Community Connections in Greater Los Angeles

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

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

Los Angeles recently hosted a Community Connections Virtual Townhall with Drs. Ravi Salgia and Abigail Fong of City of Hope, moderated by ABC7's Denise Dador. They shared insights on lung cancer, treatment advancements, and surgical approaches. Attendees engaged in a valuable discussion on the latest innovations. It was an informative event for anyone interested in lung health

Clean Air, Clean EnergyThe 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.