000 of unsuccessful IVF attempts, a friend in Arizona suggested the couple go to Los Angeles to seek fertility care at Cedars-Sinai.

“Even though Irine had already been through IVF, I took a step back and tried to evaluate from the beginning, with a fresh perspective. Every couple deserves an individualized plan that is tailored to their specific health needs,” said Jessica Chan, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and clinic director of the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center at Cedars-Sinai.

Chan said that after reviewing all of their testing, she recommended they try a less invasive option before returning to IVF. After discussing the options, the Fischers and Chan agreed upon a treatment plan.

“When we came to Cedars-Sinai, it was a completely different experience. From the moment we walked into the clinic, I felt like someone was really listening and taking the time to understand the full picture,” Lagat-Fischer said. “Two weeks after treatment, I found out I was pregnant. I honestly couldn’t believe it after everything we had been through.”

Does Chan believe racial bias can play a role in the kind of fertility evaluation and treatment a patient might receive?

“Communication and building trust between the doctor and the patient are critical in the fertility care process, as is a thorough understanding of a patient’s medical and social history,” Chan said. “But we know that implicit bias is also a significant factor that can lead to disparities in care and outcomes.”

It was a very long journey, but the couple says that their now 3-year-old twins, Lily and Liam, were well worth the difficulties they had.

“I would go through that journey again to have my children. It was all worth it,” Lagat-Fischer said. “My advice to other Black women is to advocate for yourself. Ask questions, seek thorough answers, and if you feel like you’re not being heard, get care somewhere else.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: How Cedars-Sinai Is Working to Improve Black Maternal Health

The fourth annual Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, hosted by Cedars-Sinai, gave students hands-on exposure to careers in medicine through interactive demonstrations, mentorship and panel discussions.

“We have students here from across the greater Los Angeles area and even as far away as Palm Springs,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity, inclusion and wellbeing officer at Cedars-Sinai.

Throughout the day, attendees rotated through activity stations where they explored medical technologies and techniques used by healthcare professionals. Students practiced surgical suturing, learned about respiratory therapy, examined medical imaging and extracted DNA from strawberries. Students also participated in panel discussions featuring leaders in medicine, academia and sports performance, who shared insights about their journeys into the field.

For 11-year-old Marcell Jones, a student at Los Angeles Adventist Academy, the summit has quickly become a favorite annual event.

“My favorite part of today was the strawberry DNA and the breathing practice,” Jones said, referring to activities where students learned how to extract DNA and intubate a mannequin.  

Jones attended the summit last year and returned this year with excitement—not just for the activities, but for the opportunity to reconnect with one of the doctors he met previously.

“I took a picture with a doctor last year and I saw him again this year,” Jones said. “So I think I’ll see him again next year.”

The experience is already shaping his future ambitions.

“When I grow up I’d like to be a surgeon,” Jones said. “Because I want to save lives.”

Mitchell said the event gives students an opportunity to explore the many possibilities within healthcare.

“Until young people can actually see it and experience it, it’s hard to imagine yourself in these roles,” Mitchell said. “Events like this give students the opportunity to explore what healthcare really looks like—from physicians and nurses to researchers and leadership roles—and hopefully spark a passion that leads them toward a career in the field.”

The event has grown dramatically since Cedars-Sinai hosted its first summit, with fewer than 100 participants. This year, nearly 2,000 registered.

“Programs like this are an important part of our mission to serve the community,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, Cedars-Sinai’s president and CEO. “By exposing young people to careers in healthcare, we can help inspire the next generation of physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals. At the same time, investing in students today helps ensure we have the skilled and compassionate workforce needed to care for our communities in the future.”

For many participants, the event provided an opportunity to see themselves reflected in the healthcare professionals they met.

Kennady Ardines, a junior at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, said the experience reinforced her ambitions.

“I want to be a pediatric ICU nurse—or maybe an obstetrician,” Ardines said. “Not a lot of pregnant women have support, especially young teen moms. I’ve always wanted to be that person for someone.”

Ardines said representation plays an important role in shaping how she envisions her future.

“It’s not a normal thing to see a Black female doctor,” she said. “I look for a Black doctor even when I go to the doctor, because I know they understand me, because they are me.”

Mitchell said the summit is also an opportunity for Cedars-Sinai employees to build a healthy future for the Southern California community.

“Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest employers in Los Angeles, and it’s important for us to show up for our community,” Mitchell said. “Our physicians, nurses and staff volunteer their time to mentor students because we believe in investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

For Jones, the experience already is helping him imagine his future.

“I feel like it’s important to come here,” he said, “to learn all the stuff to be successful.”

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

The findings are published in the journal Gastroenterology.

“Among Hispanic patients, higher African ancestry was associated with more severe Crohn’s disease throughout the digestive tract, while higher Amerindian ancestry was linked to disease affecting primarily the colon,” said Talin Haritunians, PhD, the corresponding author of the study and a research associate professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai.

Many Hispanic individuals have mixed genetic ancestry that can include Indigenous American ancestry, plus European and African contributions that are the result of centuries of migration and colonization. Amerindian Hispanics have ancestry from indigenous Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations—and from Spain. 

“Our findings show that genetic ancestry can help explain important differences we see in how inflammatory bowel disease affects patients, even within a single ethnic group,” Haritunians said.

An estimated 3 million people in the U.S. have inflammatory bowel disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disorder can produce chronic, painful and often destructive inflammation in the digestive tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease, which can impact any part of the gastrointestinal system, and ulcerative colitis which affects just the colon and rectum.

Ancestry-Aware Analysis

Investigators analyzed genetic and clinical data from more than 7,300 Hispanic patients from the U.S., including Puerto Rico, who had IBD. They also analyzed the same data from patients without the disease. Using a new method of genomic analysis that takes specific ancestry into account, investigators examined how genetic risk and disease presentation and severity varied across ancestral backgrounds.

Hispanic populations often include individuals with mixed genetic ancestry, reflecting a mosaic of Indigenous American, European, and African genetic contributions, the result of centuries of migration and colonization.

“Our group has had a longstanding commitment to extending studies to include diverse populations. Here, we were able to identify ancestry-specific variations in IBD patterns that may be overlooked in broader genetic studies, which often focus on European populations,” said Dermot McGovern, MD, PhD, a co-author of the study and director of Translational Research in the Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute.

One group in the genetic study was found to be at higher risk for developing a serious and painful form of inflammatory bowel disease.

“Increased risk of penetrating Crohn’s disease was associated with higher African ancestry among Hispanic patients. It is a severe form of IBD in which inflammation extends through the layers of intestinal wall and increases the risk of complications that often require surgery,” McGovern said.

The findings also highlight the importance of examining genetic risk alongside other factors, such as diet and environment, to better understand inflammatory bowel disease across diverse populations.

“Largescale genetic studies that include diverse patients and populations historically underrepresented in research are essential for advancing our understanding of IBD and helping patients,” Haritunians said. “Expanding research in this way will help us move toward more inclusive approaches with the potential to improve treatment options and the lives of patients.”

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Dalin Li, PhD; Shaohong Yang, MD; Sweta Sinha, MPH; Emebet Mengesha; Maria A. Quintero, MD; Stephan R. Targan, MD; Shervin Rabizadeh, MD; and Maria T. Abreu, MD.

Other authors include Ashley H. Beecham, PhD; Steven W. Brugger, PhD; Mary F. Davis, PhD; Esther A. Torres, MD; Lissette Gomez, MSc; Paola Lopez-Marte, MD; Mark Daly, PhD; Christine R. Stevens; James S. Leavitt, MD; Oriana M. Damas, MD; Ksenija Sabic; Judy H. Cho, MD; and Jacob L. McCauley, PhD.

Funding: This work was supported by the F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute; the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH/NIDDK) through grants U01 DK062413, U24 DK062429-18, U01 DK062422-18, U01 DK062431, and DK062432; the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust; the Fred L. Hartley Family Foundation; the Micky & Madeline Arison Family Foundation Crohn’s & Colitis Discovery Laboratory; the Sanford J. Grossman Charitable Trust; and the National Institutes of Health through grants U54HG003067 and 5UM1HG008895.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about university.

During the daylong event, students extracted DNA from strawberries, saw CPR demonstrations and ambulance simulations, and talked about science and medicine with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, professors and researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

“Early exposure to STEAM is critical, especially for students who may not always see themselves represented in science or healthcare careers,” said Christina Harris, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai. “By partnering with the Rams and bringing Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University into this experience, we are helping students see that careers in medicine, research and innovation are exciting—and attainable.”

Participating students also explored behind-the-scenes areas of SoFi Stadium, connecting STEAM concepts to the innovation and engineering behind one of the world’s most advanced sports and entertainment venues.

“I liked that we actually got to try things ourselves,” said Elias Rivera, a fourth grader from Normont Elementary School in Harbor City who wants to one day become a doctor. “Math is my favorite subject, and my favorite part today was throwing the football into a small hole on the field.”

Through its involvement, Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University helped students see themselves reflected in the future of healthcare and science, reinforcing its commitment to education, research and advancing health equity.

“What’s powerful about a day like this is that students can see how many different career opportunities exist in healthcare,” said Michael Farkouh, MD, vice dean for Research and Clinical Trials at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. “You don’t have to leave Los Angeles to receive world-class training and education. Right here at Cedars-Sinai and our Health Sciences University, there are pathways in research, artificial intelligence, pharmacy technician, respiratory therapy and so much more.”

The Health Sciences University was established in 2024 to prepare generations of academic scientists, physician leaders and allied health professionals for futures in healthcare and biomedical science.

“Our goal is to spark a passion that goes beyond a job—and to show students they can build meaningful careers while staying rooted in their communities,” Farkouh said.

S.T.E.A.M. Field Day is part of a broader educational initiative to introduce Los Angeles youth to career pathways in sports, entertainment and healthcare. Cedars-Sinai helps shape the program’s educational content, spotlighting professionals whose work reflects each STEAM discipline, including:

• Science – Casey Batten, MD
  Co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, head team physician for the Los Angeles Rams and chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Batten represents how scientific research and evidence-based medicine support both elite athletes and everyday patients.
• Technology – Tiffani Bright, PhD
  An assistant professor of Computational Biomedicine and co-director of Cedars-Sinai’s Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education, Bright leads efforts to develop AI tools to improve clinical decision-making and advance health equity.
• Engineering – Hector Melara
  An engineer and architect at Cedars-Sinai, Melara helps design and build healthcare spaces that support patients, families and caregivers. His work blends engineering, technology and math to create safe, functional environments where care happens.
• Art – John Lange
  Curator of Cedars-Sinai’s art collection and manager of the Cedars-Sinai Arts Program, Lange leads initiatives that integrate art into healthcare settings to support healing and wellbeing.
• Math – Joycelyn Frederick, BSHCM, CPhT-Adv 
  Program director for the Pharmacy Technician Program at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, Frederick prepares the next generation of pharmacy technicians for careers that rely on math, science and technology to ensure medication safety and accuracy for patients.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Healthcare in Action, a member organization of the SCAN Group, delivers medical, behavioral and social services to people in California who are experiencing homelessness through a street-based model of care. Healthcare in Action care professionals follow individual patients after they leave the hospital, helping ensure continued care and support toward long-term health and stability.

The partnership aligns with Cedars-Sinai’s mission to improve community health and address the root causes of homelessness.

“Cedars-Sinai has long been committed to addressing health disparities that affect marginalized people across Los Angeles,” said Jonathan Schreiber, vice president of Community Engagement at Cedars-Sinai. “Healthcare in Action is a trusted partner in delivering high-quality care to the unhoused, and their work reflects our belief that healthcare should go beyond the walls of our hospital, so that after someone leaves, care remains accessible wherever they are.”

Delivering care to unhoused patients is demanding work, but one aspect has become more efficient thanks to streamlined digital access: As part of the collaboration, Healthcare in Action’s medical providers have access to CS-Link, Cedars-Sinai’s secure electronic medical records system powered by Epic software.

Those experiencing homelessness often lack relationships with healthcare providers, which can lead to challenges accessing care, as well as fragmented care. Access to a patient’s medical records helps ensure Healthcare in Action providers have the information they need to continue to follow up with unhoused patients treated at Cedars-Sinai. 

“Providing Healthcare in Action’s care team with access to CS-Link helps ensure continuity of care for unhoused patients,” said Craig Kwiatkowski, PharmD, senior vice president and chief information officer at Cedars-Sinai. “When a street team provider can view care notes, medication lists and follow-up needs, it helps patients avoid gaps in care and supports smoother, more coordinated services.”

Although homelessness in L.A. County has declined for the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported in its 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count that more than 72,000 people remain unhoused.

“Healthcare in Action’s work is essential in ensuring our most vulnerable patients aren’t left behind once they leave the hospital,” said Katie Hren, LCSW, MPH, director of the Community Connect Program at Cedars-Sinai. “Our community health workers and navigators address patients’ social needs during their hospital stay and transition home, while Healthcare in Action provides continued care in the community—delivering ongoing care to patients wherever they are. They also help them find stable housing, which is essential for recovery because it allows patients to heal in a safe environment, free of hunger and exposure.”

Sonali Saluja, MD, MPH, medical director, Quality and Population Health at Healthcare in Action, said of the collaboration: “Healthcare in Action is honored to partner with Cedars-Sinai to create a safe, consistent pathway for unhoused patients transitioning from the ER in Los Angeles. Leveraging Epic’s powerful technology, this collaboration ensures we can provide comprehensive and continuous care with the goal of preventing instability and advancing a more humane, equitable model of health for our most vulnerable community members.”

Cedars-Sinai’s work with Healthcare in Action is multifaceted: In addition to its partnership, the medical center also provides grant funding to help Healthcare in Action expand its services and coverage area. Recent funding helped the organization purchase additional vans for its street medicine team.

Bolstered by a robust community benefit strategy, Cedars-Sinai has donated $134 million in grants over the past five years to address health challenges throughout Los Angeles. Approximately 40% of these grants have addressed homelessness and housing insecurity—key drivers of poor health.

“Healthcare in Action is a wonderful partner for Cedars-Sinai, our patients and the entire community,” Schreiber said. “Homelessness is a persistent health challenge for our city. Together, we’re helping people improve their health, recovery and long-term stability.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Supporting Homeless Patients in the Emergency Room

The Disability Index, a collaboration between the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN, rates organizations on their disability inclusion policies and practices.

“Disability inclusion is a vital part of our strategy to drive innovation and create a workplace where everyone can thrive,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity, inclusion and wellbeing officer at Cedars-Sinai. “Earning this recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring people with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities feel supported and valued and empowered to contribute their best.”

The benchmarking tool is used by hundreds of companies worldwide to measure progress across six categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier inclusion, and responsible procurement.

