A new UCLA Health primary care clinic with a focus on family health is coming soon to the West Adams community, offering residents convenient access to the world-class care for which the health care system is known.
Located at 5335 W. Adams Blvd., UCLA Health West Adams Primary Care will offer comprehensive services across all ages, with a focus on family and women’s health, supported by seamless referrals to UCLA Health specialists.
“Primary care works best when it's local, in the community, where we're trusted,” says Gerardo Moreno, MD, the medical director for West Adams. “When you have that trust between the doctor and the patient, then you have that longitudinal relationship. And that's really what we're striving to build.”
The West Adams location was selected to help fill a gap that was identified in local health care access, Dr. Moreno says.
“West Adams is a vibrant, historic and growing community in Los Angeles. And it's situated between two other dynamic areas – downtown and the Culver City/Mid-Wilshire area,” he says. “But that area doesn't have a lot of primary care options. And that neighborhood in particular has a lot of families, children, and that's an area that we are very interested in serving.”
He notes that transportation can be challenging in the West Adams area, so the hope is that this clinic will improve access to quality health care and encourage residents to make regular visits.
Care for the entire family
Patients obtaining care at West Adams Primary Care will find top-rated physicians familiar with the patient-centric mission and culture of the UCLA Health system.
The clinic will provide UCLA Health’s world-class care to patients across the lifespan, from newborns to seniors, integrating a complete continuum of primary care within the UCLA Health network, as well as providing referrals to UCLA Health specialists when needed.
“As the primary care provider, we see ourselves as a quarterback of your health care team,” Dr. Moreno explains. “So, we want to make sure we connect the patients with the right specialists and help them navigate the UCLA Health system.”
Staff members are being transitioned from other UCLA Health locations to support West Adams, ensuring consistency in patient experience.
Regional Director Lorena Douille points to the importance of having access to a physician in their community when a patient has an emergent or urgent need. Staff will make every attempt to get them seen by a physician the same day or offer alternative visit options such as video visits or messaging through the MyChart portal, available to all UCLA Health patients, she says.
“We're making our physicians accessible so they can take care of the patient when they need it,” she explains.
Services will include:
- Pediatric care, newborn care, well care and annual checkups, and school or sports physical exams
- Health and wellness screenings for children and adults
- Immunizations
- Well woman care, including hormone therapy and gynecological services
- Same-day sick appointments
- Coordination of care for patients with chronic medical conditions and/or multiple specialist physicians
Dr. Moreno notes that prevention is central to family medicine, so the clinic will prioritize routine screenings for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses.
He adds that any services available to patients at other UCLA Health primary care clinics will be available at the West Adams office.
“We’ll try to provide the most comprehensive primary care services that are centered around the patient, their neighborhood, their time and their ability to get around the city easily.”
Building connections
Douille emphasized the benefits of families receiving pediatric and adult primary care in the same clinic. According to Douille, when patients feel they have found a “medical home,” they are more likely to follow their care plans and feel a stronger connection to the office.
She added that the team is excited to offer this type of integrated care at the West Adams location.
