Published on June 18, 2010

News Release

Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare to Help Inaugurate CASA de Maryland's Multicultural Center in Langley Park

$1 M Contribution Will Fund Health Clinic, Expand Access to Care for Diverse Communities

Langley Park, Md. - Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare leaders will help inaugurate the CASA Multicultural Center during a ribbon-cutting and 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 19, along with state and local elected officials, donors and community members.

Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist Health Care have contributed $1 million to CASA's Multicultural Center, which will allow for a small health clinic to open within the Center, expanding access to health care to the underserved communities of Langley Park and surrounding areas.

"Washington Adventist Hospital and CASA have a shared vision to expand access and serve those in need in our community," says Jere Stocks, President of Washington Adventist Hospital. "That is why we are pleased to announce that in partnership with CASA, there will be health-care services available at the Center."

The Langley Park neighborhood in Northern Prince George's County is the most diverse part of the state, with more than 130 languages spoken at local elementary schools.

"Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare have been tremendous partners in CASA's campaign and in our ongoing work. Their commitment to improving their community, to promoting health and wellness, and to partnering with community-based organizations sets the standard for others," said Gustavo Torres, CASA de Maryland Executive Director.

As part of its Vision for Expanded Access, the hospital and Adventist HealthCare have formed many valuable partnerships with community organizations over the years, including CASA, Mary's Center, MobileMed, Impact Silver Spring and others.

"We recognize that our communities benefit greatly when we form partnerships like the one between Washington Adventist Hospital and CASA de Maryland," said Bill Robertson, President and CEO of Adventist HealthCare. "We have more impact to expand access to care when we work together."

The CASA Multicultural Center will house the organization's new regional headquarters, provide space for several other nonprofit agencies, and offer a wide variety of health, legal, education, leadership, and economic development services to the ethnically diverse but drastically underserved communities of Langley Park.

Washington Adventist Hospital is a 288-bed acute-care facility located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Washington Adventist Hospital is Montgomery County's first cardiac center, performing more than 500 open-heart surgeries and more than 6,000 heart catheterizations each year. The Hospital is the first accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center in the DC Metro Area. Washington Adventist Hospital is part of Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health-care delivery system based in Rockville, Maryland, that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.