Community Connections in Greater Los Angeles

A free, educational, and virtual townhall series 

Join us for an informative and educational multi-week townhall series. With distinguished speakers including moderators from ABC7 and leading medical professionals, topics range from wildfire education to lung cancer early detection and prevention. This is a free virtual event.

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When: 
Ongoing

Where: 
The Greater Los Angeles market serves Los Angeles County, Inland Empire, Central Coast, Central Valley, and parts of Orange County

Contact: Maxine Tatlonghari  
maxine.tatlonghari@lung.org
Phone: 310-735-9186

  • COVID-19, Masks, Vaccination – Today and Looking Forward  

    Dr. Albert Rizzo: Chief Medical Officer, American Lung Association
    Moderated by ABC7’s Denise Dador

  • Youth Access to Nicotine, Tobacco and Vaping
    Primo J. Castro: Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
    Brian Le: Health Promotions Manager, American Lung Association
    Josue Ramirez-Mercado: Regional Coordinator, Hispanic Latino Coordinating Center
    Moderated by ABC7’s Brandi Hitt

  • Lung Transplantation
    Dr. Dominick Megna: Surgical Director of Lung Transplant, Cedars Sinai
    Dr. Reinaldo Rampolla: Medical Doctor of Lung Transplant, Cedars Sinai
    Moderated by ABC7’s Coleen Sullivan

  • Air Pollution and Climate Change 
    William Barrett: Clean Air Advocacy Director, American Lung Association
    Sylvia Betancourt: Program Manager, Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
    Jonathan Escobar Valencia: UC Riverside Loveridge Sustainability Fellow
    Karen Jakpor: American Lung Association Volunteer
    Moderated by ABC7’s Chris Cristi

  • Wildfire Education and Preparedness 

    Captain Sheila Kelliher: Public Information Office Captain, Los Angeles County Fire Department
    Moderated by ABC7’s Alex Cheney

  • Lung Cancer: Early Detection & Prevention (Recording coming soon)
    Sherri Hoag: Lung Nurse Navigator, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
    Dr. Thomas Asciuto: Pulmonologist, Orange County Medical Center
    Dr. Nilesh Vora: Medical Oncologist, Todd Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center
    Moderated by ABC7’s Coleen Sullivan

  • Youth Anti-Vaping 
    Francisco Cartujano-Barrera: Assistant Professor, University of Rochester Medical Center
    April Forrest: Health Educator, Pasadena City College and Occidental College
    Kimberly Luna: Health Promotions Specialist, American Lung Association
    Moderated by ABC7’s Josh Haskell

  • Clean Air and Clean Energy 
    Patricia Kwon: Program Supervisor, South Coast AQMD
    Deputy Chief Fields: Los Angeles Fire Department
    Shant Nahapetian: Senior Policy Advisor, SCE
    Ben Porritt: SVP of Corporate Affairs, Brightline
    Moderated by ABC7’s Danny Romer

  • Clean Air, Clean Energy

    The American Lung Association joins ABC7’s Danny Romero, SCE’s Aaron Dyer and Dr. Wendy Nystrom for an insightful conversation around clean air and clean energy which is essential for lung health. Learn about what is happening now, what to expect moving forward, as well as how to prepare for ourselves and families

  • City of Hope’s Advancements in Lung Cancer
    American Lung Association partnered with City of Hope and ABC7 to present a Community Connections with Dr. Ravi Salgia, Dr. Ayra Amini and ABC7’s Denise Dador for a thoughtful conversation around advancements in lung cancer treatments and technology.

Additional Resources

State of the Air

The American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report.
Check out the State of Your Air

State of Lung Cancer

The American Lung Association’s State of Lung Cancer report shows the toll lung cancer takes on each state in the country.
Check out your state's lung cancer statistics

State of Tobacco Control

The "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives.
See how California compares

California Lung Health Letters

The following is a compilation of letters the American Lung Association in California has sent to support our advocacy efforts in air quality.
learn More

Past series sponsors include:

Health Care Service Corporation

climate imperative

WK Kellogg


Page last updated: November 20, 2024

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