#Kaiser Permanente West LA

[millaphleb]

Open Your Career: Top Phlebotomist Jobs in Los Angeles You Can't Miss!

# Unlock ⁢Your Career: Top Phlebotomist Jobs in Los Angeles You Can’t Miss!

**Meta ​Title:** Unlock Your Career as a Phlebotomist in Los Angeles – Top Opportunities Await!

**Meta Description:** Discover the top phlebotomist jobs in Los⁢ Angeles! Explore benefits, practical tips ‍on getting hired, ‍and firsthand experiences ​from professionals in the field.

## Introduction

Are you considering a career in healthcare⁢ that offers both stability and the ⁤chance to make a real ⁤difference? Phlebotomy may be the perfect‌ path for you! In‌ Los Angeles, a city‌ bustling with healthcare opportunities, the demand for skilled phlebotomists is on the rise. This guide will unlock your future by highlighting top phlebotomist⁤ jobs in Los Angeles that you can’t‍ miss, while providing insights into the profession, ⁣its benefits, and ⁤how to successfully navigate your job search.

## Why Choose a Career as a‌ Phlebotomist?

Before diving into the job ‍opportunities, let’s explore the role ​of a phlebotomist​ and why it’s a rewarding career choice.

### The Role of a Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists play a vital role ⁣in the healthcare industry.⁢ Their primary responsibility is to collect blood samples for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. Here are some key aspects of⁣ a phlebotomist’s ‌job:

– **Patient Interaction:** Phlebotomists work with⁣ patients directly, ensuring a comfortable experience during blood draw procedures. – **Record Keeping:** ‌They maintain accurate records of patients and their samples. – **Collaboration:** Phlebotomists often work closely with nurses,⁢ doctors, and laboratory technicians.

### Benefits of Being a Phlebotomist

The career of a phlebotomist⁢ comes with several advantages:

– **High Demand:** With the growing⁤ healthcare sector, phlebotomists are in high demand, ⁣especially⁣ in urban areas like Los Angeles. – **Flexible Hours:** Many phlebotomy jobs offer part-time or full-time positions as well ‌as various shifts. -‍ **Quick Entry:** You can enter this ‌profession with just a certification, which can⁣ typically be earned in a few months. – **Competitive Salary:** Phlebotomists earn a ⁢decent starting⁤ salary, with‍ room for growth.

## Top Phlebotomist Jobs in Los​ Angeles

Now, let’s examine the​ top⁤ phlebotomist jobs you can’t afford to miss in Los Angeles. Below is a table highlighting some options:

Job Title

Employer

Salary Range

Location

Phlebotomist

Kaiser Permanente

$45,000 – $55,000

Downtown LA

Certified ⁤Phlebotomist

Quest Diagnostics

$40,000 – $50,000

West LA

Phlebotomy Technician

UCLA Health

$42,000 – $52,000

Westwood

Lead Phlebotomist

LabCorp

$48,000 – $58,000

Central LA

Mobile Phlebotomist

Any Lab Test Now

$45,000 – $55,000

Various Locations

### Key Employers in Los Angeles

1. **Kaiser Permanente**: A major healthcare provider offering ⁤a range of jobs with comprehensive benefits. 2. **Quest Diagnostics**: Renowned⁤ for ⁣its lab testing services, providing career growth opportunities. 3. **UCLA Health**: A prestigious institution known for hiring⁢ skilled phlebotomists ‌to provide high-quality care. 4. **LabCorp**: Offers lead positions for experienced ‌phlebotomists, focusing on laboratory services. 5. ⁢**Any⁢ Lab Test Now**: Provides mobile phlebotomy services, adding flexibility to your job selection.

## Practical Tips for Getting Hired as a Phlebotomist

To increase your chances of‌ landing one of the top phlebotomist jobs in Los Angeles, consider the following ‍tips:

### 1. Obtain Certification

Most employers require ​a phlebotomy certification. ​Here are popular‍ certification organizations:

– ⁤National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) – American Society for‌ Clinical Pathology (ASCP) – National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCALP)

### 2. Gain Experience

Consider internships or volunteer opportunities at local clinics or hospitals. This experience adds value to your resume and helps you‌ refine your skills.

### 3. Network

Attend healthcare job fairs and connect with professionals in the field. Networking can lead to job leads that aren’t advertised publicly.

