The patient newsletter, Be Well, by Saban Community Clinic, provides health news and tips. In this issue, you will discover ways to improve your relationship with your healthcare provider, meet our new doulas from Birthworkers of Color Collective, get health tips from our sexual health providers, learn about Covered California open enrollment events, and receive a reminder to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Read or download the latest Be Well (English) issue here.

Lea o descargue la última edición de Be Well (Español) aquí.

Patient newsletter: Be Well Volume 1, Issue 3

August is dedicated to honoring and promoting the practice of breastfeeding, an important aspect of maternal and infant health. National Breastfeeding Month is a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and emphasize the support systems necessary for parents to thrive in their breastfeeding journey. 

In this article, 
- we'll explore the many advantages and challenges of breastfeeding for both mother and child, - the importance of seeking support, 
- the essential role of lactation consultants
- the services provided by Saban Community Clinic

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal way to nourish infants. The benefits extend beyond basic nutrition to encompass profound health advantages for both mothers and babies. For infants, breast milk provides a perfect blend of nutrients and antibodies that strengthen their immune systems, offering protection against infections, allergies, and illnesses. This natural immunity boost is particularly vital in the early stages of life when infants are most vulnerable.

Furthermore, breastfeeding promotes healthy growth and development, supporting cognitive function and reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes later in life. The act of breastfeeding fosters a unique bond between mother and child, contributing to the emotional and psychological well-being of both.

For mothers, breastfeeding offers numerous benefits as well. It aids in postpartum recovery by helping the uterus contract and reducing bleeding. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which promotes maternal bonding and helps mothers relax and reduce stress levels. Additionally, breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as a decreased likelihood of developing osteoporosis later in life.

While breastfeeding is natural, it is not always easy. Many mothers face physical challenges such as sore nipples, engorgement, or difficulty with getting baby to latch. These issues can lead to frustration, discomfort, and doubts about continuing to breastfeed. Emotionally, some mothers may experience anxiety, guilt, or feelings of inadequacy if breastfeeding does not go as planned. The pressure to exclusively breastfeed can also be overwhelming, especially in cultures where there is a lack of support or understanding.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF provide the following recommendation, “that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. 

Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night. No bottles, teats or pacifiers should be used. 

From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.”

However, this recommendation can be difficult to achieve especial for mothers who are unable to have a successful latch, have inverted nipples, or have low milk supply, this can be discouraging, stressful, and cause mental, physical, and emotional harm for both mom and baby. 

The support from various sources is crucial for breastfeeding success. Unfortunately, there is often a stigma associated with seeking help or using breastfeeding aids such as pumps, nipple shields, or reaching out to a lactation consultant. Mothers need encouragement and reassurance that it is okay to ask for assistance. Support can come from partners, family members, friends, healthcare providers, and lactation consultants.

Lactation consultants are trained professionals who specialize in breastfeeding support. They play a pivotal role in helping mothers and babies establish a successful breastfeeding relationship. Lactation consultants provide education on breastfeeding techniques, help with latching and positioning, and offer solutions to common breastfeeding challenges like low milk supply or nipple pain. They empower mothers by equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to navigate their breastfeeding journey effectively.

Furthermore, lactation consultants support not only the mother but also the entire family unit. They educate partners and family members on how they can support the breastfeeding mother, fostering a supportive environment that enhances bonding and reduces stress.

Saban Community Clinic: Prenatal and Postpartum Services

At Saban Community Clinic, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive services to support mothers, children, and families throughout their pregnancy journey, from their first trimester to their newborn babies first check-up. 

Prenatally, mothers can access educational classes that cover breastfeeding techniques, prenatal nutrition, childbirth preparation, childbirth planning, and newborn care. These classes empower mothers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their birthing and breastfeeding experiences. 

Postpartum services include lactation consulting, where mothers receive personalized support tailored to their individual breastfeeding goals and challenges. Lactation consultants at the clinic work closely with mothers to address any concerns and ensure that breastfeeding is a positive and fulfilling experience for both mother and baby.

At Saban Community Clinic, we are one of the few clinics in the region that still offer on-site breastfeeding support post COVID-19. We also offer online support, but want to ensure that our mothers, their newborn babies, and their support team can come into the clinic whenever they require hands-on education and guidance. 

We also offer mental health services to support the emotional well-being of mothers and their families. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common among new mothers, and having access to mental health resources is essential for overall family health and stability.

As we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting mothers and nurturing babies through breastfeeding. By recognizing the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, addressing the challenges it may pose, advocating for support systems like lactation consultants, and highlighting the invaluable services provided by institutions like Saban Community Clinic, we can empower mothers to make informed choices about their breastfeeding journey.

Together, we can remove the stigma associated with breastfeeding and ensure that every mother feels supported, valued, and empowered in her decision to breastfeed. Let us continue to advocate for policies, programs, and community initiatives that promote breastfeeding as a fundamental component of maternal and infant health. By doing so, we contribute to healthier families, stronger communities, and brighter futures for our children.

Reach out to Saban Community Clinic to learn more, schedule an appointment, or ask about the resources provided for mothers, their support group, and their babies. 

