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Contact:
Tanya Marvin
Office:
661-949-5230
Cell:
661-802-3118
Tanya.marvin@avhospital.org
Antelope Valley Hospital Celebrates Healthcare District Month,
Reflects on 60 Years of Community Care
(LANCASTER, Calif. – May 22, 2015) — In honor of Healthcare District Month this May,
Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) is celebrating its heritage as a district hospital. Formed
60 years ago the Antelope Valley Healthcare District is one of 78 districts in the state
created to address a shortage of access to acute hospital care, particularly in rural
areas. Today California’s district hospitals receive more than 4 million patient visits and
provide $54 million in uncompensated care annually.
As a district hospital, AVH remains true to its mission by continually improving and
expanding its programs. Within the last year, the hospital:

Became an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, which means better outcomes for
stroke patients.

Achieved designation as a Baby-Friendly facility that provides support and
encouragement for successful breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.

Was one of the first districts in the state to be named a Certified Healthcare
District by the Association of California Healthcare Districts based on
transparency in its leadership.

Opened the Institute for Heart & Vascular Care offering comprehensive
cardiovascular care in one convenient location.

Has logged 218,000 patient visits, 105,000 of which come through the
emergency department, making it one of the busiest hospitals in California.
(More)
Antelope Valley Hospital/Healthcare District Month
Page 2
“The Antelope Valley Healthcare District is proud of what we have accomplished over
the past six decades,” said Dr. Don Parazo, a member of the Antelope Valley Hospital
Board of Directors and immediate past chair of the Association of California Healthcare
Districts. “We are dedicated to continually expanding our programs through innovation,
partnerships and steadfast leadership to ensure that our communities have access to
the best medical care when they need it.”
Healthcare districts were created after World War II to address a shortage of access to
acute hospital care for many areas of the state, particularly rural areas of California.
Fifty healthcare districts operate in a health professional shortage area, a medically
underserved area, or a medically underserved population area. In 2012 healthcare
districts treated just over 1 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries, which represent 10 percent of
the total Medi-Cal beneficiaries statewide.
“Healthcare districts are formed by the will of the people and are uniquely authorized to
meet the needs of the communities they serve,” said Dennis Knox, chief executive
officer of Antelope Valley Hospital. “Working with our locally-elected board members, I
am proud to be part of a district hospital that delivers leading-edge care while serving as
a ‘safety net’ for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
About Antelope Valley Hospital
Celebrating 60 years of caring for the community, Antelope Valley Hospital is located in
the city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County. The 420-bed district hospital is a
Level II trauma center and provides a full array of medical/surgical services, pediatric
treatment, NICU, mental health, cancer care and more. More information is available at
www.avhospital.org or by calling 661-949-5000.
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