### 4. Tailor Your Resume

Make sure your resume reflects relevant skills, education, and experience specific to phlebotomy.‌ Use keywords that employers commonly seek.

## Case Studies:‍ Phlebotomists’ ⁣First-Hand Experiences

### Case Study 1: Sarah, The Aspiring Phlebotomist

**Background**: Sarah had always been interested in healthcare but didn’t want to spend years in school.

**Journey**: After completing ​her phlebotomy certification in six months, she applied for several positions. Sarah landed a job at Quest Diagnostics where she appreciated the supportive work environment.

**Outcome**: She enjoys⁣ regular​ interactions with patients, and just within​ a year, she received a​ promotion to senior phlebotomist.

### Case​ Study 2: Tony, The‍ Mobile Phlebotomist

**Background**: ⁤Tony wanted flexibility and chose to work as a mobile phlebotomist.

**Journey**: He took a course focusing on patient communication and mobile blood ⁤collection. He built a client base through word-of-mouth referrals.

**Outcome**: Now, ‌Tony enjoys managing his schedule and has increased his income significantly due to consistent demand for mobile services.

## Conclusion

A career as a phlebotomist in Los Angeles is not only fulfilling but offers‌ numerous‌ opportunities for growth and stability. With​ the demand​ for skilled professionals, now is the perfect time to embark on this journey. By obtaining your certification, gaining experience,⁣ and leveraging connections, you’ll be well on ⁤your way to securing one of the top phlebotomist jobs.

If you’re ready to unlock your career, explore these exciting job opportunities in Los ⁣Angeles! With dedication and the right skills, your future as a phlebotomist is bright. Happy job hunting!

https://phlebotomycertificationcourse.net/open-your-career-top-phlebotomist-jobs-in-los-angeles-you-cant-miss/

[its-2018-bound-scholars]

I went to the Take Steps Walk for Crohns and colitis this year. I had an amazing time. Thank you Kaiser Permanente West LA for letting me be a part of your team. I found so many inspiring stories and people there are so many of us and we are working to find a cure.

[coochiequeens]

A man arrested in connection with the drug overdose deaths of two women found dumped outside Los Angeles hospitals has now been charged with sexually assaulting four other alleged victims.

David Pearce, 39, is charged with two counts of forcible rape, one count of raping an unconscious or asleep person and one count of sexual penetration for a foreign object, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.

The incidents are alleged to have happened in LA between 2010 and October 2020, according to a criminal complaint released Monday.

Pearce — a wannabe director and club promotor — allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in 2010, raped another woman in 2019 and raped two more women in February and October of last year, according to the complaint.

Further details of the four alleged attacks weren’t included in the complaint. Pearce is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on Wednesday.

Pearce was slapped with the charges on Friday and is being held on a $3.4 million bond.

The sex assault charges were brought two days after Pearce was arrested in the overdose deaths of designer Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, 26, and model Christy Giles, 24, on Nov. 13.

Charges in the overdose case were expected to be brought late last week, but the DA’s office asked police to investigate matters further, a DA spokesperson told The Post on Monday.

Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department would not comment further on the case on Monday. Beverly Hills spokesman Lt.Giovanni Trejo said Pearce has had, “Several warnings from us, from tickets to an arrest for a controlled substance,” but nothing that involved sexual assault or rape.

Trejo said Pearce also has filed reports where he claimed he was the victim of a crime. Trejo would not comment further on the details of those cases.

Pearce was taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter in the deaths of Cabrales-Arzola and Giles. Two other men, Brandt Osborn, 42, and Michael Ansbach, 47, were arrested on suspicion of being accessories to manslaughter.

Ansbach was released on December 16 on $100,000 bond. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office rejected the LAPD’s case against Osborn and the arrest was retroactively reduced to a detention, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The women are believed to have met the three men at an after-hours warehouse party in downtown LA earlier on Nov. 13.

Images show Cabrales-Arzola posing closely with Pearce and Ansbach at the party.

Police believe Giles and Cabrales-Arzola then went back to Pearce’s apartment where they were given drugs and overdosed.

Masked men later dumped Giles outside Southern California Hospital before Cabrales-Arzola was dropped at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Hospital just hours later.

The black Toyota Prius car the men were driving had no plates, police said.

Giles was pronounced dead soon after she was found outside the hospital.

Her friend died two weeks later when her family switched off her life support the day before her 27th birthday.

