Anastacio G. Medina

• Advocate
• Clean Air
• Lung Health
• Public Health
• Public Safety

Recognized as a Local Hero for Hispanic Heritage Month 2008, Mr. Medina retired from the Los Angeles County Health Department after thiry years, working his way up to Chief of the Hazardous Materials/Waste Management Program.

Anastacio Medina was born in Huanusco Zacatecas Mexico and came to the United States at the age of 15. He served in the US Army as a Surgical Technician. Married for 51 years to Esperanza, he has four children 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Early in his career, Mr. Medina became interested in public health, worker health, and air pollution. He soon became an advocate for improving working conditions, workers’ safety education, training, and enforcement of worker and environmental protection laws. His advocacy required interfacing with community and public interest groups, regulatory agencies, and news media.

Today, as a BREATHE LA ( Breathe California of Los Angeles County, formerly American Lung Association of Los Angeles County ) volunteer for over thirty five years, he continues his advocacy role for lung health, clean air issues and a safer and healthier school environment.

Education:

• B.S. California State University, Los Angeles

Recognition and Professional Accomplishments:

• Named Los Angeles County's Employee of the Year-1984
• Received Outstanding Volunteer Service Award 2002 American Lung Association of California

Major role in establishing:

• 1979 - L.A. County Garment Industry Inspection Program- 100,000+ workers benefited by program.
• 1982 - L.A. County Hazardous Waste Control Program- 10,000+ facilities.

Boards:

• BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (former Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary)
• American Lung Association of Los Angeles County
• American Lung Association of California
• Los Angeles Regional Poison Control Center
• LACOSH (AFL-CIO Unions)
• American Red Cross, Southern California Region, Blood Services

Advisory Groups: Represents or has represented BREATHE LA / American Lung Association as member of

• School Construction Bond Citizens Oversight Committee ($19 billion Bond; approved by voters for modernization and building 132 new schools - 72 have been completed to date) Los Angeles Unified School District

• Blue Ribbon Panel – South Coast Air Quality Management District

• South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Ethnic Advisory Group, Home Rule, Metal Finishing, Cumulative Impacts and Air Quality Management Plan Working Group.

Past Public Health, Community Services:

• Past Chair of the Occupational Health Committee, California Environmental Health Association.
• Past Chair of the Southern California Chapter, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
• Health and Education Committee member, United Farm Workers Union (Assisted Formulation of Health and Safety Clauses for the Union’s Contracts for protection of Farm Workers from pesticide exposures)
• Movimiento Familiar Christiano ( Catholic ) building strong family units and relationship to community.
• American Red Cross Blood Services, Community Outreach Programs to increase blood donations.

Why I do it:

“I’ve always been an instigator. You have to put your neck on the line, become a believer if you want to make changes.”

" I have never forgotten what my aunt told me, 'As an immigrant if you can help others, do it. Don't forget where you came from.' "

Anastacio Medina