Archives for Patient Stories

Rafael Hernandez first came to Gracelight Community Health a few years ago on the recommendation of his brother, who had received care back when the clinic was known as QueensCare. “He told me to come get checked out,” Rafael said. “So, I decided to come and see how the service was—and ever since then, I’ve stayed.” Now 73, Rafael says the care he’s received over the past 3 to 4 years has made a real difference in his life. “It’s been good and also convenient because it’s close to home,” he said. “The staff are friendly, and Dr. Ming is
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Francisco Paz Tabora was focused on finding the right clinic made all the difference. From the moment he walked into Gracelight Community Health, he noticed a level of care that stood out from his past experiences. “It was an excellent experience because not all clinics attend to everyone the same,” he shared. “The attention given here is spectacular. I feel very welcomed and I know my health is in great hands. Any questions or concerns I have are answered, and the staff are friendly.” Now 66, Francisco credits much of his improved health to Dr. Ming and Dr. Wu. One
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At 63 years old, Andres Olguin-Ramirez speaks highly of his seven-year journey with Gracelight Community Health. From the start, he felt the difference in how care is delivered. “I really appreciate how prompt the service is,” he shared. “There’s hardly any waiting time, which makes each visit smooth and stress-free.” Over the years, Andres has seen several doctors across different locations, and each one left a strong impression. “They’ve all been professional, courteous, and attentive.” Living with diabetes, Andres relies on the health center to help him manage his condition—and that care has remained consistent. He explained that his providers
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At 73 years old, Leonidas Ramirez-Damian reflects on his journey from Peru to Los Angeles with gratitude and purpose. He arrived in the U.S. in 1985 at the age of 24, looking for a better life and a chance to see more of the world. While his three brothers eventually moved to other states, Leonidas stayed in Los Angeles to follow up on medical referrals and focus on his health, especially his diabetes. He’s been a patient with us for over three years and says the care he’s received has made a big difference. He’s built a strong connection with
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Africa Castro moved to Los Angeles just over two years ago, looking for healthcare where she felt genuinely supported and seen as more than a number. Originally from the Philippines, Africa lived in Italy before making her way to Southern California. Not long after settling in, she found Gracelight Community Health, and she’s been receiving care with us ever since. Now two years into her visits at our Echo Park clinic, Africa says her experience has been consistently positive. “I’m really thankful for the dental team,” she shared with a warm smile. “They’ve treated me like family, not just another
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Maria Alegria moved from the San Fernando Valley to Los Angeles, and one of her priorities was finding a healthcare center where she could feel confident in the care she received, especially as she focused more on her health at 51. A friend who was already a patient at Gracelight Community Health recommended she give it a try, telling her the staff were kind, welcoming, and attentive. Maria decided to make an appointment, and from the moment she walked in, she knew her friend was right. “It was just how she described it,” Maria shared. “My first visit was excellent.
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Ernestina V. Hernandez, 46, has been a patient at Gracelight Community Health since 2015. Born in Puebla, Mexico, she moved to the United States in 2001 with her husband in search of new opportunities. Over the years, she’s come to see Gracelight not just as a clinic, but as a place that offers care and comfort when she needs it most. Her healthcare journey took a serious turn when she was diagnosed with anemia. “They told me I might need a transfusion,” Ernestina recalls. “That was the scariest moment I’ve ever faced.” Under the care of Dr. Tambari at the
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Mohammad Kashem’s journey with Gracelight began in 2015, when he first came to our East 3rd Street clinic to manage hypertension and kidney disease caused by diabetes. What started as a visit for medical support soon became something more—a trusted relationship with his provider, Dr. Pham, and a sense of belonging he hadn’t expected. Now 71, Mr. Kashem reflects on how meaningful those years have been. He and his wife moved to Los Angeles from India in search of better opportunities and a better life. Finding care they could trust became an important part of that journey. “The kindness here
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Adriana Sayavedra, 47, has been part of the Gracelight family for over a decade. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she first came to Gracelight after her mother, a longtime patient at the Hollywood clinic, encouraged her to check it out. Now living in the Boyle Heights—Little Tokyo area, Adriana is a single mom raising two children on her own. She’s also working on starting her own financial services business through the World Financial Group, with a focus on helping her community build financial literacy and long-term stability. After speaking with Adriana, it becomes clear that her work is rooted
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Graduating from Cal State LA with a degree in Computer Information Systems is a major moment for Alejandro Ordaz. As a first-generation college student born and raised in Los Angeles, it’s a proud step forward for both him and his family. Through the years of studying, commuting, and planning for his future, one thing he could always count on was his care at Gracelight Community Health. Alejandro first came to the East 3rd Street clinic about ten years ago when a change in insurance led his family to search for affordable and accessible care. Since then, Gracelight has become their
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