Providence St. Joseph clinic in Los Angeles County, employee homes destroyed by wildfires

January 2025
 

Providence St. Joseph Health hospitals and clinics in Los Angeles County are coping with the effects of the wildfires that have devastated several neighborhoods and destroyed the homes of many staff members and volunteers.

The six Providence hospitals in the county have not been damaged, nor have they closed. However, a clinic in Pacific Palisades that is affiliated with Providence was wiped out by wildfire.

Providence leaders are looking for a location to reopen the clinic, called the Saint John's Physician Partners Pacific Palisades Primary Care and Pediatrics clinic, spokeswoman Patricia Aidem said Tuesday.

Also, 26 doctors, a physician assistant, 11 other employees and 14 volunteers have lost their homes to wildfires. Scores of Providence staffers or volunteers have had to evacuate. The system has set up a fund to help them and is assisting with temporary housing and other needs.

Aidem said Providence continues to have enough personnel to ensure quality and safe patient care.

Providence President and CEO Erik Wexler said in a social media post: "Our communities have faced many wildfires and other natural disasters in the past, but this is the most destructive event the greater Los Angeles area has ever seen. I remain in awe of how our teams have come together to ensure we can continue to be here for our patients, especially those who are most vulnerable."

Some Providence clinics, mostly in Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica, closed for a varying number of days because of air quality, power issues, and direct impact by wildfires.

Santa Monica's Providence Saint John's Health Center, which borders areas of the Palisades fire, postponed nonemergent surgeries for two days. Leadership discussed evacuation plans, but fire officials assured them patients and staff were safe.

Some emergency rooms have seen patients affected by the fires, with most visits involving eye irritation, minor burns, smoke inhalation and respiratory issues, including exacerbated asthma symptoms. Some of the hospitals already had seen surges from unrelated seasonal issues like RSV, the flu, and COVID-19.

Hospitals also have brought in air purifiers to help, mostly in Santa Monica.

The system's spiritual care teams have been "rounding more than usual," Aidem said, and Providence has enhanced programs for doctors and other caregivers to help ease stress.

Wexler said: "In the face of such overwhelming loss, unity and compassion will help our communities rebuild and move forward into the future."

 

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