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Saban Community Clinic supports more than 145,000 annual patient visits from low-income and uninsured men, women, and children each year. Our five health centers and mobile clinic, located in the Los Angeles and West Hollywood areas, provide affordable access to quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.sabancommunityclinic.org.

Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month: Empowering Mothers and Nurturing Babies

UNSCRIPTED TELEVISION INDUSTRY RAISES MORE THAN $160,000 FOR 
SABAN COMMUNITY CLINIC  7TH ANNUAL “LET'S GET REAL” Event
 HONORING ELI HOLZMAN AND AARON SAIDMAN

(LOS ANGELES - August 20, 2024) – More than 300 unscripted television producers and executives attended the 7th Annual “Let’s Get Real” event to honor Eli Holzman, President of Sony Pictures Television – Nonfiction (SPTNF) and CEO/Founder of SPTNF’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), and Aaron Saidman, Co-President of SPTNF and President/Co-Founder of IPC, for their professional and philanthropic leadership. The cocktail party was held on August 19th at The Godfrey, Hollywood. The event raised funds and awareness in support of Saban Community Clinic’s healthcare services.

Co-Chaired by David Eilenberg, Head of Content, Roku Media; Eric Hoberman, Head of Development, Asylum Entertainment Group; and Hayden Meyer, IAG Partner, Executive Vice President and Department Head of Alternative & Factual Programming, “Let’s Get Real” increases awareness and raises critical funds for comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services, based on the organization’s mission of providing outstanding, compassionate care to anyone who needs it.

Upon receiving their awards, Eli and Aaron shared, “We were impressed and moved by the Clinic’s range of services, the care and attention each family and individuals receives, and the facilities themselves. What the Clinic provides is remarkable. But the need is even greater… A small action of kindness, a helping hand, it might make all the difference for someone right now. Let us rise to the occasion wherever we can.”

Notable guests included Tom Hoberman (Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox, L.L.P.), Eli Holzman (Sony), Lance Klein (WME), Jay Levine, (Hartbeat), Rob Mills (Disney), Heather Olander (The CW Network), Brandon Riegg (Netflix), Tina Perry (OWN), and Aaron Saidman (Sony).

About Eli Holzman
Eli Holzman is the President of Nonfiction Entertainment for Sony Pictures Television (SPT). He joined the company in 2022 to oversee all aspects of SPT’s newly created Nonfiction Group. Through ownership interests in or with production companies The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), which Holzman founded in 2016 and remains CEO, Sharp Entertainment, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, Maxine Productions, UnConventional Entertainment, Brass Monkeys Media, and Resilient Content, the group creates and produces content in every form of programming for audiences worldwide, currently totaling more than 100 series across 35 platforms. Key programs include 19 Entertainment’s global hit American Idol (ABC); Sharp Entertainment’s 90 Day Fiancé franchise (TLC); IPC’s Emmy®-winning hit documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath (A&E), Indian Matchmaking and Night Stalker (Netflix), Secrets of Playboy (A&E), We’re Here (HBO), and Selena + Chef (Max and Food Network); and B17 Entertainment’s Thanks a Million (Roku) and The Final Straw (ABC). Additionally, 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina, Gabby Barrett, and Chayce Beckham among many others.

Holzman began his career in 1996 at Miramax Films where he co-founded the company’s television department, created the multi-Emmy nominated series Project Runway (Bravo) and produced a wide array of scripted series, movies, and minis for the studio. Holzman left Miramax in 2005 to run Ashton Kutcher’s 20th Century Fox-based Katalyst Films and to work as an independent producer. In 2008, Holzman co-founded Studio Lambert USA, where he launched and executive produced Undercover Boss (CBS), the #1 new show of the 2009 season and the highest-rated reality premiere of all time. In 2013, Studio Lambert USA was fully acquired and rebranded to All3Media America with Holzman serving as President of U.S. Operations. At All3Media America, Holzman executive produced dozens of non-scripted projects for major networks and cable outlets and launched the company’s U.S. scripted series business.

Holzman has received four Primetime Emmy® Awards and has been nominated 19 times. He was honored with a Producers Guild Award for Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and has been nominated an additional five times. Holzman was featured on Variety’s Top 45 Reality TV Producers of 2024, Variety’s 2023 Reality TV Power Player List, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 30 Most Powerful Unscripted Producers List in 2022.

About Aaron Saidman
Aaron Saidman is the Co-President of Nonfiction Entertainment for Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and the Co-Founder and President of The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), the Emmy-winning content creation and production studio based in Los Angeles, California. As President of IPC, Saidman has created and/or produced a number of successful and award-winning shows, including Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath and Secrets of Playboy (A&E); Indian Matchmaking and Night Stalker (Netflix); Selena + Chef (Food Network/Max); We’re Here (HBO); Expedition From Hell (Discovery); United States of Scandal with Jake Tapper (CNN); The Curse of Von Dutch and RapCaviar Presents (Hulu); Active Shooter (Showtime); and Living Undocumented (Netflix), which he also co-directed. In addition to these programs, Saidman produced the documentary features The Seven Five (IFC Films), Operation Odessa (Showtime), The Swamp (HBO), and This Is Paris (YouTube Originals). In his Sony capacity, Saidman is an Executive Producer of American Idol (ABC) and So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), and of documentaries and limited series including The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC Films/Sapan Studios), June (Paramount+), Luther: Never Too Much (CNN), and Quiet on Set (Discovery ID/Max). He also oversees Shark Tank (ABC).

