Former assistant secretary of health joins county-affiliated non-profit organization

Steven Tingus joins LAREI -- which is affiliated with the County's
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.


For Immediate Release Contact: Julia F.
LaPlount

Executive Director
LAREI
(562) 401-8111
JuliaL@larei.org


Steven James Tingus, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, joins Los Amigos Research and
Education Institute, Inc. (LAREI) as the Chief Government and Public
Relations Officer

DOWNEY, Calif., February 1, 2010 - Steven James Tingus has joined Los
Amigos Research and Education Institute, Inc. (LAREI) as the Chief
Government and Public Relations Officer. LAREI is affiliated with the
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho), which is part
of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS).

Mr. Tingus brings an impressive and extensive career in disability,
aging, and health care policy, and rehabilitation research
administration to the post, where he will lead a team of clinicians and
researchers known internationally for pioneering work in rehabilitation
medicine for more than 50 years.

"Throughout his career, Mr. Tingus has distinguished himself as a leader
and advocate for people with disabilities, and has served in
senior-level positions at the state and federal government level," said
LAREI President, Charles A. Stewart, M.D. "As Chief Government and
Public Relations Officer, Tingus will harness his political and research
administration experience by working across LAREI/Rancho's highly
specialized clinical practices to drive new research opportunities and
lead public relations campaigns using print, television, radio, and
social media. Mr. Tingus will highlight new experimental and emerging
evidence for rehabilitation therapies that lead to improved recovery of
function and quality of life that has always been the hallmark of
LAREI."

"Mr. Tingus' arrival enhances the stature of LAREI and Rancho, and
underscores our ability to attract top research and policy
administrators who share our mission of improving rehabilitation
outcomes for our most vulnerable populations," added Rancho's Chief
Medical Officer, Mindy L. Aisen, M.D. "Everyone at Rancho Los Amigos
National Rehabilitation Center is grateful that Steven has joined us to
advance the health, wellness and quality of life for all."

"My staff and I welcome Mr. Tingus at LAREI. We not only appreciate the
talents that he brings to his position, but admire the challenges that
he overcomes as a person with a disability and his team approach/sense
of humor that my staff enjoys," added LAREI's Executive Director, Julia
F. LaPlount.

Previously, Mr. Tingus served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning
and Evaluation (Disability, Aging, and Long-Term Care Policy) within the
Office of the Secretary, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) in Washington, DC, where he led policy efforts impacting
the disability and aging communities. Before joining HHS, Mr. Tingus
served as Director of the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research, a component of the Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services, at the U.S. Department of Education in
Washington, DC, where he led efforts impacting the disability and
medical rehabilitation research field. Earlier in California, Mr.
Tingus served as Director of Public Policy and Resource Development at
the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Inc., and
served as Health Care Policy Analyst for the California Department of
Health Services' Office of Long Term Care.

Mr. Tingus is a graduate of the University of California, Davis (B.S.,
M.S., and Ph.D. Candidate), and has received many awards at the
non-profit, state and federal level for his exceptional leadership in
the establishment and implementation of public policies and research
programs that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities
and seniors.

About LAREI
The Los Amigos Research and Education Institute (LAREI) was established
in 1956 as a non-profit organization to administer medical research and
educational programs at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation
Center. In addition, LAREI serves as a resource and information center
and sponsors seminars and conferences, presented by Rancho Los Amigos
professional staff, which attracts physicians and health personnel from
all over the world for specialized rehabilitation studies. The mission
of LAREI is to conduct Medical Research and Education Activities at
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center to continuously improve
the care and quality of life of persons with disabilities. For more
information, please visit www.larei.org.

About Rancho
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has over 50 years of
experience providing quality care for people with disabilities.
Rancho's mission is to provide each patient with superior medical and
rehabilitation services in a culturally-sensitive environment. Rancho
is one of the largest comprehensive centers and is world renowned in the
field of medical rehabilitation. Rancho has been ranked by U.S.News &
World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals 2009-10" for
Rehabilitation. This recognition underscores the dedication and
excellence of Rancho's patient care teams. Rancho was the only
rehabilitation hospital in California or its neighboring states to be
named to the Top 20 in the annual survey. For more information, please
visit www.rancho.org.

About DHS
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is the second
largest municipal health system in the nation, serving the county's low
income, indigent and uninsured populations through three teaching
hospitals and a national rehabilitation hospital, Rancho, and multiple
health centers and clinics. DHS is a leader in chronic disease
management and innovative programs for children in foster care,
homeless, and other vulnerable populations.