L.A. Care Funds New Doctors for the Safety Net

Leading the Way in Increasing Access to Care

provider and patient The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing workforce shortage with physicians reporting burnout. This makes it harder for our members to receive the care they need, and it places stress on already overstressed clinicians serving our members.

L.A. Care’s Elevating the Safety Net Provider Recruitment Program is growing the number of doctors serving in the safety net. Clinics and practices contracted with L.A. Care for Medi-Cal can apply for grant funding to add doctors who are new to the safety net. They can receive up to $125,000 for one doctor and $250,000 for two doctors. Funding can be used for salaries, bonuses, and/or relocation expenses.

“San Fernando Community Health Center is deeply appreciative of the support offered by L.A. Care. Making this resource available to SFCHC and other clinics has given us a very essential tool in recruiting new, high-quality providers to Los Angeles,” said Audrey Simons, CEO of grant recipient San Fernando Community Health Center.

Since 2018, L.A. Care has invested over $21 million to add more than 185 new physicians throughout L.A. County.


“The competitive nature of provider recruitment means that clinics need this level of support to attract the caliber of provider needed to care for the most vulnerable in our communities.”

 — AUDREY SIMONS, SAN FERNANDO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER CEO


Dive Deeper: Program Success Story

Learn how the Provider Recruitment Program made a difference for Dr. Edward Cardenas and the MLK Community Healthcare Center in Compton.

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