Gift will help launch construction of a new emergency department observation unit, creating more space for patients and families at MLK Community Hospital
LOS ANGELES (June 26, 2026) — MLK Community Health Foundation (MLKCHF) announced today that Ballmer Group has committed $3 million to support the expansion of space for emergency care at MLK Community Healthcare (MLKCH) through the construction of a new emergency department observation unit.
This new unit will create dedicated space for patients who need additional monitoring, testing or treatment before they can safely return home or be admitted to the hospital. For families who come to MLKCH in moments of fear, pain or uncertainty—including parents seeking emergency care for their children—the added space will help support a safer, more comfortable care environment.
The need for additional emergency care space is urgent. The Hope Emergency Center at MLK Community Hospital is one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, reflecting the significant demand for emergency care in South Los Angeles. Built to treat approximately 25,000 patients annually, the emergency center now sees more than four times that number each year, including nearly 15,000 children and adolescents.
“Ballmer Group’s investment is a powerful vote of confidence in MLKCH and the wellbeing of families across South Los Angeles,” said MLKCHF president Dyan Sublett. “Our emergency department is caring for far more patients than it was built to serve, yet our teams continue to meet that need with extraordinary skill, speed and compassion. This gift supports the high-quality care South LA families deserve.”
Ballmer Group’s commitment follows a May 4 funder convening hosted at MLKCH, where community leaders and philanthropic partners toured the hospital and learned about programs expanding access to health care, as well as the growing demand for primary and emergency care in South Los Angeles. The convening was co-hosted by Nina Revoyr, executive director of Ballmer Group Los Angeles, along with Jennifer Price-Letscher, president and CEO of The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and Joanna S. Jackson, president and CEO of Weingart Foundation. The visit highlighted the essential role of MLK Community Healthcare in the region’s safety net and helped build momentum for expanded emergency care capacity.
“We are deeply grateful to Ballmer Group for recognizing both the urgency of this need and the quality of the care being delivered every day at MLKCH,” Sublett said. “The emergency department observation unit supports our mission to ensure that families who come to us in need receive the right level of care in the right setting.”
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About MLK Community Health Foundation
Part of MLK Community Healthcare (MLKCH), the MLK Community Health Foundation (MLKCHF) is dedicated to securing private support for MLKCH’s work across the broad continuum of care, from acute to community wellness and prevention. The MLKCH health system includes a state-of-the-art hospital, the MLK Community Medical Group and its outpatient clinics, as well as population and community health programs—all delivering quality and innovation in healthcare to the 1.3 million residents of South LA.
About MLK Community Healthcare
MLK Community Healthcare is an award-winning nonprofit, safety-net hospital and health system serving 1.3 million residents in South Los Angeles. Since opening in 2015, MLKCH has offered emergency and inpatient services through its 131-bed hospital, as well as primary and specialty care through the MLK Community Medical Group, with practice sites in locations throughout South LA. MLKCH also offers community health education and outreach to improve the health of our community. Visit our website at www.mlkch.org to learn more about us, or visit our Linktree to find us on social media.