FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UMMA Health, in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), is proud to celebrate the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its newly completed clinic site at Locke Early Education Center in South Los Angeles.
Joined by LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, LAUSD Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin, State Senator Laura Richardson, LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health CEO Maryjane Puffer, we marked special moment during National Health Care Center Week, recognizing the power of school-based care in advancing health equity.
This ribbon cutting marks the culmination of construction and programmatic planning for UMMA Health’s third school-based wellness center and its second dental site. The clinic will serve not only the children and families of Locke Early Education Center but also surrounding schools and the broader South Los Angeles community.
“This project represents our belief that healthcare belongs where children learn, grow, and play,” said Adel Syed Ed.D, Chief Executive Officer of UMMA Health. “Our partnership with LAUSD allows us to bring essential care directly into educational settings, breaking down access barriers and building lifelong habits of wellness.” The Locke site provides a full range of primary medical and preventative dental services, including pediatric care, immunizations, case management, and parent education. The initiative reflects UMMA’s continued commitment to equity, early intervention, and whole-child wellness.
The Locke Wellness Center provides a full range of primary medical and preventative dental services, including pediatric care, immunizations, case management, and parent education. The initiative reflects UMMA’s continued commitment to equity, early intervention, and whole-child wellness.
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell commended the collaboration, saying: “I’m proud to stand here with LAUSD and UMMA in our culturally rich and diverse community. UMMA is dedicated to making sure our community has access to health care, and I am proud to acknowledge your rich history.”
Dr. Smita Malhotra, Chief Medical Officer for LAUSD, added: “At a time where kids are losing access to care, UMMA is stepping in and bridging a gap. We are extremely thankful to have UMMA as a partner in keeping kids healthy and delivering necessary resources.”
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasized the broader impact: “By providing screenings, accessible healthcare to kids as early as preschool, we are not just remediating issues, we are avoiding long-term problems from impacting our communities.”
About Locke Early Education Center
Serving children ages 2 to 4.5, Locke Early Education Center offers developmentally appropriate preschool programs tailored to the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of young learners. As Additional Articles: KNX News Article part of LAUSD’s early education network, the center plays a vital role in preparing South LA’s children for academic and lifelong success. UMMA Health is honored to continue growing its school-based presence in collaboration with LAUSD and community partners.
About Locke Early Education Center
Serving children ages 2 to 4.5, Locke Early Education Center offers developmentally appropriate preschool programs tailored to the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of young learners. As Additional Articles: KNX News Article part of LAUSD’s early education network, the center plays a vital role in preparing South LA’s children for academic and lifelong success. UMMA Health is honored to continue growing its school-based presence in collaboration with LAUSD and community partners.
Contact: Steve Dorsey, Director of Programs & Community Relations
Email:[sdorsey@ummaclinic.org]
Additional Articles: KNX News Article