By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
On Wednesday, April 17, Palisadian patients, doctors and community members gathered at Saint John’s Physician Partners Palisades Primary Care facility to celebrate a grand opening and ribbon cutting.
“It’s like going from a shoebox to a walk-in closet,” one team member said of the new offices, located at 881 Alma Real Drive on the ground floor.
Saint John’s Physician Partners is a network of primary care and specialty physicians that serve communities on the Westside and beyond.
The Palisades family medicine/pediatrics office, which has been serving patients since February 18, features six female doctors with more than 60 years of combined experience working in the Palisades.
“When I first got here, I heard a lot about the Palisades,” Saint John’s CEO of four-and-a-half years Marcel Loh said from the outdoor stage. “And I said, ‘I’m sure we’ve got some strong affiliated groups up there,’ and I had a lot of blank stares.”
Loh said that he is pleased that there is now a close affiliated group.
“I know it’s going to be a homerun for patients,” he said, adding that a move down to the first floor of the building was a win for the office.
“This is an office where family doctors and pediatricians are working together to collaborate and care for people who live and work in the Palisades,” Dr. Devora Cohen shared. “It’s gorgeous, it’s state of the art and we’re very excited to have you all here to see it.”
Festivities for the ceremony included tours of the office, passed appetizers and bar service courtesy of This Girl Walks Into A Bar.
The grand opening ceremony included a dedication to Dr. Etoile Davie, who is retiring and relocating to Seattle to live near her young granddaughter.
“I’m so honored and it’s been a pleasure to care for kids in the Palisades,” Davie told the crowd.
Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce President Bob Benton, who shared his own experiences with Saint John’s, was on hand to cut the ribbon, with help from the Saint John’s staff and other chamber members.
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