Cedars-Sinai continues to strengthen its disability inclusion through employee-driven initiatives such as the Supporting Purposeful Accessibility, Community, and Equity (SPACE) employee resource group. SPACE is a supportive community for employees with disabilities and their allies, fostering dialogue, advocacy and awareness.

In observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the SPACE group hosted an interactive workshop on setting healthy boundaries to support wellbeing, productivity and respect in the workplace. Cedars-Sinai is also celebrating the contributions of employees with disabilities and promoting opportunities to learn more about fostering inclusive workplaces through in-person and virtual events.

Read more in Discoveries Magazine: New Fellowship Is Rooted in Mission

That’s where Cedars-Sinai’s community health workers (CHWs) step in.  

“Our team meets patients where they are—literally and figuratively—and helps them navigate care as whole people, not just patients,” said Katie Hren, LCSW, MPH, director of the Community Connect Program at Cedars-Sinai. “Many of the patients we work with need more than medicine. They also may need assistance finding safe housing, accessing healthy food, arranging transportation to appointments or applying for benefits that support their daily lives.”

According to the National Association of Community Health Workers, interventions led by a community health specialist have been shown to reduce emergency department visits by up to 38% and hospitalizations by 30%—underscoring their positive impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Hren to learn how CHWs support patients beyond the hospital and why their role is becoming more essential than ever.

What is a community health worker?

A community health worker is a frontline public health professional who helps patients navigate healthcare and community resources. They often come from the same neighborhoods they serve, giving them insight into the cultural, social and practical challenges patients face.

Unlike most hospital professionals, CHWs continue working with patients after discharge. They connect patients to services such as meal delivery, transportation or caregivers, and follow up to ensure referrals and treatment plans are completed.

Who benefits most from CHWs?

CHWs focus on patients at higher risk of falling through the cracks. That might include someone discharged without stable housing, an older adult who no longer drives, or a family juggling chronic illness, child care and work while also needing access to food or benefits. These are patients who need more than clinical care, and CHWs help them connect to the right resources.

How do CHWs differ from other providers?

CHWs complement the work of nurses, social workers and case managers. While those providers focus on medical care, psychosocial support or discharge planning, CHWs specialize in navigating social barriers—such as housing, food and transportation—that affect health outcomes.

What does a typical day look like?

No two days are the same for a community health worker. They might start by rounding with clinical teams, meeting patients at the bedside before discharge, or following up by phone to make sure resources are in place.

Much of their work happens in the community—meeting patients at home, attending appointments with them or even sitting together in a coffee shop to complete applications for public benefits. CHWs also collaborate with external partners, such as Healthcare in Action, which provides street medicine to people experiencing homelessness. They may refer patients to these programs while continuing to help with longer-term needs like housing or benefits.

How do patients connect with CHWs?

At Cedars-Sinai, patients are referred by their care team—usually a physician, nurse or social worker. The community health specialist then proactively reaches out to build trust and begin support.

What results have you seen?

Cedars-Sinai’s program has shown measurable results. Patients who work with CHWs are more likely to attend follow-up and primary care visits, less likely to use the emergency department unnecessarily, and they report higher satisfaction with their overall care.

Providers also benefit, noting that CHWs allow them to focus on more complex medical issues. Patients frequently share that they feel less alone and more confident navigating the healthcare system thanks to the support and education CHWs provide.

To expand this impact, Cedars-Sinai launched CS Community Resource, an online portal that connects patients and community members with free or low-cost health and social service programs.

What does the future look like for CHWs?

The role of CHWs is more essential than ever. I see their integration into healthcare continuing to expand, not just at Cedars-Sinai but across the country. As healthcare shifts toward whole-person care, CHWs bring skills and connections that can’t be replicated by other providers.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Inspiring Community Health By Meeting Patients’ Needs

From vaccines like DTaP and MMR to full physical exams, COACH for Kids brings Cedars-Sinai care to local schools and community centers.

“These vaccines protect against childhood preventable illnesses—measles, chickenpox, pneumonia, meningitis,” said Arthur Cho, MD, medical director of COACH for Kids and director of the Pediatric Hospitalist Program at Guerin Children's. “In the past, we saw high rates of these infections. Today, because of vaccines, we rarely see them. When children aren’t vaccinated, they’re at greater risk of getting sick, ending up in the hospital, or even worse.”

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Cho and COACH for Kids nurse practitioner Anne Traynor, RN, about why vaccinations are critical, how the mobile unit is improving families’ health and access to care, and what families need to bring to the clinic to get their children vaccinated.

What vaccines are required for school entry?

Traynor: Kids entering transitional kindergarten need boosters for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio. This includes the DTaP vaccine—given to younger children—which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Older children, especially 11-year-olds and teens, receive the Tdap booster, which offers continued protection against the same three illnesses but in a smaller dose appropriate for adolescents and adults. It’s not just one age group; we’re vaccinating children from birth through age 18.

What’s your message for parents who are hesitant about vaccines?

Cho: I understand the concerns. But we’ve studied these vaccines for decades. Side effects are generally mild—fever or some swelling—but the alternative is far worse. These diseases still exist and can be deadly. Getting vaccinated protects your child and others in the community.

The consequences can be severe. Take measles as an example. We used to have 500,000 cases and hundreds of deaths annually in the U.S. before the vaccine. Though measles was declared eradicated here in 2000, recent vaccine hesitancy has led to outbreaks again. Measles can cause serious complications like meningitis, encephalitis and even death.

What challenges do families face when their children need vaccination?

Traynor: Access is the biggest issue. Even with Medi-Cal, parents may struggle to get an appointment, lack transportation, or be unable to take time off work. That’s where COACH comes in—we meet them where they are. We come to you, and we go to schools and WIC centers. (Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program.)

Cho: We serve dozens of schools and community sites, especially in South L.A., bringing primary care and vaccines into neighborhoods. It’s our mission to make healthcare accessible. Many families are working hard and can’t make it to a traditional clinic—we bring the clinic to them.

We’re here to serve, without judgment. We want to make sure children are safe and healthy enough to return to school.

How long will COACH offer back-to-school vaccinations?

Traynor: We’re out in the community throughout August and beyond. We provide everything a regular clinic does, but we’re in their neighborhood. There’s no copay, and we help families connect to a regular clinic for long-term care.

We ask that parents bring their child’s immunization record if they have it. If not, you can often find it in the California Immunization Registry or access it through their school or prior clinic.

COACH for Kids Mobile Medical Clinic—August 2025 Schedule

All clinics open from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., unless noted. Closed daily from 12–1 p.m.

• Thursday, Aug. 14—Audubon Middle School, 4120 11th Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
• Monday, Aug. 18—Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy & Luskin Academy HS, 2941 W. 70th St., Los Angeles, CA 90043
• Tuesday, Aug. 19—Normandie Avenue Elementary School, 4505 S. Raymond Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037
• Wednesday, Aug. 20—6th Avenue Elementary School, 3109 6th Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90018
• Thursday, Aug. 21 (9 a.m.–4 p.m.)—Northgate Gonzalez Market, 944 E. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011
• Monday, Aug. 25—WIC Manchester, 250 E. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90003
• Tuesday, Aug. 26—WIC Florence, 501 E. Florence Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90003
• Wednesday, Aug. 27—Raymond Avenue Elementary, 7511 Raymond Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
• Thursday, Aug. 28—Edison Middle School, 6500 Hooper Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90001

For more information about COACH for Kids or to find the nearest clinic location, visit Cedars-Sinai.org or call the COACH for Kids hotline at 888-926-2249.

Read more in the Cedars-Sinai Magazine: Underserved Communities Have a COACH in Their Corner

Now 18, Erick has defied the odds. He recently underwent several life-changing spinal surgeries at Cedars-Sinai—the only hospital the Rivera family says gave them hope after nearly two decades.

Erick was born with Escobar syndrome, also called multiple pterygium syndrome, a group of rare genetic disorders that can lead to severe skeletal deformities and even death. The condition causes joints to contract and stiffen, limiting normal movement. Patients often also develop a severe spinal curvature.

The diagnosis came with an uncertain future, and physicians back in their home country offered little treatment, hope or guidance. Ramon and his wife, Viena, relentlessly searched for answers. They held onto faith even as one doctor told them Erick was a lost cause.

“I’ll never forget what that doctor said,” Ramon recalled. “He told us we were wasting our time and should start saving money for Erick’s funeral. But as parents, we can’t just accept a ‘no’ when it comes to our child’s life.”

Twisted Spine, Risky Options

Over time, Erick’s condition had progressed so dramatically that his chin was fused to his chest, and the back of his head rested on his spine. His scoliosis and kyphosis—curvatures of the spine in multiple directions—left him unable to sit up straight or breathe comfortably.

The family’s journey brought them thousands of miles from Honduras to Los Angeles and to the care of pediatric spine surgeon Kenneth Illingworth, MD, director of Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s.

“His spine looked like an accordion,” Illingworth said. “His ear was resting on his shoulder, causing skin breakdown and severe pain just sitting in his wheelchair. It was one of the most complex and extreme spinal deformities I’ve ever seen.”

Despite the risks associated with such a complex surgery, including paralysis and death, the family decided to move forward.

“We hadn’t come this far to give up,” Ramon said. “Dr. Illingworth told us, ‘We can either do nothing or do something.’ And he believed something could be done.”

Leaps of Faith

Erick uprooted his life and spent more than three months at Cedars-Sinai while undergoing a series of three surgeries to slowly and safely correct his spinal deformity.

First, Illingworth and his team placed a halo traction device around Erick’s head to gently stretch and align the spine over several weeks. Then came a procedure to release the congenital spinal fusions contributing to the curvature. Finally, Erick underwent a complex neck-to-pelvis spinal fusion that changed the trajectory of his life.

Erick’s nurse navigator throughout his care at Cedars-Sinai, Meliza Perales, RN, said she’ll never forget the young man’s resilience.

“We called him the ‘thumbs-up kid,’” Perales said. “Even after surgery, when he was in pain or tired, he always had a smile and a thumbs-up for us. He brought joy to our unit, and it was clear he was fighting every day—not just for himself, but for his parents, too.”

While Viena stayed by Erick’s bedside and Ramon continued working to support the family, both parents drew strength from their son’s unshakable spirit.

“He never lost hope. And he never stopped smiling,” Ramon said. “That gave us the strength to keep going.”

Whole New Life

The surgery and treatment results have been transformative.

Erick has gained several inches in height. He can breathe more easily, sit upright, and go about his day without pain. He has started learning English and is eager to pursue new academic and personal goals.

“I feel so much better—infinitely better, physically and mentally,” Erick said. “My health improved, my self-esteem improved—everything improved.”

For Illingworth, Erick’s case is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families and medical teams work together with courage and trust.

“Ramon and Viena never stopped advocating for their son,” Illingworth said. “And Erick never gave up. That combination—plus a team willing to take on tough cases—made all the difference.”

With Father’s Day approaching, Ramon says he doesn’t need any gifts this year. He already has everything he could ever want.

“As a father, all you want is for your child to have a chance,” Ramon said. “We were blessed with that chance—and we’ll never forget everyone who helped us get here.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

The inaugural High School Scholars Program, hosted by Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in partnership with the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and sponsored by Stryker, included 50 students from schools including Phineas Banning Senior High School, Crenshaw High School STEMM Magnet, Westchester High School and Dominguez High School. The program offered the students a firsthand look at a future in healthcare.

“Our hope is that we open some eyes up to a career that has been tremendously fulfilling for me and my colleagues,” said Milton Little, MD, chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at Cedars-Sinai and one of the program’s organizers. “We want students to see what’s possible—not just in orthopedics, but across medicine: helping people, building a future, and avoiding the distractions or limitations they may face in their communities.”

Little knows this firsthand. He grew up in Harlem and lived in Los Angeles' pre-gentrified Echo Park in the late 1980s, giving him a deep and personal understanding of the challenges that students from underserved communities often face.

The half-day scholars program featured hands-on simulations, a career panel, and mentorship from orthopaedic surgeons, residents, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals. All were committed to showing students that their background doesn't define their future.

Students rotated through stations where they learned to apply casts and splints. They even drilled into synthetic bones to simulate hardware placement used in trauma surgeries. For many, it was their first time holding a surgical tool—or meeting a physician who looked like them.

“Orthopedic surgery is one of the least accessible specialties for students from underrepresented minority communities,” Little said. “Roughly 80% of orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. are white males. Black orthopedic surgeons make up just 1.5% of the field. That’s why programs like this matter.”

Among the volunteers were medical students from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, members of the Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedic Department, Ventura Medical Center orthopaedic attendings, Cedars-Sinai anesthesiologists, Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory researchers, representatives from Johnson & Johnson MedTech and instrument specialists from Stryker. Many of the program’s mentors came from backgrounds similar to the students’, making their stories all the more impactful.

“I’m from L.A., so I’m in some rough parts of it,” said Landen Coleman, from Crenshaw High School. “I met a doctor here who’s from Compton, and it was interesting seeing someone who came from my background turn their knowledge into something they can use to get out.”

The event was made possible through collaboration with Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athletes’ Lives), a Cedars-Sinai community health program that provides high school athletes with access to certified athletic trainers, injury treatment and preventive health education. In addition to supporting athletes, Team HEAL offers students the chance to gain hands-on experience working alongside Cedars-Sinai trainers on the sidelines.

“For many students, athletics opens the door,” said Clarence Shields, MD, medical director of Team HEAL. “But we also want to show them what’s possible beyond the game. By giving them early access to mentors and real-world experiences, we’re helping them see a future in medicine they may not have known was there.”

Students like Aryeh Gustave, a Team HEAL participant from Crenshaw High School, left the program with new ambitions.

“I thought it was kind of weird that we were screwing metal into arms—like, ew,” Gustave said with a laugh. “But if it helps someone heal, I liked it. I’m actually considering doing this in the future.”

For Dayme Moraparra, a student from Dominguez High School, the impact came through the power of lived experience.

“I loved the career panel because I got to hear all their stories,” Moraparra said. “It wasn’t easy for them—and they still broke through the barriers.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Faces of Cedars-Sinai – Melodie Metzger, Director of Orthopaedics Biomechanics Laboratory

That’s because the rhythm and instruction are happening in virtual reality.

The dancers are participating in a focus group organized by Cedars-Sinai researchers who are launching Movement Over Virtual Reality (MoVR), a physical activity program aimed at helping Latinos reduce their risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes through Latin dance-inspired VR exercise.

“We think this community is being left out of this amazing technology that can be fun and engaging,” said Yelba Castellon-Lopez, MD, research scientist in the Castellon-Lopez Lab at the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai and the study’s principal investigator. “Our goal is to bring that to the community.”

MoVR builds on the proven success of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Diabetes Prevention Program, a yearlong lifestyle intervention that recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.

But for many Latinos, regular gym or outdoor exercise isn’t always realistic.