[misskittendamore]

Checking in from the hospital zone... I'm still at Kaiser Permanente West LA. Going through the phases of physical therapy now, so that I can get back to walking on my own. Every day is hard being away from my family and pets. But also everyday I feel stronger and I'll know I'll get there soon. I'd like to thank everyone for their prayers, good thoughts, and my wishes. For those who tried to use my phone to call me. AT&t screwed up my service and I was down phone calls for almost a week and a half. But everything is fixed now. I'm strong enough to keep everybody to date here so I'll make sure to do that. Love you ❤️❤️❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMGbIQL_MF/?utm_medium=tumblr

[listinsemanal]

Enfermera acusada de asesinato por accidente tenía antecedentes de 13 choques

Enfermera acusada de asesinato por accidente tenía antecedentes de 13 choques

Hay conmoción en Estados Unidos por una colisión ocurrida este 9 de agosto en Los Ángeles, la cual acabó con la vida de seis personas. En este accidente de tránsito está involucrada Nicole Lorraine Linton, ciudadana estadounidense de 37 años, y enfermera itineraria del centro médico West Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente. El accidente fue registrado por una de las cámaras de seguridad de una estación…

[911jumpstart]

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At #Kaiser #permanente getting #physicaltherapy for my left shoulder. What’s the noise (at Kaiser West LA) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEuUeAlSFG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=keey2i89ccdf

[zanimljivaekonomija]

AT&T WNBA ALL-STAR 2021 

LAS VEGAS, 13. jula 2021 – AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 odigraće se u sredu 14. jula u Michelob ULTRA Areni ( Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino) u Las Vegasu, uz direktan televizijski prenos na ESPN od 19:00 ET.   Prvi put u istoriji WNBA lige, sedamnaesta WNBA All-Star utakmica biće poprište za odmeravanje snaga između WNBA All-Stars tima i ženske košarkaške reprezentacija SAD, pred Olimpijske igre u Tokiju. 

Ispod i u prilogu su zanimljive činjenice i brojke u vezi sa WNBA All-Star mečom za 2021. godinu :

WNBA All-Star Game

·       1 – No. 1 all-time leaders for points (Diana Taurasi), assists (Sue Bird) and rebounds (Sylvia Fowles) will be playing in the WNBA All-Star Game.

·       2 – Las Vegas will host WNBA All-Star for the second time, having previously done so in 2019 when the game was last played.

·       3 – Three international players will be competing in this year’s event: Liz Cambage (Australia), Jonquel Jones (Bahamas) and Satou Sabally (Germany).

·       4 – The Las Vegas Aces have the most All-Star selections with four, followed by four teams with three players each (Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm).

·       7 – Out of the 24 All-Stars, seven players have competed in the WNBA for more than a decade: Sue Bird (18th season), Diana Taurasi (17th), Sylvia Fowles (14th), Candace Parker (14th), DeWanna Bonner (12th), Tina Charles (11th) and Courtney Vandersloot (11th).

·       8 – This year will feature eight first-time All-Stars: Ariel Atkins, Kahleah Copper, Dearica Hamby, Brionna Jones, Betnijah Laney, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally and Courtney Williams.

·       12 – Sue Bird has been selected to a WNBA-record 12 All-Star teams.

·       17 – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie (8) and Tina Thompson (9), who will serve as co-head coaches for the WNBA All-Stars, combined for 17 All-Star selections during their playing careers.

·       1999 – The first WNBA All-Star Game was held in 1999 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where All-Star MVP Lisa Leslie led the West past the East 79-61.

USA Women’s National Basketball Team

·       5 – Bird and Taurasi will be competing in their fifth Olympics, tying WNBA legend Teresa Edwards for the most appearances on the USA Women’s National Team roster.  The USA Women’s National Team will also be composed of players from five WNBA teams (three each from Phoenix and Seattle and two each from Las Vegas, Minnesota and Washington).

·       6 – Six WNBA players will be competing for the USA Women’s National Team in the Olympics for the first time: Ariel Atkins, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd and A’ja Wilson.

·       7 – Ariel Atkins will be the only player on the USA Women’s National Team to wear the same uniform number – No. 7 – in the WNBA and the Olympics.

