AltaMed Exec awarded prestigeous 2011 Latino Spirit Award

Zoila Escobar Recognized for Her Contributions to Latino Communities in California

LOS ANGELES, CA -- AltaMed is proud to announce that Zoila Escobar, Vice President of Strategic Development and Community Support has received a 2011 Latino Spirit Award from the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Overseeing the Foundation, managing the organization's strategic planning and connecting with Latino communities throughout Southern California are just a few of the reasons why Escobar has received this acknowledgement. AltaMed's leadership, employees and patients celebrate her success.

"Zoila Escobar's contribution to the health care field in California has been extensive," Assemblymember Tony Mendoza said. "By acting as a pioneer in AIDS prevention efforts for our community, she has truly epitomized what the Latino Spirit Awards are all about – furthering understanding and acceptance through leadership and service. It is an honor to present her with the 2011 Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Health and Business." 

The California Latino Legislative Caucus created the Latino Spirit Awards in 2001 to celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the common culture of the United States and to motivate the youth of California. Escobar received her award at the 10th Annual Latino Spirit Awards Ceremony at the California State Capitol on May 9, 2011.

"It is truly an honor to receive this award among so many outstanding representatives of the Latino community," says Escobar (watch video below). "Their contributions and standards of excellence are truly inspirational to us all." 

Escobar has an extensive history in the health care arena. She supported AIDS Project Los Angeles, as Program Director of the first "Latinas and AIDS" program in Los Angeles County. At the UCLA Family Planning Clinic, Escobar served as Clinic Administrator for HIV Services and later became the Director of Education and Government Affairs for the Arthritis Foundation. She has also served as Technical Assistant for the World Health Organization where she worked to develop and implement a comprehensive training program to help physicians and other health care professionals improve Hemophilia and HIV Infection Health Care Systems. Escobar has served as co-chair of the first "Binational U.S./Mexico AIDS Conference"; "Latino Artists Against AIDS" Art Show; the "Big Sisters of Los Angeles - Latina Advisory Dinner and Gala" fundraising committees and more. At AltaMed, Escobar is responsible for strategic development and cultivating community support from stakeholders in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and philanthropic support from public and private funding sources.

AltaMed Health Services

AltaMed is Southern California's leading nonprofit health care system delivering integrated primary care services, senior care programs, and health and human services for the entire family. AltaMed's team of multicultural and bilingual physicians and health care professionals deliver superior quality care through an integrated delivery system of 43 sites and an affiliated Independent Practice Association (IPA) of contracted physicians in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Latina, former legislator, appointed to state Cabinet position

In appointing Anna Caballero, Gov. Jerry Brown begins to demonstrate pledge to Latino community.

By Carlos Alcala, Managing Editor, The American Latina

Anna Caballero

SACRAMENTO, CA - California Governor Jerry Brown has appointed State Assemblymember Anna Caballero as Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency.  In doing so, Brown begins to demonstrate his pledge to California’s Latino population to make them a vital part of his administration.

As Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, Caballero will oversee thousands of employees in vital departments and boards that protect consumers, license physicians, and manage public employee retirement systems.

Caballero, 56, of Salinas, had previously served in the California Assembly representing the 28th District, until her failed bid for election to the State Senate.  An attorney, she launched her legal career in 1979 working as a staff attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance, representing farm workers in consumer matters.  She was a partner in the law firm of Caballero, Govea, Matcham and McCarthy from 1982, which changed its name in 1995 to Caballero, Matcham and McCarthy.  In 1991, she was elected to the Salinas City Council and served as City Mayor from 1998 to 2006.  In addition, she was the Executive Director of “Partners for Peace” from 2000 to 2006.

“Anna Caballero has a tremendous opportunity to become the Latina leader in the United States,” says Jim Hernandez, CEO of the California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.  “She simply has to exercise the courage to advocate civil rights fairness for Latinos…Brown has shown us his good faith, now she must show us that she can lead.”

Caballero will be taking the reins of an Agency which houses the powerful Public Employment Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System, each controlling many billions of dollars and both involved in heated debates about pension reform.  In addition, she will oversee the state’s key hiring board, the State Personnel Board, and the state’s primary purchaser and contractor, the Department of General Services.

Caballero, a Democrat, is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego and attained her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles.  Her appoint will require Senate confirmation.