“Some participants have said they work all day, come home late, and don’t feel safe walking in their neighborhood parks,” Castellon-Lopez said. “They see this as a way to overcome that barrier—exercising in a fully immersive way, but in the safety of their own home.”

So far, more than 100 Angelenos have participated in MoVR focus groups, which are conducted in both English and Spanish and divided by age. Participants, ranging from ages 18-70, wear virtual reality headsets and follow energetic dance routines set in vibrant virtual environments—no travel or gym membership required.

“I really like it,” said participant Julia Hernandez. “Maybe my kids will want to try, too. If they see me exercising, they might say, ‘Oh, Mama, I want to do that!’ I think it could be good for my whole family.”

Another participant, Evelyn Pacas, said the experience went beyond physical benefits.

“Besides getting some exercise and breaking a sweat, I laughed a lot—and laughter helps lift your spirits,” she said. “It was just 10 minutes, but imagine how much better I’d feel doing this more regularly at home.”

After Castellon-Lopez and team review the focus groups’ results, they plan to begin a new study in which participants would get their own VR goggles to work out with in their own homes.

“The goal isn’t to replace going outside for a walk,” Castellon-Lopez said. “It’s to offer an additional tool—something culturally relevant, safe and motivating—to help people live healthier lives.”

Read more in Discoveries Magazine: Preserving Memory in the Latin Community

Since 2020, the medical center has allocated $6.8 million to 20 nonprofits working to improve prenatal and postpartum outcomes for Black families. The bulk of the funding was issued under Cedars-Sinai’s Black Birth Equity Initiative, established in 2023.

In 2025, the medical center awarded its second round of funding under the initiative. Thirteen nonprofits received the most recent grants, totaling $2 million.

The  initiative has supported the following grantees:

• Black Women for Wellness
• Breastfeed LA
• California Black Women’s Health Project
• California Coalition for Black Birth Justice
• Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence
• Didi Hirsch
• Eisner Health
• Frontline Doulas
• LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment (LA County Doula Hub)
• March of Dimes
• Mighty Little Giants
• MLK Community Healthcare
• Maternal Mental Health NOW
• Narrative Nation Inc. (Irth App)
• Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
• Saban Community Clinic
• St. John’s Community Health
• To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers (T.H.E. Clinic)
• Venice Family Clinic
• Watts Healthcare Corporation

The funding has resulted in an increase in first trimester prenatal visit rates, more widespread utilization of doula and midwife services, expanded birth worker professional development, and broader health education and public awareness campaigns. These efforts also clear the way for new opportunities for those nonprofits, including access to public funding sources and fellowship programs.

Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die or become seriously ill from pregnancy-related complications, compared to white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Black Birth Equity Initiative aligns with Cedars-Sinai’s mission to care for patients across the region. Through its vital work, the medical center aims to help lower mortality rates linked to childbirth and provide mandatory anti-discrimination education to medical staff.

“At Cedars-Sinai, we’re committed to providing excellent, equitable care to every patient who walks through our doors,” said Christina Harris, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer for Cedars-Sinai. “But advancing birth equity also means doing our part in the community—working to remove barriers and support solutions. Through our birth equity grantmaking, we aim to uplift efforts that build trust, improve outcomes and ensure every birthing person is heard and respected.”

Cedars-Sinai is among the largest private funders of Black Birth Equity programs in L.A. County, with the initiative strengthening partnerships with local nonprofits that assist expectant mothers and their families, from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

In May 2025, the medical center hosted its first Black Birth Equity Grantee Convening in South L.A. The convening celebrated the collective impact of the shared mission and served as a forum to discuss future work in the Black birthing space.

“These outstanding nonprofits have deep ties to their communities, and their work will lead to the best outcomes for birthing families across Los Angeles,” said Tshema Nash, DrPH, MPH, who leads the initiative as program officer in the Community Benefit Giving Office. “The proof is undeniable: birthing people who turn to these nonprofits for meaningful support have positive birthing experiences, and are met with compassion and high quality care for themselves and their children.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Working to Improve Black Maternal Health

“As we continue to address the gaps in access and visibility across the healthcare workforce, it’s essential to create experiences where students can explore what’s possible,” said Nicole Mitchell, Cedars-Sinai's chief  diversity and inclusion officer. “When young people are able to engage directly—see it, feel it, connect with professionals who share their lived experiences—it shapes what they believe is attainable. For me, it’s all about opening doors early and planting the seed of possibility for the next generation of healthcare heroes.”

The summit featured interactive stations, offering students a chance to experience real-world medical scenarios. Throughout the day, participants explored various aspects of clinical care and medical research, including hands-on demonstrations in anesthesiology, artificial intelligence (AI), and a simulated ambulance experience called a Simbulance.

Additional stations showcased CPR skills, gastroenterology, imaging, OB-GYN, respiratory therapy, germ identification using black light technology, and some of the on-site mentors and participants who shared career insights.

A Community Effort to Strengthen Representation in Medicine

“Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest employers in Los Angeles County,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “That comes with a responsibility not only to provide exceptional healthcare, but also to support the overall wellbeing of our community. Education plays a critical role in that. Introducing talented young people to careers in medicine and healthcare aligns perfectly with our mission and is something we’re proud to support.”

The youth summits are held in major U.S. cities in partnership with medical schools and health organizations. The Los Angeles event included representatives from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UNITE-LA, Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University and Cedars-Sinai Chuck Lorre Allied Health School.

For many students, the event was an eye-opening experience that reinforced their aspirations in healthcare.

“I feel like the medical field is really underrepresented in my community,” said Brandon Parrott, a University of La Verne student interested in anesthesiology or dentistry. “When I go to the hospital, I don’t see many Black doctors or nurses. I think it’s important that we start filling those roles—to help future patients feel seen, understood and comfortable.”

The Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit is part of a larger movement to reverse the decline in Black men applying to medical school and to build more inclusive, accessible pathways into healthcare careers.

“I always say, my white coat just happens to represent medicine, but your white coat might look different,” said Dale Okorodudu, MD, founder of Black Men in White Coats. “Our mission is to ignite a sense of purpose in young people—to let them know they’re built for greatness and don’t need anyone’s permission to achieve it.”

Read more in Cedars-Sinai’s Discoveries Magazine: A Call for Change | Equity and Patient-Centered Care

The list, compiled in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, evaluates companies across the U.S. based on public data, HR insights, and anonymous surveys from a diverse employee pool. Newsweek says this year’s analysis incorporated more than 339,000 employee interviews and 4.8 million company reviews, highlighting organizations that go beyond words to implement meaningful diversity and inclusion practices.

“Diversity and inclusion are central to Cedars-Sinai’s mission to deliver exceptional care and foster innovation,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai. “We are honored to be recognized alongside Huntington Health for creating workplaces where employees from all backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Cedars-Sinai Health System’s leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in numerous initiatives, including workforce development programs, supplier diversity efforts and community partnerships aimed at addressing healthcare disparities. Huntington Health, known for its compassionate care and community focus, mirrors these values by prioritizing inclusivity and equity in its operations.

“Creating an inclusive workplace is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential to building a stronger, more innovative organization,” Mitchell added. “We remain committed to advancing these efforts to benefit our employees, patients and communities.”

Read more in Discoveries Magazine: Residency Programs Move Toward Greater Diversity

Cedars-Sinai will livestream its 23rd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader and his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and community service.

This year’s event will feature a keynote address by Kelvin A. Baggett, MD, who will discuss hope, connection, and kindness—values that align with Dr. King’s vision of equitable healthcare access for all.

Cedars-Sinai’s commemoration of King’s leadership is an annual event that has featured speakers ranging from Marc H. Morial, Myrlie Evers and Martin Luther King III to Berry Gordy and LeVar Burton.

WHO

• Keynote Speaker: Kelvin A. Baggett, MD. 
  Baggett is Senior Managing Director in Transformation and Growth at Patient Square Capital, a private equity firm based in Menlo Park, Calif., where he leads efforts in patient impact and chairs the EMPIRIC (Excellence in Medicine, Patient Impact Research, Innovation and Care) Institute. His healthcare expertise drives large-scale improvements in quality, care delivery, and health outcomes across Patient Square’s investments. Previously, Baggett was EVP and Chief Impact Officer at McKesson, where he advanced global strategies to fulfill McKesson’s mission of “Advancing Health Outcomes for All.”
   
• Musical Guest: Nayanna Holley
  Holley, a seasoned singer and vocal contractor, is a member of NBC’s The Voice House Band and a former American Idol House Band member. She has toured with top artists, including P!NK, St. Vincent, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, and Sheryl Crow.

WHEN

Monday, Jan. 20
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

WHERE

Virtual: Click here to join livestream

In-Person: Harvey Morse Auditorium at Cedars-Sinai 
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Contact:

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Fewer than 10% of practicing orthopedic surgeons are women, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Perry Initiative, a nonprofit organization that partners with medical institutions nationwide, aims to narrow the gender gap in orthopedics and engineering.

“Traditionally, the representation of women in science, engineering and math lags behind,” said Carol Lin, MD, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and one of the program’s organizers at Cedars-Sinai. “This program is a way to show young women that they can have a family, a career, and be an orthopedic surgeon or engineer.”

More than 50 high school and medical students from across Los Angeles participated in this year’s two-day event. Students engaged in a mix of lectures and hands-on workshops.

Medical students connected with orthopedic mentors and practiced advanced techniques like external fixation and intramedullary nailing. High school students were introduced to the basics of orthopedic surgery through interactive stations where they used power drills and saws on synthetic bones to learn how physicians repair fractures and reconstruct torn ligaments. 

“What I love about these workshops is seeing students start off intimidated by the power tools because they've never used them before,” Lin said. “By the end of the day, they're confidently saying, ‘I think this fracture needs a few more screws.’”

Melodie Metzger, PhD, an orthopedic biomedical engineer and co-organizer of the program at Cedars-Sinai, emphasized the importance of early exposure for these students.

“Orthopedics is a field where problem-solving and innovation intersect,” Metzger said. “Programs like The Perry Initiative allow young women to see how their passion for science and engineering can translate into impactful careers. It’s about showing them that they have a place here.”

Young women interested in applying for an upcoming The Perry Initiative event can click here.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Faces of Cedars-Sinai – Melodie Metzger, Director of Orthopaedics Biomechanics Laboratory

“This innovative allied health school contributes to regional economic development by offering career advancement opportunities that significantly increase earning potential for individuals, particularly those transitioning from lower-wage positions,” said Nicole Anderson, JD, vice president and executive vice dean of Academic Affairs. “These efforts align with Cedars-Sinai’s broader mission to elevate community health through training and providing career paths.” 

When Laurence Katznelson, MD, joined Cedars-Sinai as vice dean of Medical Education, he teamed up with Anderson to make the project a reality. The vocational school was established in 2022 with a $30 million donation from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation and will offer training for healthcare careers, particularly aiming for students from underserved communities throughout Southern California.   

The allied health school is part of the newly established Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, an integrative training program to prepare the next generations of academic scientists, healthcare leaders and allied health professionals.

Katznelson and Anderson sat down with the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom to share their vision for the Cedars-Sinai Chuck Lorre Allied Health School.

What are the program’s goals?  

Katznelson: Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University integrates clinical, basic and translational research with education in an academic medical center environment, offering a breadth of advanced research and vocational programs for future healthcare and science leaders.

One of the university’s pillar programs is the Cedars-Sinai Chuck Lorre Allied Health School—a program intended to create a pipeline of healthcare professionals in areas that are understaffed, while simultaneously creating opportunities through nontraditional pathways for candidates with diverse backgrounds who are interested in careers within the medical field.

How do these goals align with Cedars-Sinai’s mission?

Anderson: As a leading academic healthcare organization, Cedars-Sinai’s mission is to elevate the health status of the communities we serve. The more intuitive ways we achieve our goals are by delivering exceptional healthcare enhanced by research and education, and by prioritizing high-quality care for all with equity and compassion.

Beyond our clinical priorities, we also transform biomedical discoveries and innovations, and educate tomorrow’s physicians, nurses, researchers and healthcare professionals. Training is at the heart of our mission and immeasurably contributes to our excellence—which is why our allied health school is centered on guiding new students and trainees.

Who is the ideal student?

Katznelson: Ideal students and trainees are individuals who are curious and eager to excel and may or may not have considered a career in a medical field. Our program aims to provide career mapping and opportunities for existing Cedars-Sinai employees who are interested in additional training and career paths, as well as intensive training for those without access to traditional college opportunities. In doing so, we can enhance their career prospects in medical fields.

Students may also come through Cedars-Sinai’s Youth Employment and Development (YED) Health Careers Academy, an initiative made possible by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. The two-year program allows students from Fairfax High School to earn 10 high school credits as well as a paycheck, with many graduates going on to become Cedars-Sinai employees or students.

Anderson: Part of what sets apart the Cedars-Sinai Chuck Lorre Allied Health School is our learner population. Traditionally, we have taught college-graduate-level learners, whereas this vocational program is intended to foster growth in learners who perhaps have a high school diploma or even a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.

In recruiting, we acknowledge that different learner populations will have distinct needs when compared to traditional graduate-level learners. The allied health school will ensure students can successfully complete their programs and transition into higher-earning allied health careers. 

What types of training will students receive?  

Katznelson: In the first phase, the allied health program is set to provide industry-leading training for emerging healthcare professionals in four areas of work that are chronically understaffed. Professionals who complete the training programs will advance their technical skills in respiratory therapy, pharmacy technician training, clinical laboratory science, and radiation therapy technician training—areas identified as having the most in-demand staffing needs in hospitals throughout the U.S. In the near future, we plan to grow the allied health program to include additional programs.

Five years from now, what impact do you hope the school has made?   

Katznelson: We hope to see success demonstrated by employing graduating classes within the Cedars-Sinai Health System and supporting pipeline needs in the region—all with the goal of enhancing healthcare to our community in Southern California. By doing so, we look to enhance career opportunities in the medical field and wage-earning potential by candidates from diverse backgrounds in the medical field.

Anderson: While we have several short-term goals aimed at enrollment and career succession, our long-term vision includes graduating several classes, hiring graduates within the Cedars-Sinai Health System, and elevating practice disciplines across the region and state. We strongly believe that the allied health school will contribute to regional economic development by offering career advancement opportunities that significantly increase earning potential for individuals, particularly those transitioning from lower-wage positions.

Learn more about the Cedars-Sinai Chuck Lorre Allied Health School.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

A Cedars-Sinai-led technology startup has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to develop a first-of-its-kind, affordable, home-based fingerstick test for early detection of preeclampsia, a potentially deadly pregnancy complication.

The startup, Gravidas Diagnostics Inc., won support from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to address the condition that is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with most cases occurring near the due date.

