Valley’s Only Pediatric Trauma Center Opens!
Northridge Hospital now boasts the first and only Pediatric Trauma Center in the San Fernando Valley. Our Level II Richie Pediatric Trauma Center opened this past fall as the only facility in the San Fernando Valley that provides immediate care to infants, children and adolescents with life-threatening traumatic injuries 24-hours-a-day.
Equipped with a helipad, the Center expedites care to traumatically injured children 24-hours-a-day. Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children, making urgent medical care crucial.
Legislation to establish the initial funding was first introduced by Councilman Richard Alarcon through a bill he sponsored when he served as a State Senator. He lost his infant son in a vehicle accident; Richie Alarcon’s transport out of the Valley extended beyond the Platinum 30 Minutes. When Alarcon’s legislation expired, Senator Alex Padilla continued working to get the bill passed. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors then provided the initial $2 million funding for start up costs to launch the center with the leadership of L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
We extend heartfelt thanks to all of the dignitaries and our entire Pediatric Trauma Team who worked diligently to make this dream come true. Download the full issue of the Winter 2011 HealthSpeak or just the individual sections listed to the right.
Women & Heart Disease
When Journalist Barbara Walters underwent aortic valve surgery, she discovered that female heart attack symptoms can differ from those of males. Oftentimes, women have no signs at all. Learn more about women and heart disease in this issue and visit our Heart Health For Women page.
A Weight Load of Success
When John Broman underwent Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, physicians discovered he had coronary artery disease and liver cancer. Today, he’s lost more than 100 pounds, his heart is healthier and he’s cancer free!
Visit bariatric surgery to read more about John’s life-changing journey and get the facts on weight loss surgery. Our interactive site also allows you to calculate your own BMI and learn about our many successful weight-loss procedures. Read John's case study (pdf).
