Providence partners with L.A. County in Covid-19 outreach to vulnerable

Providence contributes to Los Angeles County efforts to ensure care for vulnerable populations as COVID-19 crisis escalates

Supervisor Barger lauds partnership, $1 million contribution

LOS ANGELES (April 3, 2020) -- Providence Southern California, honoring the mission of its founding orders of religious sisters, is partnering with Los Angeles County to care for the under-served and stressing the need to unite as a community to combat COVID-19.

Working with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, Providence regional Chief Executive Erik G. Wexler committed $1 million to expand capabilities at Olive View-UCLA and LAC + USC medical centers to care for the anticipated surge of patients stricken by the virus.

“Providence Southern California has graciously offered its support to help Los Angeles County combat the pervasive spread of COVID-19,” Supervisor Barger said. “Their partnership is a critical resource in our collective efforts to serve residents throughout the region and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our local communities.”

Providence also has deployed a mobile health unit to Dockweiler Beach RV Park and Sherman Oaks isolation sites for those who have no place to stay as they await COVID-19 test results.

“The sisters entrusted us to carry on their Mission, and never in our lifetimes has that tradition of compassionate care been so meaningful and necessary to the health of our communities,” Wexler said. “Today, I am humbled to stand on their shoulders as we commit to support the surge capacity at two Los Angeles County hospitals serving the most vulnerable among us.”

Providence’s Emergency Operations Center also is exploring ways to use telehealth and other remote monitoring systems in continued discussion with Supervisor Barger and her staff.

“I’d like first to thank Supervisor Barger for her outstanding leadership as we address the unprecedented challenge of the weeks and months ahead,” Wexler said. “And I know she joins me in our heartfelt thanks to hospital caregivers across the nation for the work they are doing under incredibly stressful circumstances. Your dedication is inspiring and our gratitude is boundless.”