·       15 – WNBA All-Stars competing on the USA Women’s National Team have combined to collect 15 Olympic gold medals during their playing careers: Sue Bird (4), Tina Charles (2), Sylvia Fowles (3), Brittney Griner (1), Breanna Stewart (1) and Diana Taurasi (4)

1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team

·       1996 – The WNBA will honor the gold-medal-winning 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team with a special presentation during the game highlighting the impact the team had on women’s sports and the role it played in launching the WNBA.

·       6 – The 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team, which will be honored at this year’s event, features six players who were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Teresa Edwards (2011), Sheryl Swoopes (2016), Katrina McClain (2012), Dawn Staley (2013), Rebecca Lobo (2017) and Lisa Leslie (2015).

WNBA All-Star on ESPN

·       7 – ESPN play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco and analyst Rebecca Loco will call their seventh WNBA All-Star Game together.

·       10 – ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe will be covering her 10th WNBA All-Star Game.

·       15 – ESPN will use 15 cameras, microphones on players, and from-the-bench, in-game interviews throughout its telecast.

·       17 – This year marks the 17th time that ESPN networks will present the WNBA All-Star Game.

MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest

·       2 – Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley, a two-time winner of the WNBA MTN DEW 3-Point Contest, is seeking her third title at victories at the 2019 All-Star Game in Minneapolis and the 2018 All-Star Game in Seattle.

·       4 – Four players will vie for the title of the league’s best three-point shooter this year. Besides Quigley, Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones, Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd, and New York Liberty guard Sami Whitcomb will compete in this year’s contest.

WNBA All-Star in the Community

·       25,000 – The WNBA FIT All-Star Grocery Pop-Up is providing 25,000 meals to 1,000 families in July. As part of WNBA FIT Month presented by Kaiser Permanente, the league is hosting five grocery pop-ups in partnership with Goodr, including an All-Star Event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 13. The Official Health Care Partner of the WNBA, Kaiser Permanente serves as the health care expert and strategic consultant for the WNBA on health and wellness initiatives. Goodr is a sustainable food waste management and distribution company whose mission is to feed more, waste less.

[vicqui]

Nature Thoughts, Part 2

Nature Thoughts, Part 2

Flourishing in Full View (4/7/21) Jacaranda Tree Dripping down with subtle grace, the jacaranda blossoms dance. Seasonal and pure they delight. Beloved Visual Spritz (4/8/21) Green Plants Elegance fawning downward the delicate spray of greenery, Humble within its soul. Soft Petal Pink Glory (4/9/21) Pink Flowers at Kaiser-Permanente, West LA Cadillac Aromatically fragrant and…

[allsystemsgomarketing]

La Mesa

La Mesa, California is a city a mere 9 miles from the center of downtown San Diego, CA, a smallish city with a population nearing 60000 with a growing community as homeowners are pushed east because of the incredibly high San Diego real estate prices. The civic motto of La Mesa is "jewel of the hills", and it can be a pretty place, very hilly and with a lot of classic old homes.

Getting To La Mesa

Like a lot of places around San Diego County, La Mesa is geographically pretty large, but mostly residential. Driving East from San Diego, you'll want to take the 8 Interstate to arrive at the city at its northern most areas, or you can take the 94 highway to arrive at the South of the city. A major portion of the 125 highway forms the Eastern most border of La Mesa, with Lemon Avenue extending La Mesa into the neighboring Mt. Helix area. The city is bordered by Rolando on the west, Lake Murray to the north and of course Lemon Grove to the south. Also to the South of La Mesa is Spring Valley, which reveals itself when drivers continue on the 94 instead of taking the 125 north into La Mesa.

Outdoors In La Mesa

Although it shares a lot of its incredible climate with San Diego, La Mesa is quite a bit hotter, as it is much further from the Pacific Ocean. But, this is still an enjoyable place for a hike or a picnic, and one of the best places for that has got to be Collier Park, which is a neat little 7.7 acre park that has some pretty quality green space. The park does have lighted tennis courts, which are harder to find in the county than you might expect. It also is a great place for families to get together on the weekend for a picnic, as there are quite a few tables around and BBQs, of course.

Since we're still outdoors here, it's probably a good bet to talk about MacArthur Park, which is a little park just north of La Mesa Boulevard that offers some nice outdoor space. The park is fenced in, is a great place to bring your dog and does have free parking. What is also cool is that it's within walking distance of downtown La Mesa, which is a pretty cool area if you're looking to do shopping or just grab a drink and a meal. The park does also have a recreation center and a pretty substantial play area for kids.