ARPA-H, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is an investment agency that was created by the U.S. Congress in 2022. The goal: to invest in and support high-impact medical research that could potentially create sustainable and equitable health solutions for critical areas of need, such as women’s and maternal-fetal health.

"This award is a significant milestone for Gravidas,” said Nirdesh K. Gupta, PhD, chief executive officer of Gravidas and managing partner of the Cedars-Sinai Intellectual Property Company. “It will enable us to develop a rapid, accurate test that can be easily administered at home, reassuring patients and allowing clinicians to identify high-risk pregnancies and proactively provide lifesaving care before the onset of symptoms.”

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with most cases occurring near the due date. The usual signs of preeclampsia are high blood pressure, excess protein in urine, and swelling. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to organ damage and, rarely, death. In the U.S., preeclampsia is estimated to occur in up to 7% of all pregnancies and is one of the leading causes of maternal death and severe morbidity, with Black women being 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia compared with white women.

“Pregnant women with risk factors and limited access to routine obstetric care will be the largest beneficiaries of this home-based test. This innovative solution has the potential to reduce racial disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly among Black women,” said Sarah J. Kilpatrick, MD, PhD, a nationally renowned expert in maternal-fetal medicine and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai.

Currently, there are no home-based tests available that can accurately detect preeclampsia early in pregnancy. Gravidas’ innovative, low-cost fingerstick test, which uses technology born out of groundbreaking research funded and pioneered by Anders Berg, MD, PhD, vice-chair of Clinical Pathology at Cedars-Sinai, and Ananth Karumanchi, MD, professor of Medicine and director of the Renovascular Research Center at Cedars-Sinai, aims to change that.

“Preeclampsia can only be treated by delivering the baby,” said Karumanchi, whose laboratory pioneered the discovery of the protein being used in the home test. “A rapid, easy-to-use, home-administered test prescribed by a physician can help to rule out imminent risk or to detect preeclampsia early and start necessary interventions to manage hypertension and reduce pregnancy-related complications.”

In 2022, prior to receiving this ARPA-H award, investigators at Cedars-Sinai published a multicenter study with over 1,000 patients, utilizing a blood test to assess the ratio between two key proteins—known as serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio (sFlt‐1/PlGF)—in the bloodstream that predicted worsening of preeclampsia in hospitalized patients. The study, led by Cedars-Sinai investigators, resulted in Food and Drug Administration approval for use of the hospital-based blood test in the U.S. The home-based fingerstick test for preeclampsia will measure sFIt-1 in the bloodstream using colorimetric assay.

Given the increasing numbers of preeclampsia cases nationwide, the decision to create a home-based test for pregnant individuals to use and screen for the condition was the natural next step.

“Gravidas is working to ensure the test is widely accessible, cost-effective, equitable and easy for patients to use in the comfort of their own homes and other settings outside of the hospital,” said Berg, chief technology officer at Gravidas.

“The development of this home-based test for preeclampsia is a testament to Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to harnessing promising technology to build affordable solutions to address major areas of clinically unmet need, especially women’s reproductive health, and to help improve overall patient outcomes,” said Jeffrey A. Golden, MD, director of the Burns and Allen Research Institute and executive vice dean for Research and Education at Cedars-Sinai.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Cedars-Sinai Introduces Dutch Health-Tech Startups to US Markets

The study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, identified multiple strategies to address low participation rates of non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients in a National Institutes of Health-funded trial investigating virtual reality for chronic lower back pain.

“Traditional recruitment strategies have not been effective in reaching these communities,” said Lindsey Ross, MD, assistant professor of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai and first author of the study. “We conducted focus groups with Black and Hispanic patients to understand their concerns and preferences, highlighting barriers to participation such as mistrust, lack of interest, cultural differences and ineffective communication. The insights we gained allowed us to revise our recruitment materials to be more culturally responsive, updating language, imagery and outreach methods. We also used advanced digital tools to scan electronic medical records and micro-target eligible Black and Hispanic patients for the trial.”

After these changes were implemented, recruitment of Hispanic participants into the trial more than quadrupled, and recruitment of Black participants showed a notable upward trend. Ross said these results demonstrate that culturally adapted recruitment strategies and digital targeting tools can play a critical role in improving clinical trial diversity, and offer actionable insights for researchers aiming to bridge the gap in clinical trial representation of diverse communities.

Authors: Samuel Eberlein, Carine Khalil, So Yung Choi, Karma McKelvey, Brennan M. R. Spiegel. 

Funding: Open access funding provided by SCELC, Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) through the Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program as a part of the NIH HEAL Initiative [UH3AR076573-03S1].

Follow Cedars-Sinai Academic Medicine on LinkedIn for more on the latest basic science and clinical research from Cedars-Sinai.

“The incidence of pancreatic cancer among the Black population is at least 50% higher than the incidence of other racial groups. Furthermore, research has shown that Black patients have the lowest survival rate,” said Debiao Li, PhD, director of the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute and professor of Biomedical Sciences and Imaging at Cedars-Sinai, and co-principal investigator of the study. “We know that there are genetic, socioeconomic and lifestyle differences between ethnic and racial populations, and we suspect some of these differences might affect pancreatic tissue and pancreatic cancer risk.”

Li and co-investigators received a grant from the National Cancer Institute in 2022 and developed a tool that uses CT scans and AI to detect minute changes in the pancreas, which is part of the digestive system. These changes can indicate a patient is likely to develop pancreatic cancer years before they develop the disease, thus enabling an earlier diagnosis when treatments are most effective. This investigative team has received a new grant to conduct a pilot study that will allow them to determine whether those characteristics differ in Black patients.

The team will collaborate with Cemal Yazici, MD, associate professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, which, like Cedars-Sinai, serves a large population of Black patients.

Predictive models for pancreatic cancer based on symptoms, genetics and weight haven’t been shown to be accurate on their own, said Stephen Pandol, MD, director of Basic and Translational Pancreas Research at Cedars-Sinai and co-principal investigator of the study. Meanwhile, blood and urine tests for pancreas cancer are still in development.

“Packaging these tests with our imaging tool could eventually prove effective in predicting who will develop pancreatic cancer,” Pandol said. “Our goal is to perfect our tool, then apply it to a population to see if we can diagnose individuals earlier.”

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with only around 10% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. Early detection and surgical intervention can increase five-year survival rates to more than 50%, but this is rare because early pancreatic cancer causes few symptoms.

“Drilling down to understand cancer risk at precision levels is key to the Cedars-Sinai Cancer mission to bring personalized cancer care to every patient,” said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the PHASE ONE Foundation Distinguished Chair. "This work in early detection nicely complements recent work showing that a new AI-based precision medicine approach called the Molecular Twin Precision Oncology Platform can predict outcomes of pancreatic cancer."

With the help of improved predictive tools, patients at the highest risk can be monitored via annual imaging so any cancer that develops is detected at the earliest stage.

“If we can diagnose a patient’s pancreatic cancer two or three years earlier, that could make a life-and-death difference,” Li said.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Pancreatic Cancer Clinic Saves Time and Lives

Newly updated stroke prevention guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association say women with endometriosis and women with early-onset menopause are at greater risk. The guidelines also suggest the new weight loss drugs called GLP-1 inhibitors as an option for patients with diabetes, who have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

“The goal of these guidelines is to promote brain health and reduce individual risk of stroke, so that we are all living healthy lives with a great quality of life as we age,” said Alexis Simpkins, MD, PhD, associate professor of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai. “These recommendations bring together the best available evidence to guide conversations between healthcare providers and patients and help them prevent a primary stroke.”

Simpkins said the updated guidelines encourage patients to follow the Mediterranean diet, and urge health providers to assess stroke risk due to a patient’s social determinants of health. Social determinants of health are the nonmedical factors, such as access to healthy foods, opportunities for healthy physical activity, and access to healthcare, that influence health outcomes.

In addition to those with traditional stroke risk factors, several additional at-risk populations that were highlighted in the updated guidelines include:

• Women with endometriosis
• Women whose ovaries cease functioning before age 40
• Women who experience menopause before age 45
• Pregnant and postpartum women—especially those who have experienced hypertension during previous pregnancies
• Transgender women receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy

“We don’t yet fully understand the reasons behind this elevated risk, especially in cases of endometriosis and early menopause,” Simpkins said. “This will require further investigation, but in the meantime, these patients and their healthcare providers should be having specific conversations about stroke risk and making plans to manage it.”

With more than 140,000 deaths from stroke occurring in the U.S. each year, Shlee S. Song, MD, co-director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program and professor of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai, recommends the Life’s Essential 8 checklist from the American Heart Association for risk-reduction strategies everyone can follow.

“The Essential 8 and social relationships keep us healthy and aging well,” Song said. “By staying connected and engaged in our social bonds, avoiding tobacco use, and paying attention to what we eat, physical activity, sleep, waist measurement, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, everyone can improve brain health and resiliency. This helps maintain quality of life and lowers risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and other major health problems.”

For patients taking blood pressure medications, the updated guidelines emphasize the importance of getting high blood pressure under control—even if that means adding more medications.

“Blood pressure goals now are a little bit more aggressive than they were previously,” Simpkins said. “Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing salt intake are important, but many people need the help of medication to meet these goals. And if one medication does not work, providers and patients should not hesitate to add another.”

The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains, is recommended in the guidelines as the best eating plan—even better than a simple low-fat diet—for stroke prevention.

“The Mediterranean diet has the most scientific evidence for stroke reduction,” Simpkins said. “Our diet should provide nutrient-rich building blocks to help us function. If you're only focusing on one aspect of your diet, such as total calorie count or total fat, but are ignoring nutritional content and how the food was processed, you will miss out on foods that are protective against cardiovascular events and potentially end up overconsuming foods that increase stroke risk. Ultimately, eating an unhealthy diet long-term is detrimental for brain health.”

“It's important for each of us to be aware of our risk factors,” Simpkins said, “so that we can work with our healthcare providers to come up with a plan to address them.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Strokes That Are Treatable—and Beatable

“It’s not just sniffles or cold-like symptoms. It can turn into pneumonia or an even more severe illness for older adults that can lead to hospitalization and, unfortunately, sometimes their demise,” said Leslie Ramirez, MD, a physician with Cedars-Sinai’s Senior Advantage program, which specializes in caring for medically complex Medicare Advantage patients 65 and older.

Because the body’s immune system weakens with age, Ramirez said, viruses like influenza can cause more serious illness in older adults. Once hospitalized, they’re at even higher risk for developing bedsores and skin infections from lack of movement. And unlike younger people whose condition rapidly improves once an illness passes, it can take weeks for older adults to regain their strength.

“If they’ve been in the hospital for a while, when they return home, they can struggle getting in and out of bed, getting to the bathroom or sitting down and standing up,” Ramirez said. “It complicates their care and increases the burden on the family members trying to help them.”

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom talked with Ramirez about the most effective ways to help older adults avoid a hospital stay altogether.

What can cause an older adult with the flu to need hospital care?

The flu can trigger a huge inflammatory response in the lungs of older adults who may not be able to continue breathing on their own. They might need supplemental oxygen and fluids because we tend to eat and drink less when we’re ill. Dehydration can be very harmful in older patients, causing their blood pressure to drop, as well as respiratory distress.

Older adults also are more likely to have multiple chronic health issues—heart, lung and kidney conditions—and an influenza infection can make all of those worse.

If an older adult gets the flu, how can they avoid a severe illness?

They should contact their provider as soon as they experience flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, body aches, maybe a sore throat or diarrhea—or get tested for the flu at a nearby urgent care. With a confirmed diagnosis, patients might be eligible for Tamiflu, an antiviral treatment that can help shorten the length of illness and decrease severity. But the medication must be started within five days of symptom onset.

It's also important to rest and drink plenty of water. Chicken noodle soup or broth also can help with hydration. Acetaminophen can help reduce a fever, ibuprofen can ease body aches and over-the-counter cough suppressants can help ease a cough. But always check with a provider before taking a new drug to ensure it won’t interact with your current medications or chronic conditions.

Do you have any advice for caregivers or loved ones of older adults?

It’s important to identify flu symptoms early—a fever above 100.4 degrees, chills, fatigue, body aches, an itchy throat. If you notice that an older loved one with the flu is starting to become more lethargic, very weak or confused—they don’t know where they are or who they are, and they’re usually very aware of their surroundings—those are big flags that the severity of their illness is increasing. Take them to the emergency department or call their provider immediately.

If they start complaining that they haven’t gone to the restroom as much as they normally do, that could be a sign they’re not drinking enough, or their kidneys aren’t functioning well. If their cough worsens and they’re having difficulty breathing or they’re short of breath or they can’t walk to the bathroom—those are all red flags.

How can older adults avoid the flu?

Wash your hands, especially if you’re going to be eating or you’ve been in an environment that might not be clean. You might want to avoid crowded places like giant sporting events during flu season. I’m not advocating that people skip important life events like a wedding or gathering with family, but take precautions, such as masking or keeping your distance. Some people still choose not to shake hands.

And, of course, get the flu shot. The flu vaccine is available at local pharmacies and in our clinic at Cedars-Sinai. For those 65 and older, there is a high-dose flu shot because their immune system isn’t as reactive as it used to be, and they need a stronger dose to mount a successful immune response. Younger family members also should consider getting vaccinated to reduce their risk of contracting influenza and passing it on to their older relatives. But remember, it takes two weeks to become fully protected. Keep that in mind if you want to time your flu shot ahead of Thanksgiving, the holidays or major travel.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Care Coordination for the Sandwich Generation

The pioneering effort, unveiled at the Hospital Association of Southern California’s recent Communities Lifting Communities Supplier Diversity Conference, underscores Cedars-Sinai's commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across all facets of healthcare.

The newly established directory of 1,500 suppliers is accessible to more than 176 hospitals and 31 health systems and is a milestone for the healthcare industry, said Motz Feinberg, vice president of Supply Chain at Cedars-Sinai.  

“Our goal was to provide a directory of diverse-owned vendors that have healthcare experience so that these companies have opportunities to compete for hospital contracts,” Feinberg said. “This initiative is a testament to our dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.”

The supplier directory addresses the challenges many suppliers face in being identified for contracting opportunities within the healthcare industry. By streamlining the process and making it easier for hospitals to identify and engage with suppliers, Cedars-Sinai is helping to break down barriers that have historically hindered businesses from competing on a more equal footing.

“Cedars-Sinai’s leadership in this initiative is a testament to its dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. This work is just doing the right thing, and it’s very aligned with the Cedars-Sinai value-based system that we have,” said Andrew Kwok, MPA, associate director of Supply Chain Diversity at Cedars-Sinai.

An example of Cedars-Sinai’s successful collaboration with diverse suppliers is Maedo Architects, a minority-owned business redesigning the Ray Charles Cafeteria in Cedars-Sinai, recently recognized as the 2024 Supplier of the Year by the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council.

