For nearly 20 years, Hangnga Vu, MD, has been a source of vital care and comfort for residents at Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH). They rely on her profound knowledge and skill to help them meet critical daily health challenges—and, over the course of two decades, she has come to rely on them for the abundant grace and wisdom they offer.Recently, after recovering from a minor virus that triggered a bout of vertigo, Dr. Vu realized just how powerful that grace and wisdom could be.“After getting better from being sick, I was back at work and participating in an event celebrating LAJH’s Staff Appreciation Week. My colleagues and I were dancing a little, which must have caused my vertigo to resurface,” she says. “Later that day, I was meeting with a resident when I lost my balance and tipped over a glass of water that had been sitting on my desk. The liquid spilled everywhere.”Dr. Vu was initially uncomfortable in her moment of vulnerability in front of a resident—until the resident demonstrated the kind of compassion and understanding that often comes with age.“He said, ‘You did well, Dr. Vu. You handled that nicely,’” she recalls. “In that moment, I knew he was caring for me as much as I was caring for him. I was also incredibly grateful to my medical assistant, who treated me with such gentleness and respect.”As Dr. Vu sees it, the reciprocal relationship between providers and patients is just one of the many things that makes LAJH special.“I’ve worked for other healthcare organizations, and I can tell you that you usually get 15 minutes with a patient, and that’s it,” she says. “LAJH is different: Even though we know cost-effectiveness and efficiency are important, we place even more emphasis on quality care and love. Our productivity is measured by the wonderful care we provide and by how happy our residents are to be here.”Inspired by her experience, Dr. Vu wrote a poem that was published this fall in the newsletter of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical (PALTmed) Association. It is our privilege and pleasure to share it with Connections readers today.Hangnga Vu, MDMessy Grace: A Flood of Careby Hangnga Vu, MDToday at work, we had Appreciation Lunch — music, food, dancing… I joined in for a few steps, playing along like I had rhythm.Just a few steps — and the stars spun above me under the hot California sun.In the middle of clinic — while talking, while examining — I knocked over a full cup of water across the desk, drenched the papers, flooded the floor…My head spun. My heart, too.The patient sat there — not upset at all — watching me as if witnessing a gentle… summer flood.My medical assistant, remained calm. No sighs, no scolding. She simply smiled — and began mopping the floor, as if picking up the day, piece by piece.The patient looked at me and said: “You did well, Dr. You handled it nicely.”I laughed, a little stunned Because yes… I had just received a performance review on flood management.And just like that — doctor and patient set the stethoscope aside, and shared a moment simply… human. The assistant turned to me and said:“Dr, you should sit down. I don’t want you to fall. I can do it easily.”Then she held my hand. One hand cleaned, the other — and her heart — steadied me.At that moment, I knew I was being cared for. Not because I was flawless — but because I was surrounded by people kind enough to lift me even when I was messy.I told them, honestly:“In that moment, I was just… myself. No filters. And still — gently held.”Today was Staff Appreciation Week. But I believe — I was the one most deeply appreciated.I have some nice photos: with another medical assistant, with a few lovely patients. But none with this patient, the one who shared the messiest part of my day.And maybe that’s the point:The deepest kindness often needs no proof. Just a quiet presence — and a floor gently wiped. Thank you, B. Thank you, TP. Thank you to those who didn’t appear in any photos today, but left a print… right in my heart. 

