Dr. Arteaga ending healthcare disparities

Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates, five clinics employing 115 people including 13 physicians and serving more than 100,000 patient visits yearly. Dr. Arteaga has received awards from the San Bernardino County Medical Society and the African-American Health Initiative for his efforts to provide affordable, quality healthcare to all.

What Dr. Arteaga will give a presentation to future doctors enrolled in a class called Healthcare Disparities at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Arteaga’s presentation will be on the healthcare delivery system provided by LaSalle Medical Associates.

Why? Students in this class are studying the topic of barriers to healthcare. This presentation is intended to give one view on what can and is being done today to address the issue and encourage others to work towards the cause of guaranteeing healthcare access for all.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 20 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: University of California Riverside Biostatistics building (B 600), 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521

CONTACT: Ellen Porter, (909) 888-0321, Ellen@DameronCommunications.com

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Iron Giant Animator will visit Art Institute of California-Inland Empire

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Producer/director Adam Henry will give a presentation on animation, storyboarding and directing at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

The presentation will largely focus on one of Henry’s major past works, the highly-acclaimed Iron Giant cartoon, which grossed $5.7 million on its opening weekend in 1999, and has grossed more than $103 million in the nine years since.

This movie takes viewers on the adventures of a boy who in 1957 makes friends with an innocent alien creature that a paranoid government agent is bent on destroying. It was directed by Brad Birds and featured the voices of stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr. and Van Diesel .

“Adam Henry will talk about his work on the Iron Giant, what it was like to work for Brad Birds and what he’s doing now,” said Santosh Oomen, academic director for the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire’s Graphic Design and Animation & Media Arts departments.

Since creating animation for the Iron Giant, Henry has added a long list of films to his resume, where he has served as as an animator and character layout artist, and more recently, editor, director and producer. Among his other credits: Rugrats Go Wild, Rugrats in Paris, The Wild Thornberry’s Movie, Eight Crazy Nights and Quest for Camelot.

Additionally, in 2004, he created his own production business, Adam Henry Media. In this capacity, he has produced, directed and edited films for clients such as American Movie Classics (AMC), Comedy Central, 20th Century Fox and others.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes. Courses begin July 14, with offerings in the days, evenings and on weekends for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

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The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (artinstitutes.edu) with 40 educational institutions throughout North America providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire offers life drawing class

(SAN BERNADINO, Calif.) Young artists will learn one of the most important skills in drawing – that of drawing the human body from a live model - when the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire holds its Life Drawing workshop on Saturday, May 17, from 1 - 5 p.m. The workshop will be open at no charge.

Santosh Oomen, academic director of animation of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, says, “We are committed to helping artists in the Inland Empire improve their talents. This class, for artists as young as 15 years old, will help them further their development with the skills they need.”


The Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available in each class. Students must bring their own pencils and drawing papers. The workshop is open to the public, those 15 years old or above, and the classes are offered at no charge.

Many people are greatly creative but lack focus,” Oomen says. “This workshop offers people a chance to focus that raw creative talent. Our goal is to help make better artists.”

Oommen says the workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

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The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Culinary Students Win Knowledge Bowl

Chef Gerald Egger and his team from The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

(San Bernardino, Calif.) -- Culinary students from the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire placed near the top in a competition of schools from throughout the western United States.

The five-member team from the International Culinary School took the bronze medal in the Knowledge Bowl, at the American Culinary Federation’s Western Regional Conference, held April 18-20 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They won this award from a field of seven schools, said Chef Gerald Egger, who served as team coach for the event.

The winning team members are Roberto Pulido of Fontana, Brittany Wheeler and Eugenio Rodriguez, both of San Bernardino, Megan Frey of Moreno Valley and Angela Carriaga of Colton.

“Being that our school is so young, having only opened in January, 2007, this is a big accomplishment,” Chef Egger said. “We are also one of only two campuses of The Art Institute that qualified to compete. There are 38 campuses that are have an International Culinary Academy in the United States and Canada.”

The competition was initially open to all culinary schools in 11 western states.

The Knowledge Bowl is similar to a competition many college alumni may be familiar with, the College Bowl. In this game, teams representing schools go up against teams from other schools to answer questions in rapid succession, with points awarded for right answers until a winner is declared.

However, while the College Bowl is about subjects of general interest, the Knowledge Bowl focused entirely on culinary arts. The students were quizzed on such topics as culinary history, preparation techniques and general food questions.

In addition to their regular studies, the International Culinary School team spent 10 hours a week memorizing facts and practicing to prepare for the Knowledge Bowl, Chef Egger said. They began their extra study last November.

Two sponsors helped with the cost of the competition, Egger said. Tony Ghostine, owner of Washington Produce of Redlands provided meals and paid for lodging in Salt Lake City. Sysco Foods of Los Angeles provided airline tickets and educational study guides and books to help students study for the contest.

The Art Institute of California–Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes. Courses begin July 14, offering day, evening and weekend classes for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is only one of more than 40 educational institutions within The Art Institutes system, located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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This Memorial Day, Show Appreciation To A Veteran

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) During and immediately after the Civil War, it was the custom in many communities to honor the casualties by decorating their graves.

Not too long after the end of the Civil War, May 30 was set aside as a national holiday to honor all veterans., according to the website www.memorialday.org.

