Salute to Student Health: an event to remember
The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health event 2022. Photo credit by Rinzi Ruiz Photography.
On September 29 more than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders gathered in-person at Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles and online for The L.A. Trust’s second annual Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored Dr. Barbara Ferrer with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and Dr. Jeanne Pritzker with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both were honored for their leadership and commitment to the health and lives of our students and communities.
Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and Board President Brandon Burris.
Brandon Burris, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “Two of the most pressing challenges our students face are mental health and oral health.” Burris said, “These issues are not going away. In some cases, they are getting worse. And that is the real reason why we are here tonight – to bridge the gap between education and health, and to shrink these statistics so that we can provide the safest and healthiest path forward for our children.” He then thanked all our evening sponsors and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
“As we move through 2022, we continue to seek ways to increase access, equity, and awareness, as well as to bring high-quality healthcare services to the students we serve,” said Puffer. “It has been an extraordinary year despite the challenges, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with all of you,” she said.
Puffer acknowledged our research partners and the staff at the Federally Qualified Health Centers, who provide crucial care to students through the Wellness Centers. “The staff at these clinics went above and beyond during the height of the COVID-19 crisis,” she said, “and they continue to do so, serving students and families despite the many obstacles.”
Beautiful butterfly experience
Marsha Ellis, program director at The L.A. Trust, introduced the night’s featured guest speaker, Taaliyah Tucker, an undergraduate at LA Trade Technical College and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board (SAB) at Washington Prep High School.
Student speaker Taaliyah Tucker.
Taaliyah Tucker spoke about her “Beautiful Butterfly Experience”, and how joining The L.A. Trust SAB helped her come out of her cocoon. “I went from being this shy girl, to speaking with my peers at table events to being highlighted in an L.A. Trust video,” she said. “And then speaking at the Youth to Youth Conference to High School kids from all parts of LA Unified. And tonight, I’m here sharing my story with all of you.”
Ms. Tucker shared her experience with bullying and the personal toll it took on her physical and mental well-being. She spoke about growing up without parents, being an introvert, joining The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board and her hopes for the future.
“I don’t know where I’ll be 5 or 10 years from now, but what I do know is that I will always continue to learn and hopefully, keep up with my public speaking and educating people on the great work The L.A. Trust has done and continues to do for students like me,” she said. “For a student who once upon a time used to be a shy girl from South LA, but has now turned into a beautiful butterfly.” Her emotional speech prompted a standing ovation.
Interconnected realization
Pia Escudero, Executive Director at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Division of Student Health & Human Services received the award on behalf of Jeanne Pritzker. Escudero said, “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of Jeanne because without Jeanne, we wouldn’t have the professionals that we have, the tools and resources that we have and be able to spread the wealth of health and mental well-being that we have today in our schools.”
Dr. Barbara Ferrer
Megan Reilly, Deputy Superintendent at LAUSD presented The L.A. Trust Champion Award to Dr. Barbara Ferrer. Dr. Ferrer noted how interconnected we are and how much we depend on each other. Dr. Ferrer said, “Every day, I get to work alongside remarkable people who tirelessly advance the health and well-being of more than 10 million people who live and work in LA County.” She asked the audience to join her in recognizing her public health colleagues who were in attendance and said, “This award is a tribute to their commitment, their exceptional efforts, and their personal sacrifice over the past nearly three years. I feel very fortunate to be a member of this public health team.”
Dr. Ferrer said, “As I look back over this very long pandemic, I am hopeful for our future, because we have forged ‘in strength and relationships that will allow us to continue to work together, improving conditions for students and their families, inside and outside the classrooms for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”
Bidding for good
The evening sponsors included our Gold Sponsor , Kaiser Permanente, and Silver Sponsors , Liberty Dental Plan, Delta Dental, Big Smiles, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, William Grice, L.A. Care, Health Net, Anton Consulting, and L.A. County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. Bronze Sponsors included Planned Parenthood, Health Management Associates, St. John’s Community Health, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Orchard Financial Group, Tangram Interiors, Western Dental, and To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers. Community Allies include The California Credit Union, California Community Foundation, Holos Communities, LAUSD Board District 1/Dr. McKenna, Nicole J. Jones, and Brian Benton. Special thanks go to The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation.
The evening included a Silent Auction and an entertaining Live Auction featuring trips to Italy, Hawaii, Mammoth and Mexico. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs.
The L.A. Trust is very grateful for all who came and all who gave. Thanks to our sponsors, attendees and bidders, The L.A. Trust raised more than $200,000 to fund programs in the coming year. More importantly, it brought attention to the need for student healthcare. The L.A. Trust is especially proud of Taaliyah and the current Student Advisory Board members and Covid Youth Task Force members in our video, who showed everyone what The L.A. Trust mission is all about.
