AltaMed's Vice President of Strategic Development and Community Support Receives Latino Spirit Award

LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AltaMed is proud to announce that Zoila Escobar, Vice President of Strategic Development and Community Support has received a 2011 Latino Spirit Award from the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Overseeing the Foundation, managing the organization's strategic planning and connecting with Latino communities throughout Southern California are just a few of the reasons why Escobar has received this acknowledgement. AltaMed's leadership, employees and patients celebrate her success.

"Zoila Escobar's contribution to the health care field in California has been extensive," Assemblymember Tony Mendoza said. "By acting as a pioneer in AIDS prevention efforts for our community, she has truly epitomized what the Latino Spirit Awards are all about – furthering understanding and acceptance through leadership and service. It is an honor to present her with the 2011 Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Health and Business."

The California Latino Legislative Caucus created the Latino Spirit Awards in 2001 to celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the common culture of the United States and to motivate the youth of California. Escobar received her award at the 10th Annual Latino Spirit Awards Ceremony at the California State Capitol on May 9, 2011.

"It is truly an honor to receive this award among so many outstanding representatives of the Latino community," says Escobar. "Their contributions and standards of excellence are truly inspirational to us all."

Escobar has an extensive history in the health care arena. She supported AIDS Project Los Angeles, as Program Director of the first "Latinas and AIDS" program in Los Angeles County. At the UCLA Family Planning Clinic, Escobar served as Clinic Administrator for HIV Services and later became the Director of Education and Government Affairs for the Arthritis Foundation. She has also served as Technical Assistant for the World Health Organization where she worked to develop and implement a comprehensive training program to help physicians and other health care professionals improve Hemophilia and HIV Infection Health Care Systems. Escobar has served as co-chair of the first "Binational U.S./Mexico AIDS Conference"; "Latino Artists Against AIDS" Art Show; the "Big Sisters of Los Angeles - Latina Advisory Dinner and Gala" fundraising committees and more. At AltaMed, Escobar is responsible for strategic development and cultivating community support from stakeholders in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and philanthropic support from public and private funding sources.

AltaMed Health Services

AltaMed is Southern California's leading nonprofit health care system delivering integrated primary care services, senior care programs, and health and human services for the entire family. AltaMed's team of multicultural and bilingual physicians and health care professionals deliver superior quality care through an integrated delivery system of 43 sites and an affiliated Independent Practice Association (IPA) of contracted physicians in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

SOURCE AltaMed Health Services