The San Gabriel Valley is home to a larger Asian American population than 42 states. The USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s Arcadia clinics are bringing culturally competent healthcare to the SGV’s diverse communities.

By Geoffrey Waring

As National AAPI Heritage Month draws to a close, many at Keck Medicine of USC have been drawn to meditate on the topic of serving a diverse patient base in healthcare. Keck Medicine of USC’s position in the heart of downtown Los Angeles means that serving a diverse patient base is not only a worthy, abstract goal for its physicians, but rather an essential priority that is practiced in its clinics every day. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with 225 languages spoken in households across the city. Keck Medicine of USC’s philosophy of treating patients with cultural and linguistic sensitivity expands far beyond its downtown Los Angeles location: many of Keck Medicine of USC’s satellite clinics are located in extremely diverse neighborhoods, which makes serving the needs of those communities a top priority.

The USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s clinics in Arcadia are an example of the organization’s unique ability to wed cutting-edge medical technology, world class physicians, and the cultural competency needed to serve a diverse population.

The San Gabriel Valley is, of course, home to incredible diversity. In addition to a large Spanish-speaking population, the San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest concentration of Asian Americans in the United States. According to a 2018 report by KPCC, the San Gabriel Valley’s more than half a million Asian American residents outnumber the Asian American populations of 42 states; and more than two-thirds of the Valley’s Asian American population are first-generation immigrants, who may be more comfortable speaking a language other than English.

The USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has been serving the needs of the SGV and beyond at the Keck Medicine of USC Arcadia clinic since 2018. The clinic is home to the USC Head and Neck Center, the division that deals with surgeries of the head and neck including cancers and other tumors, as well as a robust Rhinology division. The multidisciplinary nature of the clinic is one of its main draws.

“I was very impressed with the facility, location, and breadth of services in place,” said Daniel Kwon, MD FACS, a head and neck surgeon who began working at the Arcadia clinic in May. “In terms of a head and neck cancer facility, it has just about everything you would need to treat patients, all under one roof. The ability to have oncologists, radiology, laboratory services, all just a short walk down the hall can provide great opportunities for multidisciplinary care and also expedite a lot of the logistical red tape we often have to deal with when seeing complicated cases.”

Although the clinic has world-class facilities and physicians, much of its appeal lies in the feeling of community at the clinic. Familiar faces and free parking are a popular aspect of the Arcadia clinic, and a big part of the draw for its patients is being able to have many of their healthcare needs met while avoiding the hassle of driving to downtown Los Angeles.

“Patients really appreciate the family atmosphere at the USC Arcadia clinic,” said Kevin Hur, MD, an otolaryngologist in the Rhinology Division of the Arcadia clinic. “As a matter of fact, many of my patients know my support staff on a first name basis. I believe that familiarity really helps patients feel comfortable coming here for care.”

One of the most important aspects of the Arcadia clinic is its ability to meet patients in their own cultural traditions and languages. The San Gabriel Valley has large populations speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and many other major minority languages. The staff at Keck Medicine of USC Arcadia Clinic is ready to treat these patients in a way that feels linguistically and culturally comfortable.

“We really take our time in explaining to patients in their primary language what is causing their condition and their treatment options,” said Dr. Hur. “We also use various techniques such as visual mediums to help explain concepts. Our goal is to empower patients with the knowledge of the available treatment options so that they can make an informed decision.”

Dr. Hur speaks English and Mandarin Chinese, and members of the staff are available who speak Cantonese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. There are also video translators available, should a patient be more comfortable speaking a language not already available at the clinic. Forms and documentation are available in these languages as well, and the clinicians and staff members at the clinic are well versed in cultural sensitivity and adept at communicating across cultures.

“I have many patients who prefer to speak Mandarin and I always notice almost a sense of relief when a Mandarin-speaking patient realizes that I can speak Mandarin as well,” said Dr. Hur.

The clinic’s ability to treat complex cases that require expertise in multiple disciplines at once is also a major draw. Having head and neck surgery, rhinology, oncology, and general otolaryngology all in one location makes it convenient for patients who end up having complicated cases. Rather than needing to make multiple appointments and driving to downtown Los Angeles for each one, patients can often get all their treatment done at one time at the Arcadia clinic.

Aside from convenience, the Arcadia clinic aims to be a resource for the community. For many, simply having Keck Medicine of USC’s resources and expertise in the San Gabriel Valley is a major boon for the community.

“We built USC Head and Neck Center on 4 pillars: Patient Care, Research, Education, and Community Outreach Program. As part of this outreach program, we built clinical practice in Arcadia to serve the community including Asian patients,” said Uttam K. Sinha, MD, MS, FACS, Director of the USC Head and Neck Center and Medical Director of Head and Neck Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC. “Our family-centric care not only brings world class medicine and technology to the patients, it also provides support to the caregivers who are often overwhelmed with the complexity of medical and surgical management of head and neck diseases.”

The multidisciplinary nature of the clinic helps ensure that San Gabriel Valley residents have more comprehensive health care. Some examples include the ability to get recommended mammograms or hearing tests on site. Should issues arise, the combination of cutting-edge medical technology and experienced physicians in multiple disciplines makes it very likely the patients will be able to continue their treatment on-site, in a familiar and convenient location.

With social distancing restrictions beginning to ease, the Arcadia clinic plans to be even more of a resource for the San Gabriel Valley going forward. Representatives from the USC Head and Neck Center will have a booth at the popular 626 Night Market, providing health information and resources for community members as they wait in line for grilled squid and boba. The physicians and staff plan to be more active in community events, providing screenings and health resources in multiple languages and around issues affecting the community.

Learn more about the innovative Head & Neck and Ear, Nose & Throat treatment options available at the Keck Medicine Arcadia Clinic here.