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Labor Force Shrank Further Last Month

Burbank’s labor force reportedly hit its lowest point of the year in December, with a local unemployment rate that has been falling for months showing signs of stalling.
The city’s unemployment rate decreased slightly from 10.5% in November to 10.4% in December, according to preliminary data from the California Employment Development Department. The rate was similar to Los Angeles County’s figure of 10.7%, which remained flat between the two months.
But Burbank’s labor force, consisting of people who report either being employed or looking for work, saw a drop in December. The estimated labor force was 56,300 that month, a decline from November’s 57,500. The decrease reflected 1,100 fewer Burbank residents working in December compared with November.

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City Braces for Sales Tax Hit

A review of the city’s financial status at the five-month mark tracks only slightly off of expectations, which had already been tweaked during the fiscal year in anticipation of additional pandemic-related shortfalls.
These projections, as is typical, could be considered with a grain of salt, of course. Even in a normal year, revenues are more erratic than linear, and revenues through November would not be expected to offset expenditures yet. The first round of property taxes — among the city’s highest and most consistent revenue sources — don’t start rolling in until after November and weren’t reflected in the city’s report.

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Labor Force Shrunk Further Last Month

Glendale’s labor force continued its downward trend in December, with a local unemployment rate that has been falling for months showing signs of stalling.
The city’s unemployment rate decreased slightly from 10.3% in November to 9.9% in December, according to preliminary data from the California Employment Development Department. The rate was similar to Los Angeles County’s figure of 10.7%, which remained flat between the two months.
But Glendale’s labor force, consisting of people who report either being employed or looking for work, saw a drop in December. The estimated labor force was 98,8 00 that month, a decline from November’s 101,400. The decrease also reflected 1,800 fewer Glendale residents working in December compared to November.

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New Chief of Staff at Glendale Memorial Hospital

Dr. David Rogers

Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center has just named a new chief of staff, Dr. David Rogers, who will serve a two-year term through December 2022.
Rogers is an orthopedic spine surgeon who has been in private practice and a member of the Glendale Memorial Hospital medical staff for 20 years. Rogers previously served as Glendale Memorial Hospital’s chair of surgery division, and as Glendale Memorial Hospital’s vice chief of staff. He has also been a medical director at Glendale Memorial Hospital since 2001.
After graduating cum laude in general studies from Harvard, he received his Medical Doctorate from Harvard Medical School. He then completed an orthopedic surgery residency at UCLA Medical Center, an orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at UCLA Medical Center, and an orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Saint John’s Health Center Spine Institute in Santa Monica. Rogers is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Rogers is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. He has received numerous honors, including the Harvard College Endicott Peabody Saltonstall Prize, the Harvard Medical School Public Service Award, and the UCLA Outstanding Physician of the Year (selected by the UCLA Medical Center department of nursing).

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Dignity Health Hospitals Offer Onsite Grocery for Staff

Photo courtesy Dignity Health
Glendale Memorial Hospital’s healthcare workers now have an onsite grocery store, making it easier for hospital employees to get items they need in a timely fashion.

Glendale Memorial Hospital is making a difficult situation easier for its healthcare workers with an onsite grocery store. As grocery chains face restocking issues, safety concerns and restricted hours, it can be difficult for hospital employees to get items they need.
The hospital’s cafeteria has set-up a mini-mart with shopping available every day. “I am so proud of the entire Glendale Memorial family and hope this program provides more time for our staff and physicians to spend at home,” said hospital President Jill Welton.
Alex Valdez, the director of Nutrition Services, shares that staff have expressed their gratitude for the shopping options, with the first day serving more than 100 people. Thanks to partnerships with distributors, like U.S. Foods, the cafeteria is able to sell items to staff at cost.
Visit dignityhealth.org/SoCal for more information.

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Exer Urgent Care Offering Onsite Testing for COVID-19

Exer Urgent Care is now offering onsite testing for COVID-19 at all clinic locations across Southern California and drive-up testing at seven clinic locations. With a referral through Exer’s VirtualCare portal, advanced testing kits are used to provide patient results within 24 to 48 hours. VirtualCare, an extension of Exer’s patient access options, is an online urgent care service providing real-time access to a health care provider via video chat. Patients do not need an appointment; they can remotely login and will be connected to an Exer medical provider. From there, patients can be screened for COVID-19 by answering questions about risk factors and symptoms.
The risk assessment evaluation for COVID-19 follows local and state guidelines and after screening, if a test is recommended, a prescription and directive to report to the nearest Exer clinic will be issued.
“At Exer, patient safety is our No. 1 priority. During these unprecedented times, we’ve closely monitored information from the CDC to ensure we are adjusting our protocols and practices to best serve our communities,” said Dr. Brian Wilbur, chief medical officer with Exer Urgent Care.
Exer accepts most PPOs, most HMOs, Medicare and offers affordable payment options for those with minimal or no health insurance. For information about Exer and VirtualCare by Exer, visit ExerUrgentCare.com.

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Faith Helps Local Caterer Endure Challenging Times

By Kristi Scott
Special to The Outlook

Tony Lancaster,Owner and Chef of HOPE Cafe & Catering

Many supporters of Door of Hope, a Pasadena-based nonprofit which helps families transition out of homelessness, are familiar with the organization’s meal donor program. The popular program, which allows volunteer groups to serve a prepared dinner to the families at Door of Hope’s transitional housing locations, has been temporarily halted because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Last year, nearly 300 people volunteered as Door of Hope meal donors. And on nights when meal donors are not available, parents take turns cooking for all of the house’s residents.
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Adventist Health Launches Virtual Assistant and Symptom Checker

Adventist Health recently announced its launch of the COVID-19 Virtual Assistant and Symptom Checker on the Adventist Health website, an easy and accessible way to check symptoms and obtain information about COVID-19 via online chat.
“During this unprecedented time of uncertainty and constant change, Adventist Health understands the essential need and our responsibility to provide up-to-date information and support to the communities we serve,” said Ramesh Nathan, medical director of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship with Adventist Health. “We know patients find these resources to be helpful, and this online tool can provide an even quicker response to those seeking information.”
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Lake Avenue Community Foundation Becomes ‘Stars’

Pasadena’s Lake Avenue Community Foundation has changed its name to “Stars” to avoid confusion with Lake Avenue Church and because people often assumed from the former name that the organization is a grant-giving foundation, according to the organization’s executive director, Nancy Stiles. Stars’ new web address is gostars.org. Continue reading “Lake Avenue Community Foundation Becomes ‘Stars’”