“At Maedo Architects, we believe in creating spaces that uplift communities and enhance quality of life, and Cedars-Sinai has been an incredible partner in allowing us to do just that,” said Gregg Maedo, principal and architect at Maedo Architects. “We are proud to be part of Cedars-Sinai’s mission to make healthcare more equitable.”

A Collaborative Approach

The initiative also represents a collaborative effort among leading healthcare institutions in the region. The Hospital Association of Southern California’s Communities Lifting Communities program and Cedars-Sinai worked closely with organizations including Kaiser Permanente, UC Health, City of Hope, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck Medicine of USC, and PIH Health to develop the supplier list. The collective expertise and resources of these institutions have ensured that the list is both comprehensive and accessible, offering a valuable tool for hospitals seeking to diversify their supplier base.

In the spirit of collaboration and reciprocity, hospitals and health systems that have collaborated have access to the directory. Additional health systems can gain access by working with Communities Lifting Communities. Diverse suppliers who would like to participate should contact the Hospital Association of Southern California.

“By offering hospitals easier access to a diverse pool of qualified suppliers, we’re not only fostering inclusivity in procurement practices but also supporting the growth of diverse-owned businesses,” said George Greene, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Southern California. “We believe it will have a lasting positive impact on both healthcare and local communities.”

“And that’s the point,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai. “This initiative is about creating real, lasting change—not just within our hospitals but in the communities we serve. By empowering diverse suppliers, we help build stronger economies, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for everyone. This is about equity, opportunity, and building a more inclusive future in healthcare."

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Global Perspective—Strengthening Healthcare’s Human Supply Chain

The research findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in the U.S., exceeded only by breast cancer. About one-eighth of U.S. men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a median age of 67 according to the National Cancer Institute. Most patients have slow-growing, localized tumors, confined to the prostate gland, that are unlikely to threaten their lives. Instead of immediate treatment, these low-risk patients can be monitored through “active surveillance,” in which examinations and tests are performed on a regular schedule to make sure the disease is not progressing.

“Use of active surveillance has increased over the last 15 years for men with low-risk prostate cancer, and it is now the most common treatment for these men,” said Timothy Daskivich, MD, director of Urologic Oncology Research for the Cedars-Sinai Department of Urology and corresponding author of the new study. “This approach allows these patients to avoid the risks of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and other potential side effects of surgery and radiation therapy.”

Conservative management, which includes active surveillance or watchful waiting, is also recommended for men with limited life expectancies who likely will not live long enough to benefit from aggressive local treatment, even for higher-risk cancers. However, for these men, the trend is going in the opposite direction, as measured by the investigators’ analysis of extensive data from the Veterans Affairs health system. They found that for men with limited life expectancies and intermediate- and high-risk cancers, conservative management was being employed less often and that more were receiving aggressive local treatment with surgery or radiation.

“We found this pattern surprising,” Daskivich said. “Prostate cancer patients with life expectancies of less than five or 10 years were being subjected to treatments that can take up to a decade to significantly improve their chances of surviving cancer, despite guidelines recommending against treatment.”

For their study, the investigators analyzed medical data on 243,928 men in the Veterans Affairs health system who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer between 2000 and 2019.

Among patients with average life expectancies of less than 10 years, the proportion who underwent treatments such as surgery or radiation for low-risk prostate cancer rather than receiving active surveillance decreased from 37.4% to 14.7%; but treatment for intermediate-risk disease increased from 37.6% to 59.8%. Among patients with average life expectancies of less than five years, treatment for high-risk disease increased from 17.3% to 46.5%. Among men who were overtreated, roughly 80% were treated with radiation therapy.

Solving the issue of overtreatment in higher-risk prostate cancer patients with limited longevity requires a multifaceted approach involving better estimation, communication, and integration of life expectancy into decision-making, Daskivich said. He and his team have proposed a “trifecta” method for communicating cancer prognosis to the patient. This method involves the physician discussing the likelihood of dying from the cancer with treatment versus without treatment at the endpoint of the patient’s life expectancy. This approach personalizes the risk of the cancer that is relevant to each patient.

“Our goal is to encourage clinicians to make longevity part of the discussion about the best treatment options so that prostate cancer patients with limited life expectancies can make educated choices,” Daskivich said. “A patient may be given this data and choose to pursue surgery or radiation treatments regardless of a limited probability of benefit.  Another patient may take a different course.”

“Every individual is different, and statistical averages for lifespan, treatment effectiveness and cancer risk cannot predict outcomes with certainty,” Daskivich added. “But patients should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions with the best possible information.”

Hyung L. Kim, MD, chair of the Department of Urology at Cedars-Sinai, said the JAMA Internal Medicine study reflects a signature strength of Cedars-Sinai: the close cooperation among researchers and clinicians. “Many of our investigators are themselves clinicians, which ensures that their research addresses real-life problems in healthcare with an emphasis on finding solutions,” he said.

Other Cedars-Sinai authors include Michael Luu and John R. Heard. Other authors include I-Chun Thomas from Stanford University and senior author John T. Leppert from Stanford University in Stanford, California, and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, California.

This work was supported in part by VA Merit Review (I01 HX0021261 to JL). The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service work was supported using resources and facilities at the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI), VA HSR RES 13-457. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Government.

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The all-day, multigenerational celebration brought more than 500,000 Angelenos to Crenshaw Boulevard to experience the city’s finest food and music, and to learn about available community resources. As one of the event sponsors, Cedars-Sinai provided health information and experts to help empower community members to prioritize health and wellness.

“Taste of Soul is more than just an event—it’s a joyful celebration of the Los Angeles community’s strength, resilience, and unity,” said Christina Harris, MD, Cedars-Sinai’s vice president and chief health equity officer. “With more than 45 initiatives dedicated to community health, diversity, inclusion and health equity, we’re here to support everyone on their health journey.”

Founded in 2006 by Danny Bakewell Sr., civil rights activist and executive publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, the Taste of Soul festival is a celebration of Los Angeles’ Black community and culture. This year’s festival featured celebrity host Tiffany Haddish, three music stages, voter registration booths, children’s activities, and a range of health, financial and community resources.

As part of the festivities, Cedars-Sinai engaged attendees through interactive activities, including a family photo booth and games for children. A “Conversations Corner” connected festivalgoers with healthcare experts available to answer questions.  

Attendee Pastor Mark Charles stopped by the Cedars-Sinai tent to share his connection to the medical center.

“Cedars-Sinai delivered my son back in 1978, and they did an excellent job,” Charles said. “If I ever got sick or needed to go to a hospital, I’d choose Cedars-Sinai again. I feel very fortunate to have a hospital like Cedars-Sinai in our community.”

Read More on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: At Cedars-Sinai, a Dedicated Focus on Black Birth Equity

The university will integrate clinical, basic and translational scientific research education in an academic medical center, offering a breadth of advanced research and vocational programs aimed at creating healthcare and scientific leaders. These programs will also spur innovation and nurture thought leaders in medical education. 

“The new Health Sciences University builds on Cedars-Sinai’s legacy to foster continual learning as a way to improve the health of communities,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Health System. “We are proudly committed to developing high-achieving academic investigators and educators in disease-focused science.”

Students will gain a better understanding of human disease, how best to treat individuals and populations, enhance disease prevention and elevate the overall health of communities.

“This milestone moment in Cedars-Sinai’s history will provide students with a unique opportunity to enrich and advance their careers as they receive the highest level of training in the medical sciences and healthcare delivery,” said Shlomo Melmed, MB, ChB, executive vice president of Medicine and Health Sciences and dean of the Medical Faculty. “We are building a university that will offer meaningful career paths that align with Cedars-Sinai’s mission to elevate the health status and wellbeing of patients and communities.”

Cedars-Sinai already is home to more than 315 graduate students and postdoctoral scientists and 540 medical residents and fellows. Current students can earn a PhD in biomedical and translational sciences and master’s of science degrees in health systems and magnetic resonance in medicine.

A new PhD program in health artificial intelligence (AI) in 2025 will build on this foundation.

The PhD in health AI will offer rigorous training in AI algorithms and methods, with a focus on analyzing clinical data to enhance patient care. The hands‑on, active approach to teaching will reinforce AI concepts through clinical rotations and scholarly collaboration with physicians and medical staff. Graduates will be positioned to directly improve healthcare and patient outcomes through the rigorous development and deployment of AI algorithms and software.

Also new is the Chuck Lorre Allied Health School, established with a $30 million gift from the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation to offer allied healthcare careers for individuals in historically marginalized groups in Los Angeles and beyond. In the first phase of this program, students will earn a bachelor of science degree in respiratory therapy or certification in one of three other high-demand technical specialties that are chronically understaffed in hospitals: pharmacy technician, clinical laboratory scientist and radiation therapy technician. 

Regardless of the discipline or area of research, students in the university will be matched with clinical partners who will provide mentorship and training throughout the duration of their programs. 

“We want Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University to attract the best and brightest—both in medicine and outside of medicine—individuals who want to devote their careers to making a profound impact on patient lives,” said Jeffrey A. Golden, MD, executive vice dean of Research and Education and director of the Burns and Allen Research Institute. “Our goal is for every student to realize an invaluable training opportunity and enriching experience for their growth as a healthcare professional.”

For more information, visit Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

Follow Cedars-Sinai Academic Medicine on LinkedIn for more on the latest basic science and clinical research from Cedars-Sinai.

DISCOVER (Dynamic Internship for Students Cultivating Opportunities and Vision in Healthcare Education and Research) is a 10-week, paid summer program designed to give college students a closer look at the many facets of the healthcare industry, from patient care and supply chain to hospital administration. Launched in partnership with the Los Angeles mayor’s office and Unite L.A., DISCOVER allows students to job shadow, network, and gain practical insights into their areas of interest.

“Healthcare is a team sport,” said Daniela Villegas, NextGen Pathways program manager, “and there are so many different roles and careers to choose from. There is something for everyone.”

Students who complete DISCOVER can apply for ELEVATE (Empowering Learning and Vocational Advancement Through Excellence), a yearlong employment program that continues their journey in healthcare. While DISCOVER is focused on exploration, ELEVATE takes a more targeted approach, helping students secure full-time employment while supporting them in completing their college education.

“Both programs offer students—particularly those from community colleges and four-year universities—an entry point into the healthcare field,” Villegas said. “The goal is to provide students with real-world experience and connections that help them make informed decisions about their future careers.”

Cedars-Sinai leaders hope to attract students from Los Angeles’ array of diverse communities into both programs.

“We want our future workforce to be a true reflection of Los Angeles’ incredible diversity,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, as of 2022, only 5.7% of active physicians in the U.S. are Black, and 6.9% are Hispanic, despite these groups representing a much larger portion of the U.S. population.

"These disparities in representation show how much work still needs to be done to increase diverse representation in healthcare.  DISCOVER and ELEVATE are great examples of what's possible when we work together to open doors and create real opportunities for the next generation of healthcare heroes."

For NextGen Pathway students like Ashley Contreras and Alejandro Sanchez, the opportunity to work at Cedars-Sinai has been eye opening. Both are first-generation college students with goals for future careers in healthcare.

Contreras, a third-year student at UCLA, is currently working in the Geri and Richard Brawerman Nursing Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

“Something that surprised me within the program was seeing the different careers there were for nurses,” Contreras said. “I thought nurses were just on the floor helping patients, but I am learning all the behind-the-scenes work that happens.”

Sanchez, who recently earned his master’s degree in biomedical sciences from California Baptist University, is an aspiring physician assistant. He says the program has given him a unique opportunity to understand the healthcare industry.

“This is my first healthcare experience, and having this under my belt, seeing how a hospital like Cedars-Sinai operates, has been invaluable,” Sanchez said. “It’s helping me build connections and see how the healthcare field works.”

Anupa Roshan, RN, a nurse educator at Cedars-Sinai and Contreras’ department supervisor, emphasizes the importance of mentorship. “I want to support students like Ashley by fostering their curiosity in healthcare and providing opportunities for them to practice safe patient care in real settings.”

Students interested in applying can fill out this form or email nextgenprograms@cshs.org for more information.

“We want to see the full circle,” Villegas said. “We want to see students starting with us not knowing what they want to do, then going on to finish school, get the licenses they need, and eventually return to Cedars-Sinai for full-time employment.”

Read more in Discoveries Magazine: Residency Programs Move Toward Greater Diversity

The findings, published in Biology of Sex Differences, add to a growing body of research showing the placenta undergoes rapid genetic changes during the first trimester that may have effects lasting into adulthood.

“We know the fetus’ sex can impact a mother’s risk for conditions such as preeclampsia, hyperemesis, and gestational diabetes, as well as risk for miscarriage,” said Margareta Pisarska, MD, director of the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center at Cedars-Sinai and corresponding author of the study. “We are trying to understand what exactly happens during sex differentiation that may also affect outcomes for the mother and her baby.”

The investigators studied first trimester placental tissue collected from 56 women who underwent chorionic villus sampling, a prenatal diagnostic test that checks for chromosomal abnormalities and is typically offered to women who will be 35 or older when they give birth. The investigators sought to identify signals that turn genes on and off and how these signals lead to changes in how a gene is expressed.

Many of the genes they identified are on the X and Y chromosomes, which determine sex. (Women have two X chromosomes and men have one X and one Y.) However, the investigators also identified genes expressed on chromosomes that males and females share.

The investigators identified 151 signals that turn genes on and off. The signals affected 18 genes that were turned on or off depending on the sex of the fetus. One gene, for example, ZNF300, was turned on in females but not in males, an observation the investigative team intends to explore further.

In another recently published study, Pisarska and colleagues studied placental samples from women in their first and third trimester and observed that sex differences in gene expression were more common in the first trimester.

“The expression of certain genes during early pregnancy may contribute to sex differences in the health and disease of adults,” Pisarska said. “Females, for example, are more likely than males to experience autoimmune diseases. We think gene expressions are markers that define not just pregnancy outcomes, but also tell us how sex differences in certain diseases are manifested.”

The investigators plan to study how modifying which genes get turned on or off might minimize disease in the mother, fetus and eventual child and adult.

Other Cedars-Sinai authors involved in the Biology of Sex Differences study include Tania L. Gonzalez, PhD; Bryn E. Willson, MD; Erica T. Wang; Allynson Novoa, BS; Akhila Swarna, BS; Juanita C. Ortiz; Gianna J. Zeno; Caroline A. Jefferies, PhD; Kate Lawrenson, PhD; John Williams III, MD; Jinrui Cui, MS; and Mark O. Goodarzi, MD, PhD.

