Posts by Enrique Bautista

Maria Chacon has been a patient at Gracelight Community Health since 2015, and to her, it feels like more than just a clinic—it feels like family. Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Maria moved to the U.S. in 1997. She’s a single mom and works at a fabric store, helping pick out high-quality materials for big-name companies. She found out about Gracelight through her then mother-in-law, who told her about the clinic on Sunol. Since then, Maria has stuck with Gracelight and says she’s always felt happy with the care she gets. It was at Gracelight where Maria was first diagnosed with
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For Randy Reyes, a visit to the doctor wasn’t exactly on his radar—until a nagging issue with his pinky finger finally pushed him to get it checked out. What he didn’t expect was how he’d end up at Gracelight in the first place. A lifelong resident of Los Angeles, Randy stopped by the Westlake North clinic for help with the deformity in his finger. After being seen, he left with something even more valuable—a referral to an orthopedic specialist to get the surgery he needed. But it wasn’t just the referral that stuck with him. It was the energy of
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At 76 years old, managing chronic kidney disease hasn’t been easy—but longtime patient Ana Sanabria says the support she’s received over the years has made all the difference. She’s been coming to Gracelight since 2015, and from her very first visit, she noticed something different. The environment was warm, friendly, and upbeat. Unlike other places where she often felt pitied or treated as fragile, the team at Gracelight made her feel like herself again. “They don’t look at me like something’s wrong,” Ana said. “They treat me like a person.” That sense of respect and care has kept her coming
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After 14 years as a patient at Gracelight Community Health, Krishan S. says the clinic has become more than just a place for care. It feels like home. Now 52, Krishan moved to the United States from India at the age of 32. A quiet reader at heart, he finds peace in books and joy in learning new things. That same sense of calm and connection is what he found at Gracelight. His journey began after relocating from Burbank to South Pasadena. In search of a clinic where he would feel welcomed, Krishan asked a neighbor for recommendations. They spoke
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Gloria M. Alvarez Zotelo has spent the past 15 years relying on Gracelight Community Health for care and support. At 68 years old, she has built lasting relationships with her providers and experienced the kind of compassionate care that makes a difference. With every visit, she knows she’s in good hands, which is why she continues to trust Gracelight with her health. “My experience has been very good,” Gloria shares. “They have treated me very well. Echo Park is my main clinic now, but when I needed podiatry and dental care, they sent me to Hollywood. Both locations are excellent.”
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Edith Valiente thought taking control of her health felt impossible at one point. At 51 years old, she has been a patient at Gracelight’s Hollywood clinic for six years, but when she first walked through the doors, she wasn’t sure there was much hope left. Her blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and she felt like she had already lost the battle. “I thought, ‘What’s the point? I don’t think there’s a solution for me anymore,’” Edith recalled. But something changed after she met the team at Gracelight. It wasn’t about getting treatment—it was about feeling like she mattered. Every
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Life changed in an instant for Hilda Garay. At 63 years old, she never imagined that refusing insulin and dialysis would lead to the fight of her life. “I fell into a diabetic coma because I didn’t want to take insulin or go to dialysis,” she said. “I went into diabetic shock and was hospitalized for about four or five months. My life came to a complete stop—out of nowhere.” Hilda was first admitted to Adventist Health White Memorial, where doctors sent her to her first dialysis appointment. She didn’t even have time to process what was happening before things
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Finding a place where she felt cared for wasn’t always easy, but for Alicia Frontanez, the journey led her here. Originally from El Salvador, she has been a dental patient at East 3rd St. since 2015, receiving care that has made a lasting impact on both her health and her life. “I have never had an issue with the clinic,” she said. “From the very beginning, I knew I was in the right place.” Managing her health hasn’t always been easy, but the clinic has helped her through therapy, referrals, and authorizations that have made a real difference. Whether it
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Three years ago, Manuel De Jesus Giraldo Viloria arrived in Los Angeles with nothing but hope and the few belongings he could carry. He had already left behind his home in Venezuela, spent time staying with his sister in Miami, and was now trying to rebuild his life in a city where he knew no one. Starting over was never going to be easy, but lately, it has felt almost impossible. With immigration policies changing and the fear of losing his work permit, even something as simple as stepping outside has become a source of anxiety. However, a silver lining
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