After 55 years, Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center will receive a new name.
At a press conference Wednesday at the hospital’s Boyle Heights campus, the LA Board of Supervisors announced that the hospital will become the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
“Today marks a new beginning for us, but also a continuation of our mission to provide excellent care and build healthy communities,” said Jorge Orozco, CEO of the hospital at the renaming ceremony. “Our new motto, Outstanding Care, Healthy Communities, reflects this North Star, and we are thrilled to live by this standard every day.”
The oversight board voted Tuesday to change the name, thanks to a motion put forward by District 4 supervisor Hilda Solis, which includes the location of the hospital. Renaming the facility to “accurately reflect the hospital’s rich history and strong ties to the community while maintaining its commitment to world-class and culturally world-class care.”
“Los Angeles General Medical Center is the flagship hospital of Los Angeles County, and to that end, we are thrilled to see our community take ownership of its new name and brand,” Solis said in a statement. “For years, we have heard from residents and stakeholders that they would like to see a name that tells the history of the campus, resonates with residents, and is easily understood in Spanish and other languages. As the campus takes the next step, Los Angeles General Medical Center will build on our historic past by expanding world-class care by creating supportive housing and a comprehensive suite of care. and lead us to a very bright future.”
According to the motion, Solis also said long-standing and widespread confusion between County+USC and nearby USC’s Keck Hospital was another reason for the change. She said research has shown that there is “no consistent name or brand” that the public and staff use to refer to medical centers.
The motion states that the naming process was the result of “multiple surveys, focus groups, and consultation with patients, staff and community members. It was important that the names be accessible in different languages.” ”
Originally opened in 1933 as an art deco general hospital, the hospital underwent a major over $1 billion renovation in 2010.
LAC+USC serves more than one million patients annually, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the nation.
“As someone who worked at this medical center, I am proud to join community members, nurses, staff and physicians in announcing the new name of this extraordinary facility, the Los Angeles General Medical Center. Physician Assistant said in a statement: “This announcement captures the medical center’s past while highlighting its continued commitment to providing exceptional care and building healthy communities. I am here to help.” I’ve seen it since I was a physician’s assistant.Care is a top priority for all members of the LA General community.Today, we are all Los Angeles General.”