LPWire: Pediatric & Family Medical Center Dedicates New Building and Honors Eisners

Pediatric & Family Medical Center Dedicates New Building and Honors the Eisner Family

George Lopez Hosts Ceremony

Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner; his wife, Jane; and their three sons, Breck, Eric, and Anders were honored today at a ceremony dedicating a new building at the Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles. The expansion of the center was initiated with a $2.5 million gift from The Eisner Foundation. George Lopez, star of the ABC sitcom "The George Lopez Show," served as Master of Ceremonies for the Center's dedication.

"There are nearly a quarter of a million people in the downtown Los Angeles area who don't have health insurance," said Lopez, who introduced Michael Eisner at today's ceremony. "But thanks to the generosity of the Eisner family, thousands of Latino families can see the doctor or the dentist and get the care that they need. This Center is their family doctor."

Michael Eisner praised the Center's commitment to improving the health and well-being of the children and families it serves. "The Pediatric & Family Medical Center places families at the heart of its healthcare services," Eisner said. "With its comprehensive approach, the Center is ensuring that children don't simply have a place to go when they're sick but, even more important, have a place to go to prevent illness and remain healthy. The Eisner family is very proud to be a part of its success."

The Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center was originally established in 1920 by the daughter of real estate developer E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin in order to provide quality medical and dental care for the economically disadvantaged. Today, the Center is the oldest nonprofit community clinic in Los Angeles. The Center, which offers a wide range of healthcare, dental care, mental health, and social services programs to low-income children and families in Los Angeles, welcomes approximately 93 percent of its patients from the Latino community.

"The name has changed but the Center's mission is the same today as it was more than 80 years ago," said Center President and CEO Carl E. Roan. "Thanks to the Eisner family's generosity, and wonderful gifts from our other donors, we now have the facilities to make these much-needed services available to more families in our community."

Among the special guests attending the grand opening ceremony were California State Senator Gilbert Cedillo, California Assemblyman Fabian Nunez, and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry.

"The biggest problem we have in California is a crisis of leadership, but that crisis is not evident in this building today," said Senator Cedillo, who spoke at the ceremony. "The leadership, generosity, and graciousness of Michael Eisner is helping provide the people of Los Angeles with the basic healthcare they need. Thank you Michael, to you and your family, for your contributions to this community."

The Eisner Foundation, founded in 1996, provides financial support to organizations that undertake innovative and concrete programs designed to enhance and enrich the lives of children who are underserved, or who have learning differences, and their families. The Foundation recognizes that all aspects of a child's life are linked to their community including personal health, economic stability, appropriate mentors, living conditions, and educational opportunities. Specific information on The Eisner Foundation can be found at www.eisnerfoundation.org .

--Posted September 18, 2003
Source: Eisner Foundation