Archives for Patient Stories

Lilian Ramos Guerra has been a patient at Gracelight Community Health for almost thirty years. She’s originally from Guatemala and started coming to the Echo Park clinic back when it was located on 8th and Mariposa. Over the years, the clinic has become like family to her. She talked about how much the staff has meant to her, especially Manuel, who she described as an amazing person. “He helped me with Medi-Cal and CalFresh,” she said. “Without him, I wouldn’t have had a way to feed my family during the COVID lockdown. I wanted to give up, but Manuel encouraged
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Alma Hernández has been coming to Gracelight Community Health since 2008. Back then, she was living on Sunol and had just given birth to her oldest son, who was eight months old at the time. A few years later, she welcomed her youngest daughter at Gracelight, an experience she still talks about with joy. “It was amazing,” she said. “I’ve never had a bad experience here.” Alma and her husband are raising three kids, two boys and a five-year-old daughter, and they’ve all received care through Gracelight over the years. “With my medical coverage, I’ve been able to take care
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Miguel Pérez Díaz has been a patient at Gracelight Community Health for more than twenty years. Born in Mexico City, he’s seen the clinic grow and change, and he’s built real connections with the people who work there. “The service is excellent,” he said. “Everyone treats you well here.” Miguel joked that the staff knows him so well they could probably tell you what he ate yesterday. “You all have helped me through a lot and fixed so many Medi-Cal issues for me.” He talked about Karla, who once helped him find a place to live through a referral, and
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Anna Magallanes still remembers the day her husband fell at work. One moment changed everything. What started as an ordinary day turned into years of recovery, worry, and hospital visits. “He couldn’t walk for almost two years,” she said softly. “Those were some of the hardest years of our lives.” The bills came fast. The biggest one, over $100,000, felt impossible. But through Gracelight’s Medi-Cal Department at the East 3rd Health Center, Anna found help when she needed it most. “You guys helped my husband obtain Medi-Cal, and for that I’m very grateful,” she said. “Without that coverage, I don’t
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At 40 years old, Arelis Siquina reflects on her journey with Gracelight Community Health. She first became a patient in 2021, but after leaving for a few years, she returned in 2025 to the East 3rd Street clinic. Coming back wasn’t easy. “There were new faces, and nobody likes change. I felt uncomfortable and even a little intimidated by the changes.” However her experience shifted. “It’s more organized now,” she says. “I can reach out directly to my doctor for care. At the same time, the nurses and staff make me feel at ease and welcomed. My doctor, Raizza, is
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About six years ago, Kelly Garcia Vasquez was walking by the clinic back when Gracelight Community Health was QueensCare. She was 20 years old at the time, single, and curious about Medi-Cal eligibility, so she decided to stop and ask a few questions. That moment changed everything—she found a place that would grow with her and her family. Now, at 26 years old and a mother of two, the clinic has been by her side through every stage. She brings her children here for their physicals, and they feel at ease coming in for care. For herself, she counts on
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Since joining Gracelight Community Health in May 2023, 55-year-old Lorena Cuevas has experienced a level of care that stands out from her past experiences. What began with uncertainty and stress turned into a journey of support, healing, and connections, something she didn’t expect to find so close to home. When Lorena’s Medi-Cal coverage was unexpectedly cut off, she found herself overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. “I didn’t know what to do,” she recalled. “I cried so much and felt completely lost.” But at that low point, someone at Gracelight stepped in to help. Within days, she was supported
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39 year old Esteban Arias Villegas arrived in the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico in May 2025. Seeking asylum and a chance at stability, he never expected that his first experience with the healthcare system would come so quickly or feel so human. He came to Gracelight Community Health in urgent dental pain, unsure of what to expect. “I thought it would be too expensive, and I didn’t have services like this back home,” he said. But thanks to Leticia Urbina in the dental department, he was given a same-day appointment and referred for medical approval, which he received in
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At 27 years old, Maria J. Moore-Lopez considers choosing Gracelight Community Health one of the best healthcare decisions she’s made. What began as a personal step toward better health has grown into something much bigger. Gracelight is now the go-to clinic for three generations of her family. “Overall, my experience has been good, and I’ve received services in almost every single department at this location,” Maria said. “I have zero complaints.” Her provider, Dr. Kyi, has encouraged her to adopt a healthier lifestyle and stay consistent with her care. But what’s stood out most is the way her concerns are
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When Miriam Alcovera Guevara walks into Gracelight Community Health, her presence brings a sense of calm to the space. At 67 years old, she carries herself with quiet grace, greeting staff and patients alike, always with kindness. Despite the challenges she’s facing, including a recent cancer diagnosis, Miriam continues to show up with humility, patience, and hope. For Miriam, Gracelight has been more than a clinic. It’s been a source of motivation and stability in a time of uncertainty. “Gracelight has helped motivate me to stay consistent with my appointments, even when life throws obstacles in the way,” she shared.
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