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 Angelica, one of the newer staff who’s already made an impression. “They care about us,” he said. “They’re genuine.”
Miguel also makes sure to acknowledge everyone who helps make his visits easier. “The parking guy is always smiling. I was happy to see Eddie, the guard, back again. And the lady who cleans, she really knows how to keep the place nice.”
When asked to describe the staff in one word, Miguel said inclusive. “It’s comfortable here,” he said. “Not everyone is perfect, but the staff keeps getting better.”
At 61, he still sees Dr. Moe Kyi at the East 3rd Health Center. What keeps him coming back, he said, is the way people care. “Some clinics feel mechanical,” he said. “Here, it feels human. That’s what the community needs.”
Story Seeker: Healthcare Advocate Karina Flores for Echo Park