This work was supported the National Institutes of Health under awards by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (R01HD091773 to MDP), The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (R01AI154535 to MDP), the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (U01EB026421 to MDP), and the Training Program in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (T32DK007770 to TLG). Infrastructure for the CHARGE Consortium is supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) grant R01HL105756. This study was also supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, CTSI grant UL1TR001881, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease Diabetes Research Center (DRC) grant DK063491 to the Southern California Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Faces of Cedars-Sinai—Fertility Expert Dr. Margareta Pisarska

Cedars-Sinai is hosting free community flu shot clinics across Los Angeles County, and experts are encouraging families to get the shot and protect each other.

“Influenza can cause severe illness, leading to hospitalization or even death,” said Santhosh Nadipuram, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. “The flu shot is the best option in the world that we have of preventing you from getting severe influenza infection, ending up in the hospital or even dying. Getting vaccinated will help keep you and your loved ones safe.”

For parents like Clint Chin, a father of two young boys, getting vaccinated is all about family.

“Being a dad, I want to protect my children and family. That’s one of the top priorities,” said Chin, who, along with his wife and two sons, both under 5, recently received his flu shot at a Cedars-Sinai clinic.

Chin’s sentiment is echoed by other parents, including Coka Yip, who attended the same flu clinic with her family.

“My mom’s over 65, my daughter is 5, and it’s her first year in kindergarten. I thought it was a good time to get everyone vaccinated,” Yip said.

The flu can be especially dangerous for certain groups, including young children, older adults, and those who are pregnant or have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. These groups are more vulnerable to complications from the flu, which can include hospitalization or worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2022-2023 flu season was linked to as many as 650,000 hospitalizations and 58,000 deaths in the U.S.

Influenza symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches, can be severe, and the virus spreads easily during flu season.

“If you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, there’s still time," Nadipuram said. "Make sure everyone in your home is vaccinated, especially as we approach the holiday season when people will be gathering.”

The flu vaccines formulated for the 2024-25 flu season protect against three different flu viruses that are circulating this year. Infectious disease experts recommend that everyone 6 months old and up get vaccinated. All ages are welcome at the community flu shot clinics, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Scheduled Community Flu Shot Clinics:

Saturday, Oct.19
7 a.m.–noon
Children's Institute Inc. – Otis Booth Campus
2121 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Wednesday, Oct. 23
10 a.m.–noon
Watts Labor Community Action Committee 
2528 West Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Saturday, Nov. 2
7 a.m.–noon
Michelle and Barack Obama Recreation Center
5001 Obama Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Sunday, Nov. 10
9–11 a.m.
Young Israel of Century City
9317 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Tuesday, Nov. 12
Noon–2 p.m.
Fairfax Senior Citizens Center 
7929 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Flu and RSV – How to Protect Yourself Now

“Cancer is the leading cause of death in most Asian American ethnic groups, a fact that has been understudied for years,” said Zul Surani, associate director of Community Outreach and Engagement at Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai. “Because of our continual work to build partnerships in the community, Cedars-Sinai is well positioned to contribute to this incredibly important undertaking.”

Cedars-Sinai is the largest single center enrolling participants into the national effort, which is funded by the National Cancer Institute and will include 20,000 people over the next four years. Asian Americans ages 30-75 who have not been diagnosed with cancer are eligible to participate.

“This study will look at traditional cancer risk factors such as lifestyle and environmental exposures, but it will also examine the effects of bias and discrimination on cancer risk,” said Robert W. Haile, DrPH, MPH, associate director of Population Sciences at Cedars-Sinai Cancer and director of the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity, the Cedars-Sinai Chair in Cancer Population Health Sciences and a co-principal investigator of the study. “This is the first large-scale study to look at these effects on cancer risk in Asian Americans.”

Information will be gathered through online questionnaires, Haile said. Participants will not need to visit Cedars-Sinai in person to take part in the study, though staff fluent in multiple languages will be available to assist participants who prefer to complete questionnaires in person or by phone.

As a medical center with access to large Asian American populations and nationally recognized expertise in community outreach and engagement, Cedars-Sinai is charged with enrolling 4,680 participants from various Asian American communities, including Asian Indian, Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Filipino, Korean, Pakistani, Thai and others.

“We will be able to do this quickly because of the infrastructure we have in place,” Surani said. “We are ready to start meeting with trusted community leaders, such as pastors and leaders of community organizations, to disseminate information about the study. They can reach thousands of people at a time.”

The study was motivated by research showing large disparities in cancer rates among various Asian American populations, Haile and Surani said. These include sharp increases in certain cancers: breast cancer in Korean and Filipino women, thyroid cancer across all Asian ethnicities, and lung cancer among Asian American women who have never smoked.

“We don’t know why this is happening, and no one has studied Asian Americans on this scale before,” Haile said. “Most of the studies that exist are small in scale and look at people who have already developed cancer. This is the first study that starts with Asian Americans who don’t have cancer and then follows them over time to see who develops cancer and who does not.”

The plan is to follow these participants for decades into the future, but the first preliminary information about risk factors and demographics could be released at the end of the first year, Haile said.

“Cedars-Sinai Cancer serves one of the most diverse populations anywhere, and a key part of our mission is to bring equity to every aspect of our research and patient care,” said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the PHASE ONE Foundation Distinguished Chair. “Studies such as this one allow Cedars-Sinai Cancer to contribute invaluable insights into the needs of our cancer community.”

This work is a leading effort and part of a broader Cedars-Sinai strategy to engage diverse patients, according to Michael Farkouh, MD, associate dean for Research and Clinical Trials at Cedars-Sinai. Farkouh said the institution is committed to learning more about the diverse patients it serves and finding ways to understand the unique challenges faced by Asian Americans.

“Finding opportunities to serve patients who have historically been underrepresented is a real challenge in clinical research, and one that people often aren’t aware exists,” Farkouh said. “Community engagement is a cornerstone of Cedars-Sinai’s work and building it out even further can help participants feel safe and supported, leading to even greater local and global impact.”

Read more from Discoveries: Cancer Prevention in Every Language

The Jewish High Holidays, a time of reflection, repentance and new intentions, begins Oct. 2 at sundown with Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—and continues on Oct. 11 with Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar.

Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi at Cedars-Sinai and director of the Spiritual Care Department, will lead High Holidays services at the medical center on Oct. 3, 11 and 12. Patients, staff and the community are welcome.

In hopes of leaving congregants with meaningful inspiration for the year ahead, Weiner prepares for the sermons he will give during High Holidays services by researching, reading and, most importantly, listening. The past year has been an especially heavy time for people around the world, Weiner said, so the opportunity to craft a message that brings comfort and inspires reflection and renewal can feel both daunting and heartening.

“I speak with many patients at Cedars-Sinai about how world events have impacted their lives this year,” he said. “People tell me they are yearning for healing and comfort. I hope my message can offer help and hope. At the same time, I appreciate listening, learning and gaining inspiration from others during the High Holidays. I’m looking forward to having our community together for all these reasons.”

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Weiner more about the High Holidays services and what messages he hopes to convey.

What are some prominent themes of your High Holidays sermons this year?

I’ll focus on the role of the Jewish people during these difficult, divided times in our world, and on themes of resilience and overcoming adversity. In Jewish tradition, we believe the Ten Commandments were broken by Moses and that new whole tablets were kept in the Ark of the Covenant along with the broken tablets. Likewise, our world has felt broken this year. I want to emphasize that it’s critical during these times to maintain balance and perspective. I’ll also express how important it is to embrace community—to recognize that we can’t do everything alone and that we need each other’s support. That’s what the holidays are about—coming together for support and camaraderie.

What are your wishes for the Jewish New Year?

I’m hopeful for a fresh start, a new beginning, and the opportunity for a better year ahead. There’s a classic Hebrew saying, “May the old year and its curses end, and may the new year and its blessings begin.” I feel like that saying is really perfect this year.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and continues through Friday, Oct. 4; Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Friday, Oct. 11, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 12. Weiner will lead three High Holidays services in the Harvey Morse Auditorium at Cedars-Sinai. Prerecorded services also are available.

• Rosh Hashanah: Thursday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–noon  
• Kol Nidre: Friday, Oct. 11, 6:30–8 p.m.
• Yom Kippur: Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Cedars-Sinai Rabbi Publishes Book About Bioethics

That’s why Gregory Jones, RN, injury prevention and outreach coordinator for the hospital’s Trauma Program, is on a mission to help older adults avoid risk factors and prevent falls. Jones has been giving talks at community centers across Los Angeles County leading up to Falls Prevention Awareness Week Sept. 23-27.

“Prevention is the best cure for the disease of trauma,” Jones tells audiences. “Many falls are preventable, and knowledge is power, so the more everyone is aware of the ways to prevent a fall, the better.”

The National Council on Aging reports that every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in a hospital emergency department for a fall-related injury. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 300,000 people 65 and older visit a hospital every year for a hip fracture from falling.

Jones said most people will be able to get up if they fall. Still, for some, a fall can lead to lost independence, disability or even death.

“People who have fallen once have a greater risk of falling again,” Jones said. “Another risk factor is feeling unsteady or off balance, needing support to walk, or holding onto furniture when walking around the house.”

Other fall risk factors include:

• Taking medicines that can cause lightheadedness or drowsiness
• Home hazards, such as slippery surfaces, lack of railings, clutter or inadequate lighting
• Numbness in the feet
• Weak leg muscles
• Vision problems

Jones tells older people that simply knowing whether they’re at greater risk of falling is just part of the equation.

“You also must correct what could cause you to fall or has already caused a fall,” he said.

Cedars-Sinai’s outpatient Geriatrics Program offers consultations for falls and fall prevention.

Its outpatient Bone Health Coaching Program, part of the Geriatric Fracture Program in the Department of Orthopaedics, provides bone health and fall risk evaluations and counsels patients on how to reduce the risk of fragility fractures—typically in the hip, spine or wrist—which can occur when a person falls from a standing position.

“The risk of falling and breaking a bone is much greater for people with poor bone quality from osteoporosis or osteopenia,” said nurse practitioner Kathleen Breda, associate director of Orthopaedic Clinical Programs. “Because poor bone quality isn’t usually obvious, many people don’t know they have a problem with their bones until they fall and break one. Proactive care to protect bones is crucial to long-term quality of life. Our Bone Health Coaching Program helps people at risk for a fall before they break a bone or helps them avoid another fracture if they fall again.”

The Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program and Bone Health Coaching Program have received Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence recognition, which means they work to improve bone fracture outcomes through the “4Ms” model of care: learning what matters most to each patient, optimizing medications, helping them maintain mobility and monitoring mental state.

One important way to take action to prevent a fall, Jones and Breda said, is by building balance, strength and flexibility through an exercise program. Cedars-Sinai offers Forever Fit classes for older adults, led by its Community Health Improvement professionals.

Other ways to prevent a fall include regularly reviewing medications with a physician or pharmacist to make sure side effects don’t increase fall risk, getting an annual vision and hearing checkup, and keeping the home environment uncluttered.

Jones encourages taking small steps—no pun intended—on the path to fall prevention.

“Start by taking a look around the house—that throw rug in the hallway may be pretty but is it a fall hazard?” he said. “I also recommend a night light or flashlight for the bathroom or bedroom. Use a cane if your doctor says you should. Be sure you’re wearing the right shoes.

“But at the same time, don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t have to do all these things all at once. Start small.”

Jones will discuss fall prevention on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. at West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., and on Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at Jewish Family Service, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Bone Health Breakdown—How to Prevent Fractures

Vaccination clinics begin Sept. 9 and are scheduled through November across Los Angeles County.

“Cedars-Sinai is committed to keeping our community as healthy as possible during this upcoming flu season,” said Jonathan Vickburg, LMFT, associate director of Community Health Improvement at Cedars-Sinai. “Influenza is a serious disease, especially for young children and older adults. If you haven’t gotten your vaccination yet, please come see us at one of our clinics.”

Influenza can cause severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, runny nose and muscle aches. Flu activity often accelerates in October, making it critical to get vaccinated now. Infectious disease experts  from Cedars-Sinai strongly urge adults, children and infants to get the flu vaccine.

“You think it will never happen to your family, but every year, thousands of people in the U.S. die from flu complications,” said Jonathan Grein, MD, Cedars-Sinai’s director of Hospital Epidemiology and associate professor in the Department of Medicine. “It takes only a couple of seconds to get a shot and protect yourself and everyone in your family who is eligible for the shot, including babies 6 months and older and pregnant women.”

The flu vaccines formulated for the 2024-25 flu season protect against three different flu viruses that are circulating this year. Infectious disease experts recommend that everyone 6 months old and up get vaccinated. All ages are welcome at the community flu shot clinics, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Scheduled Clinics:

Monday, Sept. 9
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Roxbury Park 
471 S. Roxbury Dr. 
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Sunday, Sept. 15
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saint Basil's Church
3611 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90005

Thursday, Sept.19
7:30–10 a.m.
Hope on Union – United University Church
2208 S. Union Ave. 
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Sunday, Sept. 29
8–11 a.m.
St. Kevin Catholic Church
4072 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Tuesday, Oct. 1
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Plummer Park Community Center
7377 Santa Monica Blvd. 
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Friday, Oct. 4
9 a.m.–noon
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
3300 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Sunday, Oct. 6
9 a.m.–noon
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Steven Spielberg Parking Lot
8723 Alden Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Saturday, Oct.19
7 a.m.–noon
Children's Institute Inc. – Otis Booth Campus
2121 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Wednesday, Oct. 23
10 a.m.–noon
Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC)
2528 West Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Saturday, Nov. 2
7 a.m.–noon
Michelle and Barack Obama Recreation Center
5001 Obama Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Sunday, Nov. 10
9–11 a.m.
Young Israel of Century City
9317 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Tuesday, Nov. 12
Noon–2 p.m.
Fairfax Senior Citizens Center 
7929 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Flu and RSV: How to Protect Yourself Now

The innovative 10-week program merges the beloved game of bingo with exercises designed specifically for older adults, offering a unique blend of fun and fitness, and enhancing social connections, a key pillar of a healthy lifestyle.

 “When I was younger, I used to exercise a lot, but after I fell, I wasn’t able to exercise anymore,” said participant Helen Shin, 84. “I love this program because it lets me exercise again.”

Each session includes rounds of bingo with simple, yet effective exercises that focus on range of motion, balance, muscle strengthening and endurance. Leaders instruct exercisers in English, Korean and Spanish on how to do the movements, which are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations.

“By combining the fun of bingo with exercises that promote health and wellbeing, we aim to engage older adults in a unique and enjoyable way that supports their physical and mental health,” said Jonathan Vickburg, LMFT, associate director of Community Health Improvement at Cedars-Sinai.

The program’s success at Steel Plaza Senior Housing is evident. The room is filled with laughter and chatter as participants mark their bingo cards, cheer for each other, and take part in exercises.  

“Participants not only engage in physical activities, but the program is also designed to lessen social isolation, anxiety and depression,” said Melissa Mandujano, a Cedars-Sinai community health associate.  

Cedars-Sinai is hoping to expand the program to other senior centers.