Since 1971, when Congress changed the date of the holiday to the last Monday in May, many people have lost sight of the original focus, the website notes. Still, at many cemeteries, people have an opportunity to show appreciation for veterans each Memorial Day, either by decorating graves with flowers, or by participating in ceremonies by local veteran’s groups.

But how about the veterans who are still living? Why not honor them with a special gift this Memorial Day?

For those who want to say thanks to a living veteran, and also help support the perpetual care of those who have passed on, a great gift choice is a custom-designed basket, mug or other container with a patriotic theme from The Bountiful Basket. This southern California gift basket company fills its gifts with unique and hard-to-find items, and can decorate the container with many colors of ribbon, including red, white and blue.

For any baskets sold with that patriotic color scheme, owner Marilyn Taylor donates a portion of the sales price to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee. The Riverside National Cemetery, located next to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, is a national cemetery for veterans and their dependants.

“It is a cause near and dear to my heart,” Taylor said. “My dad is a veteran; he was in the Army-Air Force (the predecessor to today’s Air Force) during World War II. So, I know what sacrifices our veterans have made to protect our freedoms.”

The Bountiful Basket’s website, www.thebountifulbasket.com has a section showing some of the patriotic gifts Taylor and her team can make.

“For instance, the “Patriotic Coffee Break” is designed with the fanfare of a patriotic parade,” Taylor said. It contains biscotti, cookies, chocolates, coffee or cocoa and, in the large-size model, a patriotic mug. For smaller budgets, some of these goodies can be packaged with equally festive red, white and blue ribbons in the mug itself.”

Patriotic gifts can also be packaged in less traditional containers, like a child’s red wagon. Taylor fills them with tea, cinnamon, hard candies, peanuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, cookies and more.

“This gift, which I call a Patriotic Welcome Wagon, epitomizes the American spirit,” Taylor said. “It is a great gift to say thank you to someone who has served in our armed forces, or one who simply loves the Red, White and Blue.”

The Red, White and Blue gifts are not just for Memorial Day, but whenever anyone buys them, a portion of the sale goes to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee.

“Many times, sons and daughters of a veteran will buy their dad these gifts for Fathers’ Day or their birthday, just to say thanks and I love you,” she said. “The patriotic gifts are also popular during election season.”

Whatever the occasion, The Bountiful Basket has more than 250 different baskets to choose from, $10 to $500. These are grouped by themes, such as holidays, corporate, children’s and teenagers’ baskets, college students’ designs, and gifts with different varieties of products within.

But, if none of those designs are exactly what you’re looking for, The Bountiful Basket can custom-make the perfect gift that you will be proud to give and will fit within your budget.

For more information, go to the website, or call Taylor at (909) 425-2203.

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MONTEL WILLIAMS BUS HELPS PEOPLE WITH FREE PRESCRIPTIONS

San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson congratulates LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc President Dr. Albert Arteaga for helping 38 local residents receive free or low cost prescription drugs. The Montel Williams’ “Help is Here Express Bus” visited LaSalle Medical Associates in San Bernardino recently and helped 38 people enroll in a program offering free and low-cost prescriptions.


LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc President Dr. Albert Arteaga watches as the The Montel Williams’ “Help is Here Express Bus” helps 38 people enroll in a program offering free and low-cost prescriptions. The bus visited LaSalle Medical Associates in San Bernardino recently. Those needing help with prescription drugs should call toll-free 1-888-4PPANOW or go online to www.pparx.org and sign up for the free service.



(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – “Montel Williams’ bus goes all over the country to promote prescription assistance,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates. “He and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance understand that sometimes, people need help in the form of medicine, and that no one should be denied that help simply because they can’t afford to pay for it.”

The Montel Williams’ “Help is Here Express Bus” visited LaSalle Medical Associates in San Bernardino recently and helped 38 people enroll in a program offering free and low-cost prescriptions.

The bus, operated by the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, came to at LaSalle Clinic at 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. The bright orange, 45-foot long bus loaded with information and helpful people parked in clinic parking and helped people from the start to finish.

The Salle staff called their patients who don’t have insurance and invited them to come and apply fro the free Prescription medications. “We wanted to make sure our patients without insurance had an opportunity to get the free coverage, said Dr Arteaga.

The PPA left brochures and information for those who could not attend the event. Those needing help with prescription drugs should call toll-free 1-888-4PPANOW or go online to www.pparx.org and sign up for the free service.

“Millions of patients are already receiving free or nearly free drugs from these programs, but it is clear that millions of other Americans from all over the country -- in cities and rural areas alike – are not taking advantage of the help that is available to them,” said Montell Williams, who regularly addresses critically important societal issues on his television talk show. He is the national spokesman for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

The PPA’s goal is to educate uninsured and under-insured patients about drug assistance programs. It makes an effort to match patients with programs that appear to meet their needs.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (toll-free, 1-888-4PPANOW; www.pparx.org) is the only resource providing a single place to find more than 475 patient assistance programs, which include more than 180 programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry, according to www.pphrma.org , a website for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

More than 70 national health care organizations, as well as more than 1,000 local organizations make up the partnership. The national organizations include the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Urban League, United Way of America, Easter Seals and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.


LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. has 115 employees (including 13 physicians). LaSalle welcomes patients at all five of their Inland Empire clinics: 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana; 1505 Seventeenth Street and 565 North Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino; 16455 Main St. in Hesperia; and 31762 Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore.

Appointments aren’t required, but are recommended by calling (909) 890-0407.
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