Prior to launching IPC in 2016, Saidman was the Executive Vice President, Development & Current Programming, for All3Media America. In that role, he was the head of creative for the company, overseeing all shows for broadcast and cable networks, including The People’s Couch (Bravo), The Million Second Quiz (NBC), and Declassified: The Untold Stories of American Spies (CNN), which he created. Prior to his position at All3Media, Saidman was the head of development and current programming for Studio Lambert USA, where he helped grow the company into a major supplier of unscripted content, overseeing and producing such shows as Undercover Boss (CBS) and The Pitch (AMC). Before his tenure as a creative executive, Saidman was a freelance producer, writer, and director, and got his start in television with Mark Burnett Productions. Saidman began his career in motion pictures, where he worked for Miramax and Dimension Films, and was later a Creative Consultant for Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope.

Saidman has been nominated for the Emmy Award on 12 occasions, and its recipient twice. He was honored with a Peabody Award for his work on We’re Here. He has also been the recipient of Producers Guild of America and Television Critics Association awards. From 2018-2022, he served on the Board of Directors of the International Documentary Association (IDA) and continues to passionately champion the importance of independent nonfiction storytelling.

About Saban Community Clinic
Founded in 1967 as The Los Angeles Free Clinic, Saban Community Clinic provides medical, dental and behavioral health services on the founding principle that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the Clinic serves low-income and under-insured men, women and children (84% live at or below the Federal Poverty Level, 28% have no medical insurance, and 9% are homeless), through over 145,000 patient visits each year. Funds raised at Let’s Get Real help fill the gap in $6 million in free services provided each year. For more information about the Clinic, please visit sabancommunityclinic.org.

According to the CDC, August marks National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM),”an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages … [It’s important to] help raise awareness about the importance of vaccination and encourage people to talk to a healthcare provider they trust about staying up to date on their vaccinations.” At Saban Community Clinic, we recognize NIAM as an opportunity to highlight the importance of immunizations in safeguarding the health of our youngest community members.

Why are Immunizations Important for Children?

Immunizations are vital for protecting children from potentially serious diseases, some of which can be life-threatening or cause long-term health complications if contracted at a young age when the immune system is still developing.

Well-child visits, also known as checkups, are essential appointments designed to monitor your child’s growth, development, and overall health from infancy through adolescence. These visits provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions you have about your child’s well-being with their pediatrician.

Ensuring regular well-child visits is crucial for maintaining your child’s health. Here’s a recommended schedule of visits by age:

What are the Benefits of immunizations? 

Immunizations offer several benefits beyond individual protection:

Disease Prevention: Vaccines are effective in preventing diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and more.

Community Protection: High vaccination rates create herd immunity, reducing the spread of diseases and protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

Safe and Effective: Vaccines undergo rigorous testing before being approved for use, ensuring they are safe and effective.

What Should Parents ask their Child’s Pediatrician about Immunizations? 

Before a child receives any vaccines, it’s essential for a parent to discuss the following with their child’s pediatrician:

Which vaccines are recommended and at what age?

What are the potential side effects or risks associated with each immunization?

How can I manage any discomfort my child may experience after immunization?

Where can I access my child’s immunization records?

How can Parents Best Prepare for a Child to Receive Immunizations?

Getting a child ready for immunizations can be challenging. To help ease any anxiety and ensure a smooth experience:

Schedule the Appointment: Contact Saban Community Clinic to schedule an immunization visit, and speak with a pediatrician. 

Review Health Records: Bring your child’s health record to the appointment to ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date.

Comfort Measures: Bring a favorite toy or comfort item to help distract and soothe your child during the visit.

At Saban Community Clinic, we are committed to providing comprehensive pediatric care, including immunizations, to ensure the health and well-being of your child. Our pediatricians are here to answer your questions, address concerns, and support you in making informed decisions about your child’s health.

National Immunization Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations in protecting children from preventable diseases. By staying informed about recommended vaccines and maintaining regular well-child visits, you play a vital role in ensuring the health of your child and the broader community. If you have any questions about immunizations or need to schedule a well-child visit, contact Saban Community Clinic today—we’re here to help protect your little one(s). 

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Saban Community Clinic supports more than 145,000 annual patient visits from low-income and uninsured men, women, and children each year. Our five health centers and mobile clinic, located in the Los Angeles and West Hollywood areas, provide affordable access to quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.sabancommunityclinic.org.


National Immunization Month: Protecting Our Little Ones

Patient newsletter: Be Well Volume 1, Issue 3

Recent Articles

Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month: Empowering Mothers and Nurturing Babies

7th Annual Let's Get Real

National Immunization Month: Protecting Our Little Ones

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