TITLE
Recommendation to approve the naming of the newly renovated North Health Facility, “The Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center”, in recognition of the legacy, contributions and services of former Long Beach Director of Health and Human Services Ronald R. Arias.
DISCUSSION
In June 2016, the voters approved Measure A, a ballot initiative to fund a number of
infrastructure projects in the city. Among those projects was a remodel of the North Health
Facility in Houghton Park. The newly renovated health center, scheduled to open this
summer, will feature youth violence prevention and reentry programs, workforce
development programs, medical services to North Long Beach residents, a public health
clinic with an emphasis on sexual health, and meeting rooms for program leaders from
different supportive service organizations to provide outreach to local residents.
As we approach the unveiling of the newly renovated facility, it is befitting that the City of
Long Beach commemorates former City Health and Human Services Director Ronald R.
Arias' extensive contributions to health equity in our city by naming the newly renovated
health center at Houghton Park, the Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center.
Ronald R. Arias (Ron), a longtime Uptown Long Beach resident, is a public health
champion who has dedicated his career and personal life to social justice, youth
development and better health outcomes for all. Ron served in leadership of our City's
Health Department for more than 22 years, with 12 of those years at the forefront as
Department Director. Under his guidance, the Health Department had many policy and
programming accomplishments, including the development and opening of the Miller
Family Health Education Center, the creation of the City's Healthy Beverage and Snack
Policy, and securing the more than $1 million investment into North Long Beach by Kaiser
Permanente through the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Zone Initiative whose main
activities were focus...
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