La Mesita Park includes the Junior Seau Sports Complex, named after the famous San Diego Charger, Junior Seau. This park also has a good amount of space to walk, as well as tennis courts, picnic sites and a skate park, which is always of interest to those looking to rip it up on a board.

Fitness enthusiasts will want to check out the not so secret La Mesa Secret Stairs, a place that has an excellent view from the top. This is a public stairway that was installed to facilitate foot traffic through adjacent neighborhoods. But, a lot of stair climbers tend to use it for fresh air exercising, and the sheer number of stairs makes it a serious exercise challenge.

Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention Aztec Park, which is a smaller park than either Collier or MacArthur, but has a great view and vibe and can sometimes be quite empty, despite having a child's playground and some urban trails which are excellent for hiking in general.

Fun La Mesa Tourist Attractions

OK, so being right next to San Diego, one of Southern California's most epic tourist destinations, isn't necessarily going to be the best, but La Mesa does have some points of interest worth checking out. I would look to the San Pasqual Winery first, a small winery that apparently boasts great local wine and very friendly staff and servers. Check them out at the winery or a separate tasting room and gallery located on La Mesa Boulevard.

For Train enthusiasts, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum is an excellent bet, located on Nebo drive not far from La Mesa Boulevard. The museum here is quite small, but does feature some classic looking train engines and cars, as well as a little gift shop. Apparently, this is one of the oldest buildings in California, and does sport a good deal of excellent railway history information.

Education in La Mesa

As this is a community nearing a population of 60,000, it only makes sense that there would be some quality spots for kids to be educated. So naturally, we first talk about Helix Charter High School, located on University Avenue at almost the middle point of La Mesa. Meanwhile, those of a more artistic bent may want to consider the La Mesa Arts Academy. This school actually has a lottery to select its students, so it's probably a good idea to not leave an admissions application until the last second! Finally, younger kids are gonna need some kind of book learning as well, which is of course offered at Murray Manor Elementary School, located north of the Interstate 8 and near the unofficial border with Lake Murray. Another interesting elementary school is the Lemon Avenue Elementary School, which is of course located on Lemon Avenue in La Mesa. Finally, for folks that would prefer to place their children in private schools, La Mesa does feature the Mount Helix Academy, and is in the North East corner of La Mesa right near Harry Griffen Park.

Shopping In La Mesa

As La Mesa isn't the smallest city ever, there are quite a few shops and shopping centers, but few as expansive and as popular as the Grossmont Center located just off of the 8 Interstate and is very near to the intersection at Fletcher Parkway and Jackson Drive. The mall is a little old school, but does have some pretty serious anchor tenants, such as Best Buy, Macy's, Target AND Walmart. As tends to be the case surrounding larger southern California malls like this, there does tend to be a variety of restaurant and retail properties nearby, such as Office Depot, Petco, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and of course a Guitar Center, which actually apparently is still open (early 2021, anyway).

If you're looking primarily for groceries, or at least relatively interesting and nutritious non prepared foods, the Vine Ripe Market is a winner up on Fletcher Parkway, or nearer to downtown and Spring Street, check out the Sprouts location, or even the Vons at the corner of University and Allison. If you're from California or the West Coast, then it also bears pointing out that there is an excellent Trader Joe's location right off of Murray Drive and about a couple minute drive from the Grossmont Center. Also, the Frazier Farms Market is a great natural grocery store with no shortage of organic and farm to table-type items.

Eating Out In La Mesa

One of the best places to walk around and hang out in La Mesa has got to be downtown, where you'll run into such luminaries as the classic Hills Local Pub, Swami's Cafe and the Tiramisu Trattoria for good eats. A bit off of the beaten track but an easy and total classic establishment in the area is of course the Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room, a classic old school steakhouse where you can either cook your steak yourself, or have them do it for you. This is one of the most high character spots in the area, so if you have to be in La Mesa, hit the Riviera, and then stay and watch a band afterwards. You won't regret it!

Healthy Living In La Mesa

Last but definitely not least is mentioning access to health care in the area, which of course is fairly limited, but not by much. The Kaiser Permanente La Mesa Medical Offices are where a lot of locals see their M.D., while Sharp Grossmont Hospital is clearly the crown jewel of the area as far as medical care goes. The latter also features the La Mesa Cardiac Center and other medical specialties in the area, so if you have an issue, it's more than likely that it can be dealt with here. Meanwhile, if you have some kind of medical situation that requires a period of rehab, the Country Manor La Mesa Healthcare Center may be a good call for you!

