Laureen Dozier is a South LA native who’s been working in the neighborhood nearly her whole life. When she first heard of the opening of what would become the new hospital , she was serving soup in the Charles Drew University cafe across the street. MLKCH’s administrative team often came by to grab a bite.
“You could tell it was an intense time, trying to get the hospital open. I’d see them and say, ‘Don’t bring those computers in here. You gotta come over here to relax.’”
When her company received the contract to provide food services at MLK Community Hospital, Laureenjumped at the opportunity to be part of a new chapter of health in South LA. Now, as a patient ambassador for MLKCH’s Food & Nutrition Department, Laureen spends her days making sure patients are getting the food—and care—they need. After all, as Laureen says, “Eating promotes healing.”
“If they aren’t satisfied or they didn’t get the results they needed, I go talk to the patient. Investigate it—right down to the salt and pepper—making sure the patient is taken care of.”
Nutrition is just one way she sees herself helping to heal the community. Laureen’s other mission? Making sure to leave everyone with a smile. “My grandma said, ‘if you ever see someone without a smile, give them yours.’ I live by that.”
That sense of giving to others is part of what has drawn her to MLKCH Gives each year—channeling her gratitude towards the community into action. She’s grateful for a place like MLKCH because its commitment to healing matches her own.
“This [place] gives a light to the community to know that there’s somebody here that will take care of us with their whole heart. It’s more than giving a person medicine. From the time that you walk through the door you feel welcome. From our security staff to our administrators. They’re welcoming. We’re the lighthouse of South Los Angeles.”
Like fixing the salt and pepper, like the smiles she gives to others, Laureen knows that it’s often the little things that can make the biggest impacts.
“If everybody gave five dollars…” she lifts her hand, spreading her fingers wide. “With one single hand, it’s flat.” She pulls her fingers together, forming her hand into a fist. “But if you ball it up together, you can make a fist. You can make an impact.”
You can make a big impact! Join Laureen in being a part of MLKCH Gives.