By Mary O’KEEFE

Recently the doors opened at Optum, located at 2200 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge in the building that used to house Pier 1 Imports.

Optum is a medical group that offers specialty care for outpatient surgery, chronic long-term health conditions or problems that need more than primary care, according to optum.com.

Optum is often part of a person’s insurance, like Blue Cross Blue Shield, LA Care and UnitedHealthcare, to name a few. The best way people can find out if Optum is part of their insurance program is for them to call their medical insurance company, which is listed on their insurance card.

Optum in La Cañada Flintridge is a new, state-of-the-art facility with lots of examination rooms and a comfortable, open waiting room. It used to be located at a much smaller facility at USC-VHH at 1808 Verdugo Blvd. in Glendale. This new facility offers much more space for patients.

Gabriel David, senior administrator, said Optum moved from its old location to this new one because it wanted to grow and wanted to be more involved with the community.

“Our number one [focus] is the patient,” he said, “and we love that we have a big parking lot and can expand [the number] of doctors.”

David added the second important focus of the move was the Optum team and the new technology and equipment the facility now houses.

“And the third thing is we want to be a big part of the community,” he said.

The community welcomed Optum at a recent La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. Dignitaries from the City of LCF, and the Chamber, all welcomed Optum and heralded the new facility.

Representatives including Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, State Assemblymember Chris Holden and Los Angeles County Supervisor – Fifth District Kathryn Barger all welcomed Optum to the area.

“Thank you and congratulations for what you have done,” said La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Michael Davitt.

Councilmembers Jeanne Kim Hobson and Stephanie Fossan joined the mayor in his welcome of Optum.

“We wish you nothing but success and wish you luck,” he added. “The City is always here to help.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. – Crescenta Valley Station Capt. Robert Hahnlein added his good wishes to the business and reminded them that the sheriff’s station was close by if they needed anything.

Optum has been a member of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce since 2017.

“We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” said Mike Leininger, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

Optum’s contact number is (818) 790-1103.