What a Difference a Year Makes: “UCLA: Happy First Anniversary January 3, 2024”

Readers of the blog might recall that in January 2023 I embarked on a new journey. After spending over 40 years with the Westchester Medical Group Center for Heart and Health I left to join UCLA Health at their office in Palos Verdes. I have to admit that Robert Reiss USC Class of 71 (BA) and Class of 75 (MD) was a bit worried when he accepted this position. Yes, it has been one year (hire date 1/3/23 first work day 1/4/23) since I posted about starting my new job. If you want to look back here is the link https://wordpress.com/post/reisstravelblog.com/8695

I am happy to report that things have gone very well and far beyond my expectations. I am loving my new job. The doctors have been a joy to work with. They have all helped me learn the new system. I know many people my age would balk at the idea of learning a new computer system. But with the help of my colleagues and my personal UCLA computer teacher, Debbie, I have survived.

Debbie was great. She helped me learn the electronic medical program that UCLA utilizes. It is called EPIC and it was indeed an epic pain in the butt to learn. Debbie spent countless hours in the office, on the phone, and on Zoom to help me understand the subtleties of the program. She even made a trip to my house to help me learn on my day off. I have to admit the home lesson was a bit stressful because for some reason Debbie kept touching my computer screen. I kept asking her not to do so and she finally said, “I think I need a glove”. I had just the thing for her. See below.

Debbie did most of the teaching but at the office all the doctors, especially Drs. Sun, Poa, Sanna, and Suzuki showed me all sorts of valuable tricks. That was their punishment for having an office close to mine. In addition to the doctors the staff has been fantastic as well. Many of you know that I had a 40 year work relationship with my super-nurse Florann. I knew she couldn’t be replaced but the staff members at the Palos Verdes office have done their best and things are going just fine.

In addition to the staff there have been ancilary personnel who have also been incredibly kind to me. Thanks to Jac and Robbie in marketing, UCLA has supported the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Gala. As you know I am very involved with the Foundation and the UCLA support has meant a great deal to me.

One other surprise to me was that UCLA has helped promote my practice. All doctors are put on the UCLA Health website. Here is the link to my page: https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/robert-reiss. Soon the page will have a video presentation. I haven’t seen it yet so I am taking a risk by telling you about it. 

They also made an instagram post. Good friends Keith and Allie who are a lot younger than me (I know that isn’t saying much) sent me the link since if I tried to find something on Instagram it would remain hidden forever. If you want, check it out here it is: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtuqR7mOzaB/?igsh=ZDE1MWVjZGVmZQ==

When you are on the Instagram post be sure to “Like” it. I am trying to catch up to Kareem Abdul Jabbar in “Likes”. I’m at a little bit over 400 and he’s at about 8,000.

The people in charge of U-magazine (UCLA Health’s magazine) saw the mention of my volunteer work at Homeboy Industries and asked to write a story about it. The article written by Sandy Cohen (who also wrote the Instagram post) will be published soon and the link to the magazine can be found here: https://www.uclahealth.org/pubs/u-magazine

Yes, UCLA has made this Trojan feel very welcomed and I truly appreciate it. But they did do something that might seem a bit extreme. Please see below.

JUST KIDDING, JUST KIDDING. UCLA doesn’t require me to wear a UCLA shirt (thank you to my friend Chris who allowed me to borrow his shirt and for taking the picture). Although you can’t see in the picture but my lab coat does read UCLA Health. I am not forced to wear it but I can honestly say I wear it proudly. I am very pleased with the health care we provide our patients. The staff and co-workers are great. The past year has been a delight and I can say that there has not been one day where I said, “I don’t want to go to work”.  Especially when I wear my favorite socks. See below.

Here’s to many more years as a happy UCLA Health care provider and let’s all say together……..

FIGHT ON !