Field Placement: Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Office of Diversity Programs
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Preceptor: Miya Iwataki
Student Name: Susan Park
Year: 2004

From July 2004 – September 2004, I worked as an Administrative Aid for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Office of Diversity Programs (ODP). The ODP is located in the main administrative building on 313 N. Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles. I worked with three of the nicest staff members who were very passionate about providing healthcare access to the minority populations.

For the last few years, ODP and a committee of experts worked together to create the DHS Cultural and Linguistic Competency Standards. Los Angeles County is the first county in the nation to develop such standards. These Standards were based upon the DHHS Office of Minority Health, National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (Dec. 2000). Currently, a C&L Standards Implementation Team is working on taking action steps to implement these Standards in the County facilities.

My project for the summer was to come up with a strategy to educate and get the word out about the new C&L Standards to the County hospitals and facilities. My summer consisted of meetings with administrators, nurses, doctors, and other program staff to find out the most effective way to communicate to their staff. I also conducted research to find out current working interventions and recommendations to communicate cultural and linguistic competency.

This was an amazing internship opportunity because I was able to take an inside look at most of the County hospitals. I also met with various staff members in Public Health programs, rehabilitations centers, and comprehensive health centers. My personal goal for the summer was to really get a feel for the County system, and I can say that this internship exceeded my expectations.

Back to CHS Field Studies Placement Index | Back to CHS Field Studies | Back to Field Studies Home