In her new role as senior vice president of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) PACE program, Jasmine Young brings a unique combination of clinical insight, strategic innovation, and organizational acumen that sets a benchmark for excellence. She is a distinguished senior healthcare executive whose career reflects more than two decades of transformative leadership, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of older adults.From a young age, Jasmine was guided by the profound wisdom and support of her grandmother, mother, and extended family, each of whom instilled in her a deep respect for elders, a reverence for service, and a belief in the power of compassionate care. This intergenerational foundation shaped her calling to pursue a lifelong purpose in healthcare.“Helping seniors age gracefully and independently is the mission statement I wake up to every day,” she affirms.Jasmine YoungJasmine’s expertise in the PACE model is both comprehensive and distinguished. She has held major leadership roles at San Diego PACE and WelbeHealth, where she played an instrumental role in scaling WelbeHealth PACE, now the largest PACE program in the nation. Her advancement from director of operations to associate vice president, chief of staff, and now senior vice president reflects her exceptional ability to strengthen organizations, elevate performance, and build mission-driven teams that deliver outstanding care.Her impact extends across the broader healthcare ecosystem. During her time at L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, Jasmine cultivated a deep understanding of the medical, social, and behavioral needs of older adults in diverse communities. She has worked closely with medical groups, health systems, and community partners throughout Los Angeles County and San Diego, giving her an unmatched familiarity with the Southern California healthcare landscape.“Jasmine is a seasoned executive leader with a consistent record of transforming organizations, driving operational excellence, and scaling programs,” says Larissa Stepanians, chief operating officer at Los Angeles Jewish Health. “Her depth of experience positions her exceptionally well to lead our current PACE sites and to drive successful expansion into new communities across Southern California.”A proud Northern California native with strong professional roots in the southern region of the state, Jasmine earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She later completed a dual master’s degree at the University of Southern California in social work and business, with concentrations in gerontology, organizational leadership, and development. Her academic preparation, combined with her personal purpose, fuels her dynamic and compassionate approach to leadership.At BCSC PACE, Jasmine is committed to advancing the program’s legacy of excellence while expanding access to high-quality, culturally responsive services for seniors in Los Angeles, the South Bay, the San Fernando Valley, and the Coachella Valley. She aims to elevate the organization’s signature strengths and replicate its successes in communities where vulnerable seniors need it most.“Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE and Los Angeles Jewish Health are already doing tremendous work,” Jasmine says. “My goal is to elevate that impact even further. We have so much to offer, and I am privileged to be here, committed to making a meaningful difference and advance our mission.” 

Central to Los Angeles Jewish Health’s commitment to caring for seniors is ensuring residents feel heard, respected, socially engaged, and intellectually challenged. With his lively We the Seniors club, resident Jerry Davis accomplishes all this and more, providing his peers with weekly opportunities for social enrichment and dynamic topics for learning, conversation, and even healthy debate.We the Seniors began as a men’s club—a weekly gathering for male LAJH residents to share ideas and opinions about issues relevant to them and their lives. However, it quickly evolved into something larger and more inclusive.“We started with about two or three guys, but within the first two weeks, it wasn’t just a men’s club, it was for everybody!” Jerry says. “Today, we get more like 35 people, and there are twice as many women as men who participate, which I think is wonderful.”A Meeting of the We the Seniors ClubThe club, which meets weekly on Saturdays in the main dining room of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, engages participants in discussions focused on a wide range of topics that interest or affect them personally.“The idea is to have a forum for seniors, led by seniors, that covers subjects they want to explore,” Jerry says. “So, for instance, we spent about four weeks talking about antisemitism and the way it’s impacting all of us in the world.”For Jerry, who turns 84 this month, the group has been a highlight of his time at LAJH, where he has spent the past two years. He and his wife of nearly six decades had been living in their home in Westlake Village when Jerry became ill and required a skilled level of daily care.“I moved into LAJH, and my wife stayed at our house, but she comes and visits just about every day,” Jerry says.The move was a positive one for Jerry, who credits the people at LAJH for making it such a hospitable environment.“Living here is great: The staff is incredibly supportive, and the other residents are very social,” he says. “I especially like the activities and the fact that, with clubs like We the Seniors, the staff is so open to helping residents turn their ideas into reality.”Jerry and his fellow club members have channeled their natural curiosity about the world into activism with impact beyond LAJH’s walls. Recently, We the Seniors invited Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield to come speak at a club meeting.A Conversation with Councilmember Bob Blumenfield Hosted by the We the Seniors club“We’re excited to take action and feel like we are contributing to our community,” Jerry says. “It feels extremely rewarding to hear from people like Councilmember Blumenfield—for them to know we’re here, we have a voice, and that our opinions can help make a difference.”At the meeting, Councilmember Blumenfield answered questions on a range of national, state, and local issues and discussed a recent grant from the California Department of Health Care Services that will support the expansion of inpatient behavior health facilities at LAJH. He also presented Jerry with a certificate of recognition for his outstanding leadership in establishing We the Seniors and advocating for older adults in the community.In addition to special guest speakers, We the Seniors welcomes other visitors to its gatherings, including family members of LAJH residents.“We want everyone to know they can contribute to our discussions,” Jerry says. “We believe that, in our community, everyone should be heard.” A Meeting of the We the Seniors clubSenior Vice President of In-Residence Services Ilana Springer, Jerry Davis, founder of the resident-led We the Seniors club, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, LAJH President and CEO Dale SurowitzA Meeting of the We the Seniors clubMembers of the We the Seniors club attend a special visit by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield