Long Beach residents could soon refer to the newly renovated North Health Facility as “The Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center” after the former Long Beach Director of Health and Human Services.
At its Tuesday, July 20 meeting, the Long Beach City Council referred the renaming proposal to the Government, Personnel, and Elections Committee for consideration with a unanimous vote.
The move honors the legacy of the “modern-day father of the Long Beach Health Department,” as Mayor Robert Garcia referred to him during the meeting.
“Ron’s legacy is really community health, investing in local communities to spur transformational change,” said Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, who introduced the item.
For over 22 years, Arias was part of the leadership at the City’s Health Department—12 of those he served as department director.
Some of the accomplishments during his tenure include the development and opening of the Miller Family Health Education Center and the introduction of the City’s Healthy Beverage Snack Policy.
Over the years Arias kept North Long Beach at the forefront in his mission to improve health inequities through policy changes.
Under his leadership, he procured a $1 million investment into North Long Beach by Kaiser Permanente through the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Zone initiative, which centered on Houghton Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
“Arias is not just a legend in the health world locally, but also for the Latino community,” Garcia said, noting that Arias fought for equity as a young student activist.
Arias committed his career and life to social justice, youth development and better health outcomes for all, a document from Richardson’s office said branding him a “public health champion.”
Reflecting on his contributions to the city’s public health, Richardson and other council members agreed that Arias was the appropriate person to name the facility after.
The North Health Facility is scheduled to reopen this summer after it closed two years ago for needed renovations.
A $5 million dollar investment was made into the facility, according to Richardson.
The facility will include youth violence prevention and reentry programs, workforce development programs, medical services to North Long Beach residents, a public health clinic with emphasis on sexual health and meeting rooms for program leaders.
“It’s a great opportunity to engage in placemaking,” Richardson said. “I believe in taking something that really didn’t have much of an identity and give it a name, give it an identity that really reflects our community.”
Community leaders signed a letter in support of the renaming including Dr. Juan Benitez, Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education president, and Martha Cota, executive director for Latinos In Action California.
“He is a true example of an advocate, mentor, and compassionate leader,” the letter said.
The item will need to make its way back to the council for final approval.
