20 Years of Service
According to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Key Indicators of Health publication, nearly 45% of adults and 18% of children in South LA have difficulty accessing healthcare. This is due to both affordability as well as a lack of health providers in the area; there is only 1 hospital bed per 1000 residents (South Los Angeles Health Equity Scorecard, 2008). We are working to combat this inequity regardless of one’s ability to pay, and discussed our plans for expanding behavioral health services and adding a mobile clinic to further support the community.
“UMMA serves as a national model of inclusion, prevention and wellness in community health, and for their leadership we are grateful,” stated Dr. Robert K. Ross, President and CEO of The California Endowment, and keynote speaker for the event.
The afternoon forum ended with a representative of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s office presenting UMMA with a certificate of congressional recognition for service to the community. UMMA has been recognized by Congress in the past for being a model of Muslim-American philanthropy, and is the first Muslim-American health clinic to receive Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status by the government.
We are incredibly thankful to Dr. Ross with the California Endowment and Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and her office who have been pioneers in the community, for bestowing this honor. Our success is due in part to their support and partnership, as well as the generosity and passion of all of our supporters, partners, volunteers, donors and staff.