Celebrating leadership and raising awareness at Salute to Student Health gala
Maryjane Puffer, John Baackes, and Dr. Alex Li at Salute to Student Health gala.
On September 19, healthcare providers, educators, and civic leaders gathered at Redbird Garden in Downtown Los Angeles for The L.A. Trust’s annual Salute to Student Health gala. The event raised awareness and funds for student health while honoring Dr. Jayanth Kumar with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and John Baackes with The L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both honorees were recognized for their leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of students and communities.
Brandon Burriss and Maryjane Puffer's Opening Remarks
Brandon Burriss, Board President
Brandon Burriss, Board President of The L.A. Trust for Children’s Health, praised the dedication of the organization’s board and staff. He addressed the challenges facing today’s students, from mental health issues to misinformation, emphasizing the crucial role of wellness centers. “Students need people they can count on, places where their questions are answered confidentially and truthfully. This is what The L.A. Trust is about,” Burriss stated, before introducing Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director
Maryjane Puffer celebrated The L.A. Trust’s growth, highlighting new initiatives like technical assistance for community schools and teacher training in peer-to-peer programs. She shared successes, including the Student Advisory Board program reaching over 10,000 students, a nearly seven-fold increase in dental screenings for kindergarteners, and expanded efforts in youth mental health. “Our work continues to be driven by a singular passion to improve the health and well-being of students throughout Los Angeles,” Puffer remarked.
Genesis Cruz, former Student Advisory Board member.
Student Speaker Genesis Cruz
In her speech, Genesis Cruz, a sophomore at USC and a Jordan High School graduate, reflected on how her time with The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) fueled her passion for advocacy and influenced her decision to pursue a career in law. She emphasized the importance of educating her peers on sexual and reproductive health and highlighted the reopening of the Jordan High School Wellness Center as a vital resource for the community. “Through the SAB, I learned the significance of community advocacy and how making our voices heard can drive meaningful change,” Cruz noted.
Championing Equity in Children's Oral Health
Dr. Maritza Cabezas introduced Dr. Jayanth Kumar for the Champion Award, detailing his impressive educational journey from Bangalore University to Johns Hopkins. She noted his significant contributions to public health, including research on tooth discoloration in Native Americans and the development of New York's first comprehensive oral health plan. Dr. Cabezas praised Dr. Kumar's leadership in California as State Dental Director, where he implemented innovative strategies to reduce health disparities. She acknowledged his retirement to spend time with his granddaughter in Maryland while celebrating his lasting impact on community health.
Dr. Jayanth Kumar accepting the Champion Award.
Dr. Jayanth Kumar accepted the Los Angeles Trust's Champion Award via video, expressing gratitude and emphasizing the need for equitable oral health outcomes. Reflecting on his public health dentistry career, he acknowledged the progress made in California's dental programs while highlighting ongoing disparities in children's oral health. He remarked, “Despite significant progress, tooth decay remains a chronic disease among children, and disparities in oral health continue to be a pressing concern.” Dr. Kumar concluded by hoping that his recognition would inspire others in the field.
John Baackes in his acceptance speech.
A Visionary Message from John Baackes
Dr. Alex Li introduced John Baackes for the Visionary Award, commending his leadership as CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, one of the largest public health plans in the country. Dr. Li highlighted Baackes' unique transition from the East Coast to California, emphasizing his youthful energy and commitment to addressing health disparities among low-income individuals, particularly youth. He praised Baackes for his hands-on approach during the pandemic, including daily emails to staff to boost morale, and his proactive support for critical programs like the Student Behavioral Health Program. Dr. Li expressed gratitude for Baackes' impactful work in Los Angeles and his dedication to improving community health, noting the legacy he leaves as he prepares for retirement.
In his acceptance speech, John Baackes delivered a powerful message, recognizing the long-standing partnership between L.A. Care and The L.A. Trust and their shared dedication to addressing healthcare inequities for vulnerable populations. He emphasized the critical role that community organizations play in fostering resilience, especially during times of national uncertainty. “Regardless of what’s happening at the top, those of us working at the street level know how to take care of our community, our neighbors, and our friends,” he stated.
Baackes highlighted the unique diversity of Los Angeles, suggesting that the city is a model for the country’s future. He believes that the blend of cultures and backgrounds in L.A. is not just a reflection of where the U.S. is headed, but a powerful driver of positive change. “If you want to see the future face of the United States, come to L.A.,” he remarked, underscoring how this diversity can help close the healthcare inequality gap. His words reflected admiration for The L.A. Trust's work and his commitment to continue advocating for the community even after his retirement.
Bidding for Good
Contributing for a chance to win exciting prizes.
The evening included an exciting prize drawing and an entertaining live auction featuring trips to Italy, an all-inclusive tropical paradise, the Grand Canyon, and more. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs.
The event was made possible by generous sponsors, including Gold Sponsor LA Care and Silver Sponsors Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group, Delta Dental, Health Net, Jan Kern, and Kaiser Permanente. Bronze Sponsors included Alta Hospitals, California Dental Association, DentaQuest, Liberty Dental, St. John's Community Health, The Broad Foundation, and Via Care. Ally Sponsors were AltaMed, Blue Shield of CA Promise HP, California Credit Union, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Dignity Health, John and Debbie Edleston, Eisner Health, LAUSD Board of Education — Dr. George J. McKenna III, Sylvia Hurtado — UCLA School of Education & Information Studies, Toney Health Care, UMMA Community Clinic, and Universal Community Health Center.
The L.A. Trust is deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed. Thanks to our sponsors, attendees, and bidders, we exceeded our goal to fund programs in the coming year, while also bringing attention to the urgent need for student healthcare.
Click here to see all the photos from the event.