Vickburg says the goal is to offer older adults across the city the opportunity to participate in an activity that enhances their physical health while also providing a social outlet.

“When you become a senior, you tend to not move as much or want to go anywhere,” said Grace Kim, a participant. “For me, there’s not a lot of opportunity to go outside to socialize and exercise, so it’s convenient because the program is just downstairs for me. It’s a great way to spend the day in an air-conditioned space.”

Bingocize classes meet every Monday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Steel Plaza Senior Housing. For those interested in joining, email Forever Fit at groupforeverfit@cshs.org.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Meeting Older Adults Where They Are

has galvanized its commitment to helping historically marginalized communities, allocating $27 million in grants to support programs providing housing stability, food security, accessible care and health equity across the Los Angeles region.

The medical center’s community benefit priorities for the fiscal year that ended June 30 reflect its deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of all Angelenos. 

A $1.35 million grant to the Center for Care Innovations will bring together a cohort of street medicine teams, community clinics and housing providers to design and pilot interventions that meet the immediate medical needs of people experiencing homelessness, while connecting them with ongoing health and housing resources.

The medical center also awarded $750,000 to The People Concern and Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS). They will pilot an innovative housing acquisition strategy—a cost-effective approach to making units quickly available for people experiencing homelessness so they can move from shelters to long-term housing.  

These community investments come at a critical time for the Los Angeles region, where, after five years of increases, the most recent homeless count showed a slight decrease across the county. 

“The crisis of homelessness has been decades in the making, but we are heartened by collective efforts to turn the tide in Los Angeles,” said Erin Jackson-Ward, DrPH, executive director of Grantmaking and Social Impact for Cedars-Sinai. “Joining forces with nonprofits in this region bolsters our mission to be change-makers through healthcare and community outreach.”

Cedars-Sinai also granted $450,000 to True Colors United to launch a project developed by a group of youth leaders who have experienced homelessness in Los Angeles. This initiative focuses on LGBTQIA+ young people and youth of color. The project will identify opportunities to prevent and respond to youth homelessness, while training a network of young people to advocate for local housing solutions in their neighborhoods.

Eradicating food insecurity also remains a focus of Cedars-Sinai’s giving. A $100,000 grant to the nonprofit Food Forward will strengthen a network of more than 250 organizations at 300 fresh produce distribution sites across the county. The partnership will help ensure Angelenos have a healthy and adequate food supply.

This year, the medical center’s Black Birth Equity grantmaking initiative included a $750,000 grant to the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment. The funding will establish a Doula Hub infrastructure to train and reimburse doulas hired to support women during childbirth—an effort that will bolster public-private momentum around connecting people with birth workers.

Additionally, Cedars-Sinai is helping to implement trauma screening and care practices through $100,000 in funding to the nonprofit ONEgeneration’s Grandparents As Parents (GAP) program. GAP addresses the barriers and challenges faced by grandparents working to gain guardianship of their grandchildren to avoid foster home placement.

“Cedars-Sinai is fortunate to have the financial resources to provide assistance and forge stronger relationships with hundreds of local nonprofits,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “Our goal has always been to bring greater visibility to outstanding causes and their impactful work.”

Read more on the Newsroom: Cedars-Sinai Health System Generates Broad Economic Impact

At home in Puerto Rico during college breaks, she perfected her rowing technique in the island’s familiar waters.

Less than a decade later she was in Japan, rowing the Sea Forest Waterway in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games as the first-ever female rower to represent Puerto Rico.

With the 2024 Summer Olympics now underway in Paris, Veronica Toro Arana, MD, a Cedars-Sinai cardiothoracic surgery resident, is reflecting on what she learned from the elite sports world and how those lessons are helping fuel her surgical training.

“Rigorous and deliberate practice, the ability to handle high-pressure situations, technical expertise, an openness to coaching and a continuous pursuit of improvement were all important parts of training for the Tokyo Olympics,” Toro Arana said. “And now I’m applying those learnings as I train to be a heart surgeon.”

Joanna Chikwe, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery and the Irina and George Schaeffer Distinguished Chair in Cardiac Surgery in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, is Toro Arana’s mentor.

“Exceptional surgical residents like Dr. Toro Arana are recruited for their intellect, passion for the medical profession and commitment to saving lives,” Chikwe said. “They also are recruited because they are well-rounded individuals who enrich Cedars-Sinai with their valuable life lessons, experiences and accomplishments.”

A Competitive Path

In the medical residency application she submitted to Cedars-Sinai, Toro Arana wrote: “It took me nine years of daily practice to make it to the Olympics, and I could spend many more years in search of the most powerful stroke that causes the least disruption to the velocity and balance of the boat.

“Similarly, the cardiothoracic surgeons I have worked with are constantly searching for more effective techniques to operate on the heart and its vasculature, limiting the intrinsic damage caused by their intervention. This pursuit of precision and excellence, combined with a constant push towards innovation, drove me to surgery from an early age.”

Growing up, Toro Arana dabbled in sports. But academics were her sweet spot.

“The only Olympics I thought about were the Math Olympics,” she said, “which I competed in every year, starting in seventh grade.”

When the local hospital’s chief of Trauma Surgery came to speak at Toro Arana’s school when she was 15, she quizzed him about experiences in the operating room.

“What do you do when one of your patients dies in your OR?” she asked, unintimidated. A few days later she was watching him operate on a patient with a gunshot wound, attempting a new lifesaving procedure. She took that experience to MIT, determined to join the ranks of people pushing the boundaries of medical innovation.

No Room for Intimidation

Although Toro Arana didn’t learn to row until college, she was not intimidated by teammates who had been recruited to join the team. She was motivated by them, driven to work even harder.

When she learned about opportunities to represent Puerto Rico at national and international rowing competitions, motivation kicked in again. Coaches told her she should consider training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was excited, but medical school also was on her agenda. She would need to balance both.

After two years of medical school at Stanford University, Toro Arana put education on a three-year hold to train full time with premier coaches—training that would get her to the Olympics.

“The opportunity to compete as the first woman to row in the Olympics for Puerto Rico was a big incentive for me, and I made many sacrifices to make that happen,” she said.

Important Takeaways

Toro Arana placed 21st out of 32 competitors; what she won was priceless.  

As she wrote in her residency application: “I envision standing on the right side of my patient, my scalpel poised on the skin over their sternum, feeling the same way that I felt when I heard the announcer at the start line of my first Olympic race: confident that I have planned and prepared to the extent of what was possible, humbled by the uncertainty of what truly awaits, standing on my toes ready to respond to whatever may arise down the course, with absolute commitment to perform my best at the task at hand.”

Toro Arana has a packed schedule these days—12-hour shifts at Cedars-Sinai, six days a week—but she still rows and competes when she has time. Next month she will participate in the World Rowing Beach Sprints Finals in Italy.

“I don’t want to lose that part of myself,” she said.

At dawn on a recent weekday, Toro Arana was at the water’s edge in Marina del Rey, just off a night shift. Oars in hand, she sat down in her boat and rowed. 

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Navy Veteran Gets Lifesaving Heart Surgery

Funded by a gift from the Lippin Family Trust and launched by the Tower Cancer Research Foundation, The Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Project is part of Cedars-Sinai Cancer’s Community Outreach and Engagement. Eligible patients do not need to receive their cancer care from Cedars-Sinai to participate.

The project was established in honor of the late trailblazing music publicist and manager Ronnie Lippin, who died of breast cancer in 2006. Her husband, Dick Lippin, founder of The Lippin Group public relations firm, established the grant in collaboration with the foundation.

“I see Tower Cancer Research Foundation and Cedars-Sinai as my partners in a pioneering venture that I believe enriches the lives of people needing a guiding hand through this very difficult period in their lives,” Lippin said.  

The project funds two “navigators”—multilingual specialists who are fluent in Spanish, Korean, Tagalog and Swahili. The navigators guide patients through all stages of cancer treatment—including arranging transportation to and from medical appointments, accompanying patients to those appointments, and scheduling screenings and treatments. If mental health assistance is required, navigators also offer referrals to qualified professionals. 

“Cedars-Sinai Cancer serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the country,” said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the PHASE ONE Foundation Distinguished Chair. “This new program is in line with our commitment to serve all patients, and will provide patients with a trusted partner who understands their culture and can guide them through this challenging diagnosis in their primary language.”

Any Los Angeles County resident is eligible to participate in the program, free of charge, regardless of financial or citizenship status, age, sexual identity, belief system or education level. Project leaders are intending to reach geographic areas and groups across Los Angeles County that are documented as having higher rates of late-stage diagnoses.

A 2022 Cedars-Sinai study published in Frontiers of Oncology showed that ethnic groups in Los Angeles had high rates of particular cancers. For example:

• Black people have higher rates of prostate cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer than people who identify with other groups.
• Latinos have higher incidence rates of certain cancers, including liver cancer and late-stage melanoma than non-Latino white people.
• Rates of breast cancer among Koreans have increased more significantly than among people who identify with other groups.  

“This project’s whole-person approach to helping cancer patients will chip away at disparities by providing timely access to treatment, and equitable allocation of survivorship tools—all provided by trusted navigators working in the community,” said Zul Surani, associate director of Community Outreach and Engagement, and an administrator of the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “Culturally tailored navigation across the cancer continuum is a massive undertaking and has proven effective through decades of research, and this program aims to reduce the cancer burden across Los Angeles neighborhoods.”

To participate in the program, patients should fill out the Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Project application.  

Read more from the Newsroom: Annual Report Highlights From Cedars-Sinai Cancer

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently selected the Cedars-Sinai CARES (Care Management/Alzheimer’s Expertise/Resources/Education/Social Support) Program for dementia patients and their caregivers as a Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model site. The Cedars-Sinai CARES Program is among 14 established programs in California, and it is one of only two in Los Angeles selected by CMS for the established program track. 

Additionally, the medical center’s comprehensive outpatient Geriatrics Program for people 65 and older, along with its Bone Health Coaching Program, recently received Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence recognition from The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Cedars-Sinai also is among just 30 hospitals nationwide recently selected to join the new Age-Friendly System-Wide Spread Collaborative, which aims to accelerate adoption of evidence-based, high-quality care for older adults across all the medical center’s sites and care settings.

“Cedars-Sinai cares for more patients over 80 than any other academic medical center in the country, so operating under an age-friendly healthcare model is critical to our continued ability to serve our growing community of older adults,” said Bryan Croft, the hospital’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “In just over a decade, the U.S. will have more people over age 65 than children, for the first time in history. An aging population has unique care needs, and these recognitions further demonstrate that Cedars-Sinai is the premier institution to provide this level of outstanding care.”

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center first received the Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence designation in 2020.

Age-Friendly Health Systems integrate the “4Ms” of care: what matters most to each patient, medication safety, mobility and mentation, or mental functioning.

“Integrating the ‘4Ms’ framework into models of care for older people is about providing optimal care and measures of safety while addressing what’s most important to each individual patient,” said Sonja Rosen, MD, chief of Geriatric Medicine. “You can’t assume that everyone’s goals and preferences are the same. At Cedars-Sinai, we strive to help people live as healthy and high-functioning as possible for as long as possible and at the same time, achieve their goals.”

Cedars-Sinai’s outpatient Geriatrics Program has geriatricians who treat patients throughout the community for geriatric syndromes and primary care needs. This includes conducting consultations for falls, osteoporosis, polypharmacy—which is taking five or more medications—dementia, social isolation, loneliness, and other topics of importance for many older adults.

The hospital’s outpatient Bone Health Coaching Program, part of the Geriatric Fracture Program in the Department of Orthopaedics, provides bone health assessments and counsels patients on how to reduce the risk of fragility fractures, often caused by poor bone quality associated with older age, reduced mobility and some medications. Poor bone quality is often a surprise to older adults – unless they are screened, they may not be aware. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls that cause fragility fractures are a primary cause of injury in people 65 and older and often lead to hospitalization, loss of independence and even death. 

“We aim to help preserve good quality of life and independence for our patients," said nurse practitioner Kathleen Breda, MSN, associate director of orthopaedic Clinical Programs. “We’re proud that our Bone Health Coaching Program has connected more than four times the national average of patients with bone health care and is an important element of our age-friendly model of care." 

The CARES Program at Cedars-Sinai provides comprehensive dementia care management for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as support and training for their family caregivers.

With the CMS selection of the CARES Program as a GUIDE Model site, eligible Medicare patients in the program can access $2,500 annually for adult day care, in-home care and facility care expenses when they need additional help—for example, after a hospital stay or during times of decreased caregiver availability.

Patients in the moderate to late stages of dementia also will receive a CARES Program home visit to help evaluate their needs, ensure safety and promote sustainability of in-home care. Educational offerings for caregivers are also provided.

“The selection of our CARES Program as one of the CMS GUIDE established care sites is a testament to the high quality of care that we provide to patients with memory impairments and the support we provide to family caregivers of dementia patients,” said Zaldy Tan, MD, MPH, director of the CARES Program and the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders. “We continue to see improved health outcomes in vulnerable patients who are enrolled in the program, and as a GUIDE Model site, we expect this to be further enhanced.”

Read more from the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Anxiety in the Golden Years: What You Should Know

The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability: IN, a global business disability inclusion network. Their mission is to champion the dignity and humanity of those with disabilities and encourage others to do the same.

“Earning a top score on the Disability Equality Index is an outstanding achievement for our organization,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai. “As we continue our inclusion journey, it underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone, including those with apparent and non-apparent disabilities, can thrive.”

Cedars-Sinai scored 80 out of 100 on the index’s comprehensive benchmarking tool and received exceptional marks for: Culture and Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity.

“This recognition motivates us to keep advancing our efforts to create a workplace that is accessible, supported and inclusive for all, by all,” said Mitchell.

The award comes as Cedars-Sinai recognizes Disability Pride Month—an annual July observance that promotes visibility and mainstream awareness of the pride carried by those in the disability community.

Disability Pride Month has its origins in the disability rights movement, which works for the social, legal and political inclusion of the disabled and the assumption of their full human rights and dignity. The landmark passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 was a significant milestone, ensuring legal protections against discrimination.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Faces of Cedars-Sinai—Nicole Mitchell, Diversity and Inclusion

Inequities in pain medication treatment received postpartum, after giving birth, were found in a Cedars-Sinai study of 18,000 women. The disparities were observed even among patients reporting the highest pain levels.

The retrospective cohort study was published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

Both opioid and non-opioid pain medications given to patients were examined. Investigators wanted to see if the lower opioid doses reported in some studies finding racial and ethnic differences in peripartum pain management could be due to those patients receiving other kinds of drugs for their discomfort.