So, let's have a good ol' time in La Mesa, shall we! We'll start by checking out the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum and then stopping for lunch at Banbu Sushi!

Good times right there, but let's get local and burn off some of those calories at La Mesa Secret Stairs!

There's always business to be done in La Mesa, so let's take a quick trip to La Mesa City Hall:

With the Sun still out, we want to take in a little more outdoors time, so let's head up to Aztec Park, which is a pretty quick drive if we take Baltimore Drive.

Having enjoyed the great weather, let's have a quick dinner at our absolute favorite local spot, The Riviera Supper Club!

And, of course, we close out our day trip to La Mesa by driving down University Avenue to hit the offices of La Mesa's most loved Internet Marketing Service, All Systems Go Marketing!

The blog post La Mesa is available on http://www.allsystemsgomarketing.com

from https://www.allsystemsgomarketing.com/areas-served/la-mesa

[rjzimmerman]

This seems to have come out of nowhere! Several famous vineyards are probably destroyed. 1500 structures burned down. One fire (Tubbs fire) is 35,000 acres, another is 8,000 to 12,000 acres. Total burning acreage now 57,000. 14 fires over eight counties. Part of the town of Santa Rosa is evacuated.

Excerpt:

The vast devastation over just a few hours made this firestorm one of the worst in California history, with Gov. Jerry Brown declaring a state of emergency.

No deaths have been reported, but there have been injuries and people are unaccounted for, said Janet Upton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. She could not estimate the number of injuries.

One of the raging fires had Santa Rosa under siege Monday morning, with a large swath of the city north of downtown under evacuation order.

The fast-moving fire jumped the 101 Freeway, forcing hospitals to be evacuated and, witnesses said, burning homes and businesses.

The area of Fountaingrove appeared to be particularly hard hit, with photos showing numerous homes on fire. The Fountaingrove Inn and a Hilton hotel also burned. Officials said homes were also lost in the community of Kenwood and at a mobile home park off the 101 Freeway.

While many evacuation centers were set up, some were filled to capacity due to the large number of people fleeing.

The Tubbs fire near Santa Rosa has burned more than 35,000 acres as of 6:40 a.m., Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon said during a televised press conference Monday morning. Officials said the other large fire in Napa County — Atlas Peak — has reached between 8,000 and 12,000 acres.

Smoke from the fires drifted into the Bay Area, into San Francisco and as far south as San Jose.

In Santa Rosa, Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Sutter Hospital were evacuated.

The status of Safari West, a small zoo in Santa Rosa, was unknown Monday morning. The zoo is known for its rhinos, giraffes, zebras and other animals. Santa Rosa wildlife preserve Safari West posted on its Facebook page Monday morning that "for the moment, it looks like our preserve and our animals are ok."

[alaturkanews]

Second Case Of Coronavirus Confirmed In LA County The second case of coronavirus in Los Angeles County was reported Tuesday, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center confirmed.

[dinafbrownil]

Public Health Officials Are Quitting or Getting Fired in Throes of Pandemic

Vilified, threatened with violence or in some cases suffering from burnout, dozens of state and local public health officials around the U.S. have resigned or have been fired amid the coronavirus outbreak, a testament to how politically combustible masks, lockdowns and infection data have become.

One of the latest departures came Sunday, when California’s public health director, Dr. Sonia Angell, was ousted following a technical glitch that caused a delay in reporting virus test results — information used to make decisions about reopening businesses and schools.

Last week, New York City’s health commissioner was replaced after months of friction with the police department and City Hall.

A review by KHN and The Associated Press finds at least 49 state and local public health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 23 states. The list has grown by more than 20 people since the AP and KHN started keeping track in June.

Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called the numbers stunning. He said they reflect burnout, as well as attacks on public health experts and institutions from the highest levels of government, including from President Donald Trump, who has sidelined the CDC during the pandemic.

“The overall tone toward public health in the U.S. is so hostile that it has kind of emboldened people to make these attacks,” Frieden said.

The past few months have been “frustrating and tiring and disheartening” for public health officials, said former West Virginia public health commissioner Dr. Cathy Slemp, who was forced to resign by Republican Gov. Jim Justice in June.

