South Los Angeles health clinic starts $11.2-million expansion

St. John's Well Child and Family Center broke ground Wednesday on an $11.2 million expansion and renovation of two health centers in South Los Angeles. 

The project means St. John's will be able to serve nearly 9,000 more people in an area where there is a shortage of primary care physicians and where many residents are uninsured, according to President and Chief Executive Jim Mangia. 

There will be 15 additional exam rooms and eight dental chairs, as well as added space to provide health education, mental health care and help enrolling people in insurance. 

The expansion was announced at an event with county and health leaders. L.A. Care Health Plan Chief Executive Howard Kahn said the expansion will help prepare the clinic for the demand for health services that is expected when the federal healthcare overhaul occurs in 2014. 

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-- Anna Gorman

Photo: Ana Rivera, 58, center, a diabetic, visits St. John's Well Child and Family Center with her daughter Josefia, left.  Credit:  Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times