“Even after adjusting our analysis to include non-opioid medications, Black and Hispanic patients who reported the highest pain scores received lower doses of opioid-containing medication. The fact that they also received non-opioid drugs could not explain the lower opioid treatment they received when compared with white patients,” said Naomi Greene, PhD, principal investigator of the study and research assistant professor of  Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pain associated with labor and delivery can make it challenging for women to care for themselves and their newborns. Investigators looked at many variables available in the electronic medical records of the patients who delivered at Cedars-Sinai over a three-year period, 2019−2021. White, Black, Asian and Hispanic women were part of the large cohort.

“We attempted to identify factors that might have mitigated the apparent differences, such as the number of pain assessments, use of epidurals, the amount of non-opioid medication, maternal age, the number of pregnancies, and body mass index. But none of these factors could account for the racial and ethnic disparities in the amount of effective opioid pain management given to them,” said Sarah J. Kilpatrick, MD, PhD, the Helping Hand of Los Angeles Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology and senior author of the paper.

Investigators emphasize that further study is needed to identify what factors might explain the persistent racial and ethnic disparities in pain management that could point to potential interventions to eliminate the inequities.

“This study adds to the growing body of literature on peripartum pain medication disparity. While confirming previous findings, we added to it by showing that the amount of non-opioid medication used could not explain those disparities in opiate-based therapy given to patients in pain,” Greene said.

It is likely that pain perception and assessments are affected by a complex set of factors, the study authors noted.

“Healthcare provider beliefs, attitudes, and biases concerning pain rating in patients of different races and ethnicities are part of the challenge. Exploring this would necessitate a prospective intervention, such as a survey distributed to nurses and doctors to assess these beliefs and biases. Also, beyond recording a number for a pain score, we need to find ways to allow patients to directly assess their satisfaction with the pain management they are receiving,” Kilpatrick said.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Equitable, Personalized Care for Women and Children of Color

Through a series of innovative programs, Cedars-Sinai’s initiative—nicknamed NextGen—inspires, educates, and empowers students, creating a pipeline for a more inclusive healthcare workforce.

“NextGen Pathways is a pipeline program that creates opportunities at many different entry points,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai. “It's thinking about how we take these young people and get them exposed to careers in healthcare and really plant the seed.”

The program’s holistic approach addresses multifaceted needs and barriers, ensuring students are supported financially and academically as well as through community involvement and mentorship. The programs are designed to help students thrive and navigate various career opportunities within healthcare.

Some of these students are the first generation in their families to be born in the U.S. or to be headed to college, Mitchell said. “And figuring out how to get into college or just knowing what to do next can be overwhelming.”

NextGen is made up of five core programs: Youth Employment and Development (YED), Educational Mentorship for Empowering Resilient Growth and Excellence in Healthcare (EMERGE), Dynamic Internship for Students Cultivating Opportunities and Vision in Healthcare Education and Research (DISCOVER), Empowering Learning and Vocational Advancement Through Excellence (ELEVATE), and Black Men in White Coats.

Opening Doors to Healthcare Careers

Founded in 1993, the YED program is a collaboration with Fairfax High School in Los Angeles that engages 11th- and 12th-grade students through a combination of school-based education, hands-on workplace learning, and mentoring.

Each year, participating students gain access to paid, part-time jobs throughout various departments at Cedars-Sinai, are guided by professional mentors, and earn credits toward their high school diploma.

“Through this program I’ve been able to grow my social skills because this job requires a lot of networking,” said Emily Choi, 2024 YED graduate. “I’ve grown as a person and professionally and have learned how to be in a work environment.”

Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have participated in the program, with many now employed full time at Cedars-Sinai.

“Most of these students come to us not knowing what they want to do after high school, much less knowing the endless possibilities within healthcare, outside of clinical positions,” said Daniela Villegas, NextGen Pathways program manager. “By the time they graduate from YED, most usually go on to continue their education within healthcare and several come back to work here.”

Villegas herself was a YED graduate in 2005 and credits the program with helping her find a successful career pathway.

Continuing the Journey

After graduating from YED earlier this month, five graduates are joining the inaugural EMERGE class in the fall.

The EMERGE pilot initiative supports students as they transition from high school to college, offering employment opportunities at Cedars-Sinai while they pursue their degrees. To participate, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and provide proof of college enrollment.

The mentorship and support system ensures that aspiring healthcare professionals stay on track to achieve their dreams.

“Creating a support system where alumni and mentors provide guidance is critical, and having that community to ask questions about balancing work, life and academics is invaluable,” Mitchell said.

Inspiring Future Leaders

NextGen's impact extends beyond high school. The DISCOVER program, in collaboration with UNITE-LA and the Los Angeles mayor's office, offers undergraduate students a 10-week paid summer internship.

“NextGen Pathways is about creating the next generation of healthcare heroes. DISCOVER gives college students a real taste of the healthcare industry, helping them see the diverse and amazing roles they could pursue,” Mitchell said.

The journey doesn't stop there. DISCOVER participants can continue through the ELEVATE program, which provides yearlong paid internships focused on allied health careers. This initiative offers valuable hands-on experience and paves the way for full-time employment at Cedars-Sinai, ensuring a smooth transition into professional roles.

A Brighter Future

In partnership with the group Black Men in White Coats, Cedars-Sinai hosts an annual youth summit, a day filled with mentorship, hands-on activities and networking opportunities—with the goal of introducing Black middle school and high school students to careers in medicine.

Founded in 2013, the Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit aims to reverse the declining number of Black men applying to medical school.

By fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, all the NextGen programs contribute to building the healthcare workforce and improving the educational, social and economic outcomes for historically underrepresented youth and their communities.

“We're a large employer in the Los Angeles area, and I think NextGen Healthcare Pathways is a way that we can continue to make sure that we have really knowledgeable healthcare workers for the future,” Mitchell said.

Read more in Discoveries Magazine: Residency Programs Move Toward Greater Diversity

It is one of 384 U.S. healthcare facilities to receive this designation in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index.

The index, called HEI for short, evaluates institutions' policies and practices for equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.

“We are honored to be recognized again by the HRC's HEI as a leader in LGBTQIA+ healthcare,” said Nicole Mitchell, Cedars-Sinai’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and affirming environment for the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The biennial recognition is based on detailed criteria grouped under five categories: non-discrimination and staff training; patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; patient and community engagement; and responsible citizenship.

A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those, 384—including Cedars-Sinai—received the top score of 100, earning the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation.

Examples of Cedars-Sinai efforts to better serve the LGBTQIA+ community include the Transgender Surgery and Health Program, the LGBTQ+ Center, annual unconscious bias trainings for all Cedars-Sinai employees, and support and participation at community events.

Being an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader reinforces Cedars-Sinai’s commitment and dedication to listening, learning and improving. 

“We remain committed to finding new ways to elevate our efforts and strengthen our impact as leaders in healthcare equality and inclusion,” Mitchell said.

Throughout the month of June, Cedars-Sinai employees, family members and friends will show their care for the LGBTQIA+ community by participating in Pride events in West Hollywood, Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

Cedars-Sinai employees also can participate in a Transgender Care Simulation, a 90-minute seminar designed to equip staff with tools for supporting transgender patients. The seminar covers topics such as understanding pronouns and creating a safe and identity-affirming environment for all.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: A Gender-Affirming Journey Home

Conference presentations by Cedars-Sinai experts will focus on improving health disparities and diving into factors that potentially set people up for health challenges—including social determinants like housing, food security, income, transportation and safety.

“The AHA conference provides a platform to collaborate, learn and innovate alongside fellow healthcare leaders committed to dismantling systemic barriers and advancing equitable healthcare for all,” said Christina Harris, MD, Cedars-Sinai vice president and chief health equity officer.

Cedars-Sinai Presentations

Screening and Beyond: Operational Learnings to Improve Social Health—In this session, Katie Hren, LCSW, MPH, associate director of Cedars-Sinai’s Community Connect Program, will join other experts to address social determinants of health needs through customized patient screening workflow, community-focused interventions and data-driven strategies to identify and expand best practices.

After the Screening: Strategies for Health Systems and Community Organizations to Integrate Their Work—Those facing complex medical and social needs often face disparities in health outcomes. Cedars-Sinai's Community Connect Program successfully has collaborated with community-based organizations to mitigate these disparities. Hren will share insights on strategies for responding to social determinants of health through community partnerships. She will also discuss best practices to overcome access barriers.

Scheduling interviews: To schedule an interview, contact Melissa Vizcarra at melissa.vizcarra@cshs.org or 719-502-5001.

The half-day scientific meeting opened with a presentation on the future of women’s health by Sarah Temkin, MD, the Associate Director for Clinical Research for the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“We’ve understood for decades that women experience health and disease differently and that overall, they have a higher prevalence of diseases and more years lost to illness when compared to men,” Temkin said.

Studies that led to the development of therapies for a wide range of diseases usually left women and their biological differences out of the equation. That began to change in 1993 when the federal government mandated the NIH to include women, and racial and ethnic minorities, in funded trials. Since 2015, the NIH has required that study designs and analyses factor in sex as a biological variable, a term often abbreviated as SABV.

“Gender inequality is bad for the health of women and it’s also bad for the health of men and for society as a whole. The good news is that now, over 50% of our funded research meets that SABV criteria,” Temkin said.

But funding for women’s research remains a significant challenge. In 2023, NIH investments in women’s health amounted to about 10% of its $45 billion budget, with substantially more money spent on conditions that impact men, Temkin said.

“The federal government can play a key role in closing that funding gap by backing its Women’s Health Research initiative with meaningful funding. When you improve women’s health, you also improve the health of their families,” said Sarah Kilpatrick, MD, PhD, who holds the Helping Hand of Los Angeles Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology and co-leads the CREWHS Steering Committee.

Private fundraising has a key role to play as well, said C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute and co-leader of the CREWHS Steering Committee.

“We need to emphasize the value of private seed funding, which can result in larger federal studies aimed at improving human health, especially in light of the stated commitment of first lady Jill Biden, who visited Cedars-Sinai and saw firsthand the institutional dedication to supporting women’s health research,” Bairey Merz said.

CREWHS’s funding goals for the next three years include seeking federal financing from the Women’s Health Initiative to support training and career development for emerging scientists investigating women’s health and sex differences, said Caroline Jefferies, PhD, an autoimmune disease scientist, associate professor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the scientific director of CREWHS.

During the afternoon sessions, Martha Gulati, MD, director of Preventive Cardiology in the Department of Cardiology in the Smidt Heart Institute, presented her groundbreaking research showing that women get the same exercise benefits as men but with less effort.

“Women are not small men and they have not been studied well at all. But for our investigation, we got some good news for women related to outcomes and physical activity; less is more,” Gulati said.

The symposium concluded with nine investigators presenting results of their sex-differences research as part of the meeting’s “Lightning Talks” competition. The wide range of topics includes autoimmune disease, weight management interventions and gene expression in the human placenta. A monetary award was offered for the best study and presentation. Project scientist Predrag Jovanovic, PhD, received the reward for his investigation of how scents that induce a stress response moderate metabolism based on gender.

CREWHS 2024 Funding

The CREWHS Steering Committee is now accepting research applications for the 2024 CREWHS Awards for pilot projects seeking seed funding for the investigation of women’s health and sex differences. Those selected will receive up to $50,000-$100,000 (direct costs) for a year, with a potential to extend for a second year.

Email groupwomenshealthresearchadmin@cshs.org for more information. Applications are due by Friday, June 14, 2024.

Follow Cedars-Sinai Academic Medicine on X for more on the latest basic science and clinical research from Cedars-Sinai.

In a special conversation to mark Women’s Health Month, maternal-fetal medicine specialist Melissa Wong, MD, spoke with the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom about specific AI applications developed at Cedars-Sinai and being used to improve maternal health outcomes and gynecological cancer screening. Wong is also director of Informatics and Artificial Intelligence Strategies for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

What are some significant results of using AI to improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes?

Two important studies looked at the leading causes of death during pregnancy and childbirth: preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage.

We know that low-dose aspirin can reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia, a dangerous hypertensive complication of pregnancy that can cause serious illness or death. Black pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to being overlooked for aspirin treatment. Our study found that using artificial intelligence to identify patients at risk for preeclampsia—and then automate the decision-making about prescribing the aspirin—led to an increase in appropriate aspirin treatment and also eliminated the racial disparity in care.

In another study using an application of AI, machine learning, we developed an algorithm that can help predict which patients are at an increased risk for severe complications from bleeding after childbirth. The key was to analyze data at many different points of a patient’s labor and delivery—from underlying medical conditions to the kind of anesthesia the mother received. Our next step is to see if the algorithm can help predict hemorrhages in real time and allow for intervention and saving lives.

What future uses of AI for OB-GYN care are being considered?

In the area of gynecological care, we are wrapping up a study that could improve the evaluation of the Pap smear used to check for cervical cancer. We do hundreds of Paps a week in our health system. The results are most meaningful when you can put them in the context of the patient’s history. We’ve developed an AI application using ChatGPT that performs a contextual analysis of results, produces a recommendation for next steps, if needed, and even generates a letter to the patient about the results.

Gestational diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy are two conditions we believe could also benefit from AI interventions to identify trends and patterns in patient-submitted data and recommend interventions.

In the case of diabetes, about 80% of the patients submitting data from their glucose monitors are probably doing well or just need straightforward adjustments to their insulin. But our expert diabetes educator still has to analyze all of the data, even if only 20% of the patients will require direct intervention with medication or nutrition counseling to get them back on track. AI could help us focus on the smaller group of patients who need more complex and nuanced support, more expeditiously.

As for managing high blood pressure during pregnancy, this is often a new skill patients learn in pregnancy or postpartum. It’s also a complicated one. Trying to distinguish between a somewhat worrisome reading and one where you need to call your provider asap is not intuitive. A good AI model could send an alert when subtle pattern changes signal a need for medication modifications or urgent attention by the patient and provider.

What is the approach to AI innovation at Cedars-Sinai?

I feel incredibly fortunate to be here, not just because we are at the forefront of investigating the use of artificial intelligence across a wide variety of specialties and procedures, but because we do it with implementation in mind. There is a lot of AI research in the U.S. but not much that goes beyond the lab. At Cedars-Sinai, the goal is to research the myriad possible applications, and then when we’ve refined and tested them, to “turn it on,” so to speak. We are highly motivated to implement what we have developed and to help improve the delivery of care and the health of our patients.

What is the primary goal of harnessing AI for healthcare?

It’s about how AI can help healthcare providers free up their brains and their time to focus on delivering the best possible care. It can be a remarkable tool that brings us front and center with the patient again and moves us away from the kind of work that AI and machine learning do more effectively, quickly and accurately.

Whether a provider is in a healthcare desert with limited resources or at an academic medical center, the best applications of artificial intelligence will have a democratizing impact—reducing healthcare inequalities and providing care that could be more personalized across a broad spectrum of patient populations.

Read more from the Cedars-Sinai Blog: How Women Can Strengthen Their Health at Any Age