07 Aug Kheir Honored for Commitment to Cancer Prevention and Support for Underserved Populations and receives Certificate of Appreciation from American Cancer Society

(August 7, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA) Kheir Clinic announced that it was awarded the Certificate of Recognition from the American Cancer Society (ASC) for providing underserved and underinsured community residents with early detection cancer screenings. The certificate was presented by Ilda Zepeda, Associate Director of Community Partnerships at the ACS, during National Health Center Week (NHCW).

“Kheir Clinic is honored to receive this recognition from the American Cancer Society. It’s a tremendous accomplishment to be recognized by the ACS, an organization that has improved the lives of people facing cancer for one-hundred and eleven years. We are not only grateful for their recognition, but for their support in providing vital resources to our most vulnerable patients,” said Erin Pak, CEO of Kheir Clinic.

The award highlighted Kheir Clinic’s dedication to improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to cancer screenings for all individuals, regardless of background. The clinic’s comprehensive approaches include educational outreach, screening initiatives, and support services tailored to meet the unique needs of the community.

Cancer continues to be a persistent issue in Kheir’s Koreatown Community. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer was found to be the leading cause of death for Korean Americans. Outside of breast and prostate cancer, lung cancer was most commonly found among this population. Many linguistically-isolated patients avoided cancer screenings as there was fear of misunderstanding and being misunderstood, further exacerbating the already-existing health disparities affecting Los Angeles County’s vulnerable populations.

By providing in-language early detection screenings, Kheir’s goal is to identify cancer before it becomes a debilitating health issue. Early identification paves the way for immediate and effective action, encompassing everything from lifestyle adjustments to medical interventions.

Kheir Clinic has continuously provided cancer screenings to immigrants, low-income individuals, and other marginalized groups who face language barriers, cultural differences, and financial hardships, amongst other challenges. Last year, Kheir Clinic conducted 3,553 cervical cancer screenings, 2,557 colorectal cancer screenings, and 1,998 breast cancer screenings.

Kheir Clinic’s ongoing partnership with the American Cancer Society exemplifies its dedication to continue improving the health and well-being of the residents of Southern California.

About National Health Center Week: National Health Center Week (NHCW) is an annual event sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to celebrate and raise awareness of America’s Community Health Centers (CHCs). It highlights the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters. It is an opportunity to recognize the vital role that Community Health Centers play in providing quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually.

About Kheir: Since 1986, Kheir Clinic has addressed the community’s critical need for culturally and linguistically-sensitive quality health care and human services. Initially established to serve as a bridge between recently immigrated Koreans and local social service providers, Kheir has since evolved into Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive services for a multicultural community. Kheir currently operates seven sites and serves more than 19,000 patients through more than 65,000 clinic visits annually.