September 1, 2009
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Board Presentation with Special ‘Thank You’ to LAC-USC Medical Center Nurses
Photography by Henry Salazar, L.A. County Chief Executive Office—Photo Division

On Tuesday, September 1, 2009, L.A. County Sup. Gloria Molina marked Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month with a special presentation for oncology and radiology nurses at the LAC-USC Medical Center, whose superior care to ovarian cancer patient Elena Gutierrez prompted her to write an impassioned letter to the supervisor describing the incredible treatment she received from hospital staff. Gutierrez wrote that in the past thirteen months, I’ve been to the hospital at least sixty times. In those visits, I was privileged to get to know the nurses in the Department of Oncology at USC County General Hospital. My respect and admiration for their selfless dedication to their profession cannot really be put into words. I can just tell you that anyone who is stricken with the life threatening, mind numbing illness, known as Cancer, will be provided with the very best care and the most humane treatment.” Gutierrez—who underwent extensive chemotherapy—added that it was the nurses who “are right there, fighting in the trenches with you.” To express her appreciation for their work, Sup. Molina honored nurses Velda Carter, Tomasa Lujan, Patricia Sawaya, and Soon-May Yen with formal commendations presented at the official Sept. 1st meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Back to gallery