The Founders Wall

The Founders Wall recognizes the vision, leadership, and dedication of Keiro Senior HealthCare founders George Aratani, Edwin Hiroto, Kiyoshi Maruyama, James Mitsumori, Gongoro Nakamura, Frank Omatsu, Joseph Shinoda, and Fred Wada.

Prominently located in the Activity Center patio on Keiro’s Los Angeles Campus in Boyle Heights, the Founders Wall tells the story of how community leaders established Keiro in 1961 to care for the pioneer Issei with dignity and respect. Today, Keiro is the largest not-for-profit organization serving the Japanese American community, offering a full continuum of care at Keiro Nursing Home, South Bay Keiro Nursing Home, Keiro Intermediate Care Facility, and Keiro Retirement Home, as well as community education and resources through The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro.

“The dedication of this wall to Keiro’s founders is so appropriate as Keiro, JAO, and many other of our community organizations approach the changes that the future is bringing,” said Nikki Kodama, president of the Japanese American Optimist Club (JAO), during the unveiling on September 26, 2009. “As [weJ continue to adapt to our forever evolving community, what will keep us focused is remembering and staying true to the visions of the men that this wall honors.”