“You care about community, and you’re committed to the work you do and societal role that you’re given. You feel a duty to serve, and yet it’s really hard in the current environment,” Slemp said in an interview Monday.

The departures come at a time when public health expertise is needed more than ever, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

“We’re moving at breakneck speed here to stop a pandemic, and you can’t afford to hit the pause button and say, ‘We’re going to change the leadership around here and we’ll get back to you after we hire somebody,’” Freeman said.

As of Monday, confirmed infections in the United States stood at over 5 million, with deaths topping 163,000, the highest in the world, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University researchers. The confirmed number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped 20 million.

Many of the firings and resignations have to do with conflicts over mask orders or shutdowns to enforce social distancing, Freeman said. Despite the scientific evidence that such measures help prevent transmission of the coronavirus, many politicians and others have argued they are not needed, no matter what health experts tell them.

“It’s not a health divide; it’s a political divide,” Freeman said.

Some health officials said they were stepping down for family reasons, and some left for jobs at other agencies, such as the CDC. Some, like Angell, were ousted because of what higher-ups said was poor leadership or a failure to do their job.

Others have complained that they were overworked, underpaid, unappreciated or thrust into a pressure-cooker environment.

“To me, a lot of the divisiveness and the stress and the resignations that are happening right and left are the consequence of the lack of a real national response plan,” said Dr. Matt Willis, health officer for Marin County in Northern California. “And we’re all left scrambling at the local and state level to extract resources and improvise solutions.”

Public health leaders from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, down to officials in small communities have reported death threats and intimidation. Some have seen their home addresses published or been the subject of sexist attacks on social media. Fauci has said his wife and daughters have received threats.

In Ohio, the state’s health director, Dr. Amy Acton, resigned in June after months of pressure during which Republican lawmakers tried to strip her of her authority and armed protesters showed up at her house.

It was on Acton’s advice that GOP Gov. Mike DeWine became the first governor to shut down schools statewide. Acton also called off the state’s presidential primary in March just hours before polls were to open, angering those who saw it as an overreaction.

The executive director of Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department in Colorado, Kim Gonzales, found her car vandalized twice, and a group called Colorado Counties for Freedom ran a radio ad demanding that her authority be reduced. Gonzales has remained on the job.

In West Virginia, the governor forced Slemp’s resignation over what he said were discrepancies in the data. Slemp said the department’s work had been hurt by outdated technology like fax machines and slow computer networks. Tom Inglesby, director of the UPMC Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins, said the issue amounted to a clerical error easily fixed.

Inglesby said it was deeply concerning that public health officials who told “uncomfortable truths” to political leaders had been removed.

“That’s terrible for the national response because what we need for getting through this, first of all, is the truth. We need data, and we need people to interpret the data and help political leaders make good judgments,” Inglesby said.

Since 2010, spending on state public health departments has dropped 16% per capita, and the amount devoted to local health departments has fallen 18%, according to a KHN and AP analysis. At least 38,000 state and local public health jobs have disappeared since the 2008 recession, leaving a skeleton workforce for what was once viewed as one of the world’s top public health systems.

Another sudden departure came Monday along the Texas border. Dr. Jose Vazquez, the Starr County health authority, resigned after a proposal to increase his pay from $500 to $10,000 a month was rejected by county commissioners.

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, a county commissioner who supported the raise, said Vazquez had been working 60 hours per week in the county, one of the poorest in the U.S. and recently one of those hit hardest by the virus.

“He felt it was an insult,” Vera said.

In Oklahoma, both the state health commissioner and state epidemiologist have been replaced since the outbreak began in March.

In rural Colorado, Emily Brown was fired in late May as director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department after clashing with county commissioners over reopening recommendations. The person who replaced her resigned July 9.

The months of nonstop and often unappreciated work are prompting many public health workers to leave, said Theresa Anselmo of the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials.

“It will certainly slow down the pandemic response and become less coordinated,” she said. “Who’s going to want to take on this career if you’re confronted with the kinds of political issues that are coming up?”

Weber reported from St. Louis. Associated Press writers Paul Weber, Sean Murphy and Janie Har and California Healthline senior correspondent Anna Maria Barry-Jester contributed reporting.

This story is a collaboration between KHN and The Associated Press.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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from Updates By Dina https://khn.org/news/public-health-officials-are-quitting-or-getting-fired-amid-pandemic/