HispanicBusiness

During uncertain economic times, growing concerns about the environment are easy to put on the back burner. But for J. Mario Molina, CEO of Molina Healthcare Inc., acting now is crucial not only for the long-term viability of the environment, but for the long-term health of those who inhabit the various ecosystems on Earth. "People are always more concerned about the present and about things that aff ect their daily life. Environmental issues regarding animals, especially ocean animals ... are things that we take for granted," Mr. Molina said. Molina Healthcare, which manages the delivery of health services to low-income families and individuals, helps support the 14,000-square-foot Molina Animal Care Center at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif., where mammals, birds, fish and amphibians receive care. For its efforts, Molina Healthcare was honored with the Aquarium of the Pacific's 2011 Ocean Conservation Award. The Molina family has contributed $2 million to the $5.5 million animal care center.

Molina Healthcare topped HispanicBusiness magazine's 500 directory in 2010 with $3.7 billion in revenues and 2,800 employees.

The aquarium decided to make this into an exhibit so that people could see the animals and learn more about their health care, and we thought that this was a good way for people to understand about the importance of taking care of themselves and their own preventive health care," Mr. Molina said. Mr. Molina was a charter member of the nonprofit aquarium since it formed in June 1998. He currently is on its board of directors. "I love that aquarium," Mr. Molina said. "I think the future of our planet really depends on the health of our oceans. People need to understand what we need to safeguard the oceans because we are responsible for a lot of the damage that has been done."