Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Bridge Program has become a model for compassionate care, proving that collaborative efforts make a difference.
In the bustling city of Los Angeles, the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center has established itself as a beacon of hope, providing vital support to individuals battling addiction and homelessness.
With oversight by Matthew Pierce Smith, MD, regional chief of emergency medicine for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, LAMC has become a regional leader in implementing the Bridge Program, a nationwide initiative of the Public Health Institute. The mission of Bridge is to bridge emergency care and community health to create an integrated system that improves health and equity.
"Our goal is to deliver compassionate care and save lives through collaborative efforts," said Dr. Smith.
From the committed emergency department staff to the compassionate case managers and social workers, each person plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive care. The success of LAMC's program in supporting patients and members is a testament to the entire team's dedication, the integration of community clinic staff from Wesley Health Centers into the emergency department, and the important partnerships that were established. Through partnerships with the Public Health Institute and Wesley Health Centers, LAMC pools both internal and external resources to make a greater impact in providing medical services primarily for adults who are unhoused and have low incomes.
Since the pilot started, LAMC's emergency department has helped more than 2,300 individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. One key figure in this transformative program is Nicole Johnson-Farley, a navigator lead for Wesley Health Centers. With her extensive experience, Johnson-Farley, along with her team of 2 navigators, focuses on connecting people who are unhoused with essential primary care, mental health services, and housing. This ultimately reduces their reliance on LAMC's emergency department.
Johnson-Farley said, "At LAMC, we have the advantage of offering additional resources, such as medication-assisted treatment, and combining medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Wesley Health Centers enables us to easily connect individuals in need with nearby clinics and programs."
The Wesley Health Center care team ensures that people seeking help for substance use disorders receive the necessary support. Collaborating with LAMC's emergency department staff, it addresses addiction issues while providing access to primary care services, case management, HIV services, and more.
"Kaiser Permanente’s collaboration with Wesley Health Center, an expert community partner, through the Bridge Program, guarantees that individuals seeking behavioral and addiction resources receive the utmost attention and care they deserve,” said Mario Ceballos, Kaiser Permanente community health manager for LAMC. “This partnership enhances LAMC as a stronger and better care delivery system."
The unwavering commitment of Dr. Smith, Johnson-Farley, and Ceballos inspires others and demonstrates the transformative power of kindness and compassion in making a meaningful difference in people's lives by having an integrated system of care with a trusted community partner.
Learn more about mental health and addiction care at Kaiser Permanente.
A Kaiser Permanente doctor and researcher shares the simple changes you …
Tasha Champion shares how early testing by her oncologist at Kaiser Permanente …
A father's determination to stay healthy for his 3 children led him to …
A sharp increase in rates of adult caregiving is taking a mental and physical …
As a lifelong nonsmoker, Mariann Stephens was shocked to learn she had …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
Bettye Garrett’s personal doctor says her healthy perspective on life’s …
If you're rethinking your habits, here are some questions to keep in mind.
In August 2023, John Lynn collapsed at work. For the next year, he fought …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Miriam Gutierrez was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer at age 31. …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
With the support of his health care team and nurse navigator, musician …
The new Pueblo North Medical Offices will replace the existing facility …
Policy changes are crucial for better opioid addiction treatment.
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
A basketball coach’s remarkable story of undergoing brain tumor surgery …
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
A mother and daughter share a special bond after undergoing tonsillectomies …
Kaiser Permanente in San Diego helped plan a special send-off for Katie …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
Harold Newman had advanced prostate cancer. Genetic testing helped expand …
5280 Magazine named 332 Kaiser Permanente physicians to its annual Top …
Our partnership with ONEgeneration aims to prevent homelessness and improve …
Warren Village expands its efforts to transform Denver’s affordable housing …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
When a newborn was diagnosed with meningitis, a life-threatening infection …
Delivering multiple babies is difficult, but Kaiser Permanente care teams …
Chris Hogan faced kidney cancer and prostate cancer at the same time. He …
A young father is enjoying “bonus time” with his kids thanks to new targeted …
Patients like Carol Pitman are living longer thanks to advances in lung …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
A healthy life after cancer is possible. Learn how Kaiser Permanente helps …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
Early detection of the disease, before it becomes advanced, will increase …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
Kaiser Permanente supports the ballot measure to expand and improve mental …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Following a COVID-19-related hospital stay, Robert DeLeon took charge of …
Members experiencing a low risk pregnancy have the option of having their …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
A new care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual visits, supported …
From diagnosis to recovery, David Parsons, MD, shares how screening, treatment …
Pavan Somusetty, MD, explains how people who need support and guidance …
Our Advanced Care at Home program provides high-quality, safe care in familiar …
A team of specialists treats an expecting mother’s cancer while keeping …
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Joy Short, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, turned her breast cancer …
Innovative medical-legal partnerships keep families in stable housing to …
Season 3 of “The Way Home” documentary series, created with support from …
The prestigious Magnet® designation affirms the compassion, dedication, …
Fit and focused, an Oregon father and runner rebounds after an aortic valve …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Members give video visits high marks — and with a few simple tips, you …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Risk factors are not always associated with addiction or substance abuse.
Supporting housing to improve health
Research and clinical trials play a vital role in advancing cancer treatment …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
The Kaiser Permanente and 211 LA partnership makes strides in improving …
Fay Gordon's breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to genetic …
Tarayn Fairlie, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant, helps separate …
Michael West shares his incredible journey from diagnosis to treatment …
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Our members are more likely to feed their babies breast milk. And they’re …
Doctor and mother of 3 Susan Brim received top-notch care after her lung …
Carter Shaver from Portland, Oregon, shares his optimistic smile after …
Help change the future of cancer prevention by joining Connect today.
Thanks to personalized care from a team of skilled doctors, Christina McAmis …
Shared experience helps young people in Oregon build confidence for their …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
Peer mentoring program matches new cancer patients with others who’ve gone …
The annual Seattle King County Clinic brings health care to low-income …
Grant funds will combat housing inaccessibility and improve health care …
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center achieves Magnet status, the …
Kaiser Permanente is working with community partners to reduce financial …
As a nonsmoker, Betty Schuldt’s stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis was surprising, …
Kaiser Permanente recognizes that safe, affordable housing is crucial to …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …